What Dietary Supplement Should You Be Taking If You Have Type 2 Diabetes?

Insulin in the pancreas of a person with type 2 diabetes does not transport glucose (sugar), from the bloodstream into the cells. The blood sugar levels remain high, which can affect organs. Treatment for type 2 diabetes focuses on controlling blood sugar levels. The majority of Bradley University's nurse practitioner doctors recommend treatment regimens which include diet, exercise, and medication. Dietary supplements are part of a healthy diet. You can take them in pill or liquid form. When people hear “supplement”, they usually think of vitamins, but botanicals and herbs, minerals, amino acids, etc. can all be considered supplements. Diet plays a huge role in type 2 diabetes treatment. Several types of supplements were studied to see if they could improve insulin production or lower blood sugar levels.

Choose from a wide range of dietary supplements

The human body requires 13 vitamins and minerals to function properly and grow. Some graduates of doctorate programs in nurse practitioner have noticed that certain patients? Symptoms improve when patients begin taking certain vitamins.

Most diabetics have low levels of B6 in their body. In several medical trials, diabetics who took biotin twice a month for two months saw their glucose levels drop at the end. Other B-complex vitamin studies also showed that they were helpful.

Since years, doctors have recommended that diabetics take Vitamin C supplements. The supplement can improve the glucose tolerance of diabetics by taking one to three grams. Leafy greens and citrus fruits are excellent sources of food.

Magnesium-rich diets have also been shown to reduce the risk of diabetes in adults. The majority of people with type 2 diabetes have low levels of this nutrient. Low magnesium levels are strongly linked to insulin resistance, according to studies.

Antioxidants and Essential Fatty Acids

EFAs are anti-inflammatory and antioxidants protect cells from damage. Both are found in vitamins A, C, & E.

Both dark chocolate and green tea share more than just being in the same pantry. Both substances contain polyphenols. They are antioxidants which have shown to benefit insulin and glucose.

Fish oil and fatty acids have been shown reduce triglyceride. Additional evidence suggests that fatty acid can protect diabetics against heart disease.

Caution

Since decades, professionals in alternative medicine have recommended these supplements. Physicians still urge patients to exercise caution when using these supplements as part of a diabetes treatment plan.

If you're interested in finding out more about these supplements, or if they could be used with conventional treatments, speak to your doctor. It is vital that you and your physician are aware of any supplements that may interfere with your treatment.

What Dietary Supplements Should You Take If You Have Diabetes Type 2? The post What Dietary Supplement Should You Be Taking If You Have Type 2 Diabetes? appeared first on Alternative Medicine Magazine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who uses holistic medicine

Holistic medicine refers health care that addresses the whole person instead of just treating symptoms. It considers both the mental, and physical aspects.

Holistic medicine includes acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic treatment, nutritional counseling, yoga, and other complementary therapies.

People who use holistic medicine include those who have been diagnosed with cancer, heart problems, diabetes, arthritis, depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, migraines, infertility, menopause, asthma, autism, and many others.

What is the difference between alternative medicine and complementary medicine?

Alternative medicine is a treatment that is not commonly used by mainstream medical professionals, but has been proven to be beneficial for certain conditions. Homeopathy, acupuncture and aromatherapy are all examples. Complementary medicines refer to those therapies which complement conventional treatment; they may be used alongside conventional medicine. These may include dietary supplements, such as vitamins and minerals, herbs, enzymes, enzymes, probiotics or other natural substances.

Both forms of medicine can be used but are not recommended by many doctors due to lack of evidence or safety concerns.

The best way to integrate CAM into patient care is not a consensus among health care professionals.

Many CAM methods are based on theories that have been developed over thousands of year. But clinical trials in the past 20 years have suggested that these therapies might work.

A number of studies suggest that acupuncture may be able to relieve pain. Preliminary data also show that acupuncture may help to reduce nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. Other studies suggest that acupuncture may improve symptoms related to irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, migraines, tension headaches, depression, anxiety, and insomnia.

Some CAM techniques may also be beneficial in treating diseases like HIV/AIDS (AIDS), diabetes, heart disease and hypertension.

Experts agree that CAM can help with many ailments, even though we still have a lot to learn about its effectiveness.

People are increasingly turning to CAM practitioners to find relief from common ailments.

Despite its popularity, many are still confused about what “alternative” and “complementary medicine is.

What Is Alternative Medicine?

This is a holistic approach to healing that emphasizes prevention over treatment. It also encourages people to become informed consumers actively engaged in improving their health and well-being.

Alternative medicine refers any treatment or diagnosis that does not use allopathic (conventional), medical practices.

What are the 5 Alternative Medical Systems?

The five alternative medicine systems include acupuncture, Ayurveda, homeopathy, energy healing, and aromatherapy.

Acupuncture uses fine needles placed in specific points of the body to stimulate qi flow throughout the body.

Ayurvedic Medicine, an ancient system of health-care, focuses on the balance of the three elements: fire, air, and water. It involves diet and exercise, herbal remedies as well massage and meditation.

Homeopathic Medicine's name derives from the Greek words homoios and pathos. Homeopaths believe all diseases are caused by natural causes, but not always symptoms. Homeopaths prescribe tiny amounts of substances to cause symptoms that are similar to those experienced by patients when they are ill.

Energy Healing can also be known by the names Reiki, EFT Rolfing and Therapeutic Touch. This therapy is based on the belief that each person is connected to a universal life force called Ki. We feel better when this Ki flows freely through our bodies. Energy healers use touch, intention, and touch to restore harmony between our physical and emotional, as well as spiritual selves.

Aromatherapy uses essential oils from plants to treat ailments. Aromatherapists believe certain smells can have a positive effect on mood and behavior. Lavender essential oil is the most commonly used in aromatherapy.

Is holistic medical care the same as alternative medicines?

Holistic Health Care is different than Alternative Medicine because it addresses the whole person rather than just symptoms.

Holistic Health Care examines all aspects a person's health including the mental, emotional, spiritual and occupational factors as well as family factors.

Alternative Medicine doesn't address these issues. It does not address the mind, body, or emotions.

Statistics

The use of alternative medicine in the US has increased, with a 50 percent increase in expenditures and a 25 percent increase in the use of alternative therapies between 1990 and 1997 in America. (en.wikipedia.org)
The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)
In 83% of the cases, the readers agreed. (en.wikipedia.org)
An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
According to a 2005 book by a US [116]Institute of Medicine panel, the number of RCTs focused on CAM has risen dramatically. (en.wikipedia.org)

External Links

How To

How To Deal With My Girlfriend Trusting Alternative Medicine?

The internet offers guidance for those caring for a loved one with a mental illness. There is not much information available to assist those who believe in alternative medicine.

There seems to be a wide divide between these two groups. There is a wide range of opinions on conventional medicine.

What happens if someone you know believes in alternative therapies for mental health issues.

Because you don't know the right way to respond, you might feel confused or frustrated. So what do you say to your partner when he tells you he wants to go to an acupuncturist instead of his doctor? Or when she says she'd rather eat gluten free than take antidepressants.

It is important that you ask questions. It can save you a lot of pain later.

However, how can you ask such difficult questions without offending him What if your client says he doesn’t believe in doctors? What if he says he doesn't trust doctors?

What if she claims that antidepressants don't work? Tell her that you don't believe she's right.

This is where the conversation becomes tricky. She may be even more offended if it is pointed out that she is wrong.

Or, you can suggest she sees a psychiatrist. This may cause more problems than it solves. She might get angry at you for suggesting this. She might think you are trying to control her mind.

So what should you do?

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