Supplement Snapshot - Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALC)
The strongest research of Acetyl L-Carnitine is for relief of diabetic neuropathy symptoms; some studies show pain relief and possible nerve regeneration. (Diabetic Neuropathy, Type 2 Diabetes) (Complete Article)

Liver Disease: Are You At Risk?
Generally, when you think of someone who has liver disease, you think of someone who abuses alcohol. You may be surprised to learn that fatty liver disease is often present in people who drink little or no alcohol. Nonalcoholic fatty liver is present in approximately 10 to 20 percent of Americans, and the incidence in type 2 diabetes may be as high as 50 percent. (Liver Disease, Diabetic Complications, Type 2 Diabetes) (Complete Article)

Bright Eye Basics
Researchers now think healthy food and lifestyle choices (whether it's quitting smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation, or eating lots of colorful fruits and vegetables that have eye-healthy antioxidants) improve the odds that your eyes will look their best and brighest. (Diabetes Nutrition, Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma, Cataracts) (Complete Article)

Are Leg Cramps Caused By Diabetes?
Leg cramps can be caused by a variety of reasons such as deficiencies in vitamins such as calcium and magnesium as well as diabetic neuropathy. (Neuropathy, Leg Cramps, Diabetic Complications) (Complete Article)

Calcium and Vitamin D For Diabetes
While diet, exercise, weight loss, and medications are prescribed for people with diabetes, more Americans are turning to nutritional support for additional help. Studies confirm that vitamin D and calcium supplementation are associated with a reduced risk of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. (Diabetes Nutrition, Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes) (Complete Article)

Acetyl-L-Carnitine May Be Important for Nerve Health in Diabetic Patients
Recent research studies indicate that Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC) may improve pain and nerve regeneration in patients with chronic diabetic neuropathy. These studies demonstrate that ALC treatment is effective in alleviating symptoms, particularly pain, and improves nerve fiber regeneration. (Neuropathy Symptoms, Neuropathy Product, Diabetic Nutrition) (Complete Article)

Type 1/Type 2 - Cold Weather Increases A1Cs
A team of researchers working in Veterans Health Administration centers across the country has found a link between cold weather and higher A1C levels. Read more about this study of more than 272,722 veterans with diabetes. (Diabetes Research, blood sugar level, alc) (Complete Article)

Sugar Alcohol
Sugar-free candy as well as as other products using the term "sugar-free" should be evaluated for total carbohydrate content.  Sugar alcohols, though listed by their weight content within the food as listed in the Nutrition Facts panel, are not metabolized (broken down and used for energy) the way true sugars are.  Because sugar alcohols are incompletely absorbed, the FDA allows the labeling and assignment of less energy per gram to these nutritive sweeteners. (Diabetes Diet and Nutrition) (Complete Article)

The Skinny on Sugar Substitutes
If you are like most Americans, you love the sweet taste of sugar.  With an average consumption of over 20 teaspoons per person per day, we are a nation with an enormous sweet tooth. And chances are, even though you are working at slashing the sugar, you haven't lost your sweet tooth. Luckily, there are more choices than ever when it comes to sugar-free foods and sugar substitutes. Learn more about the sugar substitutes sucralose, aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame K and sugar alcohols. (Diabetic Cooking and Sugar Substitutes) (Complete Article)

Magnesium
One of the most versatile minerals, magnesium is involved in energy production, nerve function, muscle relaxation, and bone and tooth formation.  In conjunction with calcium and potassium, magnesium regulates heart rhythm and clots blood; it also aids in the production and use of insulin. (Complete Article)

Managing Hypoglycemia - Helpful Supplements (Part II)
This article lists many supplements that are suggested as useful for hypoglycemia in the literature. Outlines the importance of the B vitamins in  metabolizing fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Calcium, chromium, magnesium, manganese, selenium, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc are discussed.  (Low blood sugar) (Complete Article)

A Quick Primer on Sugar Alcohols
Sugar alcohol is neither a "sugar" nor an "alcohol." Sugar alcohols affect the blood glucose levels less dramatically than regular table sugar which is why some diet plans allow a certain amount of them. In most people, they quickly add up to too many carbs. (Diabetes Diet, Diabetic Nutrition, Low Carbohydrate Diet) (Complete Article)

The Truth About Sugar-Free Products
When Free Isn't Really - What most people don't realize is that most sugar-free products still contain carbohydrate and will make your blood sugar levels go up. Anything that has starch or sugar--whether naturally occurring or added to it--contains carbohydrates. (Diabetic Meal Planning and Sugar Alcohols)  (Complete Article)

Diabetes & Alcohol Consumption Information
Did you know that drinking less that two alcohol drinks per week can bring on nerve damage?  In addition, alcohol spurs the liver to make more triglycerides and that even light drinking (two four-ounce glasses of wine per week) can raise triglyceride levels. (Information from the American Diabetes Association) (Complete Article)