When you have type 2 diabetes, a metabolic disorder, symptoms are characterized by insulin resistance, a lack of insulin, and high blood sugar.
However, type 2 diabetes is also an inflammatory condition. It’s important to keep your inflammation levels under control so that you can reduce some of your symptoms. Getting appropriate nutrition can help reduce inflammation and keep your symptoms of type 2 diabetes in check.
Vitamins are in the foods we eat, but many people aren’t getting enough, so they might supplement. With type 2 diabetes, there are research studies showing vitamin deficiencies may play a role in the onset, and if you reverse the deficiencies, it could control the progression. That’s why multivitamins for diabetic patients can be a good option. Below, we specifically break down some of the things diabetics should know about vitamins and their importance.
1. Magnesium
When someone has high glucose levels in their blood, it causes them to lose a lot of magnesium through their urine. Insulin and glucose are part of the regulation of the metabolism of magnesium. Low magnesium intake paired with increased loss through the urine are factors that lead many people with type 2 diabetes to be deficient.
Magnesium supplements can help improve insulin resistance and reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.
Research from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that a higher intake of magnesium strongly correlates with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.
People who consume less magnesium overall tend to have poorer regulation of their blood sugar.
2. Vitamin B12
Your body needs adequate levels of vitamin B12 for healthy blood cells and the proper functioning of your nervous system. If you have diabetes, it can raise the risk of a B12 deficiency because this is one of the potential side effects of metformin.
In one study, 22% of people with type 2 diabetes had low B12 levels, with the study suggesting the reason was the use of metformin.
Symptoms of a B12 deficiency include tiredness and weakness, and over time, the effects can become more severe.
One complication of diabetes is neuropathy, which is nerve damage. It’s caused by the effects of high blood glucose over a long period. If you’re deficient in B12 for long periods, it can damage your nerves.
Along with B12, other B vitamins are also important for people with diabetes to make sure they get enough of.
B1 is an example. Also known as thiamin, vitamin B1 can help regulate levels of blood sugar and reduce the risk of heart and renal disorders.
3. Vitamin A
Vitamin A is actually a group of retinoids that are fat-soluble. Vitamin A helps strengthen your immune system so your body can properly eliminate toxins.
There’s also research that the pancreas cells responsible for the creation of insulin contain a lot of receptors for vitamin A. This means that making sure you’re getting enough vitamin A could positively affect your production of insulin.
4. Vitamin D
In some observational studies, a link between having low vitamin D levels and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes has been found.
In an observational study, a daily intake of more than 800 IU of vitamin D along with calcium reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes by 33%.
In another study, increasing serum vitamin D levels to normal led to a 55% reduction in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Vitamin D appears to be correlated significantly with insulin resistance, and researchers believe that your levels of vitamin D likely play a major role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.
In other studies, low vitamin D levels were linked with things like a higher likelihood of the development of foot ulcers in older people with type 2 diabetes.
Vitamin D is considered protective when it comes to the occurrence of insulin resistance because it lowers inflammation. Inflammation increases the risk of insulin resistance.
5. Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that’s primary role is to act as an antioxidant. Vitamin E can find free radicals that lead to cellular damage. Vitamin E can also prevent blood clotting in the heart arteries, and it can improve immune function.
Since diabetes is linked with oxidative damage, making sure you’re getting adequate amounts can reduce this progression and also potentially lower the risk of certain complications of diabetes.
Signs of vitamin E deficiency include retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and decreased immune function.
6. Chromium
Chromium is a mineral, and it can play a role in the reduction of sugar levels. Chromium can lower fasting glucose and also potentially reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
7. Selenium
Selenium is important for thyroid and gut health, and it also helps with the control of blood sugar. Selenium has antioxidant properties, and it’s been shown in some research to positively affect the genes that are involved in blood sugar regulation.
It’s somewhat common for people with diabetes to have a selenium deficiency.
8. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is one of the nutrients with the most research behind it.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant, and its levels tend to be lower in people with type 2 diabetes.
In one study, vitamin C supplements were associated with improved blood glucose levels in people with diabetes. In this study, which was done in Australia, people who took a vitamin C tablet twice a day saw blood glucose spikes decline by 36%.
Final Thoughts
Whenever possible, getting all of your vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients from your food is ideal, but not always possible. Plus, even if you do eat a well-balanced diet, you might have conditions that impair your ability to absorb nutrients. Even inflammation can impact your absorption of vitamins and minerals.
That means that for some people, the best choice to fill in nutritional gaps is to take a multivitamin. If you have diabetes, it’s a good idea to look at the above list and make sure any product you choose includes, at a minimum, those ingredients.
