Vitamins And Minerals Diabetics NeedGetting the right amount of vitamins and minerals is good for everyone, but a person with diabetes might have to take extra care. You can get vitamins and minerals in most of the foods you eat or from pills (supplements). Most people with diabetes get enough vitamins and minerals by eating a variety of foods, but it's always a good idea to be have lab tests done to determine if you or your diabetic child is deficient in any specific vitamin or mineral. Please remember when reading this file that each person is different and the only real way to know if you or your child needs vitamin and
mineral supplements is to have lab tests done. If you or your child doesn't need supplements and you take them you risk taking an overdose
which can be just as dangerous (and sometimes more dangerous) than having the deficiency. VITAMINS Most people with diabetes get enough vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin C. The B vitamins are often obtained too: B1,(thiamin) If your or your child's diabetes has been poorly managed you may risk losing B vitamins in your urine. Most people with diabetes get enough chromium, but if not, taking a chromium supplement might help get better diabetes management results. A chromium deficiency can cause hig blood glucose and blood fat levels. It can also lead to impaired glucose tolerance. If you're already getting enough chromium in your diet taking extra chromium supplements probably won't lead to any better diabetes management results. Mineral deficiencies in copper and manganese have been linked to impaired glucose tolerance, but most people get enough of these two minerals. A selenium deficiency is also unlikely in most people. If your diabetes is managed poorly and/or you have very high ketones you are more likely to become deficient in magnesium. If your body lacks magnesium it can be less sensitive to insulin. People with diabetes are more likely to have a zinc deficiency, especially if the person has had poor diabetes management results. A
lack of zinc can cause impaired glucose tolerance. SPECIFIC SITUATIONS Here are some specific situations that might require vitamin and mineral supplements. Remember, each person is DIFFERENT, so you need
to check with your doctor BEFORE taking vitamin or mineral supplements. 1. If you are over 65 you may need calcium and folate. 2. If you're dieting and take in fewer than 1200 calorieS you may need extra iron and folate. 3. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding you may need extra iron, zinc, calcium and folate 4. If you eat no animal products at all you may need vitamin b12, calcium, iron , vitamin, b2, riboflavin, and zinc 5. If you take diuretics (water pills) you may need magnesium, calcium, and potassium. Here are some food sources of vitamins and minerals: Vitamin A ...............................liver, deep-orange fruits, tuna, vegetables Vitamin B1 (thiamin)...............pork, whole grains Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)............liver, mackerel, dairy foods Vitamin B3 (niacin)...................fish, veal Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)............potatoes, bananas, poultry, prune juice Vitamin B12..............................shellfish, fish Vitamin C..................................citrus fruits, bell peppers, broccoli, strawberries Vitamin D..................................fortified milk, eggs, fish Vitamin E..................................nuts, mangos, blackberries, apples, seeds Folate........................................leafy greens, liver, wheat germ, legumes Calcium.....................................milk, cheese, sardines, anchovies, salmon, leafy vegetables, kale, mustard greens, turnip greens Chromium..................................brewer's yeast, bran, meats cheese Copper........................................liver, nuts, prunes, raisins Iron.............................................shellfish, soybeans, meats Magnesium..................................seeds, legumes, leafy greens, fish Potassium....................................vegetables, legumes, fish, fruits Selenium......................................fish, liver, nuts whole grains Zinc.............................................meats, shellfish, liver GLOSSARYImpaired Glucose Tolerance - blood glucose levels higher than normal but not high enough to be called diabetes. People with impaired glucose tolerance may develop diabetes. This condition is also sometimes referred to as "borderline", "subclinical", or "latent" diabetes.
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