November is American Diabetes Month.
This is a time to be mindful of those suffering from diabetes, but it’s also a reminder to examine how your lifestyle affects your blood sugar levels and metabolic health.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 37 million Americans have diabetes and another 98 million Americans are prediabetic [1]. Prediabetic people are at high risk of developing diabetes, and most do not know it.
Once you develop diabetes, there is no cure. While the disease is manageable, it is still serious. Diabetes is a complex condition that affects multiple aspects of health, from heart health to energy levels and mental clarity.
People with type 2 diabetes live on average six years fewer than those who don’t, and diabetes is listed among the top 10 causes of death in the US [2,3].
Luckily, you don’t have to know much about diabetes to make positive changes that help manage or prevent it. The first step is eating the right nutrients. This can go a long way towards regulating your metabolism and blood sugar levels.
However, many Americans do not get enough of these nutrients. This may be a reason why diabetes is now considered a pandemic, and it’s expected to increase dramatically in the US [4].
Below, you’ll learn which nutrients aid in blood sugar control and how to include more of them in your diet.
Understanding Diabetes and Blood Sugar Regulation
Managing diabetes and prediabetes begins with understanding the disease and how it impacts the body.
Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects how the body processes blood sugar (glucose), an energy source for the body’s cells. Under normal conditions, the pancreas releases a hormone called insulin that helps cells absorb glucose to use as energy.
When diabetes occurs, this process is disrupted, causing blood sugar to build up in the bloodstream. Over time, high blood sugar can cause body-wide damage and even death.
There are three main types of diabetes:
- Type 1 Diabetes: An autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This leads to little or no insulin production, and those affected must rely on insulin injections. Type 1 diabetes often appears in childhood or adolescence but can develop at any age.
- Type 2 Diabetes: This is the most common form of diabetes. It is influenced by lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity. In Type 2 diabetes, the body either becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough to keep blood sugar levels stable. This type is often managed with lifestyle changes, medication and sometimes insulin therapy.
- Gestational Diabetes: This is a temporary form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. Although it usually resolves after childbirth, it can increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life for both the mother and the child. Expecting mothers can reduce this risk by managing blood sugar levels during pregnancy.
Regardless of the type of diabetes, there are steps you can take to improve your health and reduce your risk of complications.
Lifestyle changes can also help those who are prediabetic avoid the disease. Factors like physical activity, stress management and weight loss are all important.
But the best way may be to take control of your diet. It’s not just about eating fewer sweets—it’s also about getting the nutrients your body needs to fuel its metabolic engines and regulate blood sugar.
If you are diabetic or prediabetic, there are specific nutrients you need to help control weight, blood sugar, insulin sensitivity and more.
Key Nutrients for Blood Sugar Control and Metabolic Health
According to the Mayo Clinic, eating plenty of nutrients, particularly from plant-based sources, is one of the most important factors for diabetes prevention and blood sugar support [5]. We cover some of those critical nutrients below and tell you how to get more of them on your plate.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C isn’t just for fighting colds. It’s also one of the most important vitamins for promoting insulin sensitivity. This means it helps the body use insulin effectively to convert blood sugar into energy. Studies suggest that individuals with diabetes tend to have lower levels of Vitamin C in their bodies [6].
Taking a vitamin C supplement may help improve how the body responds to insulin and improve blood sugar control. You can also get more Vitamin C by eating citrus fruit, red bell peppers and broccoli.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is one of the only vitamins that we don’t get primarily from our diet. Vitamin D comes from the sun, but unfortunately, most Americans don’t get enough sun exposure to reach optimal vitamin D levels (especially in the winter).
How does Vitamin D impact diabetes?
Vitamin D receptors are found in the pancreas, the organ responsible for insulin production. Low levels of Vitamin D may disrupt this process, potentially leading to insulin resistance [7]. Insulin resistance occurs when the body stops reacting to insulin.
This prevents insulin from doing its job and results in higher blood sugar levels. Insulin resistance is a major factor in the development of Type 2 diabetes. Vitamin D is not found in many foods. To get more, eat fatty fish like sardines and salmon or take a vitamin D supplement.
B Vitamins
B vitamins are the most important vitamins for metabolism support, and diabetes is a metabolic disease. So, it’s no surprise that B vitamins work toward regulating a healthy metabolism and blood sugar levels.
Vitamins B1, B6 and B12 are of particular importance in managing the body’s ability to metabolize food into energy. They support efficient energy conversion, helping prevent spikes or drops in glucose that put those with diabetes at risk. They also support processes that help cells use blood sugar more effectively [8].
This can contribute to balanced blood sugar and more energy in your daily life. Foods like bananas, seeds and animal products are rich in B vitamins.
However, it’s hard to get all of them each day. If you’re diabetic or prediabetic, consider taking a blood sugar complex that contains all of the B vitamins you need.
Magnesium
Magnesium is an essential mineral responsible for hundreds of body processes, many of which involve insulin resistance and blood sugar support. That may be why studies have found a relationship between magnesium deficiency and a higher risk of developing diabetes [9].
Magnesium helps the body’s cells respond properly to insulin, ensuring that glucose is transported from the bloodstream into cells for energy. Low levels of magnesium can lead to increased blood sugar levels and insulin resistance, which are risk factors for Type 2 diabetes.
Magnesium is found in leafy greens and seeds, but around 75% of Americans don’t get enough [10]. A magnesium supplement can help maintain levels of this critical blood sugar support mineral.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA)
ALA is a nutrient you may not have heard of, but it’s incredibly important for maintaining a proper blood sugar balance.
It’s a type of omega-3 fatty acid that plays a direct role in glucose metabolism. It supports the body’s ability to use glucose for energy. It’s also a powerful antioxidant, so it helps protect against the damage associated with high blood sugar levels [11].
ALA is a critical nutrient for those with diabetes and those who wish to prevent it, but like other omega-3s, most of us don’t get enough. ALA is mostly found in seeds and seed oils, such as flaxseed oil and chia seeds. You can also get it as part of a blood sugar support supplement.
Manna Liposomal Blood Sugar Complex: Comprehensive Blood Sugar Support
The typical American diet does not provide the nutrients needed to regulate your blood sugar and support a healthy metabolism.
According to studies, poor diet causes 73% of Type 2 diabetes cases in the US [12]. And, the number of cases is expected to rise by over 50% in the coming years [13].
Unless people are prepared to incorporate more fish, seeds and leafy greens into their diets every day, as well as cut down on refined carbs and sweets, diabetes will continue to rise.
But there is something you can do to support your metabolic health and help prevent diabetes without making drastic changes to your diet.
Taking Manna Blood Sugar Complex provides all of the essential nutrients you need to regulate blood sugar levels each day. It contains all of the nutrients from this article plus other essential vitamins and antioxidants that increase insulin sensitivity, regulate blood sugar levels, and support a healthy weight.
There are plenty of steps you can take during American Diabetes Month to manage your metabolic health or reduce your risk of diabetes. You can join a gym, take up meditation, or schedule a blood test to see if you’re prediabetic.
But no matter what you do, your body needs nutrients to keep your metabolism functioning properly.
Start taking Manna Liposomal Blood Sugar Complex now to better manage or help prevent diabetes.
FAQ
American Diabetes Month is observed every November to raise awareness about diabetes, promote education about its prevention and management, and support those affected by the disease.
Manna Liposomal Blood Sugar Complex is a supplement designed to support healthy blood sugar levels and metabolic health. It combines essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that may help regulate glucose metabolism and enhance insulin sensitivity. The formulation includes a blend of essential nutrients such as Vitamin C, Vitamin D, B vitamins, magnesium, and ALA, all of which are known to support blood sugar regulation and overall metabolic health!
Certain vitamins, such as Vitamin C, D, and B vitamins, can enhance insulin sensitivity, regulate glucose metabolism, and support overall metabolic health, helping individuals manage their blood sugar levels effectively.
Key vitamins for diabetes management include Vitamin C, Vitamin D, B vitamins (B1, B6, and B12), and magnesium, as they all play crucial roles in insulin function and blood sugar regulation. You can also look into an all-encompassing approach with a Blood Sugar Complex supplement.
Sources:
- https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/communication-resources/1-in-3-americans.html.
- https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data-research/research/treatment-goals.html.
- https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htm
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8660571/
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/in-depth/diabetes-prevention/art-20047639
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666149723000555
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3440067/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4772032/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4549665/
- https://dining.nd.edu/whats-happening/news/magnesiumthe-invisible-deficiency/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9824456/
- https://www.healio.com/news/primary-care/20230424/qa-poor-diet-caused-73-of-type-2-diabetes-cases-in-us-in-2018
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5278808/
