Don't run out and stock your medicine chest with it just yet, but some research shows that Vitamin C, when combined with insulin, stops blood vessel damage in patients with Type 1 diabetes.

We had tested this theory on research models, but this is the first time anyone has shown the therapy's effectiveness in people," says Michael Ihnat, Ph.D., principal study investigator.

The study, which appeared in June in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolismlooked at those with Type 1 diabetes. Patients who have Type 2 diabetes are currently being studied.

How It Works

Ihnat found that cells actually have a "memory" that can be damaging in people with diabetes even when their blood sugar is under control. But when an antoxidant like Vitamin C was added, that "memory" disappeared and cell function became normal, according to US Fed News.

"Antioxidants are very important for diabetics," says Dr. Kent Holtorf, an endocrinologist. "And that doesn't mean just Vitamin C, but other antioxidants as well."

The study's authors warn against self-dosing at home, though. In the study, the vitamin  was injected directly into the bloodstream and given in very high doses. This is not recommended as a DIY treatment.  Research continues on how antioxidants like Vitamin C work, and the hope is that the work may conclude with an easy and inexpensive treatment to control diabetes.

5 easy ways to implement vitamin C into your diet:

● A small glass of orange juice and a cup of strawberries will get you your daily allowance for vitamin C, according to the Mayo Clinic.

● Sautee a cup broccoli with a little garlic in olive oil.

● A slices of red or green bell peppers into your salad.

●  Try not to boil Vitamin C rich veggies. Vitamin C is destroyed by heat and is also water-soluble; so when you boil a vegetable, you'll basically be pouring vitamin C down the drain, according to the London Daily Mail.

● Pill form might be bad form. Extra Vitamin C will simply be flushed out of your system.  If you take too much C, you could feel nauseous or get some diarrhea, but this is unlikely unless you're taking megadoses of the vitamin.