The American Diabetes Association provides a great deal of wonderful information concerning dietary and lifestyle factors that affect the condition. The only area of information in which they are lacking has to do with questions about vitamin supplements and herbs to help stabilize glucose levels. The information here should help you make an informed decision about supplementation.
What Vitamins Will Help?
According to the American Diabetes Association, you "probably" don't need to take vitamin supplements. There are a number of organizations, health care professionals and dietary experts that would disagree. In fact, a number of respected scientists believe that the insulin producing cells in the pancreas can be regenerated with the proper dietary supplementation.
Malnourishment and severe nutritional deficiencies are rarely seen in the industrialized nations of the world. But, that does not mean that you are getting all of the nutrients that you need for excellent health from the foods that you eat.
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can cause problems with glucose control. The American Diabetes Association agrees with that statement. But, they, like many other organizations, feel that you can get all of the nutrients that you need every day, simply by eating a wide variety of foods.
That's highly unlikely. For one thing, the level of nutrients in even our fruits and vegetables is not what it once was. For another, most people eat a lot of prepared, packaged or processed foods, which further reduces the food's nutritional value. Many experts feel that everyone needs a good daily nutritional supplement.
Are there Herbs that Will Help?
According to the American Diabetes Association there is not enough data on any herb to recommend its use. There are hundreds of research reports concerning the promising results and lack of side effects seen with herbal medicines.
The real problem is that the majority of research conducted in the United States is sponsored by pharmaceutical companies in search of synthetic compounds that can be patented. Herbs and other naturally occurring compounds cannot be patented, so there will never be enough data to satisfy scientists and researchers.
In some cases, there have been as many clinical studies on the safety and efficacy of a specific herb, as there have been on a new drug. The drug data is always respected, even though those same drugs may be withdrawn from the market next month or next year, because of unwanted, sometimes critical side effects.
How do I Choose a Brand?
It is true that the quality and content of a product can vary. If you are currently taking medication, you need to discuss possible interactions with your pharmacy or a naturopathic MD. Conventional medical doctors are not well informed about new research concerning herbs and vitamin supplements. Naturopathic MDs must be up to date and better informed. They can also help you with a "complete" treatment plan.
When you do decide to "take action", choose a supplement manufacturer that uses effectiveness through proper formulations and coatings. Also, be sure that they test each batch for purity. Just so you know, I like the American Diabetes Association; I just thought you should have a little more information.
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