Shouldn't we be fighting the Free Radicals

[Markie]

Maybe someone with a technical interest can help me on this.

While doing research on Vitamin C, I came across some interesting info on oxidation and diabetes. Research shows that free radicals and oxidative stress play a major role in both the initial cause of diabetes and development of long-term complications.

In view of this, development of effective anti-oxidant therapy must be a major opportunity. But not much seems to be happening on this front. And my question is, why? Studies show that diabetics have low levels of Vitamin C. But no-one in my "medical team" has ever suggested that I take a supplement.

Studies using small nutritional doses (<1000mg)of Vitamin C have produced disappointing results. But use of large amounts of Vitamin C has never been fully investigated.

Is there any reason for this?

[JDRF-Team-dm]

Dear Markie,

Thank you for reaching out to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. I am not a medical professional and am not able to give you medical advice.I have been invovled with JDRF for 15 years and can share what I do know about type 1. Are you type 1 or 2? There are different types of research ongoing for both.

Anything that can advance postive results and prevention of complications is something we agree on.
I am going to give you three websites that shows the upsides and downsides of using higher doses with Vitamin C. Remember, anyone can put anything on a website. I have used the government website without any problem.

clinicaltrials.gov/show/00001870

www.doctoryourself.com/diabetes.html

www.healthwell.com/healthnotes.cfm?contentid=37310006&org=newhope

Please consult with your physician before changing your regimen. You may want check to see if any more comments are posted.

Let us know what you find out.

Thank You,
dm

[galzee]

I just have a quick comment regarding vitamin C.  About 14 years ago, around 1 year after my daughter was diagnosed, we took her to an herbologist/iradologist who said something about vitamin C that stuck me funny.  She said that diabetics cannot absorb vitamin C efficiently.  I didn't know enough about diabetes at that time to ask why, but I wish I did now.  It should be interesting to check out the websites above to see what they have to say.

[Markie]

galzee,

I also read that somewhere. And the thinking goes something like this:

Vitamin C and glucose are very similar molecules. And they both rely on the same transport mechanism for entering the cells. When there is a lot of glucose in the bloodstream, as in a hyperglycemic diabetic, Vitamin C is "out competed". Which is why people with diabetes don't absorb Vitamin C efficiently.

Because Vitamin C performs some important functions, not absorbing it properly can have serious consequences. Vitamin C is used in creating collagen, which maintains the integrity of all the tissues in the body. And, as a powerful anti-oxidant, it repairs oxidation damage. It is thought that lack of Vitamin C in the cells could aggravate the development long term complications of diabetes.

Cheers,

Mark

[dagis]

Think about trying alpha lipoic acid. I've read some academic studies and it seems like it might be a good deal for diabetics

Alpha-Lipoic acid acts as a facilitator to other antioxidants, such as Vitamin E and C, by “recycling” them in the body, thus increasing their effectiveness. Because it is believed to be such a powerful antioxidant, it is now used to treat and prevent a wide array of age related diseases, including diabetes, cataracts, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s, along with boosting the immune system.

In particular, it has been used to treat nerve damage that can result from diabetes. The nerve damage is believed to be a result of free radicals, which can be counteracted by antioxidants such as alpha-lipoic acid. It has also been shown in studies to help diabetics lower their glucose levels.

Another major benefit is its ability to chelate (pull out) heavy metals (such as lead, cadmium, and mercury) and assists the liver in clearing out other bodily toxins.

A collaborative study between the Mayo Clinic and a medical center in Russia found that alpha lipoic acid (ALA) rapidly reduces the nerve damage in diabetics.

After a diabetic eats, blood sugar levels can rise so high that sugar attaches to cells permanently and is eventually converted to a poison called sorbitol that destroys the cell. This process destroys nerves, so diabetics with high blood sugar levels are at risk for blindness, deafness, burning foot syndrome, and loss of feeling and tingling in their extremities. This study shows that Alpha Lipoic Acid pills helps reduce symptoms of nerve damage such as burning, pain, prickling sensations and numbness. Alpha lipoic acid is an antioxidant that helps protect nerves from the sorbitol attached to cells. If future studies confirm the results of this one, all out-of-control diabetics will be advised to take alpha lipoic acid supplements.


Alpha Lipoic Acid Side Effects

Although it has been shown to be an extremely promising new health supplement, much of its research is still in the early stages. However, thus far it appears to be a very safe substance, but possible alpha lipoic acid side effects include: allergic skin rashes (very rare), and diabetics may have to have their insulin levels altered due to alpha-lipoic acid’s capacity to affect the way diabetics respond to this hormone (decrease amount of insulin needed).