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Protection Against Diabetes&Metabolic Syndrome

By Paul Hueseman, Pharm. D..

Diabetes is a more common disease today than ever. Whether this is due to an aging baby boomer population, or an incredible change in the diets of Americans with processed foods, fast foods, and other dietary changes, or perhaps it is a combination of many factors. This article's focus will be on only Type 2 diabetes. How does one go about preventing diabetes or protecting themselves against the effects of diabetes once it has begun? To answer this broad topic I am going to try and simplify it to a few simple steps.

1. Awareness. Know that diabetes is a disease that anyone can get--it happens when the pancreas is overworked over time with having to keep up with the body's intake of sugar to output insulin in order to store this insulin.


2. Reduce sugar intake - this means CARBS! Especially simple carbs. One recent study published in the March 7th issue of JAMA¹ showed that low-carb diets produced greater metabolic effect than other popular diets. Increase your protein intake, and lower your carb intake!


3. Lose weight! Losing weight can improve insulin action and glycemic control, regardless of whether the weight loss is from reduced caloric intake or by increased energy expenditure (exercise)². Belly fat is the most dangerous fat to have--if you have belly fat, chances are you have a higher risk for diabetes and you are heading that way. Need help losing weight? Try our new weight management program--Take Shape for Life®. Learn more about Take Shape for Life®on our Weight Management page.
   


4. Exercise. Besides helping you lose weight, exercise improves your circulation, improves your insulin action and glycemic control, increases energy levels, helps normalize cortisol levels, and helps you relax too!


5. Proper Nutrition. Along with proper nutrition--be sure to supplement with the proper vitamins and minerals. It is difficult with amount of processed foods that we eat today to get the proper vitamins and minerals that we need. For example, certain vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C, E, B6, B12, zinc, magnesium, and chromium picolinate are very important supplements in diabetics and are found in lower levels in a diabetic patient.

   Find a reputable brand of supplements--and be sure to consider the source--just because you read it on the internet does not mean that it is fact! Talk with your pharmacist about recommending a reputable line of supplements. Look for an excellent daily multiple vitamin in addition to any other supplements you may also take. Be cautious about "once daily" vitamins -- your body cannot absorb all these vitamins at once--look for one that recommends separating into 2-3 times per day with meals. Also, don’t replace supplements for a prescription medication without your doctor’s guidance.

   Some other important supplements in addition to those listed above that are important for diabetes or preventing progression to diabetes in patients with metabolic syndrome or Syndrome X are the following:

   Alpha-lipoic acid -- a powerful antioxidant found in every cell in the body and is key in converting glucose to energy. Need to supplement with 1200 mg daily though to get the benefit!

   Omega-3 fatty acids -- lots of talk on this one lately because there are so many benefits to omega-3s. Generally, you want omega-3 fatty acids that are derived from fish oils. You need three to five grams of fish oil daily to equal the amount of DHA and EPA that you need. And here’s a helpful tip--store them in your freezer--this eliminates any fish odor or belching that some occasionally complain about.

   Coenzyme Q10 -- functions as an antioxidant and also is a blood oxygenator, so may help prevent retinopathy common in diabetes. CoQ10 is also needed for normal carbohydrate metabolism.

   Pycnogenol -- this is derived from Maritime Pine Bark. This extract contains a group of bioflavanoids that are potent antioxidants. It also seems to have an effect on reducing blood pressure, slowing progression of retinopathy, improving small blood vessel function, and even one study showed improvement in erectile dysfunction! Now there’s one that’s worth the money.

   Cinnamon -- some studies have shown cinnamon to reduce fasting glucose, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol - all associated with diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Here’s the trick though - these studies used one to six grams per day of cinnamon! So, just sprinkle on your foods liberally and cut back on the sugar!

   Gamma-linolenic acid -- found in borage oil and evening primrose oil, this has been shown helpful for improving damaged nerve function, common in diabetes.

   Chromium - While I mentioned chromium earlier, it deserves mentioning again. Chromium works with insulin to help regulate blood glucose and is a necessary nutrient. It helps regulate blood glucose by helping insulin bring glucose from the blood into the cells for energy. Make sure you supplement with 200 to 400 mcg daily.

   Bellevue Pharmacy has a full line of reputable supplements that you can shop at our online store . For a daily vitamin, I suggest Spectra Man for men and Spectra Woman for women. This is a great supplement that I recommend frequently and take myself, too!

   Be Well!

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   References:
   1. Gardner CD, Kiazand A, Alhassan S, et al.: Comparison of the Atkins, Zone, Ornish, and LEARN diets for change in weight and related risk factors among overweight premenopausal women. JAMA 297:969, 2007.
   2. Weiss EP, Racette SB, Villareal DT, et al.: Improvement in glucose tolerance and insulin action induced by increasing energy expenditure or decreasing energy intake: A radomized controlled trial. AM J Clin Nutr 84: 1033-1042, 2006.
   
   
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