VIDEO: Vitamin E for Diabetes

The antioxidant properties of vitamin E can help protect against heart-related complications

Transcript

Most people with diabetes are concerned about blood sugar, but they should be equally concerned about cardiovascular disease because that's their leading cause of death.

Forty percent of diabetics have a gene variation that increases oxidative risk and doubles or triples risk of cardiovascular disease.

But there's a simple way to protect yourself.

Israeli researchers found that when diabetics with this gene variation took 400 international units of vitamin E daily, their risk of stroke, heart attack, and cardiovascular death fell by a whopping  50 percent. In fact, vitamin E's benefits were so profound that the study was terminated early so all participants could benefit.

Genetic tests are available, but why bother? My recommendation for anyone with diabetes is to take a minimum of 400 international units of natural vitamin E every day.

I'm Julian Whitaker, M.D., assisting you in your personal quest for optimal health.

More Dr. Whitaker Advice on Diabetes

• Recommended nutrients for people with diabetes
• How to treat type 2 diabetes naturally
• Why you shouldn't treat type 2 diabetes with insulin