subject: Dietary Supplements For Type 2 Diabetes Sufferers [print this page] Dietary Supplements For Type 2 Diabetes Sufferers
Many patients use dietary supplements for type 2 diabetes. Ongoing users of these products no doubt claim the supplements are of benefit. Yet medical studies of these products have not always supported their positive experience. Some studies have found the products to be of marginal benefit and might even produce negative effects if not taken in correct dosage.
The Maryland-based National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) provides its independent view online at its website. It has reviewed relevant scientific studies and summarized their overall conclusions. The NCCAM findings are available online. The results are worthy of attention and perhaps a little provocative.
Type 2 diabetes is by far the most common form of the condition. All three types of diabetes inhibit the body changing food into glucose and hence energy. This impairment arises because diabetes sufferers do not produce enough insulin or their cells do not respond efficiently to the hormone insulin. Without intervention, glucose accumulates in their bloodstream rather than being absorbed into body cells to facilitate conversion of food into energy. Over time, this high blood sugar can harm many organs including the heart, eyes, and kidneys to name just a few. Managing these secondary complications is possible by managing the blood sugar level.
Type 2 diabetes patients cannot easily control their blood glucose. Conventional medicine manages the problem by recommending a healthy and strict eating plan, physical exercise, and frequent measurement of blood sugar. Insulin injections and proprietary medicines are frequently part of the regime designed for a diabetes patient by the physician.
Some sufferers also elect to consume dietary supplements specially designed for diabetes patients. The key benefit claimed by these supplements is an enhanced control of the blood glucose. Perhaps the most common of these supplements are thioctic acid, chromium and omega-3 fatty acids (commonly known as good fats).
Thioctic acid (also known as alpha-lipoic acid) is one of many antioxidants. It protects body cells against various forms of damage. A balanced diet provides the body with all the thioctic acid it needs. The substance is present in many commonly available foods such as spinach, liver, and potatoes. It is perhaps not surprising therefore, that scientific studies do not universally support the use of this supplement. Indeed, the studies highlight that thioctic acid supplements may even be harmful by overly decreasing blood sugar below a safe level. Accordingly, the NCCAM urges diabetes patients, who take this supplement to be disciplined about the dosage, monitor blood sugar with particular care and consult with their physician.
Chromium is a critical trace mineral required by the human body. However, the body needs only small amounts of the mineral and it is present in a wide variety of foods including meats, whole grain products as well as some fruits, vegetables, and spices. The NCCAM concludes the scientific evidence regarding the efficacy of chromium supplements is ambiguous. The NCCAM also highlights that, for people with diabetes, too much chromium might cause blood sugar to sink too low. At the other end of the spectrum, high doses can cause serious side effects, including kidney problems, this being of particular concern to diabetes sufferers.
Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids. They are beneficial for health and well-being. They are present in a relatively narrow range of foods such as salmon and other fish, vegetable oil, walnuts, and wheat germ. Omega-3 supplements are available as capsules or oils (such as fish oil). Omega-3s are important for a number of bodily functions including the flow of calcium and other substances in and out of body cells. Again, as in the case of thioctic acid and chromium, the NCCAM finds that the weight of evidence does not point to omega-3 supplements being of positive benefit in terms of better blood glucose control be diabetes patients.
The Maryland-based NCCAM is the US government's top authority for research on alternative medical systems, procedures and products that are not part of mainstream medicine. It concludes the above mentioned supplements appear not to assist the control of blood glucose. It emphasizes this can only be a preliminary conclusion since the available evidence is in some cases badly designed, lacking in depth and inadequate in terms of time period length.
If you suspect that you have diabetes, you should see your doctor and get an accurate diagnosis.
Do you know that there is a highly advanceddietary supplement for type 2 diabetes which aims to address efficient insulin production and secretion, helps reduce the risk of potentially fatal diabetic-related diseases and regenerate insulin producing cells in the pancreas.
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