Diabetes
Also known as Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a disorder, which is directly related to the improper body metabolism. This is when the body is unable to store and use the natural sugars produced. In other words, the body loses its ability to use blood glucose that the body requires to work all day through.
This occurs when body finds it difficult to produce the required amounts of Insulin. Also, the cells stop responding to consume this hormone for the production of energy. Hence, an imbalance in the production of insulin through pancreas is an immediate cause of Diabetes.
Kidney diseases, loss of vision, neurological and cardiovascular disorders are some immediate results of this.
Types of Diabetes
Type-1 Diabetes
Also known as the Juvenile Onset Diabetes, this type of diabetes is a kind of Auto-Immune Disease. This is when the immune system starts attacking the Pancreas, which is responsible for producing Insulin. Hence, people who cannot produce insulin naturally are said to be Type-1 Diabetics. For survival, they are required to take Insulin replacements for a lifetime.
Type-1 diabetes can attack anyone. However, children and young adults are the major sufferers.
Type-2 Diabetes
This is a type of hereditary health disorder, which is mainly seen in people of the age group 40 years and above. Poor lifestyle, improper/unhealthy diet, no or less physical activity, or being obese, are some factors that are responsible for Type-2 Diabetes.
Though practicing small changes in living style can be a great help in preventing this diabetes, insulin replacements and medications become a necessity to keep the blood sugar levels in control.
The Vitamins and Prevention of Diabetes
1. Biotin (Vitamin-B7) :
Known for keeping a healthy body, and beautiful hair, the vitamin also stands efficient in working well with the body insulin. This is because B7 helps in improving the working of an enzyme called Glucokinase. This is responsible for the 1st step of glucose utilization, which is important for the proper functioning of the body.
Glucokinase is produced in the liver, which is found low in levels when a person is suffering from diabetes. Supplements or natural intake of this vitamin may stand significant in maintaining the body glucose levels for Type-1 and Type-2 diabetics.
2. Vitamin-B6
Diabetic neuropathy is a medical condition that causes damage to the body’s nervous system because of spiked blood sugar levels. Generally known to be a deficiency of vitamin-B6, the disease can be worse if not treated with time.
Vitamin-B6 helps in enhancing the process of glucose tolerance and is recommended to the people who suffer from impaired glucose tolerance with taking birth-control medications and gestational diabetes.
3. Vitamin-B12
The vitamin plays a great role in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. The vitamin helps in ensuring proper functioning of nerve cells, which helps in prevention of any type of nerve damage.
4. Vitamin-C
Type-1 diabetics are generally diagnosed with low vitamin-C levels. On the other hand, Vitamin-C helps improve glucose tolerance in the people suffering from Type-2 Diabetes. Also, by taking vitamin-C as natural supplements, the amount of sorbitol is reduced.
Sorbitol is a type of sugar that can have harmful effects on the human body. This sugar is one cause of increased risk of diabetic-related diseases, for example, neuropathy, retinopathy, and kidney disorders.
5. Vitamin-D
Vitamin-D is the sun vitamin, which is commonly known to maintain healthy bones and teeth. However, the other health benefits of this essential vitamin are largely ignored. The vitamin helps in boosting insulin sensitivity, which ensures proper blood sugar regulation. Hence, keeps away diabetes.
6. Vitamin-E
Vitamin-E helps in fighting the toxic substances by improving the oxygen levels in the bloodstreams. This further helps in enhancing the working of Insulin. With sufficient amounts of vitamin-E in the body, the harm of free-radical damage is reduced.
Improving the vitamin levels helps in reducing the risk of Type-2 diabetes progression. On the other hand, people who suffer from type-2 diabetes see positive results in enhancing the glucose tolerance levels with the consumption of Vitamin-E.
The Minerals That Play a Crucial Role in Helping with Diabetes
Except for the vitamins, there are some essential mineral nutrients that ensure prevention against diabetes. Foods, drinks, or supplements with the minerals like magnesium, chromium, zinc, potassium, manganese, vanadium, and taurine, stand beneficial in treating diabetes.