Vitamin B1 improves vascular health in diabetics

Researchers at the University of Warwick in England have found that the level of vitamin B1 in the blood of both type 1 and type 2 diabetics is 75% lower than normal. This lower level of B1 increases the fragility of blood vessels and it becomes easier for the elevated blood sugar to cause damage to blood vessels in the legs, kidneys, eyes, brain, and heart. The study performed on a pool of 74 diabetics is published in the current issue of the journal Diabetologia. Commentary by Jerry Hickey, R.Ph.; Here is a short list of just some of the studies that have come out in the last few months regarding ingredients in a good multiple-vitamin, mineral supplement:

• Vitamin D and calcium lower the risk of many cancers in older women (plus scores of other studies on vitamin D and/or calcium) including improving balance in the elderly, improving leg strength, decreasing the risk of colon cancer, preventing macular degeneration, lowering the risk of breast cancer in all women, lowering the risk of diabetes, lowering the risk of pancreatic cancer, lowering the risk of the flu and bacterial infections, lowering the risk of MS and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Selenium in a Multiple Vitamin lowers the risk of prostate cancer
• Folic Acid and Vitamin B6 lower the risk of developing a stroke
• Vitamin B12 protects cognitive function
• Vitamin C improves weight loss when exercising
• Vitamin B6 improves the odds of conception and preventing spontaneous miscarriage
• Low Vitamin B6 intake significantly increases the risk of colorectal cancer in men
• People with average body weight decrease their risk of developing pancreatic cancer if they consume enough folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12
• Higher levels of Folic Acid linked to lower risk of Alzheimer's disease
• Vitamin C, Lutein, and Zeaxanthin decrease the risk of developing arthritis
• Gamma-Tocopherol reduces the risk of advanced prostate cancer
• Vitamin E with Selenium lowers the risk of prostate cancer
• Low Vitamin D levels may be the cause of 50% of all cases of high blood pressure in African Americans
• Only Alpha-Tocopherol from supplements reduces the risk of prostate cancer in smokers
• Low intake of Magnesium connected to heart arrhythmias and diabetes
• Low levels of Vitamin E or Selenium lowers the resistance to viral infections
• A multiple vitamin improves depression in acutely ill older adults
• Vitamin D lowers the risk of developing macular degeneration
• Chromium lowers the risk of heart attack in men (older study but so important)
• Selenium lowers the risk of dying from 4 of the most common causes in postmenopausal women (older study but so important)