Just because you have diabetes does not mean that if you have surgery, you will never heal. Diabetes affects the small blood vessels and the function of immune cells when blood sugar is high, but with proper management of nutrition and sugar, those with diabetes are able to undergo any type of surgery.
Diabetes causes nutritional deficiencies, often initiated by changes in their diet or medications. Because of that, diabetics must use supplements to make up for lost vitamins. This is an especially important aspect of the recovery period after surgery. Here are a few vitamins most diabetics are lacking in:
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is bound to protein in food and is important for the formation of red blood cells, neurological function, and
DNA synthesis. More importantly for diabetics, vitamin B12 supports the digestive system by keeping glucose levels stable. The activity of hydrocholoric acid and gastric protease in the stomach releases vitamin B12 from its protein. Once released, vitamin B12 begins to work quickly.
Blood tests will determine the level of B12 in the body. Adults who have a value below 170 to 250 pg/mL are considered deficient in the vitamin. Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are megalobastic anemia (red blood cells that are larger than normal), fatigue, weakness, constipation, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Additional symptoms include difficulty maintaining balance, depression, confusion, dementia, poor memory, and soreness of the mouth and tongue. Some people experience numbness and tingling in their hands and feet. If the deficiency is not remedied, permanent damage can occur.
Vitamin B12 supplementation can be taken orally, or if the body is unable to absorb B12 due to medications or other medical complications, by injection.
Vitamin D
Calcium is the building block for strong bones, but calcium needs vitamin D to do its job. A complication of diabetes is loss of bone density, and a deficiency of vitamin D puts them at greater risk for fractures and osteoporosis.
A shortage of vitamin D also hinders
blood sugar levels, making it more difficult to control diabetes. Vitamin D deficiency can result in muscle weakness, increased incidence of infection, increased risk of falling, defects in skeletal mineralization process, bone discomfort, and aches and pains in the joints and muscles.
Most people get their source of vitamin D from exposure to sunlight, leading to a considerable seasonal variation in vitamin D in the bloodstream. Only a few foods naturally contain significant amounts of vitamin D, including salmon, mackerel, herring, and fish oils such as cod liver oil. Certain foods are fortified with vitamin D, including milk, some juice products, some breads, yogurts, and cheeses.
Recommended daily use of vitamin D is 600 IU for healthy adults.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting cells from the damaging effects of free radicals, and is intimately involved with healthy immune function. It also promotes eye health and can prevent the hardening of the arterties by controlling cholesterol levels. The risk of heart disease, stroke, and heart attack can all be linked to a vitamin E deficiency.
Foods that contain ample amounts of vitamin E include nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils.
Magnesium
Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biomechanical reactions in the body, helping to maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeping heart rhythms steady, supporting a healthy immune system, and keeping bones strong. It also helps the body digest, absorb, and utilize proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.
Researchers have become very interested in the role magnesium plays in preventing and managing disorders such as diabetes. It is an essential mineral in the regulation of blood sugar, playing a part in the secretion and function of insulin by opening cell membranes for glucose. Low blood levels of magnesium are seen in people with
Type 2 diabetes. A deficiency can cause insulin resistance, so that they require greater amounts of insulin to maintain their blood sugar levels within normal levels.
The recommended daily allowance of magnesium is 400 mg. Foods high in magnesium include rice, wheat and oat bran, certain herbs, seeds, and nuts.
It is critical for diabetics to work closely with their doctors to not only control their blood sugar levels, but their nutrition and nutritional supplementation.
If you are a diabetic who does not currently see a podiatrist, call our office in Bristol to make an
appointment.
Richard E. Ehle, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Bristol, CT
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