Diabetes and multi-vitamins

Source: Ingrid Adams,

Associate Professor, Nutrition and Weight Management

Diabetes is a condition that affects the way the body uses energy. More than 29 million Americans are affected by diabetes and close to one-quarter of these individuals do not know they have the disease. An additional 86.1 million Americans have prediabetes. Many people believe they can prevent or control this disease by taking various dietary supplements, but that may not be the case.

A wide variety of supplements may claim to reduce your risk of developing diabetes, help you better manage the disease or prevent it all together. Some of these supplements include chromium, herbal supplements, Chinese herbal medicines, bitter melon, milk thistle, aloe vera, magnesium and vitamin D. Thus far, numerous studies in this area have been inconclusive on the effects of these supplements on diabetes, and further research is needed.

Taking these medications to try to control or prevent diabetes may actually do more harm than good. Some herbal supplements can interact with medications you are taking and produce undesirable results. Some dietary supplements could present serious side effects. If you have diabetes, it is important for you to check with your health care provider before taking dietary supplements.

It is helpful to know there is a way to manage diabetes or reduce your risk of developing the disease. There is strong evidence that eating a healthy diet, engaging in physical activity, monitoring blood glucose, and taking medicines as prescribed by a doctor is the solution for managing and reducing the risk of diabetes. Many of the dietary supplements that people take to reduce the risk of or manage their diabetes can be found in eating a well-balanced diet with the right amount of whole grain foods, vegetables, fruits, low-fat or fat-free milk and milk products, lean cuts of meat, fish or poultry and beans each day, and by paying attention to portion sizes.

More information on healthy living is available at the Clinton County Extension Office.

Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

Managing diabetes during the holidays

“How can I eat healthy during the holidays?” is a question that many of us ask this time of year. November is National Diabetes Month and also the beginning of the holiday season. Reconnecting with family and friends usually happens in conjunction with a wonderful meal and social gatherings focused on food.

For people that have diabetes, staying on track during this festive time of year can be a challenge. A Managing Diabetes During the Holidays class will be held on Monday, November 14th at 11:00 a.m. at the Clinton County Extension Office. Come learn strategies for making the holiday season a healthy one for you and your family. Please register by calling (606) 387-5404.

Extension Appreciation Dinner

Extension volunteers and community partners are invited to attend our first Extension Appreciation Dinner on Thursday, November 17th at 6:00 p.m. at the Clinton County Fairgrounds. Join us as we celebrate our success and recognize those who have played an important role in moving the Extension Service forward. Registration deadline is November 15th. For more information, contact the Extension Office at (606) 387-5404.