Diabetes Supplements Required for Diabetes?
Diabetes at a Glance:
- Diabetes is a disease in which the body’s ability to produce or respond to insulin is impaired. This results in an abnormal metabolism of sugars or carbohydrates and increased levels of blood glucose (also called blood sugar) in the body.
- With an average onset age of 42.5 years, diabetes effects 7.1 of the total adult population in India.
- Although Diabetes can be controlled and managed in most cases, if neglected, can lead to serious health problems.
- Treatment of diabetes typically focuses on controlling blood sugar (taking insulin shots and/or other diabetes medication) and adopting a healthy lifestyle.
- Research suggests that certain supplements, coupled with the regular treatment can be helpful in efficiently managing the symptoms of diabetes.
With over 69 million people suffering from diabetes, India has the distinction of having the second largest number of diabetics after China. It is often regarded as the diabetes capital of the world with the highest number of people with Type -2 Diabetes (more than 50 million).
With the upsurge in the number of diabetes patients in India and around the world over the years, the market for Diabetic Care and Management has also risen rapidly. Diabetes Management has become an enormous business opportunity and over the last few years, the market has been flooded with an array of products for Diabetes care ranging from monitors to supplements and additives available in different forms, sizes and price tags. An important component in this segment is the diabetic supplements. But the question that needs to be asked is, are supplements required for diabetes?
Diabetes and Supplements: Do They Work?
With the incidence of diabetes on a rise, a plethora of “diabetes-friendly” supplements are popping up everywhere. The most common ones include Vitamins, Chromium, Magnesium, Cinnamon, Herb-Based Supplements, etc. A 2011 study pointed out that more than 50% of people with diabetes were using dietary supplements in one form or another.
But with the wide range of supplements available in the market, there arise many pertinent questions. These include –
- Should you take supplements?
- Is there any scientific evidence of their effectiveness?
- Which ones should you take?
- Are they safe?
Before delving into the effectiveness of these supplements, the most vital thing to know for someone with diabetes is that there is no supplement that will take care of diabetes all by itself. A supplement can’t replace the healthy lifestyle and medication regime suggested by your physician.
Latest research findings and medical experts are of the view that some of the most extensively used supplements including vitamins (C and D), essential elements (Chromium, Magnesium), Antioxidants, Omega 3 Fatty acids, etc. have very little to inconclusive to no impact on conditions related to Type-2 Diabetes. According to National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), some of these supplements when taken in high doses have also been documented to cause certain side effects including stomach problems, kidney damage, muscular problems and skin reactions.
Amongst all types of available alternatives, herbal supplements have proved to be more promising in managing the symptoms of diabetes with no side effects. Recent clinical studies have revealed potential links between herbal therapies and improved blood sugar levels. This has led to a rise in the demand for much more “natural “products amongst people suffering from diabetes.
What is Medlife Essentials Diabetasafe?
Your nearest drug store will have innumerable “diabetes-friendly” supplements with tall claims of controlling your blood sugar levels. However, before you take your pick, it is important to analyze and evaluate the nature of the product. A product that claims to completely eradicate your diabetes within weeks or months is probably not the best bet.
After a careful and exhaustive analysis of the diabetic care products available in the market, Medlife Essentials, an initiative by Medlife. com, has come up with a complete line of dietary supplements to prevent or manage common diseases that are rampant in today’s society. All these products are made with 100% natural ingredients and are clinically proven for their efficacy.
For diabetes management, Medlife brings to you the Medlife Essentials Diabetasafe tablet. Diabetasafe is an ayurvedic proprietary drug that helps normalizing blood sugar levels in the body and also improves the response to conventional Oral Hypoglycemic Agents (OHAs) which eventually may help in reducuing the intake of OHA’s. Diabetasafe is recommended to be used in Type-2 Diabetic persons to normalize elevated blood glucose levels.
Each Medlife Essentials Diabetasafe tablet contains balanced amounts of extracts of Gymnema Sylvestre or Madhunashini, Enicostemma Littorale or Mamijva, Pterocarpus Marsupium or Asana, Syzygium Cuminii or Jambu and Emblica Officinalis or Amalaki. These plants and plant-based products have been used effectively as a part of traditional Indian medicine-Ayurveda for thousands of years. More recently, a number of research/clinical studies have clinically tested and revealed their effectiveness in managing the symptoms of Type-2 Diabetes.
The table below gives a brief overview of the effects of each ingredient used in Diabetasafe along with results from recent research/clinical studies.
Medlife Essentials Diabetasafe: Components and Benefits:
| Ingredient | Benefits/Effects | Research/Clinical Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Gymnema Sylvestre | Controls the blood sugar levels | • Could help prevent diabetic complications in the long term. • Increase glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes • Ability to increase insulin secretion |
| Enicostemma Littorale | Enhances glucose-induced insulin release | • Reduced serum insulin levels as well as blood glucose • In diabetic patients prevented progression of complications. • Substantial improvement in lipid profile, kidney function and blood pressure • Suggested as an effective herbal antidiabetic. |
| Pterocarpus Marsupium | Increases the content of islets which is associated with the increased insulin release. | • It has hypoglycaemic effects, antidyslipidaemic effects, antioxidative effects • Safe to use |
| Syzygium Cuminii | Helps in regeneration of pancreatic beta-cells | • Reductions in blood sugar levels by about 30% • Extra pancreatic site of action |
| Emblica Officinalis | Possesses anti-diabetic, rejuvenating and anti-oxidant activities | • Contains polyphenols and mixture of phytochemicals, can act as a hypolipidemic agent reducing the risk of cardiovascular complications in diabetics • May be used as a supportive therapy |
Overall Benefits of using Medlife Essentials Diabetasafe:
- Normalizes blood glucose levels
- Increases secretion of insulin
- Promotes regeneration of pancreatic islet cells
- Inhibits glucose absorption from the intestine
A Word of Caution When Selecting your Supplement:
Physical activity, proper diet, maintaining a healthy weight and doctor recommended medication regime are the most important part of diabetes treatment. However, using supplements such as Diabetasafe can help people suffering from diabetes to better manage the symptoms. However, before choosing your supplement, there are certain things that you need to keep in mind.
- Any diabetes supplement should not be used to replace standard diabetes treatment as doing so may put your health at risk.
- Always speak to your Doctor before starting a new supplement to ensure they are safe to be taken along with any prescribed medication you’re on.
- Beware of any “hidden sugar” additives in any form such as barley malt, beet sugar, fruit juice, corn syrup, maple syrup, dextran, dextran, maltodextrin, etc.
Supplements can be good only when you have consulted to you doctors if you need them.
