Supplements

Diabetes

October 2011 The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition recently published a new study out of Tufts. The researchers stated that Vitamin D supplements can boost the function of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. People with metabolic syndrome, a pre-diabetes condition, may benefit by supplementing with Vitamin D delaying the incidence of type 2 diabetes. A daily dose of D3 2000 IU for 16 weeks was administered in the study. 

October 2011 Additional evidence is presented in the September issue of Diabetes Care about the importance of magnesium from food and supplements in increasing insulin sensitivity in people at risk for type 2 diabetes. A meta-analysis reviewing studies with more than 500,000 people found that for every increase in intake of 100mg of magnesium per day there was a 14% decrease in risk of developing diabetes. Foods high in magnesium and low in carbs include a wide variety of nuts and green leafy vegetables.