There’s always a need for supplements for people battling any major disease like Diabetes. They have very special and mandatory dietary requirements, but most of them still overlook the need for supplements. But this is where they are lacking, and as a matter of fact, this is causing weakness and other problems in their body.
Adding supplements like some essential vitamins to your diet when battling type 2 diabetes can help you overcome most of the issues you are facing now. Therefore, certain nutrients require special attention.
This is obvious that food should come with fulfilling your body’s entire nutrient requirement. And having a chronic disease like type 2 diabetes may augment this need for essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals. Therefore, in this article, you will know everything about the essential vitamins for people with type 2 diabetes. So, let’s get started with learning why there’s a need for certain vitamins for people with type 2 diabetes.
Why is there a Need for Essential Vitamins for People with Diabetes?
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Vitamins are paramount for living a healthy life, especially when you are living with type 2 diabetes. Although, this does not imply that people with Diabetes have problems absorbing certain nutrients or any other issue like digestion.
It implies simply including all the essential vitamin supplements in their diet. And if you are struggling with consuming fruits and vegetables in the required amount, this is how you can get through.
So, once you understand the need to add vitamins to your diet, you also need to have an appointment with your doctor, who will explain to you in detail the specifications that you need.
What are the Essential Nutrients for Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a multifactorial disease directly related to energy metabolism, particularly carbohydrates and fat management. Hence, if you wonder how these micronutrients having non-antioxidant vitamins function and show their relations with this, here’s what you need to know. Here are the essentials vitamins needed for type 2 diabetes and their benefits:
1. Retinol or Vitamin A
Vitamin A consists of various chemical components having structural and functional similarities. Vitamin A helps in the various metabolic processes like cellular differentiation and genetic expression. Well, not just that, it also plays a vital role in fetal development, immune system, sight, hearing, taste, and spermatogenesis.
People battling type 2 diabetes who are very old have comparatively lower plasma concentrations of vitamin A and carotenoids than other patients. And therefore, it becomes even more crucial for them to include vitamin A as supplements in their diet.
Start including oily fish, milk, cheese, eggs, yogurt, and low-fat spreads in your diet to meet your body’s injunctions of Vitamin A.
2. Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 comprises a group of three related compounds, i.e., pyridoxal, pyridoxine, and pyridoxamine. People newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have comparatively lower PLP concentrations than non-diabetic patients.
Although there are cases where type 2 diabetes is not specifically associated with the consumption of vitamin B6, there are chances that the deficiency of this vitamin might be affecting the patient negatively and might lead to the progression of some complications. Therefore, it becomes equally mandatory to include this vitamin in your diet.
The deficiency of vitamin B6 can be defeated by consuming poultry, soybeans, oats, bananas, peanuts, pork, etc.
3. Vitamin D
The deficiency of vitamin D is directly linked to the development of Diabetes. Some studies have proven that chronic low levels of vitamin D in people with type 2 diabetes have led to major complications and even death.
There cannot be a better explanation than this for the need to consume vitamin D in your diet. Also, there are many people with type 2 diabetes who have specifically shown a deficiency of vitamin D, hence, it is advised to supplement your diet with egg yolk, fish, and other added nutrients.
And the natural way of consumption that we all are aware of is regular sun exposure for about 10-30 minutes a day. This can also help you in overcoming the deficiency of vitamin D.
4. Vitamin C
Another vitamin deficiency that is quite common amongst people with type 2 diabetes is vitamin C. Increased consumption of vitamin C helps control the level of sorbitol in the blood. Sorbitol can be harmful at high levels and may also lead to kidney damage in some cases and retinopathy as well. This is what makes it even more crucial to include the intake of vitamin C in your diet.
Plus, the thing with vitamin C is that whenever it is consumed, it isn’t stored in your body. Hence, you will have to include vitamin C in your diet regularly. Sweet potatoes, spinach, strawberries, kiwi, bell pepper, tomatoes, guava, etc., are some sources filled of vitamin C.
5. Vitamin E
Another vitamin consumption that people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should take is vitamin E, which helps fight external toxins while improving insulin efficacy and oxygenating the blood. Supplementing vitamin E also aids in early and cell aging while slipping the chances of developing type 2 diabetes. Hence, whether diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or not, vitamin E supplements should be consumed by every individual.
For people with Diabetes, the most crucial thing is to maintain their blood sugar level; consuming vitamin E in the right amount can help them maintain the desired blood sugar level.
Almonds, sunflower seeds, hazelnut, avocado, nut butter, and fresh salmon can be excellent sources of vitamin E.
Before you begin with any of these, have an appointment with your doctor and a discussion with your care team to get help while incorporating all the essential vitamins and minerals into your diet. Once you start taking all the required amounts of supplements, there’s nothing that you cannot beat. Simply avoid the food items that raise your blood sugar level and replace them with the supplements your body needs.
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