Receiving news that you have type 2 diabetes can be extremely worrisome. Once you receive this diagnosis, you need to consider making a few lifestyle changes. Altering your diet and increasing the amount of exercise you get on a daily basis is a step in the right direction. Not only can these changes help you lower blood sugars, they can also help you lose weight.

Vitamin deficiencies affect nearly 10 percent of American adults. Certain vitamin deficiencies are more common in people with type 2 diabetes. If you want to give your health a boost and mitigate some of the risks of having diabetes, you should think about taking some of the supplements covered below.

Vitamin B12

Are you looking for a way to increase brain function and boost the health of your red blood cells? If so, you need to think about taking a B12 supplement. Nerve damage is a very common problem for people with type w diabetes. This damage typically affects a person’s feet and hands. A vitamin B12 deficiency can make the symptoms of this nerve damage much worse.

Many studies have shown that long-term use of the common diabetes medication Metformin can also cause B12 deficiencies. This is why you need to think about taking a quality B12 supplement. You can also add more meat, fish, eggs and milk to your diet to naturally boost the B12 levels in the body.

Add a Magnesium Supplement to Your Daily Routine

A key component of a healthy immune system is sufficient amounts of magnesium. The right amount of magnesium in the human body can also improve digestion, bone strength and heart rates. Magnesium deficiencies are very common in individuals struggling with type 2 diabetes. Studies have linked low magnesium levels to insulin resistance.

Many of the magnesium supplements you find on the market will have zinc and calcium in them. You can also add more magnesium to your diet by eating things like:

• Wheat products
• Rice
• Legumes
• Beans
• Leafy green vegetables
• Nuts

Be sure to consult with your primary care physician to develop a comprehensive plan to address your magnesium deficiency.

Find a Quality Vitamin C Supplement

Low vitamin C levels are also common among people with type 2 diabetes. Not only can low vitamin C levels affect your immune system, they can also cause swollen joints, dental problems and skin irritation. Vitamin C deficiencies are also known to contribute to insulin sensitivity. At the right levels, this vitamin has proven to lower blood sugars in type 2 diabetics. Luckily, there are a variety of high-quality vitamin C supplements on the market.

You can also consume things like tomatoes, bell peppers, strawberries and spinach to increase the amount of vitamin C in your body. Having a blood panel performed routinely is a great way to keep an eye on your vitamin C levels.

Staying one step ahead of deficiencies can help you better manage your type 2 diabetes.