[Brian23]

Are there any supplements or herbs that type 1's should take? What will help with sugar levels, what will help with health, heart, eyes, nerves? Thanks in advance

[Jan B]

Brian,

A good age-appropriate multi-vitamin to begin with -- and it looks like you are already doing that. I don't know that our needs (vitamins, etc.) are that different from anyone elses. It's just very important to be health conscious -- eat well, exercise, get plenty of rest and have a good support system (friends). And of course keep your BG levels at stable as possible.

If non-diabetics took care of themselves the way a compliant diabetic does -- they would be a lot better off.

Don't smoke . . . I did for years & I'm still not sure why. That, I believe may have contributed more to my high blood pressure than the diabetes.

I'm open to taking supplements & I have off & on. I eat garlic because I like the flavor -- some people take garlic supplements for their heart. I eat lots of cabbage and oatmeal too -- heard a long time ago those were good foods for diabetics! I could always learn from others on here who firmly believe in something. I do take extra B vitamins. Zinc is supposed to be good for distress, but that should be in a good multi.

[Brian23]

I am 27, 5'11 138lbs. I am pretty active although i dont have a regular scheduled exercise/workout. The only thing is I work shiftwork so it is hard for me to get good sleep and it is hard for me to take my lantus at the same time everyday... I also dont eat at the same time every day.

[Jan B]

If you were my age, I'd be even more worried. But I think you should take your Lantus at the same time every day. Are you not taking it to work w/you; is that why you don't take it the same time every day? Your A1C isn't bad . . .

Do you take a fast acting insulin with meals? And carb count? If you have Humalog (or other fast acting insulin), you don't necessarily have to eat at the same time every day.

That shift work can wear you out . . . I've done it. I wouldn't do it anymore unless I just had to. It's so hard to sleep odd hours. I've spent years not sleeping well & I know it's taken it's toll.

[Brian23]

I am not taking it @ the same time everyday b/c i am somtimes sleeping.. I try to take it everyday between 12 & 1p.m. But sometimes i sleep late. I dont take a fast acting insulin and i try to count carbs (I am not that good unless it is on the box, so if there is a calculator for meals i would appreciate a link). When i work nights I go to bed @ 7 a.m. and get up around 12 p.m. I just cant sleep during the day

[Funnygrl]

No supplements here except a multivitamin if/when I remember.

[TenderVittleS]

You are almost 6 ft and only 138 lbs? Something sounds wrong with that. You may have an underactive thyroid. I would get that checked out ASAP and sleep for me is the second most important part of the day besides what foods I eat. Try to get a better sleep schedule and take your Lantus at the same time everyday, you will feel 10x better than any vitamin will do. I know you were diagnosed fairly recently but a consistent schedule is VERY important, if your employers don't understand that I would get a new job as soon as I could! It sounds also like you need a fast acting insulin as your A1c is still a little high.

[Jan B]

Originally Posted by TenderVittleS

You are almost 6 ft and only 138 lbs? Something sounds wrong with that. You may have an underactive thyroid. I would get that checked out ASAP and sleep for me is the second most important part of the day besides what foods I eat. Try to get a better sleep schedule and take your Lantus at the same time everyday, you will feel 10x better than any vitamin will do. I know you were diagnosed fairly recently but a consistent schedule is VERY important, if your employers don't understand that I would get a new job as soon as I could! It sounds also like you need a fast acting insulin as your A1c is still a little high.

At your thin weight, your thyroid could be overactive (not underactive as stated above)

True -- your A1C could use a bit of improvement, but it's not horrible.

[Harold]

Deleted five posts as Off Topic. The other option was to close the thread as degrading to arguing. Please, if you want to argue take it to your own thread and spare the rest of us.

Thank You, H

[morrisma]

Multi-vitamin with chromium in it. Read somewhere that it's supposed to help.

About "I read somewhere": I find that so many studies I read about, whether for diabetes or health or diet or anything really, seem to provide convincing data at the time but I rarely see any definitive follow-up. As a result, I rely on the good feeling I get when I remember my vitamin as much as the nutrients. A good attitude and outlook help a lot. (Probably read THAT somewhere too.)

Mike

[Eddy]

On the subject of nutrients:

Nutrition facts, calories in food, labels, nutritional information and analysis – NutritionData.com

Disclaimer:

I have no connection with the site, other than that I enjoy using it. I've found that I tend to crave foods high in Chromium, Manganese, and sometimes Selenium. Coincidence?

[viranth]

I use IntraMax, very happy with it. Kind of expensive, but it's the only thing I use and it covers everything so..