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Vitamin E Helps Some Diabetes Patients
Vitamin E Cut Risk of Dying From Heart Disease by 55%, Israeli Researchers Say
Nov. 23, 2004 -- Some people with diabetes may benefit from taking vitamin E, according to an international team of scientists.
Vitamin E's possible heart benefits are described in a letter published in the November issue of the journal Diabetes Care. The letter was written by researchers, including Andrew Levy, MD, PhD, of Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel.
Levy and colleagues reviewed data from the Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation trial, which was conducted in 2000. That study included more than 3,000 participants, about a third of whom had diabetes.
The HOPE trial tested the benefits of taking 400 international units of vitamin E daily for 4.5 years. It found that vitamin E supplements had no significant benefit against heart attack, stroke, and death from cardiovascular disease, regardless of diabetes status.
However, the trial might have missed a key piece of information.
Participants with a particular form of a blood protein called haptoglobin who took vitamin E cut their risk of dying from cardiovascular disease by 55% and decreased their risk of nonfatal heart attack by 43%, say Levy and colleagues.
Haptoglobin comes in three forms: "2-2," "1-1," and "2-1." Haptoglobin's 2-2 form is the worst of the three at fighting disease-causing free radicals. People with diabetes who have haptoglobin's 2-2 form of the protein have a higher risk of cardiovascular "events," such as heart attacks, write the researchers.
About 40% of people with diabetes have the 2-2 form of haptoglobin, according to a news release.
Levy's team noted the possible vitamin E-haptoglobin connection after examining the original trial for haptoglobin subtype. However, vitamin E didn't show the same protective trend against stroke.
A larger five-year study of people with diabetes with haptoglobin 2-2 subtype is underway in Israel, according to a news release.
"If this larger study confirms our findings, the public health implications would be huge," says Levy in the release.
Levy is the author of a patent that claims to predict diabetic vascular disease based on type of haptoglobin.
© 2004 WebMD, Inc. All rights Reserved.
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If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Your blood sugar level is slightly high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.
However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your level is currently normal. However, if you are concerned about diabetes speak with your physician. There may be other risk factors that increase your risk for diabetes.
Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your blood sugar level may be high, depending on when you last ate. If you have not eaten for at least 8 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 100. If you've eaten within the last 2 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 140. You should call your health care provider and ask if you need laboratory tests to check for diabetes. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Blood sugars consistently above 180 warrant prompt medical attention.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your blood sugar level is high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
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