| How you eat is important if you've been diagnosed | | | | disease and colon cancer. |
| with diabetes. The body needs a certain amount of | | | | Iron is important, but too much can be harmful to |
| vitamins and nutrients, and if you have diabetes, it's | | | | you. On the other hand, if you're not getting enough |
| even more important to get the nutrition you need | | | | iron, you can become anemic. Most people get |
| to keep your glucose levels under control. | | | | enough iron if they eat fortified cereals, but if you |
| Fortunately, you can use dietary supplements to help | | | | need a little extra iron, make sure you don't exceed |
| keep your body healthy and balanced, and there are | | | | 18 mg of iron each day, which is the daily |
| twelve nutrients that are key for diabetics. | | | | recommended amount for everyone. |
| Calcium is important for everyone, but many people | | | | Magnesium supplements should contain 100 mg for |
| don't get enough by drinking milk or eating dairy. | | | | diabetics. Magnesium is particularly important since it |
| Calcium is especially important for women, who are | | | | has been linked to protection from diabetes, as well |
| at risk for osteoporosis later in life. Even if you think | | | | as hypertension, osteoporosis, and migraine |
| you're getting enough calcium, you may want to | | | | headaches. If you have kidney problems, be sure to |
| consider a separate supplement that contains | | | | check with your doctor before adding magnesium to |
| between 500 and 1,000 mg of calcium. | | | | your diet. |
| Chromium supplements should be between 50 and | | | | Vitamin A should be in the amount of 5,000 |
| 200 mcg. Unfortunately, you may not get enough | | | | international units (I.U.), but no more than 10,000 I.U. |
| chromium in the food you eat, and since this mineral | | | | Diabetics should look for supplements that contain 2 |
| helps your body handle blood sugar, it's especially | | | | mg of vitamin B6. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, and |
| important to make sure you're getting enough | | | | diabetics should have 200 to 500 mg of it as a daily |
| chromium. Extra chromium can also help you build | | | | supplement. Vitamin D can be added to your body |
| muscle. | | | | from sunlight, but to get enough through the sun, |
| Copper contributes to regulating your blood sugar, | | | | you would spend too much time exposed to the sun |
| the way your body uses iron, and in bone and heart | | | | without protecting your skin. Diabetics should look for |
| health. It's an important part of your diet, but like | | | | 400 I.U. of vitamin D, but be sure your supplements, |
| chromium, your regular diet doesn't give you enough. | | | | in conjunction with fortified cereals and milk don't |
| Diabetics should look for supplements that contain 2 | | | | exceed 800 I.U. Vitamin E is another antioxidant, and |
| mg of copper. | | | | diabetics should look for 100 to 400 I.U. of it. |
| Folic Acid, also known as folate, is particularly | | | | Zinc is one mineral that is probably the most lacking in |
| important for women in their child bearing years. | | | | your diet, and diabetics should look for supplements |
| About 400 mg of folic acid in early pregnancy help | | | | that contain 15 mg of zinc. Zinc helps wounds heal |
| the development of your baby's brain and spine. | | | | properly, as well as helping keep your immune |
| Higher levels of folic acid can lower your risk of heart | | | | system strong. |