Arginine: why every diabetic should know this substance

Vitamins, trace elements, minerals... Everyone can relate to these terms. After all, they are essential for our health. And ideally, we should take them all in regularly through a balanced diet. Arginine is no less important for our well-being. This is an amino acid from which a very important messenger substance is produced: nitric oxide (NO). This is very important for good blood circulation and healthy blood vessels.

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Nibble now and then! Nuts are a good source of arginine

However, arginine and NO do much more. They also ensure that more insulin is produced. And that the body's cells respond much better to insulin. This is confirmed by current studies. This is why it is so advisable to consume enough arginine if you have diabetes. Especially as those affected have less of it in their bodies than healthy people.

Which foods contain arginine? For example in peanuts, pulses, pumpkin seeds and mandarins.

Exercise also lowers blood sugar

Unfortunately, the arginine requirement is not always completely covered by the diet. It may therefore make sense to take an extra supplement (available over the counter from pharmacies). Diabetics should also exercise regularly. The reason: physical activity also has a positive influence on blood sugar levels. This also reduces the risk of secondary diseases, such as arteriosclerosis and nerve damage. Another important point is that diabetics should know their current HbA1c value. This reveals the blood sugar value for the last eight to ten weeks. For this reason, it is also often referred to as blood sugar memory. The doctor takes a blood sample for this purpose. If the value for type 2 diabetes is above 7.5 percent (58 mmol/mol), it is too high and must be lowered. If necessary, with the help of medication.

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