| In 2008 there were about 24 million people with | | | | responsible for the initial step in glucose utilization |
| diabetes in the United States alone, and these | | | | in our bodies. |
| numbers are increasing every year. Little wonder | | | | It has been found that people with diabetes have |
| that many people are asking 'Are there any | | | | about half the level of manganese that people |
| vitamin supplements that prevent diabetes?' | | | | without the condition have. Manganese is used for |
| Diabetes is a chronic condition that can be | | | | glucose metabolism, and is therefore important in |
| controlled but not cured. The condition causes a | | | | preventing the onset of the condition. Vanadium |
| high blood sugar level, and is found in children and | | | | and potassium have been shown to increase |
| adults throughout the world. Type 1 Diabetes | | | | insulin sensitivity as well, and zinc is involved in |
| results from the body's inability to produce insulin. | | | | almost all aspects of insulin metabolism. |
| Insulin is a hormone used to help the body's cells | | | | These vitamins and minerals can all help prevent |
| absorb sugar or glucose. Type 2 Diabetes is | | | | the onset of diabetes when taken in the correct |
| caused by insulin resistance, which means that the | | | | dosages. In most studies, the doses required in |
| body's cells do not use insulin properly. | | | | order to make a difference to insulin sensitivity |
| There are in fact quite a few supplements that | | | | and secretions were considerably higher than the |
| can help to prevent diabetes. Recent research at | | | | normal recommended doses, and this has led to |
| Massey University indicates that high doses of | | | | some debate on the efficacy of vitamin |
| Vitamin D may help to increase insulin sensitivity. | | | | supplements for preventing the condition. It is |
| The study indicates that a dose of Vitamin D that | | | | advisable to consult a physician before increasing |
| is higher than the usual recommended daily | | | | the dose of any of the vitamins and minerals |
| requirement may benefit people who live far from | | | | mentioned here, particularly as some may be |
| the equator and may not get much sunlight - the | | | | contra-indicated for pre-existing medical conditions. |
| best source of Vitamin D. | | | | The answer to 'are there any vitamin |
| Magnesium stimulates insulin and makes it more | | | | supplements that prevent diabetes' is definitely |
| effective, and it is believed to help regulate blood | | | | yes, but caution must be exercised before rushing |
| sugar levels. Vitamin E improves insulin activity as | | | | out to buy huge doses of them. Taken in the |
| well. Biotin is needed in our bodies to process | | | | right amounts, these vitamins and minerals can |
| glucose. This is a B vitamin that increases the | | | | certainly delay or even prevent the onset of |
| activity of glucokinase, the enzyme that is | | | | diabetes. |