which supplements do you take?

[shabbie6247]

and why...?

i take each day :~
3 capsules of fish oils (for heart, joints and memory)
1 capsule of starflower oil (reputed to have anti-inflammatory properties)
2 tablets of glucosamine with cider vinegar and chondroitin. (for repair of joints, also liver support)

[EasyType2]

None. I've yet to see any creditable evidence that they do any good.

[princesslinda]

I take fish oil tablets for cholesterol
Chromium for weight and blood sugar
One a Day for Women

[Penny]

I take Ferrous Sulfate for my anemia, but keep getting conflicting info about other supplements, so just do not take any.

[MJB]

Multivitamin - just in case I'm short of something

Fish oil - for lower cholesterol/triglycerides

Metamucil caps - for fiber

[parrotletzoo]

I was on Omocor (prescription fish oil) for cholesterol. It worked butnot as well as lipitor, I'm back on Lipitor. and I took blueberry extract which was recommended by my eye doctor and I have to say I do think it helped.

now I take calcium/magnesium and a multivitamin and thats it.

Becareful of which supplements you take they are MEDICINE, many can be toxic at high levels, and they can interact with prescription meds and grapefruit like regular rx meds do. (example: willow bark has the same ingredient as asprin which can thin your blood, ginko also can thin blood, dandilion root is a diuretic and can be harsh on the kidneys when used with other diuretics and shouldnt be taken with other blood pressure meds, there are websites that list other interactions) Let your drs/pharmacist know which ones you are taking.

[Alice]

A multi-vitamin.

[notme]

Super B complex. I do it for neuropathy (who knows), hot flashes (not working) and hair loss (time will tell).

Nothing else.

[paulT2]

which supplements do you take?

None


And why?

Because that seems to work for me :)

[Jill-O]

Multi Vitamin for Women
Vitamin C
Vitamin B Complex
Green Tea Capsules
2 Low Dose Asprin

[wiseguy]

Apple Cider Vinegar - 3 tablespoons with lunch and dinner to reduce BG spikes.
Chromium Picolinate - 200 mg twice daily for help with BG control.
Cinnamon Capsules - 1000 mg twice daily for help with BG control.
Insulow (r-Alpha Lipoic Acid & Biotin) - before each meal for help with BG control and increased energy.
Omega 3 Fish Oil - 1000 mg three times daily to hopefully prevent cholesterol problems.
Salacia Oblonga - 500 mg before each meal to reduce BG spikes.

[shabbie6247]

its interesting all the different supplements people take, even the fact that some people dont take anything at all.

[Dawn]

Multi-vitamin
Flax seed oil - cholesterol (don't like fish oil)
Niacin - (can't remember why but my doctor suggested it and I wrote it down somewhere)
81 mg Aspirin
Daily dose of positive thinking

[sofaraway]

I take a multivitamin most days

[Fenway]

Multi Vitamin
Calcium for my bones
Fish Oil for my heart
Baby ASA

[lazymorulz]

One A Day Women's Multi-Vitamin ~mo

[sherry]

Calcium/magnesium/vitamin D - prevent osteoperosis, I hope

Irwin Naturals Low Glycemic Sugar Metabolizer - to lower glucose levels (so far, this has helped me)

Hyland's Restful Legs - stop restless leg syndrome symptoms (so far, this has worked for me too)

Flax Oil on my salads - heart health, I hope

[shabbie6247]

cheeky ****bump**** ;)

[SueM]

None what so ever.
If you eat a healthy diet you shouldn't need any supplements.

[Evermont]

For 43 years I felt I needed no such thing and never suffered for it. I've done some study recently on macro and micro nutrients and decided to get some cheap insurance, and now help with BG stabilization.

This is what I bought just a few days ago - interested in your reactions...

http://www.rainbowlight.com/images/RLimages%5C10891sup_mens1.gif

[msbronco]

I currently am taking multiple vitamin along with metformin. I am a type2 and not always in good control. I am interested in herbal remedies...a little afraid though. Some friends of mine are talking to me about something called Stem Enhance. It is plant based and is supposed to help your own body release stem cells which then travel to where they are needed,in my case the pancrease. They have testimonies of people who have reduced their insulin dosages and lowered their meds. Anyone have any info on this? I hate being on meds since I hear of so many side effects(no matter what med it is)I'd like to think my friends are really wanting to help me and notjust entice me to take their product to benefit their pocket!

[Penny]

After doing some reading, I added 1000mg calcium, 400mg of Magnesium, and 15mg zinc, as I have been having so much "bone and joint" pain. Also from what I read, this combination could heelp with Triglcerides. Mine are high, though cholesterol is good. About 3 days after I started them, I started getting some pretty severe upper region gas (burping mostly), last night the gas pains were so bad, the only way I could sleep (what little I did) was sitting up in a chair. I just had about every test they have for my digestive system, and though they found some small areas, that don't look right....nothing serious. Now I am wondering if it is caused by these added supplements. Has anyone had a problem with this? I am still taking an iron supplement, which I think might cause stomach problems, but the doctor wants me to continue them for at least another month. My iron levels are up, until I am not considered anemic now.

[slipperyelm]

Penny, I don't think I have heard of stomach problems from zinc, magnesium or Calcium, but I surely have heard of stomach problems from iron.

[Penny]

Penny, I don't think I have heard of stomach problems from zinc, magnesium or Calcium, but I surely have heard of stomach problems from iron.

I am going to stop the iron for a few days and see if it makes a difference. I have been wondering about it since I started taking it, as I often have the stomach problenm, just never as severe as the last one. That is why I wondered about the new supplements. I was told to continue the iron until December.

[owlyn]

Dark chocolate for its anti-oxidant properties. Yeah, that's it...anti-oxidant....

[jeggeman31]

I take nothing

Now due to my short response it would not let me post this message, so I am typing this so I can post my 3 word response.

[Mich]

Multivitamin most days. I eat lots of greens and only whole grain carbs.

ALA 200-600mg for my neuropathy. If I miss a few days, cramps and pain come back. They go away within 2 hrs of taking a 200 mg dose. Good enough proof for me. I first heard about it in Bernstein's book. Googling ALA and neuropathy gives more backing. ALA is cheap at Trader Joe's.

PS I'm not a Dr nor do I work for Trader Joe's. :T
I am however, a professional diabetic :cool: Mich

[slipperyelm]

Penny, if you are not on a prescription Iron supplement, ask your doctor if there is a prescription one that might be gentler for you. I know it is available by RX and you would not be the forst person to have troubles with it. A friend of mine even goes regularly to get some sort of IV infusion for iron. She did, coincidentally have a hospitalization for a stomach bleed this year, too.

Mich, that is interesting about ALA (alpha lipoic acid). I will look at our local Trader Joes to see what form they sell. I read about it in Bernstein a while back and did not try it until early this summer. I'm using the form purified to contain only the Right-handed enantiomer of it, as Bernstein recommends so it is more expensive than what I've found in the drugstores. I don't have any current detectable neuropathy, but it works amazingly well to bring down my blood sugar at the meal with which I take it. In fact, sometimes I open a capsule and take only half of it because, if it is a low carb meal, 100 mg of ALA can make my BG go uncomfortably low, like down into the low 70s.

That ALA should work so well for me makes me wonder just exactly what are the mechanisms involved in my own type 2 diabetes. Why is my particular physiology so set up to respond to ALA? I have read of other t-2s taking a whole lot more ALA than I do and maybe not even being able to tell a difference. Why does it work for me, but not for them?

I feel a little bit shy to even talk about ALA so glowingly, because I fear people will just think I am a kook. So I mention it sometimes, read some other languages so I could go on other websites to see what Europeans say about ALA. Bernstein says it is a prescription med in Europe, but here in the USA do doctors ever mention it? Probably not. I would like to know more about others' experience with ALA, the good and the bad (if there is any :) ).

[Penny]

Penny, if you are not on a prescription Iron supplement, ask your doctor if there is a prescription one that might be gentler for you. I know it is available by RX and you would not be the forst person to have troubles with it. A friend of mine even goes regularly to get some sort of IV infusion for iron. She did, coincidentally have a hospitalization for a stomach bleed this year, too.

Mich, that is interesting about ALA (alpha lipoic acid). I will look at our local Trader Joes to see what form they sell. I read about it in Bernstein a while back and did not try it until early this summer. I'm using the form purified to contain only the Right-handed enantiomer of it, as Bernstein recommends so it is more expensive than what I've found in the drugstores. I don't have any current detectable neuropathy, but it works amazingly well to bring down my blood sugar at the meal with which I take it. In fact, sometimes I open a capsule and take only half of it because, if it is a low carb meal, 100 mg of ALA can make my BG go uncomfortably low, like down into the low 70s.

That ALA should work so well for me makes me wonder just exactly what are the mechanisms involved in my own type 2 diabetes. Why is my particular physiology so set up to respond to ALA? I have read of other t-2s taking a whole lot more ALA than I do and maybe not even being able to tell a difference. Why does it work for me, but not for them?

I feel a little bit shy to even talk about ALA so glowingly, because I fear people will just think I am a kook. So I mention it sometimes, read some other languages so I could go on other websites to see what Europeans say about ALA. Bernstein says it is a prescription med in Europe, but here in the USA do doctors ever mention it? Probably not. I would like to know more about others' experience with ALA, the good and the bad (if there is any :) ).

I have had the iron IV infusion twice, the anemia keeps coming back though. I also was hospitalized for the stomach bleeding. My last test showed much improvement in the anemia problem, so I am inclined to just stop taking the iron supplement for the few weeks until I get tested again. The stomach thing was so bad, I was afraid I was having another heart attack. Even though my control is the best it has been for a long time, the neuropathy in one foot and one hand is really bad, I am tempted to try the ALA. Are there any side effects I need to worry about? I take Lantus and Novolog, could it cause a problem with that?

[Mich]

Penny, the only side effects I can find mentioned are from larger doses than I take. Sometimes it gives people a stomach ache and sometimes a mild skin rash, but I encourage you and Google to check it out--it's different for everyone. I decided it couldn't hurt to try it and was very pleasantly surprised.

Slippery Elm: I have seen several mentions in my research on ALA of insulin resistance being lowered. (Google ALA and neuropathy) As I understand it, many type 2's have high insulin resistance.

I understood that the difference in the ALA recommended by name by Dr B was possibly a certified purer form and was definitely time-release. The stuff from TJ's isn't time release and I took a chance on the purity thing. It works for me, I take 200 three times a day, tapering off to lower doses occasionally if all is going well and upping it again if I have problems. So far, so good.

Mich

[Alice]

I was anemic back in college...they put me on pre-natal vitamins (the nice big horsepills!)...and I seemed to do fine. No trace of anemia now...so I'm not really up on new treatments. Are you also getting natural Iron from your diet? I would think think that might absorb better...(raisins, etc.)
Count the carbs, of course.

[Penny]

I was anemic back in college...they put me on pre-natal vitamins (the nice big horsepills!)...and I seemed to do fine. No trace of anemia now...so I'm not really up on new treatments. Are you also getting natural Iron from your diet? I would think think that might absorb better...(raisins, etc.)
Count the carbs, of course.

I love raisins, but just a few cause a big spike. I eat lots of greens....spinach, mustard greens, broccoli and even beets.

[Leighlee]

I have been taking the Walmart's Spring Valley brand: Diabetes Nutrition packets. Each packet contains 6 tablets consisting of vitamins and nutrients for diabetics. I have noticed a remarkable difference in how I feel on the days I take the packets. You might want to give them a try.

[jjordie]

I was very interested to read about ALA so googled this information:



Alpha-Lipoic ACIDS

What is Alpha-Lipoic acid?
What conditions has Alpha-Lipoic acid been used to treat?
Dosage and side effects

Which conditions has Alpha-Lipoic Acid been used to treat?
Those who benefit the most from this supplement are those with diabetes as it is excellent at treating nerve damage. Its antioxidant properties work on free radicals - the very things that have contributed to nerve damage.
It also helps those who need to take insulin to respond better to the hormone and they often find that when taking this supplement that their glucose levels are lower.
It has been seen to work well with those who need to eliminate toxins from the body therefore it is used by practitioners in the treatment of cirrhosis, poisoning and hepatitis.

Primary
Cirrhosis, poisoning and hepatitis.
Secondary
It is used for diabetes, Alzheimer's disease,
chronic fatigue syndrome, and AIDS.

It inhibits the development of cataracts.


How much is normally taken?
For specific conditions the usual amount is 100-200mg, three times a day.
For general use as an antioxidant take 50-100mg a day.

Are there any contraindications or side effects?
There are no serious side effects.
Some may have a mild reaction such as a stomach upset or an allergic rash.
If this is the case,reduce the dose or discontinue use.

===============

Sounds like a good thing but will check it out with my GP before taking any.

:)

[lisa821]

Fish oil concentrate--1000 mg
Ferrous sulfate--325 mg
Pycnogenol--two 30 mg capsules
81 mg aspirin

Recently added on experimental basis:
Biotin--5000 mcg
B1--100mg

~Lisa

[fredkelly]

I keep running into people on the internet talking about Diamaxol and Vitabase blood sugar formula. Does anyone have any experience? I found a number of less than favorable reviews for at least Diamaxol at ______.

[Old man]

Tried a few bottles of Vitabase blood sugar formula and it seemed to do no harm. I found Nature's Way Completia Diabetic Tabs which I think is a good multi-vitamin and mineral supplement and it has everything listed in the Vitabase product at $14.95 per 90 tabs at Highlife-vitamins.

[Carwy]

I take:
CoQ-10 for blood flow and heart health. Since starting it my BP has dropped enough that it is now normal and my Dr. is not worried about it anymore.
co Q 10 (http://www.kcweb.com/herb/coq-10.htm)

Ginkgo Biloba - for memory. they said I would have short term memory lose for the chem and TBI. I do not see where it has effected me. Is it because of the Ginkgo Biloba? who knows.
ginkgo biloba (http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/ginkgo-biloba-000247.htm)

and
I took Cat' s claw for a while (between treatments). What is cat's claw
Cat's Claw is a tropical vine that grows in rain forest and jungle areas in South America and Asia.
They say it fights cancer. I do not know about that, but I do know the pain in my leg (which was full of cancer) went away after I had been talking it for a couple of weeks.
cat's claw (http://www.kcweb.com/herb/catsclaw.htm)

This is what works for me and it may not work for others.

[poster_ben]

I keep running into people on the internet talking about Diamaxol and Vitabase blood sugar formula. Does anyone have any experience? I found a number of less than favorable reviews for at least Diamaxol at ______.

As I searched for it (on the net), I have seen a couple of good and not-so-good topic with Diamaxol. I think you better ask your doctor first before taking any drug or supplement for your safety. Recently, FDA has been on the active patrol on supplements, as I have read on the news that you can find on the net. I am not sure what happened to those supplements included on the FDA's list. This action also stirred up quite a few reactions from the natural advocates as I have been hopping to other forums as well.

[AliB]

I have posted on the thread on this site about Vitabase. Someone else asked if anyone had any experience. Well, I keep repeating myself, but I am not sure that anyone else believes me. There seems to be a very cynical element on this forum. I hope there are a few out there who might prove me wrong!

I am currently taking Vitabase. I started it at the beginning of October and achieved instant results. It has dropped my blood sugar by at least 100 points from well over regular 200's, even up to 300's down to normal or just above. I rarely go above 180 even after food and my waking BS is between 100 - 120. I no longer wake with the 'dawn phenomenon'.

My sugar levels have been a little higher this week but I am suffering with a cold. I am Type 2. I produce little of my own insulin so have to take around 2 x 20 units per day and also Metformin. My waking BS pre-Vitabase was anything between 200-250.

Apart from the odd testimonial I picked up on the internet, I had had no other recommendation so tried it blind. I figured at that price what did I have to lose? I just wish I had found it a long time ago. Since then I have tried to pass on my experience as there is nothing as good as personal recommendation and discussion - wish I had seen a bit more of that before I started - not that it would have made any difference though!

Like most diabetic medication in general it works better when I restrict my carb intake and not so good when I don't, so the end result is down to me. If you think you can take this and get away with uncontrolled eating you may be disappointed. I cannot guarantee that it will work for everyone, but it works for me.

[gambi]

I have posted on the thread on this site about Vitabase. .

Who make Vitabase or is that the brand name? Where can I find it? Would a grocery or drug store sell it or would I need to try GNC or something like that?

ALso would it work for a type 1?

Thanks!

[Old man]

AliB and gambi checkout Nature's Way Completia Diabetic Formula at [/url]
This is agood multi-vitamin and mineral supplement and has in addition everything in the same or similar quantities as Vitabase. It's like getting the Vitabase free. I buy mine at [url=http://www.hilife-vitamins.com/nature-s-way-3367414924.html]COMPLETIAª DIABETIC (IRON FR) TABS 90 (http://www.naturesway.com/NaturesWay/productDetail.aspx?productid=14924)
My fasting numbers are usually around 100 to110. Post prandials (2 hour) are usually 120 or less. My biggest gains by far have come through diet and exercise but I still take supplements. Did have 250 fasting and 450+ postprandials.
Also just started vitamin K2. My autopsy may tell if it cleared my arteries but I don't know how to painlessly evaluate it now.

[daryop]

I take Diabion.

[AliB]

Sorry Old Man, couldn't figure out what you meant by 'like getting Vitabase free'.

The Nature's Way product is more expensive than the Vitabase Blood Sugar Formula, Vitabase give you a free pot with your first order and for every three you buy you also get one free. I looked and it didn't seem to have the same ingredients, but everyone to their own.

Hi Gambi. If you Google Vitabase you will find it. Whether you could buy it locally I haven't a clue but you could ask them. I think it unlikely that it will help type 1 as the ingredients are designed to help with insulin resistance. Having said that I have no experience with the product and type 1 so I cannot make that a categoric statement. Sometimes it is just a matter or experimentation.

Some have found that Omega oils help too. It is all a bit of a lottery. We are all different so things that will benefit some will not benefit others and it is simply often just a matter of trying different things until we find out what benefits us.

I stopped the Vitabase 2 days ago just to see what would happen and because I wanted to take some Milk Thistle to boost my liver and hopefully help my stomach. amazingly my BS levels have still remained pretty low, so the Vitabase obviously has an enduring effect even after being stopped. If and when my sugar levels start to rise again I will start taking it again. Obviously not having to take it all the time would make it go further too!!!

[Old man]

You're right. I researched the information some time ago and relied on my feeble memory. Vitabase Blood Sugar formula has Banaba, Guggle, Bitter melon, Licorice extract, Cinnamon, Gymnema Sylvestre, Yarrow, Cayenne, Juniper berries, and Huckleberry. The other does not have these ingredients. Nature's Way does have 11 in greater quantities than Vitabase. Nature's Way has 27 ingredients Vitabase lacks. They are not the same and the ingredients missing may be what is helping you. I was buying a GNC Mega Man multi-vitamin and mineral in addition to Vitabase BSF and decided to use Nature's Way Completia Diabetic instead. But again your right, they are not the same and Nature's Way may not work for you. I would be reluctant to change anything that gives the results you've achieved.

[HealthyChocolat]

Cocoa heals & prevents complications of diabetes. Don't pay for phony supplements, the best thing in the world is right down at your supermarket! Be sure to get the natural, non-alkalinized cocoa. Alkalinization, also known as Dutch processed, destroys the antioxidants.

Also read this. It's astounding! Hollenberg & the Kuna Indians:


(deleted link)

[jeni]

Hi,
I have read great a reviews on Blood Sugar Formula some people have switched from the Diamaxol to the Blood Surgar Formula.

[pdxdennisj]

Re: The person taking Niacin - It is to help with cholesterol - lowers LDL and raises HDL. Folks with D should only take it under docs supervision as it can suddenly trigger very high BGs. The timed release are very bad for the liver or kidneys (don't remember which). All this is per the San Francisco head of the Gladstone Lipid Clinic at UCSF.

[LynnRut]

Anyone take cinnamon products?

[Jan B]

Super B Complex
Calcium
Cranberry capsules 500mg
Multi for women over 45
CoQ10
Dr. Franks joint formula pill & spray

I drink lots of green & red tea, and eat lots of spinach and vegetables & put cinnamon on oatmeal every morning.

I've been doing all this for only a month or so -- I feel fantastic.

[deb wardle]

Hi Sharon

I don't take any because I am never sure if they actually do what they say they will, but i suppose if i don't try then I will never know!!

Deb

[TrueWorship]

I know somebody else asked, but I didn't see a response, do the supplements that are supposed to help lower blood sugars help people with type 1 or are they more suited for people with type 2 and/or pre-diabetics? I'm really trying to get my bg under tighter control and I'm willing to try supplements, but just wonder if it's going to be worth it or not.

Jenn

[donkeyface]

I take Natures Blood Sugar Suppliment.
I have Type II diabetes and I take no medication other then that suppliment and some cinnamon in the morning.

But I do also severly restrict my carb intake.

[kclay0840]

Someone earlier mentioned cinnamon. There is one brand called cinnulin that claims they remove the toxic elements that regular cinnamon contains. You can pretty much buy it in any brand, Vitacost, Vitabase, GNC, etc

[Nikky]

Duroferon.
1 a day for low Iron. Have taken it for years (Doctors orders) but never seen any results.
Then I started eating big white beans everyday and my Iron is now up to normal for a woman of my age. Go figure :o
Am not sure if its the beans themselves or if they just work as a booster for what else that I eat..but as long as it works..
I'm not a great believer in supplements.

[Subby]

Jenn - I'm type 1 and I'm going to carefully try some supplements (not sure what yet).

My thoughts: my impression is yes they will have many of the effects on a non-type 1, but the results may be different, as you don't have the same insulin response abilities. (This is all based on my common sense, correct me anyone).

So, many supplements should be as beneficial/not beneficial for type 1s, provided you keep flexible and up to date with changing insulin needs of course! I have noticed drs, health workers and naturopaths etc in general can be cagey or just not comment about type 1s and BG changing supplements. There would obviously be dangers if there is say a big change in insulin absorption and you inject too large an amount... dangerous territory perhaps. Certainly more convenient (and perhaps smart) to avoid the danger issue, hey?

I'm fed up with terrible insulin response/resistances and I'm certainly going to carefully research and trial some of these. I wouldn't tell any other type 1 to do so, if you do be careful.

[LynnRut]

There is a bewildering amount of information out there. It is important to research on non-biased sites.

[Pote05]

1ea: One-per-Day Spring Valley Omega 3 Fish Oil
1ea: 500mg Cinnamon
1ea: Centrum Perofmance Multi-Vitamin, Multimineral
1ea: 1000mcg Biotin
1ea: Super B Complex
1ea: Chromium Picolinate
1ea: Bayer Aspirin

[Johny]

I take 1 multi B every morning, 1 mg of b12 Methylcobalamin on an empty stomache for better asorbtion, Vitamin C 2,000 mg, Alpha lipioc acid, all for my nearly cured neuropathy, oh also 100mg B1 x 3 times a day when feet are burning [only minor these days] on extremely hot days, thats about it.

[Ginette]

I've been researching studies about ALA and I was quite surprised to see how many studies out there do support the positive effect of ALA! That is one supplement I will add...

For now I take:

low dose aspirin - for control of inflammation of all sorts
Omega 3

What about fiber additives? Has anyone tried those?