Diabetes problems have 'vitamin link'

A simple vitamin deficiency may be the cause of many of the side effects of diabetes, a study suggests. Researchers found people with the disease expelled thiamine - vitamin B1 - from their bodies at 15 times the normal rate in a study of 94 people. The Warwick University team said thiamine helped ward off complications such as heart disease and eye problems, the Diabetologia journal said. Experts said diet supplements could potentially help people with diabetes.

The team measured thiamine levels in blood plasma and found concentrations were 76% lower in people with type 1 diabetes and 75% lower in people with type 2. Thiamine is key to warding off vascular problems such as kidney, retina and nerve damage as well as heart disease and stroke. It works by helping protect cells against the effect of high glucose levels.

Bonnie - while B-1 does not make up the entire nutrient picture for diabetes, it does play a role. I almost always recommend a B-Complex in addition to the B's in a multivitamin, among other nutrients for client's with diabetes or blood sugar issues. I do not, however, recommend B-1 supplementation alone because it could create an imbalance of B-vitamins.