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While diabetes most noticeable impacts the way your body processes glucose and your blood sugar levels, other parts of the body are effected over time. Of course, well managed blood sugars will reduce the impact on your body's kidneys, eyes, ability to metabolize and digest your food properly, but there are some steps you can take to help your body prevent the development of complications and aid your body in maintaining health.

Below are a list of the top nutritional supplements you and your diabetes can benefit from:

Vitamin C- In the body, there’s an enzyme called aldose reductase which principal job is to convert glucose into a related sugar called sorbitol (yes, the same sorbitol that is an additive in some foods that can cause gastrointestinal problems-more on this in another article). This enzyme is more active in people with type-1 diabetes. The problem with sorbitol is that it attracts water which causes cells to swell resulting in nerve, kidney, eye and blood vessel damage. This is the leading cause of diabetic cataracts. Type-1 diabetics typically have lower levels of Vitamin C because the transport of vitamin C is facililitated by insulin. Due to the impaired transport or dietary inadequacy, a deficiency may arise. So, supplementing with additional Vitamin C would be a good idea. Shoot for 1-3 grams daily through foods and supplements. (Meyer & Sekundo, 2005)

Acetyl-L-Carnitine- Diabetic polyneuropathy is a painful complication of diabetes that results from damage to the nerves by high levels of blood glucose. The condition can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, foot ulcers and even amputations. Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) is the acetylated form of the amino acid l-carnitine, which helps the body transport fatty acids to be burned as energy. ALCAR has been shown to increase the number of nerve fibers and regenerating fiber clusters in type-1 diabetics. This supplement exhibits its best effect on those with early signs of neuropathy and as an added benefit, increases the use of fat as a fuel source. Aim for 500 milligrams three times daily. (Jacobs, Evans, & Evans, November 1, 2008)

Evening Primrose Oil- EPO is a nutritional oil that comes from the seeds of the evening primrose plant. EPO contains an important fatty acid called GLA (gamma linolenic acid) which the body converts to a hormone like substance called prostaglandin E1 which has been shown to prevent and reverse the damage to the nerves caused by diabetes. The recommended dosage is one gram three times daily. (Yasuda, et al., July 1989)

Biotin- is a B vitamin that is used to process glucose. In the liver, biotin aids insulin in increasing the activity of the enzyme (glucokinase) responsible for glucose utilization. Supplementing with biotin when you take your insulin may drastically increase the activity of the glucokinase enzyme, causing an improvement in your blood sugar. In one study, Type 1 diabetics were given 16 mg of biotin a day for one week and their fasting glucose levels dropped by 50%. Try taking 16 mg a day in 3-4 even doses to see if your fasting blood glucose improves.  (Holiistic Online, 1998)

Magnesium- is an important mineral that all diabetics are at risk for developing a deficiency.  Type 1 diabetics are more than two times as likely to develop diabetic related eye problems when they are deficient in magnesium. Lack of magnesium may also be a leading cause in the high rates of birth defects associatied with diabetes. Try supplementing with 300-400 mg of magnesium and talk to your doctor about your magnesium levels.  (Seyoum B, 2008)

Alpha-Lipoic Acid- ALA is a powerful antioxidant that is used to treat and improve diabetic neuropathies and reduce the pain assicaited with the condition. In one study, where diabetic patients were put on 300-600 mg of ALA for 3 months, only one out of the 100 patients included in the study, didn’t show any signs in improvement in managing diabetic neuropathy. (Bureković A, 2008)

Carnitine- is is a quaternary ammonium compound biosynthesized from the amino acids lysine and methionine. It is needed for the body to properly transport and use fat as an energy source. When type 1 diabetics were given carnitine at a dose of 1 mg per 2.2 pounds of bodyweight, high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides dropped 25-39% in just 10 days. Carnitine could possibly play a role in preventing diabetic ketoacidosis. (Salvatore)

References

Bureković A, T. M. (2008). The role of alpha-lipoic acid in diabetic polyneuropathy treatment. Bosnian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences , 341-345.

Holiistic Online. (1998, 1 1). Diabetes. Retrieved June 16, 2009, from HolisticOnline.com: http://www.holisticonline.com/Remedies/Diabetes/diabetes_vitamins-and-supplements.htm

Jacobs, T. F., Evans, J. D., & Evans, E. W. (November 1, 2008). Role of Acetyl-L-Carnitine in the Treatment of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. The Annals of Pharmacotherapy , Vol 42, 1686-1691.

Meyer, C., & Sekundo, W. (2005). Nutritional Supplementation to Prevent Cataract Formation. Nutrition and the Eye. Developmental Ophthalmol. , vol 38, pp 103-119.

Salvatore, A. (n.d.). Carnitine. Retrieved 6 16, 2009, from Office of Dietary Health- National Institute of Health: http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/carnitine.asp

Seyoum B, S. E. (2008). Low levels of magnesium place diabetics at increased risk. Ethnicity and Disease , 147-151.

Yasuda, H., Sonobe, M., Yamashita, M., Terada, M., Hatanaka, L., Huitian, Z., et al. (July 1989). Effect of Prostaglandin E1 analogue TFC 612 on Diabetic Neuropathy in Streptozocin- Induced Diabetic Rats. Comparison with Aldose Reductase Inibitor ONO 2235. Diabetes , Vol 38, 832-838.