Nutritional Supplements

& Diabetes
Answers to Your Health Questions

Decker Weiss: NMD, AACVPR

Controlling Diabetes
with Nutritional Supplements
Perhaps no other disease is as closely linked to nutrition as diabetes. Not only
does nutrition play a role in its development, nutrition is also one of the dis-
ease’s most powerful treatments.1
Because of this strong and critical connection to nutrition, researchers have care-
fully studied the use of nutritional supplements in the treatment of the disease.
They found that many vitamins, such as vitamin C and the B vitamins, minerals
Dr. Weiss is considered an expert
such as chromium, as well as herbs like Gymnema sylvestre, can safely, effective-
in integrative cardiology. He is the
ly, and naturally lower blood sugars and help prevent diabetic complications.
first naturopathic physician to
complete a conventional residency What is even more important, however, is that these vitamins, minerals, and
program in the Columbia Hospital herbs can be combined together in a scientifically validated diabetic formula to
System, the Arizona Heart Hospital work synergistically. That means their combined effectiveness is even more power-
and the prestigious Arizona Heart ful. Like a group of good friends, these vitamins, minerals, and herbs do their
Institute. Dr. Weiss has a unique best work when they are all together.
perspective in that he has experi-
In this issue of Ask the Doctor, we will talk about powerful vitamins, minerals,
ence with both naturopathic and
and herbs combined in a scientifically validated formula that people with dia-
conventional practice. He is finishing
betes can use every day.
his cardiology fellowship through
the American Association of But before we get into the specific formula, we need to first talk about diabetes.
Cardiovascular and Pulmonary
Rehabilitation. Dr. Weiss holds sev-
eral appointments, including Q. What exactly is diabetes? dependent or juvenile diabetes, most often
A. When we eat, the process of digestion starts in childhood. In this type of diabetes,
Assistant Professor of Medicine at
breaks down our food into nutrients. Most the pancreas no longer makes insulin. The
the Southwest College of
of the food we eat is broken down into sugar stays in the blood instead of going
Naturopathic Medicine and Chief sugar (also called glucose). The sugar enters into the cells where it is needed. Because of
Medical Officer of Naturopathic the bloodstream for delivery throughout the this, all people with Type 1 diabetes have to
Paradigms, a private practice in body and is then called blood sugar.2,3 take at least one shot of insulin every day
Phoenix. He also is the first naturo- just to stay alive.4
Insulin, a hormone that helps metabolize
pathic physician to have hospital
blood sugar, is made in the pancreas–a long, Type 2 diabetes most often starts in adults
privileges at a conventional facility,
skinny gland located behind the stomach. and is also the most common kind. About
the Arizona Heart Hospital. Insulin takes blood sugar from the blood- 90 to 95 percent of all people with diabetes
stream and delivers it into the cells that have Type 2. In Type 2 diabetes, the
make up the various organs in our body, pancreas is usually producing enough
such as our heart, lungs, and kidneys. The insulin. However, the body does not use it
sugar provides energy to the cells to keep effectively. The condition known as “insulin
our hearts beating, our lungs breathing, and resistance” occurs when the cells do not
our kidneys excreting.2,3 respond to (resist) insulin’s attempt to enter
Ask the Doctor publications are
with glucose. The pancreas responds by
available on the Internet at
Type 1 diabetes, sometimes called insulin- producing more and more insulin. When the
www.ATDonline.org

cont. next page

cells do not respond, high levels of The onset of Type 2 diabetes is often Kidney damage
glucose build up in the blood, leading to very gradual and may develop without Diabetes can also damage the blood ves-
Type 2 diabetes. Almost everyone with any symptoms at all. Sadly, the diag- sels in the kidney so it can’t filter out
Type 2 diabetes also is insulin resistant. nosis most often is made only after a the body’s waste. High blood pressure is
Because the insulin is left unused, the complication of the disease happens.3,4 also associated with kidney damage. If
pancreas thinks it isn’t needed and may you have diabetes and high blood pres-
eventually stop making it. People with Q. What are the complications of diabetes? sure, it is important to keep them both
Type 2 diabetes often need to take A. The complications of diabetes happen under control as much as possible. The
prescription drugs to lower blood sugar in both types of the disease. All diabetic longer blood sugar levels are left uncon-
levels if dietary and lifestyle changes are complications are caused by chronically trolled, the greater the amount of kid-
not enough to control the problem.4 high blood sugars. The longer your blood ney damage that can occur. If the kid-
sugar levels are elevated, the greater your ney damage isn’t stopped, some individ-
In both types of diabetes, the sugar chances are of having complications.3,4 uals may progress to needing kidney
stays in the bloodstream instead of transplants or dialysis machines.3,4
going into the cells where it is needed Circulation problems
and belongs. When blood sugar builds up High blood sugar damages blood vessels. All of these complications, however, can
in the blood, it causes two problems. When high levels of sugar are continu- almost always be prevented.
First, the cells become starved for ously in the blood, the blood vessels
energy. And, over a period of time, high become thicker and less flexible, causing Q. How can the complications of dia-
blood sugar levels can damage the blood poor circulation. Poor circulation can betes be prevented?
vessels, nerves, eyes, and kidneys.4 impair healing, especially on the feet A. Vitamins, minerals, and herbal
and lower legs. High blood sugar also supplements can provide powerful tools
Q. What causes diabetes? causes higher levels of fat in the blood- for preventing serious complications and
A. While scientists aren’t exactly sure stream. The fat clogs and narrows the keeping people with diabetes healthy.
why Type 1 diabetes happens, they do blood vessels. Partial blockages deprive The best nutritional supplement contains
know the immune system is involved. A the heart of some necessary nutrients. powerful vitamins, minerals, and herbs
healthy immune system protects us from A complete blockage can result in a in a synergistic formula that can
diseases caused by infections, such as heart attack, heart pain (called angina), effectively lower blood sugars and
colds or the flu, as well as diseases that or stroke.3,4 provide the specialized nutrients people
start in our own cells, such as cancer. with diabetes need.
For some reason, in certain people, the Nerve damage
immune system becomes confused and Nerve damage makes it hard for your Q. Which vitamins, minerals, and herbs
begins attacking and destroying the cells nerves to send messages to the brain and should be included in a nutritional sup-
in the pancreas that make insulin.4 other parts of the body. It may cause plement for people with diabetes?
you to lose feeling in parts of your body A. The chart, at right, lists the best
Scientists aren’t exactly sure why Type 2 or have a painful pins-and-needles-like ingredients for people with diabetes. You
diabetes happens either; however, they feeling. While nerve damage most often can see that the vitamins, minerals, and
have identified that it occurs most often affects the feet and legs, it can also herbs in a diabetic formula should work
in certain individuals. About 80 percent affect other parts of the body.3,4 synergistically and be clinically
of people with type 2 diabetes are demonstrated to help prevent the known
overweight, have high blood pressure, Eye problems complications of diabetes. To get the
and have high cholesterol levels in their Diabetes can damage and weaken the best results, it is very important that
blood.4 small blood vessels in the retina, the the right ingredients are in the diabetic
part of the eye that is sensitive to light formula you buy.
Q. What are the symptoms of diabetes? and helps you see. When the blood ves-
A. Type I diabetes develops very quickly. sels are weak, they can leak fluid, which Q. How often should I take a diabetic
The classic signs of diabetes include: causes swelling in the eye. The swelling formula supplement?
• Frequent urination, because the body blurs your vision. If the eye damage gets A. Read the label of the diabetic formula
is trying to get rid of the excess sugar worse, your eye attempts to fix this you are considering buying. Most quality
in the blood damage by making new blood vessels products need to be taken twice a day.
• Intense thirst, because the body over the retina. But because these blood Keep in mind that you will still need to
needs to replace the fluid lost through vessels are fragile, they can break open take a high quality multivitamin in
the urine easily and bleed into the eye. Scar tissue addition to the diabetic formula supple-
• Increased hunger, because the cells can then form. This may cause the reti- ment. A diabetic formula is comple-
need nutrients na to break away from the back of the mentary. That means that it is designed
• Weight loss, because without insulin, eye, which can lead to visual impair- to be an addition to your multivitamin
the body begins to starve4 ment–even blindness.3,4 routine, not a replacement.
Q. Could the diabetic formula lower my
blood sugar level too much? VITAMINS and HERBS EFFECT on DIABETES
A. In general, too low blood sugar levels
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) With vitamin E, helps get sugar out of the blood
should not be a problem. A high quality
stream and into the cells.5 Keeps diabetics’ blood
diabetic formula containing synergistic vessels and kidneys healthy.6,7
vitamins, minerals, and herbs, most often
lowers blood sugars to normal levels. Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) With the B vitamins, vitamin E helps keeps the
However, these vitamins, minerals, and herbs pancreas healthy and helps prevent nerve
will not excessively lower blood sugar levels damage.8,9 Helps prevent kidney damage,
that are already normal. blindness, and heart attacks.10,11 With vitamin C,
helps keep blood vessels healthy.12,13
Q. Do I need to continue monitoring my Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine HCL) With folic acid and B12, B6, helps prevents heart
blood sugar when taking a diabetic formu- attacks and nerve damage.14,15 Helps prevent
la supplement? diabetic blindness, vision loss.16
A.Diabetes is a disease that requires active
participation from you. You need to be aware Folic Acid Along with B12, folic acid helps prevents strokes
and loss of limbs due to diabetic complications.17
of your problem and be in control of it as
much as possible. If you use a home glucose Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) Helps relieve neuropathic pain.18 Also works with
monitor to check your blood sugars, you may folic acid and B6 (see above).
feel more comfortable by checking your levels
more frequently when you first take a diabetic Biotin With chromium’s help, biotin (one of the B vitamins)
helps insulin work better, keeps the pancreas
formula supplement. You should always follow
working well, and lowers blood sugar levels.19
the recommendation of your doctor or a
licensed health care practioner regarding how Magnesium (Krebs cycle chelate) Relieves neuropathic pain and helps insulin work
often you should check your blood sugar more effectively.20,21
levels.
Zinc (picolinate) Helps blood sugar get into the cells and insulin
work better.22
According to the American Diabetes
Association (ADA) and the National Institute Selenium (aspartate) Called an "insulin mimic", selenium helps take
of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases blood sugar into the cells. Selenium also protects
(NIDDK) (as well as most licensed health care against blood vessel and nerve damage from
practitioners), a good blood sugar range for elevated blood sugars.23,24
most people with diabetes (before a meal) is Copper (picolinate) Copper helps protect the cells in the pancreas that
from about 70 to 150.1,2,35 An ideal range is make insulin healthy, helps prevent diabetes-related
70-120. damage to blood vessels and nerves, and lowers
blood sugar levels.25
Taking a nutritional supplement formulated
especially for diabetics that contains vitamins, Manganese (Krebs cycle chelate) Helps prevent damage to blood vessels and nerves.26,27
minerals, and herbs that work synergistically Chromium (picolinate) With biotin’s help, chromium helps insulin work
in a scientifically valid formula will help you better, keeps the pancreas working well, and lowers
keep your blood sugars right where the ADA blood sugar levels.19
and the NIDDK recommend.
Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract Helps balance blood sugars and may protect us from
Q. Can’t I just take the diabetic formula gaining weight.28,29
supplement and not worry about my diet? Bitter melon whole fruit extract Helps pathways in the diabetic liver work more
A. Unfortunately, you cannot. Successful efficiently; lowers blood sugar levels.30
diabetes management means doing lots of
positive things. First, you need to see your Fenugreek seed extract Helps lower blood sugars and helps our liver and
licensed health care practitioner often. You kidneys metabolize blood sugars more efficiently.31
need to choose foods wisely and stay active to Bilberry berry extract Helps prevent and reduce the severity of
have a positive influence on your blood sugar diabetic cataracts.32
levels and your health. And, taking a diabetic
formula supplement every day can really help. Mixed bioflavonoids (citrus) Helps protect vitamins C and E from diabetic
However, the diabetic formula supplement is damage. Like bilberry, bioflavonoids help keep
diabetics’ vision clear and sharp.33
meant to be an addition to your healthy diet,
not a substitute. Vanadyl sulfate Helps cells of both the liver and muscles use insulin
more effectively.34
cont. on back
R e f e re n c e s
1. American Diabetes Association. In the news. Available at: 20. Begon S, Pickering G, Escalier A, Dubray C. Magnesium and
www.ada.yellowbrix.com/pages/ada. Accessed on December 10, 2001. MK-801 have a similar effect in two experimental models
of neuropathic pain. Brain Res. 2000;887:436-439.

Answers to Your Health Questions

2. Guven S, Kuenzi J. Diabetes mellitus. In: Porth CM. Pathophysiology: Concepts
of Altered Health States. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott; 1998: 810-830. 21. Djurhuus MS, Klitgaard NA, Pederson KK, et al. Magnesium
reduces insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and serum lipid
3. Guyton AC, Hall JE. Diabetes mellitus. In: Textbook of Medical Physiology. 10th concentrations in Type 1 diabetes. Metabolism.
Ed. Philadelphia, Pa: W.B. Saunders Company;2000: . 2001;50:1409-1417.
4. Grodner M, Anderson SL, DeYoung S. Diabetes mellitus. In: Foundations and 22. Salguiero MJ, Krebs N, Zubillaga MB, et al. Zinc and
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2000:540-548. supplementation in diabetes mellitus patients? Biol Trace
Elem Res. 2001;8:215-228.
5. Garg MC, Bansal DD. Protective antioxidant effect of vitamin C and E in
streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Indian J Exp Biol. 2000;38:101-104. 23. Stapleton SR. Selenium: an insulin-mimetic. Cell Mol Life
Sci. 2000 Dec;57(13-14):1874-1879.
6. Beckman JA, Goldfine AB, Gordon MB, Craeger MA. Ascorbate restores
endothelium-dependent vasodilation impaired by acute hyperglycemia in 24. Mukherjee B, Anbazhagan S, Roy A, Ghosh R, Chatterjee
humans. Circulation. 2001;103:1618-1623. M. Novel implications of the potential role of selenium on antioxidant status
in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Biomed Pharmacother. 1998;52:89-95.
7. Gaede P, Poulson HE, Parving HH, Pederson O. Double-blind, randomised study
of the effect of combined treatment with vitamin C and E on albuminuria in 25. Sitasawad S, Deshpande M, Katdare M, Tirth S, Parab P. Beneficial effect of
Type 2 diabetic patients. Diabet Med. 2001;18:756-760. supplementation with copper sulfate on STZ-diabetic mice (IDDM). Diabetes
Res Clin Pract. 2001;52:77-84.
8. Gokkusu C, Palanduz S, Ademoglu E, Tamer S. Oxidant and antioxidant systems
in NIDDM patients: influence of vitamin E supplementation. Endocr Res. 26. Fonteles MC, Almeida MQ. Larner J. Antihyperglycemic effects of 3-0-methyl-
2001;27:377-386. D-chiro-inositoland D-chiro-inositol associated with manganese in
streptozotocin diabetic rats. Horm Metab Res. 2000; 32:129-132.
9. Sharma AK, Ponery AS, Lawrence PA, et al. Effect of alpha-tocopherol
supplementation on the ultrastructural abnormalities of peripheral nerves in 27. Coppey LJ, Gellett JS, Davidson EP, et al. Effect of M40403 treatment of
experimental diabetes. J Peripher Nerv Syst. 2001;6:33-39. diabetic rats on endoneurial blood flow, motor nerve conduction velocity and
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microsomal phospholipase A2 activity and the arachidonic acid cascade in
kidney of diabetic rats. J Nutr. 2001;131:1297-1301. 28. Persaud SJ, Al-Majed H, Raman A, Jones PM. Gymnema sylvestre stimulate
insulin release in vitro by increased membrane permeability. J Endocrinol.
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normalizes retinal blood flow and creatinine clearance in patients with type 1
diabetes. Diabetes Care. 1999;22:1245-1251. 29. Sugihara Y, Nojima H, Matsuda H, Marakami T, Yoshikawa M, Kimura I.
Antihyperglycemic effects of gymnemic acid IV, a compound derived from
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30. Raza H, Ahmed I, Lakhani MS, Sharma AK, Pallot D, Montague W. Effect of
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and diabetic neuropathy in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabet (fenugreek) seed powder improves glucose homeostasis in alloxan diabetic rat
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17. Salardi S, Cacciari E, Sassi S, et al. Homocysteinemia, serum folate and 34. Cusi K, Cukkier S, DeFronzo RA, Torres M, Puchulu FM, Redondo JC. Vanadyl
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Conclusion Taking control of your diabetes, instead of letting it control

Having diabetes might make you feel overwhelmed. you, can help with these feelings. Eating wisely and
Restrictions on what you may and may not eat might make exercising every day are two important ways to improve
you feel deprived and unfairly burdened. The possibility of your health. And, taking a nutritional supplement
disease complications may make you feel anxious and formulated specifically for people with diabetes every day
scared–even angry. It is only natural to ask "Why me?" can give you the critical control you need to direct your
health for years to come. Many healthy years to come.

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