Natural Health Alternatives

Diabetes can double the risk of women developing heart disease, a result of years of damage to blood vessel walls. Doctors are unsure what causes diabetes to affect women more than men. It may be due to the bad effect diabetes has on a woman’s lipids (fat in the bloodstream) and blood pressure. It is important for women with diabetes to keep their blood sugar as close to normal as possible to lower their risk for heart disease.

 Along with prescribed medications, natural supplements and functional foods (foods with health-promoting properties) can also protect your heart. Phytosterols (found in plants, nuts and legumes), psyllium fiber (found in Metamucil and some cereals) and oat and barley bran can all help lower cholesterol.

Natural Alternatives like Omega-3 fat (from fish and algae) is another friend of the heart. It can lower triglyceride levels, which decreases inflammation and keeps your blood vessels healthy. A good multivitamin/mineral for diabetic women should contain folate, calcium, potassium, copper, manganese, selenium, iron, zinc, and vitamins E, C, B₆ and B₁₂. Also look for policosinol, which may lower cholesterol. Extracts of pomegranate, grape seeds and grape skins can help, too, by preventing hardening of the arteries and reducing blood pressure.