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6 Best Vitamins For Diabetes Patients

Medically reviewed by Mae Charisse Antalan, MD · General Practitioner


Written by Hello Bacsi · Updated Mar 18, 2023

    6 Best Vitamins For Diabetes Patients

    Vitamins are extremely factors in keeping the body healthy. They are usually organic compounds involved in the regulation of the mechanism of action of enzymes in the body. However, maintaining a nutritious diet full of vitamins is really a challenge for people with diabetes. If the diabetic diet is still not responding well, you must seek nutritional therapy or immediately supplement the following ingredients. Here are the best vitamins for diabetes patients.

    Best Vitamins For Diabetes Patients

    1. Vitamin A

    An indispensable nutrient in a diabetic’s diet. Vitamin A in the diabetic diet is known for its role in helping eye function. Besides, vitamin A also works to promote cell and tissue growth throughout the body, protecting skin and other tissues from infection. Vitamin A found in plants (in the form of a precursor, beta carotene) also functions as an antioxidant.

    Beta carotene from food can also be converted into vitamin A by the body. While high doses of vitamin A can be toxic, beta-carotene can be tolerated at much higher doses.

    2. Vitamin B

    What are the best vitamins for diabetes? The B vitamins, including biotin, choline, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic acid, B1, B2, B6, and B12, are involved in carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism and energy production. You should only take a particular B vitamin when directed by your doctor.

    People who do not eat animal foods at all (vegans) and do not take vitamin supplements are at risk of a B12 deficiency leading to anemia. People who do not have an intrinsic factor in the stomach lining that helps the body absorb B12 are also at risk of B12 deficiency. The elderly are at risk of developing a B12 deficiency precisely because their bodies are more likely to stop producing these intrinsic factors. Therefore, elderly people should take multivitamins as directed by their doctor.

    3. Vitamin C

    Vitamin C is known for its role in supporting immune function, which is why it is one of the more important vitamins for diabetes patients. At the same time, vitamin C also helps in the production of collagen, which keeps capillaries and blood vessel walls strong. As a result, vitamin C can prevent bruising, keep skin and gum tissue healthy, and help the body absorb plant sources of iron.

    4. Vitamin D

    Vitamin D helps the body absorb both calcium and phosphorus. In addition to absorbing vitamin D from foods and beverages in the diabetic diet, the body can produce active forms of this vitamin in the body when exposed to sunlight.

    In recent studies, vitamin D has been shown to contribute to a reduced risk of colon cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. Those most likely to be deficient are those who live in conditions of lack of sunlight (especially in winter) and the elderly (the body’s ability to synthesize vitamin D from sunlight decreases with age). ).

    5. Vitamin E

    The best vitamins for diabetes? Vitamin E is on the list. The main function of vitamin E is as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage. Vitamin E is a group of eight compounds with different effects. Each of these compounds has several forms known as stereoisomers.

    Vitamin E is a unique micronutrient that is nearly impossible to meet your daily needs through normal food intake (unless that food is fortified with vitamin E). Therefore, the addition of vitamin E is an important note in the diet of diabetics.

    Note: If you take any form of blood thinner or anticoagulant, tell your doctor that you are taking a supplement containing vitamin E to avoid unwanted side effects.

    6. Vitamin K

    Vitamin K plays an important role in blood clotting. It also helps the body make proteins for the blood, bones, and kidneys. You should also consult your doctor if you are planning to take vitamin K supplements while taking medications related to blood clotting.

    In addition to multivitamin supplements in the diabetic diet, you can also use special nutrition therapy for people with diabetes. 

    Learn more about Type 2 Diabetes here

    Disclaimer

    Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

    Medically reviewed by

    Mae Charisse Antalan, MD

    General Practitioner


    Written by Hello Bacsi · Updated Mar 18, 2023

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