The proper intake of vitamins is crucial for a diabetic. Vitamin A and diabetes treatment may soon be linked, for example. A new study shows that foods that are rich in vitamin A, for example, not only helps to regulate the immune system but may also suppress the development of type 1 diabetes. The study, found on USDA.gov, was performed on mice that were likely to develop diabetes. The majority of the mice that were fed high amounts of vitamin A were able to fend off the disease.
Vitamin B6 and Diabetes
Along with studies of vitamin A and diabetes, many studies have been performed on the effects of B6 in diabetes. Many of these studies yield some really great results. Recently, it has been found that a unique form of vitamin B6 protects against diabetes complication and complications due to aging. According to the article, found on LEF.org, every second our body goes through a destructive process called glycation. This process occurs when sugars within the body react with the body’s proteins. This is is a normal, but undesirable, consequence of aging.
The formation of “glycation end products” leads to the formation of cataracts and is associated with the development of atherosclerosis and kidney failure. The process of glycation also causes the collagen and tissues of our body to cross-link. This is what cause the “unsightly characteristics of aging. A unique for of B6, called pyridoxamine, has been found to be an anti-glycation agent. It is thought to overt diabetic complications such as neuropathy, retinopathy, and kidney failure.
Vitamin K and Diabetes
Vitamin K has been found to significantly lower people’s risk of type-2 diabetes. The vitamin comes in two forms, K1 and K2. In one study, patients with the highest level of vitamin K1 intake were 19% less likely to develop diabetes and patients with the highest intake of K2 intake were 20% less likely to develop the disease. K1 can be found in fruits such as avocado and kiwi, while K2 can be found in meat, eggs, and dairy products. More information about the study can be found on NaturalNews.com’s 2010 article, Vitamin K Helps Prevent Diabetes.
Vitamin B Complex and Diabetes
B Complex Vitamins have been found to benefit our bodies in many different ways, particularly if you are a diabetic. B Complex vitamins have been found to be especially helpful in preventing diabetic neuropathy. The Diabetes Club’s website lists 17 ways the vitamin helps diabetics. They include, but are not limited to:
- Helping us maintain adamant levels of vitamin C, calcium, zinc, magnesium and copper
- Helping increase the ability of our immune system
- Helping us to reduce the glycation process, explained above
- Reducing the amount of the C-reactive protein, which has been linked to heart disease
- Preventing nerve damage, which is commonly found in diabetics
- Helping with the body’s absorption of fat, protein, and carbohydrate
- Helping with the formation of red blood cells
- Cell respiration and growth
- Helping to improve glucose level control
Please read this very helpful and informative article, which can be found at TheDiabetesClub.com, to find out more.
