Supplements for Diabetics

Diabetes can happen to anyone. It is estimated that up to 1 billion people around the world exhibit some form of glucose intolerance, high blood pressure and high cholesterol that make up the symptoms of Syndrome X. It's just a short road to heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

Diabetes is not a death sentence. It can be reversed or even avoided if you make the changes necessary and resolve to live a healthier lifestyle. That includes a better diet, more exercise and the elimination of smoking, drinking and reducing your stress level.

You can help yourself live healthier by taking natural supplements that can help you regulate your blood sugar whether you are currently non-diabetic, pre-diabetic or already have diabetes.

1) Alpha Lipoic Acid, or ALA is an antioxidant that helps protect against cell damage caused by free radicals. It improves blood flow and increases sensitivity to insulin so the body can better absorb glucose. It is found in some foods such as spinach, broccoli and potatoes.

2) Chromium is found in meats, fish, cheese, legumes, whole wheat, rye bread and brewer's yeast. 90% of Americans do not get enough chromium in their diets. Chromium works with insulin to open the cell membranes so they can better absorb glucose. It decreases LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and increase the good HDL levels.

3) Coenzyme Q10 acts as an antioxidant and triggers beta-cell functioning in the pancreas which produces the insulin necessary to move glucose out of the bloodstream. It lessens heart damage. 50 to 100 mg per day is the recommended dose.

4) Magnesium improves insulin response, glucose tolerance and improves the fluidity of red blood cell membranes in diabetics. It's found in seeds, nuts, legumes and green leafy vegetables. Both magnesium aspartate and magnesium citrate are good sources of magnesium. Take 25 mg of B-6 to help move magnesium into the cells.

5) Before insulin was discovered, vanadium was used to help control blood sugar. In the form of vanadyl sulfate it helps control the rise of glucose after meals. Good sources of vanadium are mushrooms, shellfish, dill, parsley and black pepper.

6) Bitter melon is a cucumber-like plant that grows in Asia, South America and Africa. It helps to lower blood sugar. Just 2 ounces of the juice was shown to improve glucose levels in 73% of type 2 diabetics in one study. You can brew a tea from charantia, a form of bitter melon.

7) Gymnema Sylvestre grows in the tropical regions of India and was used to treat both type 1 and type 2 diabetics. In one study 400 mg of Gymnema extract was given to 22 type 2 diabetic patients along with their oral medications. All experienced improved blood glucose control and 5 of therm were able to discontinue their drug use. It enhances the action of insulin. Dosage is 200 mg two times a day.

8) Fenugreek seeds were used in folk medicine to treat diabetes. In order to lower blood sugar, about 15 to 50 grams twice daily is needed. The active ingredients is the soluble fiber of fenugreek and the alkaloid trigonelline. It's helpful for both type 1 and type 2 diabetics.

Remember that supplements alone will not help prevent the onset of diabetes unless you take a full approach and make a complete change in your lifestyle. Eliminate the bad food in your diet, your stress level, your smoking habits and get the exercise you need are the only ways to prevent you from joining the millions who now suffer from the consequences of diabetes.