Diabetics looking for vitamins for diabetic retinopathy will find that there has been some research done to show some benefit from dietary supplements. Although vitamins are good for general health and can be found in a variety of dietary sources, unless you have a deficiency in your diet, supplements may not offer much added benefit. However, there are other compounds being investigated for their benefits to diabetics. These compounds can be more difficult to find easily from dietary sources.
Research is always ongoing to find out which compounds beneficial to diabetics in general but also those who have problems with their sight.
Complimentary Alternate medicine for diabetic retinopathy
Understandably, you may be looking for alternative medicines for diabetic retinopathy, something to help your control or to help slow the progression of the retinal changes. Research is always being done in this area to find compounds that will improve retinal health or at least slow things down from getting worse. The most important thing will always be good diabetic control through diet and exercise.
Tocotrienols for Diabetic Retinopathy
Tocotrienol complex marketed by ExcelVite as EVNol SupraBio
Natural sources of tocotrienols
There are natural sources of tocotrienols but it seems these may be limited. They are found in rice bran oil, wheatgerm and soya oil. There is also a question on their bioavailability which means it seems to be more difficult for your body to absorb tocotrienols through your gut.
Pycnogenol from Pinus pinaster (French pine bark) for diabetic retinopathy.
What food contain Pycnogenol?
Pycnogenol seems to have limited natural sources. It is found in the skin of peanuts, grape seeds and witch hazel bark as well as Pinus Pinaster, from which the trademarked name Pycnogenol was produced. This means it is more usable in the form of supplements.
Resveratrol for diabetic retinopathy
Resveratrol is a type of natural phenol produced in response to injury, by several plants.
Some studies suggest the use of resveratrol in the treatment of disease linked to oxidative stress
One study suggested that resveratrol may be a promising therapeutic strategy in preventing diabetic retinopathy.
What is the best natural source of resveratrol?
Resveratrol is found in a good variety of food and if you are regularly consuming these food, you may already be getting enough resveratrol through your diet. The list is not exhaustive.
- Grape skins
- Grape juice
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Peanuts
- Cocoa
- Cranberries
- Blackberries
- Oranges
- Apricots
- Plums
- Artichokes
Antioxidants for diabetic retinopathy
Although the full mechanism of diabetic retinopathy progression is not known. It is though that oxidative stress is a component in the disease process. It would therefore make sense that using antioxidants would help to reduce that oxidative stress. Several studies have found that antioxidants can help prevent or improve diabetic retinopathy but working against oxidative stress and inflammation. These antioxidants can be used in the form of resveratrol but also the macula antioxidants used for macular degeneration.
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