How to Choose Safe Dietary Supplements for Diabetics?
The debate on how to choose safe dietary supplement for diabetics is simply never ending in nature. For a diabetic, leading a normal life is extremely tough indeed.
Basic everyday tasks that require you to move around, climb stairs, lift grocery bags, attending official meetings, playing with your kids etc. can be extremely strenuous.
Hence, choosing the right foods to maintain optimal blood sugar levels is very crucial for a diabetic. This is even more important when you need to choose the best dietary supplement for controlling your insulin spike.
In this article, I shall discuss simple yet practically viable steps to implement while including the safest dietary supplement in your daily diet.
So, let’s go ahead with it!
How to Choose Safe Dietary Supplements for Diabetics Article Contents:
- Why do You Need a Supplement in the Very First Place?
- Always Chat with Your Healthcare Provider
- Spend Time on Googling the Diabetes Controlling Supplement
- Some Labels have Hidden Facts
- Your Diet is Important as Well
- Understand the Link between Medications & Diabetes Supplement
- Start Small & Think Big
- Get a Periodical Body Check-Up
Why do You Need a Supplement in the Very First Place?
Regardless of whether you suffer from Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, the need for supplements is essential indeed. You would ask me why? Well, there are several reasons for the same.
Diabetics are in need for energy as their energy levels are low. Another reason is the insulin resistance. This is when they need to stabilize their blood sugar levels using a dietary supplement.
Yet another reason is poor health of diabetics. This is when you need a supplement that is capable of boosting your health by covering-up the nutrient deficiency in your body.
In order to buy the best supplement for diabetics, you need to first understand just what your body lacks in. For instance, if your body is deficient in chromium then, your chosen dietary supplement should be able to fulfill this deficiency.
When this “gap” is filled, your blood sugar levels are stabilized. So, it is important to first know what areas your body is deficient in. Then, you need to know how to fulfill that gap with the help of a suitable blood sugar control supplement.
Always Chat with Your Healthcare Provider
If you do not have access to a diabetes specialist then, do consult a registered dietitian. Now, you would ask why? Well, the main reason behind this is to analyze your current body composition.
A dietitian or a doctor shall analyze your body and then, suggest which all areas your body lacks in. It could be as simple as a mineral, a vitamin or antioxidants.
The doctor shall also suggest the correct amount of vitamin/mineral/antioxidant dosage that your dietary supplement should possess in order to stabilize your spiking insulin levels.
If you avoid expert advice then, you may choose a supplement for controlling blood sugar levels that may do more “harm” than “good” to your current condition.
So, always do check with your dietitian or doctor before taking a final decision.
Spend Time Googling the Diabetes Controlling Supplement
It is very important to understand what your supplement actually contains. I am not asking you to go through all the research papers and thesis to gather scientific evidence on your chosen supplement to maintain blood glucose levels.
What I am referring to is to check the reviews on the chosen supplement. After checking the customer feedback, do check whether your chosen dietary supplement is U.S. Pharmacopeia approved or not.
Then, you should check whether the product has been tested and certified by NSF International. All these checks are made in order to ensure that the purity as well as quality standards have been maintained by the supplement provider.
Some Labels have Hidden Facts
Cross checking each and every ingredient present within the chosen blood sugar controlling supplement is vital. This is done so as to ensure that you are aware of what is going inside your stomach.
If your supplement contains filler, addictive, artificial colors or added sugar then, it is not useful for your needs. So, always do check for any such fillers that may hamper in your natural process to stabilize blood sugar levels.
You also need to research on the correct serving size. To maintain optimal blood sugar levels, your “serving per scoop” should be just enough to get the job done. Anything more or less and your insulin spike may not be controlled effectively.
Your Diet is Important as Well
It is natural to be fond of pizzas, burgers, coke, fries and much more. Nonetheless, processed and fried food is not recommended for diabetics.
This is owing to the very simple fact that fast foods are capable of increasing your insulin levels considerably in a very short time-span.
While it is all right to consume fast food from time to time, this should never become a part and parcel of your regular diet. Instead, opt for fruits, vegetables, home cooked meals and meals that are high in fiber.
A fiber rich diet tends to improve your digestive abilities. Once your digestion is better, you shall automatically stabilize your insulin levels. Whole grains, broccoli, nuts, beans, fruits, apple cider vinegar and vegetables are ideal for controlling diabetes.
Understand the Link between Medications & Diabetes Supplement
If you are taking medications for treating diabetes then, ensure that these medications do not interfere with your chosen diabetes controlling dietary supplement.
For example, if you are taking blood thinners and you consume a dietary supplement as well then, chances of a clash are imminent. Another example of this is garlic – it tends to subdue the overall effects of diabetic medications.
Some of the most common medications that tends to reduce the effect of blood sugar control supplements include antidepressants, Beta-2-Stimulators, certain antibiotics and even your daily cup of coffee.
So, do cross check with your healthcare professional before taking a final decision.
Start Small & Think Big
It is always good to try and check the actual worth of the chosen blood sugar supplement before including it in your diet. So, start with far less than the recommended dosage.
Monitor your blood sugar levels for a day or two or even more. Check the impact that it has on your blood glucose levels. If the supplement is showcasing positive impact then, go ahead with it else, opt for a change.
Get a Periodical Body Check-Up
In order for you to get the best results, you need to get yourself checked from a trained medical representative periodically.
This way, you shall be able to understand where your blood sugar levels stand. Any other ailment that may be linked with diabetes is also detected during a routine check-up.
Conclusion:
While trying to find the safest dietary supplement is similar to solving a tricky puzzle, the task is not as tough as it seems. If you are unable to take a decision, simply try and recall the Sherlock Holmes stories.
Don your detective hat and never hesitate to hire a sidekick. In this case, the sidekick shall be your friendly healthcare provider. Always listen to what your healthcare provider (sidekick) has to say.
The golden seal of approval is finalized when your chosen product has been approved by third party tests.
So, when you test a new blood sugar control supplement, think of the entire process as dipping your toes in water.
You would slip into the water for a swim only when your toes have touched pleasant water. Hot or cold water is immediately repulsed by your toes.
Similarly, while hunting for the safest dietary supplement for controlling your blood sugar levels, always remember – it is a slow and steady process!
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