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Natural Nutritional
Supplements for Diabetics
Diabetics often struggle to meet recommended daily allowances (RDA) of
specific nutrients while maintaining a safe diet. Food restrictions often
lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, which can aggravate the disease.
Luckily, there are several natural nutritional supplements for diabetics
that provide the necessary nutrients while keeping within the patient's
dietary requirements.
More people are choosing natural nutritional supplements for diabetics over
pharmaceutical ones because they have less chemical content and are less
likely to cause adverse reactions. They are also more easily absorbed by the
body, and thus have more immediate effects. However, not all natural
nutritional supplements for diabetics have the same effect on each patient,
and not all of them are safe. Here are some of your options for choosing
natural nutritional supplements for diabetics.
Chromium. Chromium is vital to controlling blood sugar and must be included
in every diabetic's diet. It also helps reduce fat without losing muscle
mass – an important feature since many diabetics are also obese. Refined
sugar and highly processed foods are extremely low in chromium and may even
lead to chromium loss. Supplemental chromium is usually available as a
secondary ingredient in other dietary supplements.
Glucomannan. This is a water-soluble fiber obtained from konjac root.
Dietary fiber has been recognized in recent years as a key element to
diabetes maintenance and prevention. Like other dietary fibers, glucomannan
slows down the processing of carbohydrates into glucose and helps keep blood
sugar levels low.
Cinnamon. Cinnamon contains water-soluble oils that aid in the processing of
sugars. It also reduces glucose levels and helps fat cells react better with
insulin. Cinnamon is included in some supplements, but it can also be mixed
into food and drink.
Bitter melon. Studies have shown that bitter melon can make the cells more
sensitive to insulin. It comes in capsule and tablet forms, as well as a
bitter melon tea.
IMPORTANT: The US government does not impose strict regulations on dietary
supplements. Only one in five buyers have bought natural nutritional
supplements for diabetics that actually contain what their labels say. To
stay safe, look for a supplement that complies to Good Manufacturing
Practices (GMP) standards. The GMP imposes strict quality standards to
ensure that the products are safe, effective, and contain no harmful
contaminants.
Also, make sure the supplements you buy are made from natural ingredients
and have no artificial colors or flavors. Check the labels and look out for
unnecessary ingredients, such as gluten, silica, starch, or sugar.
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