03.31.09
Supplements studied for diabetes: multivitamins, fish oil, lipoic acid, chromium and biotin
We were at a health fair in Brooklyn recently, and, because there is a high rate of diabetes in this area of NYC, we decided that we should produce a short list of the most important supplements that have been studied for diabetes:
Multivitamin/multimineral
Regular use of a multivitamin/multimineral supplement helps people with diabetes maintain good health (for example, by reducing the number of infections they experience).
Reference: Barringer, et al. Effect of a Multivitamin and Mineral Supplement on Infection and Quality of Life. Annals of Internal Medicine. 3/4/2003.
Omega-3 fatty acids (Fish Oil)
Many people with diabetes have high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. (Two out of three people with diabetes die of heart disease or stroke.) Omega-3 fatty acids have shown benefit for cardiovascular health in recent randomized controlled clinical trials. The FDA has also approved a health claim for fish oil: “supporting but not conclusive evidence shows that the consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.”
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) has the ability to assist with glucose metabolism, and also promotes healthy nerve function. A recent study concluded that ALA (600mg) could be useful in helping to treat the symptoms of diabetes-related neuropathy (= generally, pain, tingling, numbness in feet and hands).
Reference: Ametov et al. The sensory symptoms of diabetic polyneuropathy are improved with alpha-lipoic acid: The SYDNEY Trial. Diabetes Care. 2003, 26 (3)
Chromium
See entries under Chromium on this blog for additional information about this mineral and its potential benefit for people with diabetes.
03.27.08
Women’s Blend – multivitamin from Super Nutrition
Some information about Women’s Blend from Super Nutrition, which also produces the Super Blend and Opti-Pack multivitamins.
Here are some excerpts from the Super Nutrition description of this multi:
This is a food-based multivitamin, enriched with organic green foods and herbs.
–Includes a robust B-Complex formula to increase energy throughout the day
–Immune supporting, anti-aging antioxidants
–Bone support – 1,000 mg Calcium, 600 mg Magnesium, 1,000 IU Vitamin D, 3 mg Boron and 1,000 mg Vitamin C
–Heart Healthy – 1,000 mcg Folic Acid, 200 mg Vitamin B6, 200 mcg Vitamin B12 plus 400 IU Vitamin E
–Enriched with 600 mcg Biotin & 100 mg GLA
–Special female herbal blend with Pau d’Arco, Peony, organic Nettles and Rosemary
100 mg 5:1 Vitex extract*
–Special flower petal blend, featuring Red Rosebuds
–200 mg Vitamin B6 to help reduce PMS*
–6 tablets per day
*Here’s some additional information, supplied by Michael Mooney at Super Nutrition in response to our request:
> Vitex for PMS. A placebo-controlled study showed that 20 mg of Vitex extract reduced PMS 28> percent better than placebo. Women’s Blend has 100 mg of 5:1 extract.
> 200 mg B6 reduced PMS 79 percent of the women in a PC study, 100 – 160 reduced it 68 percent.
02.25.08
Chromium and biotin supplementation may help control diabetes
We were interested to see a report from last month on a study of chromium plus biotin to help in managing diabetes.
The study, conducted by Yale University researchers, found that daily supplementation with these two items improved glucose tolerance by 15 per cent, compared to placebo. The investigation focused on the glycemic control and blood lipids of 36 overweight or obese people with type 2 diabetes. Reporting the results in the journal Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics, lead author Gregory Singer concluded that supplementing with chromium and biotin on a daily basis improved blood sugar control and cholesterol metabolism in diabetes patients on an antidiabetic treatment regimen, and could be considered as an adjunct to conventional oral diabetes therapy.
We also note that biotin and lipoic acid have recently been investigated for their potential in helping manage diabetes. See the NYBC entry on biotin for further details.
