HealthyBodySupplements - How to Live with Diabetes

If you are living with diabetes, you may be taking a variety of drugs. A person with type I diabetes is usually insulin dependent. A person with type II may become insulin dependent if drugs stop working or if glucose levels are poorly controlled.

What you will learn about here are the nutritional recommendations for anyone living with type 1 or type 2. While following these recommendations will not reverse type 1, they may reduce the need for insulin. A person with type 2 who follows these recommendations may avoid becoming insulin dependent.

If you have yet to speak to a qualified dietician, it is recommended that you do so. A dietician will help you plan your diet of complex carbohydrates and the timing of your meals to best keep your blood sugar levels stable. He or she will also recommend that you check your blood sugar levels frequently to make sure your dietary changes are working.

Regular physical activity helps to naturally lower blood sugar levels as the cells of your body need more energy. It is however important to check your blood sugar levels frequently. Suddenly becoming more active than usual can lead to hypoglycemia. As you learned in my last article, hypoglycemia can occur suddenly and may cause you to pass out.

Nutritional supplements can help keep blood sugar levels normal. They can help your digestive system work more efficiently and balance out your gut flora. They can balance hormone levels and help protect your vascular system from the damage that leads to the complications of diabetes. Two supplements, chromium and biotin are well known for their benefits in diabetes.

Other nutrients and herbal remedies are less well-known. Some of them are listed below, along with their benefits.

· Kino (pterocarpus marsupium)—an herb used in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of diabetes; has proven to be useful for lowering blood sugar levels

· Zinc—an essential mineral normally needed in small amounts; the diabetic’s need for zinc seems to be higher

· Milk thistle extract—protects against liver damage and may reduce the need for insulin

· Selenium and vitamin E—an antioxidant duo show to protect against liver, vascular and muscle damage associated with diabetes

· Quercetin—another antioxidant that may help protect the insulin-producing pancreatic cells and enhance the secretion of insulin

· Black cumin—also used in Ayurvedic medicine; has been shown to increase insulin release by the pancreatic cells

· Bitter melon—some studies indicate that bitter melon may regenerate the insulin-producing pancreatic cells; used in some countries as a replacement for people allergic to insulin

It is important for a person with type I or type II diabetes to take a well-designed multi-ingredient supplement created specifically for the problems associated with diabetes. It is not a good idea to buy lots of different single ingredient supplements or herbal remedies. Unless the exact dosage and the right combinations are used, the supplements could do more harm than good. MORE DIABETES INFO CLICK HERE