When a diabetic gets an infection it can be difficult to overcome and can, on occasion, lead to dire circumstances, including mortality. And because many diabetics do not always respond well to treatment the ideal course of action is prevention. That’s why diabetics should consider supplementing with a daily high-quality vitamin and mineral supplement. Research suggests taking a potent multivitamin can provide diabetics protection for more than just the common cold, helping to effectively reduce the likelihood of infection and reduce the number of sick days a diabetic suffers from.
People with high blood glucose levels have unique nutritional needs, requiring potent antioxidants that can help counteract the negative effects of oxidative stress that could lead to diabetes-related complications.
“Once a person with diabetes gets an infection, it’s much harder for them to get rid of it, and it can lead to dire consequences, even death,” says Registered and Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist Debra Spector. “And since some diabetic patients don’t normally respond well to treatment, prevention is key.”
Because of the nature of diabetes, nutrient deficiencies caused by diabetes medications and frequent urination can deplete vital nutrients that protect the body. Ideally, Spectre says that diabetic multivitamin should contain Alpha Lipoic Acid, an important nutrient that most ‘regular’ vitamins do not contain.
Taking a special diabetes multivitamin provides a diabetic with an opportunity to be proactive with his or her health, navigating away from nutrient deficiencies that can lead to illness.
A year-long study of 130 patients, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, noted that that the number of infections was much lower among diabetics who supplemented a multivitamin versus those who did not. Only 17 percent of diabetic patients who took a multivitamin developed infections compared to the 93 percent who took a placebo. Minor urinary tract and gastrointestinal infections were also reduced in diabetes as a consequence of taking a multivitamin.
“Since there are many health risks that can result from vitamin and mineral deficiencies, I encourage my diabetic patients to find a multivitamin supplement with more potent levels of important nutrients to meet their needs,” says Spector. She also notes that it should contain Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA), an important nutrient that most ‘regular’ multivitamins do not have.
