Diabetes Facts

When it comes to managing Type 2 Diabetes, the essential dietary vitamins and dietary minerals in your diet can make a huge difference! Eating the right amounts and combination of foods can not only make you feel better, but it can even reduce your chances of having Diabetes Type 2 complications.

But let’s face it, even the most perfectly planned meal doesn’t always provide the nutrients you need for optimum support – and that’s why vitamin and mineral supplements are so important! Supplements can also help when you’re not at home or you don’t have time to plan your meals, or when temptation causes you to stray a little off course.

We must get essential dietary vitamins from the foods we eat or from dietary supplements. Our bodies do not make enough of these vitamins and minerals to guarantee a healthy life. Most vitamins and some minerals play important roles in helping the body’s enzymes break down food like sugar, creating chemicals like fatty acid and other functions.

The following vitamins and minerals, in recommended dosages, can provide a really useful addition to your diabetes diet:

Essential Dietary Vitamins

• Vitamin B Complex: Thiamine (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3), Pantothenic acid (B5), Pyridoxine (B6), Biotin (B7), Folic Acid (B9), and Cyanocobalamin (B12): Serves a host of different functions – it supports your nervous system, reduces glucose levels, converts carbohydrates to glucose, and breaks down proteins and fats.

• Vitamin D: Helps to maintain adequate levels of insulin in the blood.

• Vitamin C: Plays a role in preventing vascular and arterial damage, and reduces sorbital (a sugar) accumulation.

• Vitamin E: Improves glucose tolerance and reduces urinary protein loss.  

Essential Dietary Minerals

• Chromium: Improves blood sugar metabolism and increases insulin efficiency. Sometimes referred to as the “diabetic mineral.”

• Vanadium: Supports glucose regulation and insulin efficiency.

• Zinc: Contributes to the synthesis, storage, and secretion of insulin.

• Magnesium: Assists blood sugar stabilization and the metabolism of fats, sugars, and starches.

• Manganese: Promotes protein and fat metabolism, and balances blood sugar levels.

• Potassium:  Promotes good heart health and stable blood pressure

A diabetes diet plan, blood glucose monitoring, medications, and exercise all play a significant role in the management of Diabetes Type 2, but don’t forget the powerful contributions of vitamin and mineral supplements! Adding these nutritional “soldiers” will not only help to round out a healthy diet plan, but will also help to support your diet during times when it may be less than perfect.

Essential dietary vitamins and essential dietary minerals are needed in very small amounts. You don’t need a lot of them. If you are thinking about using vitamins or minerals, first discuss the benefits and risks with your health care professional.  A balanced meal is your best source of dietary vitamins and dietary minerals.