Diabetic and on a low carb diet? Take these three supplements

In an effort to help their patients control their blood sugar levels, some doctors recommend a low carb diet. If that's the case with you, make sure you also take these three supplements to keep your blood sugar in check.

According to Dr Jonathan Wright of Nutrition&Healing, in addition to a general vitamin-mineral supplement programme, there are a few supplements very specific for low-carb diets especially if you’re diabetic.

Include these essential supplements in your low carb diet if you’re diabetic

The following three supplements will help you regulate your blood sugar…

#1: Potassium - Vegetables are the primary dietary sources of potassium. So if you’re following a low-carb diet and aren’t eating at least five to six servings of vegetables every day, make sure to take at least 400-500mg of potassium daily.

#2: Calcium – According to Dr Wright, “since there’s so much phosphorus in protein, be sure to offset it by taking a phosphorus-free calcium supplement daily.” 1,000mg is a good general dosage (take a bit more if you're a woman at or past menopause). Be sure to take your calcium with 300-400mg of magnesium so it can be absorbed properly.

#3: Flavonoids – These are crucial to your health. They strengthen your arteries, veins, capillaries and nearly all connective tissue and some reduce your risk of a heart attack and certain cancers.

Unless you’re a tea drinker, there aren’t enough flavonoids in low-carb diets. In fact, there are very little flavonoids in animal protein, almost none in fats and oils and only small amounts in vegetables.

And most of us eat the best food sources of flavonoids, fruits and berries, in very limited quantities (if at all) on a low-carb plan. That’s why it’s essential to get your flavonoids in supplement form.

Keep in mind that “bilberry, hawthorn, grape-seed extract, ginkgo, echinacea and many other commonly used herbs contain flavonoids. If you’re using two or more of these, you may not need a specific flavonoid supplement,” advises Dr Wright.

All these supplements are available at your local health shop. As always, be sure to speak to your doctor before taking any kind of treatment.

Tags: diabetes, low carb diet, supplements to take when on low carb diet, potassium, calcium, flavonoids