Diabetes management is not limited to diet and regular medication, but you also need to be careful with what you supplement into the body, especially vitamins and functional foods.
According to Dr. Eileen Canday, a nutritionist at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital (Mumbai, India), there are three types of vitamins that people with diabetes should avoid or only use under strict medical supervision.
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Vitamin B3, also known as niacin, is known to lower cholesterol and support heart health. However, for people with diabetes, niacin can pose many risks.
Side effects of Vitamin B3 for people with diabetes:
Increases blood sugar levels.
Reduced insulin sensitivity makes glucose control difficult
Interacting with medications, affecting the effectiveness of disease control.
If you have a problem with blood lipids and intend to use niacin, discuss carefully with your doctor to choose a more suitable and safer alternative.
Vitamin E (High dosage)
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage. However, when taking high doses as supplements, vitamin E can be harmful to people with diabetes, according to Onlymyhealth.
Harmful effects of taking high doses of vitamin E for people with diabetes:
Increased risk of bleeding, especially cerebral hemorrhage.
Adverse interactions with hypoglycemics and insulin.
Causing fluctuations in blood sugar levels, making control difficult.
Vitamin E from natural foods such as nuts and vegetable oils is still considered safe. However, you should not arbitrarily supplement a high dose without a doctor's prescription.
Vitamin C (High Dose)
Vitamin C plays an important role in boosting immunity and supporting wound healing. However, if overdose is taken, this vitamin can cause disorders in blood sugar and some other complications.
Harmful effects of taking high doses of vitamin C for people with diabetes:
Distorted blood sugar test results, causing confusion in adjusting drug doses.
Increased risk of kidney stones, especially in people with high risk of diabetes.
Disstabilizes blood glucose, causing uncontrollable fluctuations.
Vitamin C from fruits and vegetables such as oranges, grapefruits, guava, broccoli... is enough to meet daily needs. Oral supplementation should only be done when there is a clear medical prescription.
Note
Dr. Eileen Canday says vitamin supplementation should be carefully considered in people with diabetes. Although vitamins play a role in supporting health, improper use can be more harmful than beneficial.
Advice from experts:
Do not arbitrarily supplement vitamins without a doctor's prescription.
Prioritize taking vitamins from natural foods.
Monitor blood sugar regularly, especially when using more functional foods.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, regular exercise and taking medication as directed.
