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Is Vitamin C Good For Diabetics


Vitamin C Supplementation Dosage & Side Effects

Vitamin C For Diabetes? What You Didnt Know! SugarMD

Vitamin C supplements come in various forms ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, calcium ascorbate and a combination of any of these forms.

Ascorbic acid is the preferred form of vitamin C, as it is inexpensive and has the same absorption capability as the naturally occurring vitamin C in foods.

You can purchase vitamin C supplements in tablet, powder and liquid form.

Are vitamin C supplements safe?


Overall vitamin C supplements are considered safe.

Consuming 30 to 100 mg/ day supplemented vitamin C results in a steady increase in blood levels of vitamin C. At 200 mg/ day, complete absorption is generally achieved. Once saturation of tissues is achieved, any vitamin C your body doesnt utilize is excreted in urine.

Interestingly, studies indicate vitamin C supplements reduce risk of fatal and nonfatal coronary heart disease in people with diabetes. However, other studies suggest levels equivalent to, or over 300 mg/d are associated with the potential for an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

With this in mind, sticking to around 200 mg/ day is probably best practice.

One side effect of increasing vitamin C rapidly can be diarrhea. Its often temporary but something to be aware of initially.


So the message here is: eat plenty of fresh produce to get your daily dose of vitamin C, even if you do intend on supplementing.

Diabetes And Vitamin C

Studies have shown that patients with type II diabetes have increased nutrient demands and one of the nutrients consistently shown to be lower in diabetics is vitamin C. Without the necessary nutrients to help our cells work properly, along with an already compromised metabolism, diabetes can easily spiral out of control. The good news is that there are many ways we can help our bodies to function properly.

In a recent study published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, researchers demonstrated that patients who have type II diabetes experienced improved blood sugar control AND decreased blood pressure after 4months of vitamin C supplementation as compared to placebo. This is very similar to a 2011 study which found greater improvement in fasting and post-meal blood sugar and HbA1c levels when oral vitamin C was combined with metformin, a common anti-diabetic drug, compared to metformin on its own.

Do You Need To Include Supplements In Your Diet

There are plenty of fruits and vegetables that are good sources of vitamin C. Citrus fruits, in particular, are a rich source of this powerful antioxidant.

According to Dr Agarwal, one orange or kiwi has about 70 mg of ascorbic acid. Diabetes patients should also include vegetables in their diet.


Eating fruits and vegetables are a part of a healthy lifestyle and important to maintain overall health. However, the fruit intake may not be liberal in diabetes patient and only adequate portions are advisable by the doctor or dietician.

With current and newly emerging positive evidence of this essential, water-soluble, non-toxic vitamin, taking supplements that contain ascorbic acid may be safe, and beneficial. After all, it protects us from oxidative damage and perhaps also improves blood sugar control.

“A small sour pill to suck or swallow, may not be a bad option to reduce the bitter effects of the sweetness of your diabetes,” said Dr Agarwal.

Note: Seek advice from your doctor before putting to use any tips mentioned in the article.

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Benefits Of Cassava For Diabetes

Cassava, a starchy rhizome also known as manioc or yucca, has a good source of vitamin C, dietary fiber, and manganese. In addition, it contains some protein and small amounts of Calcium and phosphorus.

A 100-gram serving of boiled cassava root contains:

Calorie content: 112 calories

Thiamine: 20% of the RDI

Phosphorus: 5% of the RDI


Calcium: 2% of the RDI

Riboflavin: 2% of the RDI

Data Synthesis And Analysis

Is Vitamin C Good For Diabetes

Between-group differences in pre-post changes were determined for outcomes. For parallel design trials, mean pre-post differences and SDs were used or calculated from the pretreatment and posttreatment data. If not provided, the pre-post change SD was calculated assuming a correlation coefficient of 0.7. This value was established on the basis of correlation coefficient values determined using data from two studies in our review . We also undertook sensitivity analyses of all outcomes using a correlation coefficient value of 0.5 for which no changes in statistical outcomes occurred compared with use of a 0.7 correlation coefficient . One study did not provide variance data, and for that study, SD values consistent with average vitamin C and control group data across all other included studies were imputed.

Crossover trials were regarded similarly to parallel trials, with separate vitamin C and control arms. One crossover study did not provide pretreatment values, and therefore, for that study, only posttreatment data were used.

GRADEpro GDT software was used to assess certainty of evidence for primary outcomes on the basis of areas of study design, risk of bias, inconsistency, indirectness, imprecision, and other considerations, such as publication bias, effect size, and potential confounding. Grades of evidence and their explanations include the following:


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Vitamin C has positive effects on blood sugar level, as shown in multiple researches.

Vitamin C may make up for low blood levels of insulin, which normally works to help cells absorb the vitamin. Vitamin C also helps in maintaining the right level of cholesterol thereby proving to be beneficial for heart health too.

A research in Diabetes Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences & Health Services, Yazd, Iran shows that daily intake of 1000 mg supplementary vitamin C may be beneficial in decreasing blood glucose and lipids in patients with type 2 diabetes.

A different research from Deakin University has a very similar finding. This research shows that taking 500mg of vitamin C twice daily can help those with type 2 diabetes by lowering elevated blood sugar levels across the day and also lowered blood pressure.


However, doctors advice caution while taking vitamin C supplements. Too much vitamin C can cause kidney stones and other problems. It is necessary to keep your vitamin levels checked regularly and consult your doctor on your vitamin levels.

Can Vitamin C Help Type 2 Diabetes

Could vitamin C help people with type 2 diabetes? A small study suggests it might, but there’s more to the story. Find out more.

Vitamin C could help those with type 2 diabetes, multiple media reports suggest but as always, theres more to the story.

The media reports are based on a recent but very small study which was led by researchers from Deakin University and published in the journal, Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.

The study found that people with type 2 diabetes who took a vitamin C supplement for 4 months had lower post-meal blood sugar levels, compared with those taking a placebo for the same length of time.


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For Practical Recommendations Check Out Our Diabetes & Blood Sugar Supplement Guide

Some people like to dive into the details of each study, and they enjoy digging through the Human Effect Matrix on our pages.

But thats a bit too advanced for most people. If youre short on time, and want a guide that gives you actionable recommendations in a practical and convenient way, check out our Diabetes & Blood Sugar Guide. It goes into dosages and timing of heavily-researched supplements, along with promising supplements, and also goes over supplements to stay away from because of safety or other concerns.

Vitamin C levels are low in type 2 diabetes and diabetics have an abundance of oxidative stress, so it makes sense that antioxidants could help. And some studies found improvements in blood glucose when taking vitamin C supplements. Despite this, the effects seem to be small, and the evidence isnt particularly strong. Future research with better methods might tell us whether vitamin C is useful for this purpose.

Sample Size Randomisation And Treatment

Vitamins For Diabetes Part 1| Vitamin C for Diabetes| 365 Days Healthy

In our preliminary experiment, it was determined that subjects reached a new lower steady-state plasma concentration after one week on controlled diet. Placebo or vitamin C supplementation was started after one week of vitamin C restricted diet. Patients were given a new supply of tablets at the end of each fourth week. Same doses were maintained throughout the study. Patients were not stabilised before enrolment in the study as they were satisfying our main inclusion criteria. But if we find increased fasting blood sugar level beyond 250 during the study period, then we exclud that patient from the study. No comorbid condition or infection occurred to these study patients during the study period. After study period was over, subjects were handed over to respective physician.

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Diabetics: Save Your Sole With A Little Vitamin C

This blog is probably one of the more difficult ones to write because of the toll Type 2 diabetes has taken on both my parents. I grew up hearing that my dad had passed from diabetes. I was about 3-years-old when he died. Thirty years later, my mom passed away from complications of diabetes. She was hospitalized just prior to her death for a foot ulcer, which just refused to get better. The doctors discussed with her the option of amputating her foot. She went into a coma and died soon after. In my opinion, she simply lost her will to live after being told that her foot would have to be amputated.

Since the death of my parents, I have taken the time to learn as much as I can about this horrible disease and its complications, that affect well over 285 million people globally and 16 million people in the U.S.

One complication of diabetes is diabetic foot disorders or ulcers. Over time, diabetes may cause nerve damage , which may cause you to lose the feeling in your feet. When you lose the feeling in your feet, you “may not feel a blister on your foot or a pebble inside your sock.” This can lead to cuts and sores that may become infected and difficult to heal.

Nearly 20% of the estimated 16 million people in the United States with diabetes mellitus will be hospitalized with a foot complication at some point in the disease process. Like my mom, many will require some form of amputation in the area of the foot due to severe infections.

Know how much vitamin C you need.


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Data Searches And Sources

A systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs was undertaken, targeting effects of oral vitamin C supplementation on primary outcomes of glycemic control , blood lipids , and BP . Secondary outcomes were postprandial glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA of insulin resistance , clamp insulin sensitivity, and oxidative stress markers. Databases searched were Cochrane Library, Scopus, Embase, and MEDLINE-PubMed. Clinical trial registries were also searched for additional completed studies. Searches were not limited to English-language records. Database and registry searches were conducted three times from 5 September 2019 to 8 September 2020. Specific search strategies used are outlined in Supplementary Table 1.

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What Do The 13 Vitamins Do

Lets take a look at all 13 essential vitamins and then figure out the best vitamins for diabetes type 2. Remember: diabetes is not just about blood sugar control., Rather, its about reducing inflammation in the body. So these vitamins help foster good health in many ways.

Were also giving you the best food sources for these vitamins. Recommended Daily Allowance or RDA for each as per government guidelines is included. Please note that doctors of nutritional medicine often recommend higher doses, based on latest research and their clinical experience. Government guidelines take time to be updated . With fat soluble vitamins, it is advisable to consult your doctor.


What Kind Of Study Was This

Ester C Plus Vitamin C 500 mg.

The researchers carried out a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study.1 They investigated whether vitamin C supplementation could decrease daily post-meal blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes which was already managed with diet or oral antihyperglycaemic medicines.

They also investigated whether vitamin C supplements affected blood pressure.

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Vitamin C And Blood Sugar Levels

There is some evidence that shows taking vitamin C supplements may assist with better glucose control.

For instance, alarge review concluded that vitamin C supplementation lowered fasting glucose levels by 20 mg/dL and reduced A1c by 0.46%.


Another review showed vitamin C supplementation reduced random glucose levels by 8 mg/dl and fasting level by 24 mg/dL .

While these studies do indicate that vitamin C supplementation may improve glucose levels, one of the issues is, all the trials provide participants with differing amounts of vitamin C, ranging from 100 to 1000 mg/day, and for differing periods of time.

Therefore, it is difficult to say how much is required to lower glucose and how long you need to take it to see an effect.

How To Choose A Multivitamin

The best multivitamins for diabetics provide 100 to 150 percent of the daily value for most nutrients listed on the label. Look for a formula that contains vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, B-complex vitamins and minerals like chromium, magnesium and zinc.

Also, a quality multivitamin should be USP verified. This ensures that it meets the highest safety standards and contains the listed ingredients. You should find the USP seal on the product label.

Read more:The 12 Most Overrated Supplements

Be aware that more isn’t always better. Some vitamins and minerals can affect your health and worsen diabetes symptoms when consumed in excess. Too much vitamin D, for example, may lead to calcium buildup in the bloodstream. This condition promotes the formation of calcium stones and can damage your kidneys.

The nutrients in multivitamin supplements can also interact with certain drugs. Vitamin E should not be taken in combination with anticoagulants, niacin, chemotherapy drugs and antiplatelet medications. Vitamin C may interact with other antioxidants, leading to elevated blood lipids. When used in large doses, it may cause abdominal pain, diarrhea and digestive discomfort.

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Patients Inclusion And Exclusion Criteria

Seventy patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus participated in a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, noncrossover, 12-week study approved by Institutional Ethics Committee of Indira Gandhi Government Medical College, Nagpur, India. All patients gave their informed consent prior to their inclusion in the study. The inclusion criteria were patients from Outpatient Department of Medicine and diagnosed patients of type 2 DM of age group between thirty to sixty years who were on metformin and having fasting blood glucose level in the range of 126 to 250mg/dL. Exclusion criteria for patients were fasting blood glucose level more than 250mg/dL, medical illnesses including other endocrine, metabolic, type 1 DM, pregnancy, isolated postprandial hyperglycemia, and age more than 60 years or less than 30 years. None of the subjects was a regular drinker, heavy smoker, or had been taking any psychotropic drug. Routine investigations like electrocardiogram, serum electrolytes, blood urea, serum certainties, and liver function test were performed to rule out active medical problems in all patients. Patients who have received vitamin C or any other antioxidant over the last three months were also excluded from the study. The period of the present study was from February 2009 to November 2010.

Is Vitamin C Good For Diabetes Type 2

Good supplements for type 2 diabetes

Vitamin CType 2vitamin Ctype 2 diabetes

. Keeping this in view, can vitamin C lower blood sugar?

Vitamin C Lowers Blood Sugar Levels and Blood Pressure in Type 2 Diabetes. A new study by Australian researchers has found that taking 500 mg of vitamin C twice daily can help people with Type 2 diabetes by lowering elevated blood sugar levels across the day and minimizing spikes in blood sugar after meals.

Additionally, what kind of vitamins should diabetics take? Using Supplements for Diabetes Treatment

  • Cinnamon.
  • Chromium. Chromium is an essential trace element.
  • Vitamin B-1. Vitamin B-1 is also known as thiamine.
  • Alpha-Lipoic Acid. Alpha-lipoic acid is a potent antioxidant.
  • Bitter Melon.
  • Magnesium.

Thereof, can I take vitamin C with metformin?

In conclusion, oral supplementation of vitamin C with metformin reverses ascorbic acid levels, reduces FBS, PMBG, and improves HbA1c. Hence, both the drugs in combination may be used in the treatment of type 2 DM to maintain good glycemic control.

Can Type 1 diabetics take vitamin C?

Type 1 diabetics generally have low vitamin C levels. By increasing the amount of vitamin c in the bloodstream, the amount of sorbitol may be lowered. Sorbitol is a harmful sugar when it accumulates, and its presence may lead to increased risk of diabetic complications such as retinopathy, neuropathy and kidney damage.

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Best Vitamins For Diabetics

Diabetics have special nutritional requirements. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can affect insulin response and impair glucose metabolism. A research paper published in International Scholarly Research Notices in January 2012 shows a strong relationship between micronutrient deficiencies and diabetes.

For example, vitamin D supplementation may help reduce fasting blood sugar levels while improving insulin response and blood lipids. Low levels of this nutrient may contribute to insulin resistance. The B-complex vitamins biotin and thiamin may help improve glycemic control and reduce the severity of diabetes.

Ideally, choose a multivitamin formula that contains vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Chromium, for instance, has beneficial effects on glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Its blood levels are 20 to 40 percent lower in people with diabetes compared to those in healthy individuals, as reported in the above review. Research cited in the above paper linked chromium deficiency to high blood sugar, elevated triglycerides, severe insulin resistance and nerve damage.

Another key nutrient for diabetes management is magnesium. This mineral regulates insulin action and glycemic control.

People with diabetes tend to have low magnesium levels because both hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia affect its absorption. Magnesium deficiency may lead to impaired renal function, accelerated cognitive decline and premature aging. Another consequence is insulin resistance.

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