It’s no secret that having diabetes puts you at greater risk for other health problems — and that’s especially true when it comes to cardiovascular problems. In fact, people who have diabetes are 2-4 times more likely to die of heart disease than people who don’t. It makes sense, then, that your health routine should include supplements and lifestyle choices that not only address your diabetes, but also support a healthy heart.
For starters, lose weight — especially if you carry excess abdominal fat. Exercise. Stop smoking. And eat plenty of low-glycemic vegetables and several weekly servings of salmon, sardines and other omega-3 fatty acids.
As far as supplements go, my No. 1 suggestion is fish oil. Its many benefits include improving blood flow, discouraging excess clotting, helping to normalize heart rhythm, and saving lives by reducing risk of sudden cardiac death. Also important are folic acid and other B-complex vitamins, because they lower levels of homocysteine — a toxic amino acid that damages the arteries. The mineral magnesium relaxes arterial walls, which improves blood flow, lowers blood pressure, and helps prevent arrhythmias. And antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, provide protection against damaging free radicals — another contributor to cardiovascular disease.
Finally, add coenzyme Q10 and D-ribose. Both supplements support the heart’s ability to produce and use energy, and CoQ10 also has strong antioxidant properties.
Yours in good health,
Dr. Whitaker
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