The review of trials identifies positive effects of these nutrients on various outcome measures relating to insulin resistance and cardiovascular factors .
A majority of the trials found a positive effect of chromium on fasting plasma glucose .
Isoflavones were found to have a positive effect on insulin resistance and cardiovascular outcome measures , but only when combined with soy proteins .
Vitamin E is reported to reduce oxidative stress at levels of 200 mg day(-1 ) or more
The role of nutritional supplementation is of increasing interest with regard to ocular disease .
R and omised controlled trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of supplementation for age-related macular degeneration , and formulations are now being developed for use by people with diabetes and diabetic retinopathy .
The aim of this review was to synthesis e the evidence for use of nutritional supplementation in type 2 diabetes .
The potential role of alpha-lipoic acid , chromium , folic acid , isoflavones , magnesium , Pycnogenol , selenium , vitamin C , vitamin E , and zinc in the treatment of type 2 diabetes is discussed .
Long term effects of oral vitamin E supplement in type II diabetic patients.
This triple-blind , placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted to determine the effect of the vitamin E on fasting blood sugar ( FBS ) , serum insulin , and glycated hemoglobin ( GHb ) in type 11 diabetic patients ( NIDDM ) . A total of 100 patients , with no complications , aged 20 - 60 years old were chosen from those consulting the Isfahan Social Security Service Diabetes Clinic and divided r and omly into two treated and placebo groups , and matched for age , sex , level of education , and occupation . The treated and placebo groups were given vitamin E tablets ( 200 IU/day ) and placebo respectively .  Serum vitamin E , total cholesterol ( TC ) , triglycerides ( TG ) , FBS , insulin , and GHb were measured at the beginning and at the end of the study ( a period of 27 weeks ) ; FBS , GHb and insulin levels were also determined several times during the period . Blood lipids and FBS were measured using the ELAN 2000 autoanalyzer at the Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center , while for measuring insulin the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA ) method was used ; GHb was determined calorimetrically ( thiobarbituric acid ) , and for vitamin E measurements the Hansen and Warwick method was used , by which the vitamin E was determined fluorometrically . The findings of this study show no effect of  vitamin E supplementation in the patients : GHb did not change appreciably , FBS was reduced nonsignificantly ( -4.3 % in the treated group vs. -14.0 % in the placebo group , p < 0.05 ) . In the case of insulin , no increase was seen ; instead , a decrease was observed ( slightly more than 17 % in the two groups , p = 0.15 ) . No changes were observed in the levels of blood lipids . It was concluded that a daily vitamin E supplement of 200 IU for a period of 27 weeks does not affect insulin , GHb , or FBS in type II diabetic patients . However , since this antioxidant vitamin is beneficial in other ways in these patients , it would seem justified to recommend its use . Certainly , more extensive research is necessary to draw definite conclusions
The review of trials identifies positive effects of these nutrients on various outcome measures relating to insulin resistance and cardiovascular factors .
A majority of the trials found a positive effect of chromium on fasting plasma glucose .
Isoflavones were found to have a positive effect on insulin resistance and cardiovascular outcome measures , but only when combined with soy proteins .
Vitamin E is reported to reduce oxidative stress at levels of 200 mg day(-1 ) or more
The role of nutritional supplementation is of increasing interest with regard to ocular disease .
R and omised controlled trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of supplementation for age-related macular degeneration , and formulations are now being developed for use by people with diabetes and diabetic retinopathy .
The aim of this review was to synthesis e the evidence for use of nutritional supplementation in type 2 diabetes .
The potential role of alpha-lipoic acid , chromium , folic acid , isoflavones , magnesium , Pycnogenol , selenium , vitamin C , vitamin E , and zinc in the treatment of type 2 diabetes is discussed .