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supplements

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lanzlady

lanzlady

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi have been browsing another forum I see a few people are taking Benfotiamine what are anyones thoughts on this supplement?

Many thanks for your answers

Lanzlady
 
Personally I do not take any supplements. I find that my diet is not lacking in any nutrients and my general health is good. I have had test for deficiencies and they have all come back as normal levels. A lot of these supplements make dubious claims about being beneficial for diabetics.

I think you need to speak with your GP if considering supplementation as some have adverse effects with other medications you may be taking and some of the costs are high for these pills. Don't waste your hard earned money unless you need them.
 
I was told with a balanced diet you don't need suplements. As already sugested, if you feel you need more advice speak to your GP or the local pharmacist.

Although taking some supplements can be of benefit, eating plenty of fruit and vege is beneficial too.
 
Benfotiamine or vitimin B1, is often recommended to diabetics to help prevent diabetic complications. Can't see any harm taking it in small doses, over cooking and food past its sell by date can lead to loss of vitimin content, so a multi-vit can do no harm I am sure.
 
I've just started taking Diabetone after a friend with T2 diabetes told me about his success controlling his blood glucose by taking chromium supplements.

The blurb ...
Diabetone has been specially formulated with 21 nutrients to help safeguard your daily requirements. These nutrients include chromium which contributes to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels, vitamin B6 which supports normal protein and glycogen metabolism, plus thiamin (vitamin B1) which helps maintain the normal functioning of the nervous system.
 
Well, that’s surprising because there is no peer reviewed evidence that chromium has anything to do with human insulin production. The only evidence appears to be on genetically engineered rats. We are not rats. And eating chromium can damage your kidneys, so be careful to stick to the recommended dose.

And the Diabetone blurb only affirms what has already been said- a normal healthy diet will provide everything in the supplement. In fact, a Big Mac and fries will provide everything in the supplement bar the shiny metal stuff.

In other words, unless you have a demonstrable deficiency, there’s no need to take this supplement. If there’s no deficiency, you’ll just pee out the excess.

But it won’t do any harm, if you have money to spare, aren’t pregnant, have working kidneys and an uncritical mind.🙂
 
I generally take a vitamin supplement as belt and braces and this seemed like a good option but hey - definitely tempted by the Big Mac and fries alternative - who knew? I figured if I take a couple a week, it will do not any harm and actually might do some good.

Uncritical mind? I am not advocating the use of dangerous pharmaceuticals, I am talking about a multivitamin that has been tested for nutritional value and highlights the contribution chromium can make to the maintenance of blood glucose levels. My friend finds it helpful to support, not replace his T2 diabetes care, peer reviewed or not.
 
If I was taking Metformin for the diabetes, I’d supplement with B12 knowing the scientifically demonstrated link of the impact on B12 levels from taking Metformin (as well as other meds like PPI’s).

I take medically prescribed Vit D plus (magnesium because it helps it to absorb) and a Lutein capsule daily to protect my eyes (on advice on 2 opthamologists (one of whom said he takes it himself).
Thiamine B1 is said to be useful in helping to protect against the development of cataracts (but that ship has sailed for me).

The problem with all these things is getting the dosage right.
 
My friend recommended I read the Diabetic Code by Dr Jason Fung. He is following the fasting and LCHF and supplement protocol proposed in his book - to good effect. I appreciate that everyone needs to find a plan that works for them.
 
Oh dear, Jason Fung. Fasting is not a good idea if you are on medication fo diabetes. He’s one of the “I’m right and everyone else is wrong” dietary “expert”. There’s any number about. By and large, they don’t do any harm, so really it’s a case of whatever floats your boat.

Jason Fung is a nephrologist by training and trade. Kidney expert, but there’s not much trade in diets for kidneys. He’s certainly hit the spot with diabetes.
 
I agree that having a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables is fine but if fruit gives you a large spike in your BGs then you may feel the need to supplement with a vitamin supplement
Carol
 
My personal preference is not to take any supplements unless advised by my GP. I take iron supplements at present prescribed by him due to an iron deficiency found on blood tests.

It is up to the individual, of course, but I prefer not to take things unless advised by a doctor.
 
I read his book and it made sense for me. He doesn't advocate this approach for everyone and is careful to say that people should follow medical advice if they are on medication. Medical opinion needs to be open to new thinking and good research, in my opinion. I suppose you don't have much time for Dr Michael Mosley's research either?

“I’m right and everyone else is wrong” Interesting observation ... 😉
 
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Very interested in Michael Moseley's research and have his books. I get ideas from them for meals. Cannot really do his 800 cal diet as underweight and he advises against it in that case.
 
Most of the programmes I have seen and books I have read seem to take the responsible approach of telling people to work with their medical practitioners. I thought Dr Mosley's evidence was very compelling, given that he put himself through the programme. I couldn't do 800 cals a day either, so I decided to limit the amount of carbs at each meal and to around 15 - 20g, tops and not worry about the calories. I also can't do 500 two days a week either, so aim for 8/16 daily fast most of the time - and I don't know myself out if I don't do it. I am happy to skip breakfast until about eleven but still have a couple of mugs of tea with semi skimmed milk throughout the morning.

The one thing I have been disciplined about is the amount of water I drink... easy in this heat... not too sure how I diligent I will be come winter. Here's another one to give poor mikeyB an attack of the vapours😛, I also got some liver detox tea from the health food shop to do a gentle liver cleanse. I am not good at extreme regimes but small improvements are helping me along.
 
God i take all sorts lol! not that one though, but i take b12 injections (doctor prescribed) iron, starflower(hormones stuff) b6, omega 3&fish oils, vit d3 and calcium. But i have a reason to take them. I have hormone imbalance, pernicious anemia and low vit d and i'm vegetarian and i suffer with adult hormonal acne. So they all have thier uses
 
I am grateful that I received my diagnosis at a time when I have had access to new thinking about managing T2 diabetes.; I do think we are on the cusp of significant change in the way we think about diet and T2 diabetes.

It is mavericks that change the world and even more so in the world of medicine, science, and social thinking, in my view, otherwise nothing would change and we would still be using psychosurgery to treat mental illness and women (ok, and men,) could still be diagnosed as being morally defective under the Mental Deficiency Act (1913), for not toeing the societal party line or doing what their men folk tell them.

You sound as though you have a lot going on there, CosmicHedgehog. I hope your supplements are working for you. x
 
Ruby/London said:
I am grateful that I received my diagnosis at a time when I have had access to new thinking about managing T2 diabetes.; I do think we are on the cusp of significant change in the way we think about diet and T2 diabetes.

It is mavericks that change the world and even more so in the world of medicine, science, and social thinking, in my view, otherwise nothing would change and we would still be using psychosurgery to treat mental illness and women (ok, and men,) could still be diagnosed as being morally defective under the Mental Deficiency Act (1913), for not toeing the societal party line or doing what their men folk tell them.

You sound as though you have a lot going on there, CosmicHedgehog. I hope your supplements are working for you. x
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They do 🙂 Years ago i just assumed alternative medicine was just placebo. The b12 thing was what started it all off, i had such a massive improvement in energy levels and feeling well after having the injections it started me thinking about other things. All have improved my wellbeing after feeling so run down for years. there is something to topping up a few nutrients, If they make you feel better or help then why not 🙂
 
I think everyone has to make their own minds up about supplements. I never really feel I need anything although I didn't think I was iron deficient until the GP told me. I did not realise that I was lacking in energy but, after taking them for a couple of months, I can see that I was. Have to take them for another couple of months and then see what happens on next blood test.

I think where you have to sometimes be careful is that sometimes you can have supplements or things from health shops which can interact with medications. I read once that black cohosh which is suggested for hot flushes in the menopause is given out like sweets in Germany but comes with a warning of liver failure in Australia. No idea what the research is on this so can only quote what I read.

When I worked at the hospital our pre-admission nurses always asked patients to bring anything they were taking supplements wise and anything bought from health shops etc so they could see what was being taken alongside conventional meds.

Has to be the individual's decision and what a person feels is right for them.
 
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