Supplements and Type 1

[boboblck]

I’m recently diagnosed and was wondering what supplements I could be taking to help me be as healthy as possible from the start. I’ve read about vitamin d3 and flax seed oil but wanted to hear what everyone else is doing and what results they’ve had. Thanks

 

[Alison54321]

I take magnesium, because high blood sugars mean that we lose more of it from out bodies, and I always find when I have trouble getting to sleep that I need magnesium. However, I have had diabetes for a long time, and am a lot older than you.

At your age I'd concentrate on eating as healthy a diet as you can, and start early with good habits. People with diabetes often have less vitamin C, probably because so much of it gets used up reducing oxidative stress. So try to eat lots of fruit and veg, because as well as vitamin c, a lot of them have B vitamins, and minerals.

Eating healthy foods with lots of nutrients is the best thing, because you get a better mix of nutrients, as our bodies need them all.

 

[Fairygodmother]

I’m a LOT older than you and I’ve begun to take vitamin D and vitamin B complex as apparently people of my age don’t absorb D or B12 as easily as younger folk do. Those who are older or who take metformin (I don’t, T1 48 yrs on insulin only) have reduced B12 absorption.
Most ‘experts’ state that for most of our lives we can get all we need from an omnivore diet. However, I really don’t want to have the side effects of B12 deficiency! Gotta keep moving, walking and talking, and not fall over on the way, and remember why I was going there in the first place, and the name of the person I’m talking to

 

[boboblck]

Aw thanks USER=472744]@Alison54321[/USER] and @Fairygodmother. Great advice. Im currently taking folic acid, b complex and vitamin d but not high strength yet. Will add vitamin c and magnesium. I know this might sound silly, but would you recommend wearing circulation socks early on or is that pointless? As a precaution.

 

[luv2spin]

This is what I know;

DMs are not to use any over the counter supplement without consulting a specialist doctor (tests and establishing if it is really needed) in conjuction with a nephrologist.

I am using Omega-3 ( EPA + DHEA = 1000 mg ) a day for helping to stop the possibility of the start of diabetic retinopathy and Vitamine D Ampules cure when necessary as per test which is done together with the A1C and if deficiency occurs again.

 

[Alison54321]

Aw thanks USER=472744]@Alison54321[/USER] and @Fairygodmother. Great advice. Im currently taking folic acid, b complex and vitamin d but not high strength yet. Will add vitamin c and magnesium. I know this might sound silly, but would you recommend wearing circulation socks early on or is that pointless? As a precaution.

You don't need circulation socks. I take a giant vitamin C pill everyday, it's called a grapefruit. It's lovely. You need to be a bit careful with folic acid, some people have a gene that makes it hard to process natural folates in food, and folic acid, which is a chemical alternative, makes it even harder. So it's much better to get your folates from food if you can. Most foods that contain a high amount of folates are very healthy. Green vegetables, legumes, fruit, and um........brussel sprouts.

I understand your desire to use supplements. But our bodies are all very complicated bio chemical system, and all the nutrients we eat interact with each other, in very complicated ways, to keep our body working.

The main problem for people with diabetes is oxidative stress that attacks the endothelial cells. Which is what undermines circulation. However there are two things that reduce endothelial dysfunction, a very healthy diet, and exercise. Nitric oxide produced during exercise is the thing that helps there.

If you eat for your endothelial cells you will help to reduce the damage that high blood sugars cause. Vitamin C, vitamin B6, folates, vitamin E, vitamin A, are all key nutrients. However, they aren't the only ones. Which is why not messing too much with the cocktail of nutrients in your body is a good thing.There is research that shows that anti oxidant supplements do more harm than good, because they appear in too large a single dose the chemical reaction creates more oxidised particles,not less. Whereas foods containing anti-oxidants usually have several in them, and they all interact with each other. That is a simplified version of the science.

Anyway, a good diet, exercise, and as good blood sugar control as you can manage, are key elements of managing diabetes. Good luck with it.

 

[boboblck]

Aw thanks! So much great information. I eat a very healthy diet and do a lot of walking and some weights. I’m taking folic acid as I haven’t had kids yet and I’m planning on having them as soon as I get the go ahead from the nurse. At the moment my numbers are too out.

Thanks for all your help! It can be over whelming at times when think about possible complications down the line but il try manage best I can from the start.

 

[Alison54321]

Aw thanks! So much great information. I eat a very healthy diet and do a lot of walking and some weights. I’m taking folic acid as I haven’t had kids yet and I’m planning on having them as soon as I get the go ahead from the nurse. At the moment my numbers are too out.

Thanks for all your help! It can be over whelming at times when think about possible complications down the line but il try manage best I can from the start.

Good luck with that. Hopefully your numbers will get up soon. Try not to worry too much, some people seem to just be unlucky, which is sad, but try to stay positive about it. I like to remember that good food, and exercise are friends, in fighting the complications of diabetes, and then it doesn't feel quite so difficult.

 

[JoeT1]

You've got the right attitude from the start which is good. For a start, I would just concentrate on getting the numbers somewhat stable with the normal routine that you have. From there you can start to add in things at a slow pace and find what works for you.

That's what I did, I was diagnosed in October and my latest A1C was 5.9% and I'm very active, regularly hitting 15,000-20,000 steps a day on Keto/Low Carb and have been able to dramatically reduce my insulin dosages. This isn't a low carb suggestion, just some information that most things are possible as long as you have a good attitude from the start and educate yourself as much as possible.

For me, it's become something I am almost proud of. I'm proud that I have been able to grab it by the horns and get a grip of things this quickly. It won't be the same for everyone, and I will surely have some bad moments, but it can be done.

Good luck to you