Diabetics cannot properly produce or use insulin, which regulates the body's level of blood glucose.  This causes numerous problems for the more than 20 million U.S. adults and children suffering from one of the disease's many forms.  In addition to hindering the body's ability to convert foods to energy, diabetes is a risk factor for development of related illness and disease, including heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, nerve damage, and amputation. 
Diabetics and those at risk for diabetes can take control of the disease through lifestyles changes such as maintaining a healthy body weight, eating a low-fat diet and exercising.  There is growing scientific evidence that several natural products, including dietary supplements, can help control the disease. Among the popular dietary supplements taken by diabetics are chromium, calcium, folate, omega-3s, alpha lipoic acid, and pycnogenol.  Chromium is one of the best studied minerals for diabetic support and shown to control blood glucose levels. Supplemental chromium comes in three forms - chromium picolinate, chromium chloride, and chromium nicotinate.

Related Research Reports:

Thiamine (Vitamin B1) may improve vascular health for diabetics  August 8, 2007
Supplements of thiamine may boost vascular health for diabetics, English scientists have suggested after their research indicated that low levels of the B vitamin may be key to a range of vascular problems... Read