Probiotics
A healthy gut is so important for general health. If your gut does not have a healthy supply of good bacteria, it can be difficult to fight disease. Ask your doctor if probiotics might be a healthy addition to your routine.
Omega-3s
There is some research that indicates that Omega-3 Fatty Acids can help protect against neuropathy control insulin levels and contribute to healthy cholesterol levels. Talk with your doctor about adding fish oil supplements to your diet or try to add more salmon or grass-fed beef to your diet.
Explore here for more foods rich in Omega-3s.
Fiber
A fiber supplement may be helpful for those individuals that do not get enough fruits, vegetables and legumes on a daily basis. Adequate fiber consumption is important for anyone but even more so with diabetes to promote proper removal of waste from the body.
B-Complex Vitamins
If you are vegetarian or vegan or eat very little meat, you may be low in B-12. B-12 deficiency is associated with retinopathy which is a major risk in diabetic individuals. Ask your doctor to test your B-6 and 12 levels. Low levels may require supplementation.
Magnesium
People with diabetes often have lower levels of magnesium. Higher levels of magnesium are associated with decreased risk of developing diabetes. If you have a family history of diabetes or a diagnosis of pre-diabetes, you should talk to your doctor about supplementing with magnesium.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C plays a vital role in wound healing and immunity both of which are often impaired in diabetes.
Other Supplements
There are several other supplements that are sometimes prescribed to people with diabetes. These include vitamin E, zinc, alpha-lipoic acid, biotin, chromium and vanadium. Some of them have associated risks and all should be discussed with your doctor prior to starting.
Important Notice: Talk to your doctor and/or a qualified herbalist before beginning use of supplements or botanicals. Supplements are botanicals in highly concentrated form and can interfere with other medications and have undesired side effects. The botanicals listed above can cause drowsiness and are likely to impair your ability to drive or operate heavy machinery. We do not recommend taking ANY essential oils internally. The supplement and botanical industry is not well regulated at this time. Ask a trusted source for recommended brands and choose organic options when possible.
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