Diabetes Dietary Supplements

If you have diabetes, your body will not be able to efficiently process and utilize glucose from the foods you consume.

There are various kinds of diabetes, each having distinct causes, but all have the same problem of having excessive glucose levels in the bloodstream.

Treatments may include insulin or medications. Certain types of diabetes are preventable through a healthy diet and an improved lifestyle.

Nearly 422 million people globally have diabetes, with the vast majority living in middle and low-income countries. Around 1.5 million deaths can be directly attributed to diabetes each year. The number of cases and the incidence of diabetes have steadily increased over the past several decades.

What is Diabetes?

It is a long-lasting metabolic disease characterized by increased sugar (or blood sugar). It can lead to severe injuries to the blood vessels, the heart, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.

“Diabetes” refers to diabetes mellitus, a category of metabolic disorders where a patient has elevated blood glucose levels for an extended period.

Blood glucose is your primary source of energy. It is derived from the food you consume. Insulin is a hormone created by the pancreas that helps the glucose in food enter your body’s cells to produce energy.

Sometimes, your body isn’t producing enough insulin. The glucose stays in your blood but is not able to reach your cells.

Excess glucose levels in your blood could lead to health issues. Although there is no cure for diabetes, you can take steps to control the effects of diabetes and maintain your health.

What are the different types of diabetes?

The most common types of diabetes are:

  1. Type 1 diabetes- If you have Type 1 Diabetes, your body cannot make insulin. The body’s immune system can destroy and attack the pancreas cells that produce insulin. Type 1 diabetes is typically discovered in young children and adults; however, it may occur at any age. Patients who have Type 1 diabetes must take insulin every day to be healthy.
  2. Type 2 diabetes- It is the most common form of diabetes. It’s a sign that your body isn’t using insulin correctly. While some individuals can manage their blood glucose levels through healthy eating and exercise, others could require insulin or medication to manage their diabetes. Maintaining an appropriate diet is one of the most important aspects of managing type 2 diabetes. It is important to eat a healthy and sustainable diet that makes you feel better but also makes you feel happy and fed.
  3. Gestational diabetes- This type of diabetes occurs in some women who are pregnant. It is most often the case that this kind of diabetes disappears when the baby is born. However, if you’ve had gestational diabetes, you are likely to become type 2 diabetes later in your life. Sometimes, diabetes that is diagnosed during pregnancy is Type 2 diabetes.

Symptoms of Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes symptoms include frequent urination and thirst, continuous hunger and weight loss, fatigue, and vision changes.

The symptoms can be sudden. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes are typically similar to those experienced by type 1 diabetes; however, they are typically less prominent.

Ultimately, the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes may occur later and after complications. Because of this, you must be aware of the risk factors.

Read also: What Are The Early Signs of Diabetes

Diabetes Dietary Supplements

Can dietary Supplements aid in controlling diabetes? If you’re one of the many people who have diabetes, you are wondering if the advertisements you’ve seen or heard about are real. We would examine whether dietary supplements are helpful or not for your health.

Dietary supplements comprise nutrients, minerals, and herbs. It is recommended to take them through inhalation. Dietary supplements may offer additional nutrition for those with specific health issues, like diabetes.

However, most people with diabetes still need to use prescription medications to regulate the level of blood sugar.

Effectiveness of dietary supplements for diabetes

Dietary supplements for diabetes

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There isn’t enough research to justify specific recommendations for diabetes and dietary supplements.

For instance, chromium may aid blood sugar control, and alpha-lipoic acid could help with diabetic neuropathy (nerve issues). In the case of most supplements, no evidence suggests a positive impact on diabetes and its complications.

Although, there is not enough evidence that support specific recommendations for dietary supplements and diabetes, some studies point to these minerals that may be linked to blood sugar control.

  1. Magnesium can be found in numerous food items, such as in large amounts in bran cereals, certain seeds and nuts, and spinach. Magnesium is crucial for the body’s ability to process glucose. Magnesium deficiency can increase the chance of developing diabetes. Numerous studies have investigated whether magnesium supplements can help those who have diabetes or are susceptible to developing it. But, the research studies tend to be smaller, and the conclusions aren’t conclusive.
  1. Chromium is found in various foods. Chromium is a vital trace mineral. If you’re not getting enough of the mineral chromium, your body won’t be able to use glucose effectively. Supplementing with chromium, in conjunction with traditional treatment, improved blood sugar control for patients who have diabetes (primarily type 2) and who suffered from low blood sugar control.

Here are some other minerals which might aid in diabetes:

  1. Omega-3s: Consuming omega-3 fatty acid supplements, like fish oil, hasn’t been proven to help those with diabetes manage glucose levels or decrease the risk of heart disease. Fish and other seafood, particularly cold-water fish that are fatty, such as tuna and salmon, are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Some studies conducted in Europe and the United States and Europe found that those who ate greater amounts of fish were at a greater rate of developing diabetes.
  1. Vitamins: Research has shown that taking vitamin C does not help with blood sugar control or other health issues in patients who have diabetes. According to some studies, vitamin C has helped lower blood sugar control in those who have type 2 diabetes if they took longer than 30 days. Low vitamin D levels can lead to the likelihood of developing metabolic disorders, like metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, or insulin resistance, research reviews and studies from the last five years have shown.

Diabetic Dietary Supplements Market

According to RationalStat report the global diabetes dietary supplement market is expected to grow by approximately 4.2% during 2019-2028.

The growth in the market is due to the rising incidence of diabetes and the increasing geriatric population around the globe.

Additionally, the growing awareness of supplements will increase the demand and consequently drive the expansion of the market for diabetes-related dietary supplements.

Based on the National Health Interview Survey in 2016 and 2017, Type 2 diabetes was widespread in older men, adults, and people with lower family incomes, lower levels of education, and higher body mass index (BMI) within the US.

Due to market leaders’ advancement of scientifically developed vitamin supplements and the increased recognition of supplements for diabetes based on vitamin supplements for patients, the vitamin segment is likely to lead the market globally over the next few years.

Conclusion

According to the American Diabetes Association, there is no evidence to suggest that minerals or vitamins can aid people with type 2 diabetes who does not have a specific deficiency.

Consult your physician. This is the first step to deciding whether you want to mix dietary supplements and diabetes. Consider the potential benefits and potential risks of taking nutritional supplements.

Your physician and pharmacist can also ensure whether any supplements you are taking aren’t likely to interact with your medication.

About The Author:

Stacey Smith is a freelance health writer. She is passionate to write about women’s health, dental health, diabetes, endocrinology, and nutrition and provides in-depth features on the latest in health news for medical clinics and health magazines.

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