Minerals Make the Insulin Go 'Round

While my blog discusses the good, the bad, and the smelly of digestive issues, I must clarify one thing about the body: Every biological system in the body is somehow linked together. No system in the body will work at its best if the quality of nutrients is poor, and the digestive system isn’t working well.

When it comes to diabetes, it is crucial to pay attention to the quality of the digestive system, because it impacts the entire body, and, of course, your life.

In type 1 diabetes, the insulin comes from an outside source. People with type 1 need to
provide the nutrition that the body requires to properly use the insulin.

In type 2 diabetes, the body can produce the insulin, but can’t use it properly. Again, the body is missing important cofactors, like nutrients.

The nutrients required by type 1 and type 2 diabetics are the same. Nutrients crucial to proper insulin function include fatty acids, amino acids, glyconutrients (nutrients made of sugar), and most importantly, minerals.

The key minerals that diabetics need include chromium, magnesium, zinc, and potassium. All of these minerals can be found in whole grains, meats, fruits, and vegetables. You can also take supplementary minerals.

Here are my mineral recommendations for diabetics:

1. Chromium helps maintain normal glucose levels. There are a number of forms of chromium, all of which differ significantly, even if they have the same-sounding name. I recommend an oxygen-coordinated chromium nicotinate form, commercially available as ChromeMate®.

2. Magnesium promotes healthy cardiovascular and nerve function. Zinc promotes immunity and growth. I like a product called ZMA™, which is a combination of magnesium and zinc.

3. Potassium is crucial for the production of energy, muscle function, and maintaining a healthy pH in your tissues. I recommend potassium citrate. Taking 1000 mg per day with food will be very safe and beneficial. To date, as far as I can find, no toxic levels have been observed for orally ingested potassium.

So to all diabetics (and non-diabetics): Add these products to your regimen, and you will see an improvement in your health. These nutrients also promote healthier and more restful sleep patterns.

I also developed a supplement to help reduce the effects of sugar alcohol induced gastro-intestinal distress (SAIGID). This supplement also helps promote a healthier GI tract environment and function. Go here for more info and a free sample …