Are Vitamins Supplements Necessary
for
Diabetes Management?
Written by Sejal Dave, MS, RD/LD, CDE of HealthCastle.com
Published in February 2008
 (HealthCastle.com) Vitamin supplementation is really popular these days, leaving many people with diabetes unsure of whether or not they should add vitamins or dietary supplements to their meals.
Neither the American Diabetes Association nor the American Dietetic Association advocate the use of vitamin supplements if a person with diabetes has a healthy, varied diet. Both organizations support using food as a source of vitamins instead of adding supplements (i.e. pills) to your diet. They especially warn against using mega-doses of vitamins or supplements, which could potentially cause adverse side effects.
Vitamin D and Diabetes
In a recent study published by Diabetes and
Diabetes Prevention, people with high blood levels of Vitamin D
were associated with having a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Fortified milk and cereal, eggs, cheese, and fatty fishes like salmon, mackerel, tuna, cod, herring, and sardines are all good food sources of Vitamin D. Alternately, your body can make enough Vitamin D if you get 10-15 minutes of sun exposure 2-3 times a week.
Chromium and Diabetes
Another supplement of interest to people
with diabetes is chromium . Chromium is a mineral that’s required in small amounts for the metabolism of glucose in the body – in other words, it helps the body break down blood sugar.
Studies have found that if a person has chromium deficiency,
chromium supplementation can help to control blood glucose levels.
However, there are no current recommendations on chromium
supplementation for people with diabetes. Foods high in chromium
include beef, liver, eggs, chicken, apples and spinach.
So who needs multivitamins?
Vitamin supplementation can be beneficial
for the elderly, strict vegetarians, people on low-calorie diets,
and those that are malnourished. A general multivitamin
can often meet the nutrition requirements for those who are unable to obtain adequate vitamins and minerals from their diet.
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The Bottom Line
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It can be possible to have a diet
filled with an abundance of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that come from natural and fortified food sources. Vitamins from foods are often better absorbed by the body than vitamins in pill form.
Although it may be tempting to take a supplement, it isn’t
necessary for everyone. If you feel that you may benefit from
a vitamin or dietary supplement, check with your healthcare
provider to determine what would be best for you. In the
meantime, continue to choose healthy foods that are not only
full of vitamins, but taste good and help keep your immune
system healthy. Check food labels and ingredient lists in
order to make wise purchases to get the most out of each
bite!
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