ADA and Supplements or What Vitamins do you take?

Copyright (c) 2008 Soaring Eagle Companies LLC

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has been interested in supplements and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for people with diabetes. Whether these supplements and treatments are effective is an important issue. In 2003, a group of doctors decided to find out how effective and safe herbal therapies and vitamin/mineral supplements were for glucose control in patients with diabetes. (Yeh, GY, Eisenberg DM, Kaptchuk TJ, Phillips RS. Systematic Review of Herbs and Dietary Supplements for Glycemic Control in Diabetes, Diabetes Care 26:1277-1294, 2003). They looked at all the various articles that described the results when patients with diabetes had actually taken various supplements and vitamins.

In their article, the author's state:

A total of 108 trials examining 36 herbs (single or in combination) and 9 vitamin/mineral supplements, involving 4,565 patients with diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance, met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. There were 58 controlled clinical trials involving individuals with diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance (42 randomized and 16 nonrandomized trials). Most studies involved patients with type 2 diabetes. Heterogeneity and the small number of studies per supplement precluded formal meta-analyses. Of these 58 trials, the direction of the evidence for improved glucose control was positive in 76% (44 of 58). Very few adverse effects were reported.

The article goes on to state:

Plant derivatives with purported hypoglycemic properties have been used in folk medicine and traditional healing systems around the world (e.g., Native American Indian, Jewish, Chinese, East Indian, Mexican). Many modern pharmaceuticals used in conventional medicine today also have natural plant origins. Among them, metformin was derived from the flowering plant, Galega officinalis (Goat's Rue or French Lilac), which was a common traditional remedy for diabetes. Similarly, the use of vitamin and mineral supplements for primary or secondary disease prevention is of increasing interest

In their conclusions, the author's state:

There is still insufficient evidence to draw definitive conclusions about the efficacy of individual herbs and supplements for diabetes; however, they appear to be generally safe. The available data suggest that several supplements may warrant further study. The best evidence for efficacy from adequately designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is available for Coccinia indica and American ginseng. Chromium has been the most widely studied supplement. Other supplements with positive preliminary results include Gymnema sylvestre, Aloe vera, vanadium, Momordica charantia, and nopal. So, what supplements should YOU be taking?

After doing more research I have found the vitamin with everything we need. It combines the power of our Top Ten SuperFoods and Antioxidant Blend with 23 Essential Vitamins and Minerals.

This will have you feeling better than ever before. Used by our bodies for day to day maintenance and repair, vitamins and minerals are essential to maintain the healthy, normal processes within your body. Because our bodies are unable to produce vitamins and minerals in sufficient quantities to ensure cellular health, our bodies must acquire them from our diet. However, with the pace of life constantly increasing, we are eating more and more processed foods.

This came right from their label:

Recommended Use: Take 2 capsules twice a day with food.

Supplement Facts:

Serving Size: 2 Capsules

Servings Per Container:60

Amount Per 2 Capsule Serving

Vitamin A 10,000 IU 200%

Vitamin C 200mg 333%

Vitamin D3 400 IU 100%

Vitamin E 60 IU 200%

Vitamin K 75 mcg 94%

Thiamin 30mg 2142%

Riboflavin 30mg 1765%

Vitamin B6 30mg 1500%

Folic Acid 400mcg 100%

Vitamin B12 30mcg 500%

Biotin 300mcg 100%

Pantothenic Acid 30mg 300%

Calcium 75mg 7.5%

Iron 6mg 33%

Iodine 150mcg 100%

Magnesium 100mg 25%

Zinc 30mg 200%

Selenium 75mcg 104%

Copper 2mg 100%

Manganese 10mg 500%

Chromium 100mcg 83%

Molybdenum 80mcg 106%

Chloride 80mg 2%

SuperFoods Blend 350mg

Acai

Alfalfa

Barley

Buckwheat

Cayenne Pepper

Flaxseed

Garlic

Lactobacillus Acidophilus

Soy Isoflavones

Wheatgrass

Antioxidant Blend 325mg

Green Tea

DMAE

Alpha Lipoic Acid

Idebenone Boron 150mcg

Vanadium 10mcg

Other Ingredients:

Magnesium Stearate,

Gelatin

Warnings: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not to be sold for treatment, prevention, cure or mitigation of disease.

In summary, after 37 years in the supplement industry and based on all the research I've been able to find, in my opinion this vitamin is the best one available and it is the one I choose.

Thanks and great health.