Supplements & Vitamins
 

I have CIPN and diabetes II and have been taking the following every day. What I'd like to know is the optimal amount I should take. Here goes:

R-Lipoic Acid
Acetyl L Carnitine
Benfotiamine
Folate
Biotin
Omega 3

If there are any I should be taking but am not, please let me know.

I do not take any drugs for diabetes right now since I tried Metformin & it wrecked my GI tract. I am hoping a new endo can suggest alternatives to Metformin. Will see her next week.

Also would like suggestions for diabetes supplements. TIA.

Well, with Metformin, you will need B12.... because metformin depletes this in about 40% of patients.

Suggestions for the others:

R-Lipoic Acid--- up to 100mg a day, you can start at 50 (check your blood sugar because this can lower it)

Acetyl L Carnitine-- 1 gram a day is often enough, but you can start at 500mg and raise later if needed.

Benfotiamine-- I'd start at 300mg a day, and may reduce to 150 after 3 months or so, or stay at 300 if necessary

Folate-- 800mcg a day

Biotin-- 300mcg to 1mg

Omega 3-- 3 a day of regular or 1 or 2 of double or 1 triple strength. You can take more, but start low, and this may be enough. This is fish oil.
You can also take flax oil in addition or purchase foods fortified with flax
as this is another basic Omega-3. I use Smart Balance peanut butter for example. But there are fortified cereals now, yogurt, all sorts of new foods with flax oil added.

B12-- 1 mg a day on empty stomach, if you know you are low, start at 5mg a day for 3 months, and when levels are good you can go down to 1mg a day.

Get tested for Vit D levels. This is important for diabetics.
(and everyone else).

And also, all diabetics need magnesium. See my magnesium thread:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread1138.html

Thanks for such important info, MrsD
 

I actually take 5000 mcg B12 per day. Also take 50K IU Vitamin D once a week.

I had bought magnesium but have been afraid to take it, thinking that it would cause GI distress which has forever plagued me. Maybe I can start with the tiniest amount...

It's interesting that metformin depletes B12. Hope to get a better tolerated diabetes drug soon.

Hi Antonina:

I've been a diabetic for 21 years. Metformin nearly did me in. I never went to the bathroom so much in my life. Drove me razy. About 5 years ago I went on Lantus and it was the best thing I did for my stomach. I have been DILIGENT about what goes into my body, so, after being on oral meds and Lantus for 5 years, I am now only on 15 or so of the Lantus and hopefully, soon, I will be off ALL diabetic meds for good.

In my case, it's all about weight, and what I eat. I lost the weight and I watch EVERYTHING I eat. But I am 62 years old.

I should have done this in my 40's but better late than never, right.

Keep taking the B-12. It's the best thing you could do for your body. I started 5000 every day about 2 years ago.

I store it well, so now I take 1000 every morning.

Doing very well.

You take care and all the best.

Melody

hi Melody
 

Thanks for the Lantus info. I have seen 3 different Endos who have insisted I take Metformin, even AFTER I've just finished explaining why I cannot. So then I vote with my feet.

I'm scheduled to see a new one next week and will suggest Lantus. With each new doc I see, there's always the hope that I'll actually be heard. Maybe next week....hmmm.

I still want to make it to the NA support group. My wrist is just a bit iffy and not yet strong enough to help steer my walker.

I'm looking forward to Spring!!

Yes you can start slowly, and take your supplement with food. That helps. And AVOID magnesium oxide, which is basically a laxative.

You can do what I do, and try to get your magnesium from foods. Almonds are very high.. 3 oz have 270mg!
Navy beans, Edamame (soy), oatmeal, yogurt, figs, etc are pretty good sources.

MrsD,

Thanks for pointing out the difference in magnesium. I'll look @ the bottle later to see if I have the non laxative version.

Also thanks for info on food sources for magnesium. I've got lots of almonds bought @ post-Christmas sales which I can now devour with a clear conscience!

Or you can go to the drugstore, purchase some Epsom Salts and toss some in some hot water, put your feet in (not to hot), and soak for 20 minutes AND ALL THAT LOVELY MAGNESIUM SULFATE WILL BE ABSORBED INTO YOUR BODY.

Never thought of that, did you?

Neither did I, till I read it here on the forums.

I LOVE the info that I get from these forums.

Melody

Melody

That's a brilliant idea! I need to soak my wrist in epsom salts before therapy. It'll be multi tasking.

Just don't use really hot water...heat inflames and stimulates the nerves. Use lukewarm.