There is a new and exciting result of research at the Harold Hamm Oklahoma Diabetes Center. (See http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090609122232.htm) Scientists there have found that using Vitamin C can stop damage caused by Type 1, or insulin dependent, diabetes.
When combined with insulin as is normally taken by the patients under study, the finding was that blood vessels suffered less damage than usually. The vitamin treatment alone accomplished nothing, and the insulin on its own, similarly, could not prevent this effect. However, when the two were used together, the damage, known as endothelial dysfunction, was prevented. The doctors are also conducting similar studies on patients with Type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes to see if similar results can be obtained. The reason for the importance of this study is that endothelial dysfunction is connected with such serious conditions as heart disease, hypertension, stroke, blindness, circulatory problems and renal failure. All of these are common afflictions among diabetics and responsible for many deaths.
In previous studies the doctors involved in this research had found that cells have a type of memory (for a comparison, think of rechargeable batteries) concerning glucose levels, which is affected by improper control of blood sugar by the diabetic individual. When Vitamin C, which is an antioxidant, was administered, in combination with the insulin, this memory was, in effect, erased. Much like deleting memory and reprogramming where electronics is involved, the cells studied were able to return to their normal function afterwards. Since this vitamin has also been shown previously to help in the prevention of plaque formation in arteries, it is highly likely that it will be further endorsed as an aid in treating diabetics at risk for cardiovascular disease. Vitamin C is believed, as well, to lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol and boost levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol.
Good sources of Vitamin C are found in citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi fruits, broccoli, bell peppers and cauliflower, to name but a few that are easily found.
For all the details of this breakthrough study, see:
http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/jc.2009-0762v1
Left to right: oranges, strawberries, kiwi fruits, bell peppers, broccoli and cauliflower
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