Okay, the holidays are behind us and it’s time to get serious about your blood sugar health and the over-indulgence. Because diabetes is so prevalent and serious, this report is a bit longer than most because understanding what you can do naturally to avoid and control blood sugar is literally life-saving!
You, my readers, often ask what specific ingredients do for your health and why they’re included in specific proprietary formulas, continuing my commitment of “Health thru Education” …. you asked, here it goes…Click to continue reading...
The American Diabetes Association released 2014 statistics from the National Diabetes Statistics Report Stating…
* Nearly 30 million Americans have diabetes, about 10% of the population, or 1 out of every 11 Americans;
* Approximately 21 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes – the remainder are not yet diagnosed. * Approximately 26% of Americans over the age of 65 are diagnosed with diabetes;
* Nearly 1.7 million new cases are diagnosed each year;
* Estimates show 86 million Americans (20 years and over, 1 out of 3) are pre-diabetes;
Statistics from WHO (World Health Organization) – Mind-boggling…
* 347 Million people worldwide suffer from diabetes;
* $245 billion was spent in 2012 on those diagnosed with diabetes;
* Medical expenditures are 2.3 times higher for those diagnosed with diabetes;
* Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death;
* Type 2 diabetes in children 10 – 19 increased 31% between 2001 – 2014 primarily due to excessive weight or down-right obesity;
* Those diagnosed with diabetes have a 50% higher risk of death from all causes;
* Those diagnosed with diabetes have a great risk of blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, stroke, and loss of lower extremities;
There are two primary types of diabetes.
Type I is when the body is unable to make enough insulin and insulin injections are the conventional form of medicine used to treat this disease.
Type II is when the body cannot use insulin properly within the body. This can develop at any age, and most cases can be prevented. Currently 1 out of 3 people will develop diabetes in their lifetime.
Risk Factors:
Overweight
Family History
Gestational diabetes
High blood pressure
Abnormal cholesterol
Physically inactive
Excessive prolonged stress
If you have any of the above risk factors and age 45 or older, consider being tested for diabetes, especially if you’re overweight – you may already be pre-diabetic. Keep in mind that pre-diabetes has no symptoms. It is usually people with blood glucose levels higher than normal that are at more risk for pre-diabetes. Those that do have pre-diabetes are at a greater risk for developing Type II diabetes as well as heart disease.
What You Can Do…
The best barometer for blood sugar monitoring is the test called A1c. It measures the AVERAGE daily blood sugar over a three-month period (24/7) and fasting is NOT necessary for the test. Healthy levels are 6 or lower, especially for those of us over age 65.
Daily finger-poking tests are guides but not an accurate representation as they reflect what you’ve eaten within approximately from 12-48 hours prior.
- With this impending doom, what can we do? We can each take responsibility for our own health, and do what is necessary to change our lifestyle to prevent becoming a diabetic. The most important things research and experience shows us is that just 30 minutes of physical activity 5 days a week and healthier eating, we could defeat diabetes.
Physical activity can help control blood glucose, as well as maintaining a healthy weight and blood pressure, raise good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol. Take a brisk walk, mow the lawn with a push mower, dance, swim, bicycle, climb stairs, hike, participate in any sports AND rebound daily (bounce heels ONLY and rotate feet) in short bursts of 2-5 minutes several times a day. Any activity that works your large muscles will provide you tremendous benefits.
• Eat smaller portions, more often. Limit or eliminate foods high in saturated fats, trans-fats, lard, shortening, stick margarine, and non-dairy creamers. Eliminate fatty cuts of meat from the diet. Avoid fried foods, whole milk, and dairy products made from whole milk. Eliminate sugars, flour and most high carb grains like white rice, oatmeal, etc. Brown-wild-black rice is healthier but you must still monitor blood sugar for spikes. Adjust your dietary intake so 50% of foods ingested are vegetables or fruit. Add colorful foods to your diet as they provide many essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants.
For those of you currently diagnosed with Type II diabetes, like yours truly, there is still hope. With adjustments to your lifestyle, you may be able to “cure” your diabetes. Work with your nutritionally-aware doctor or Wholistic Rejuvenist to incorporate healthier choices into your life, and seek out alternative healing modalities as well. A nice compliment of holistic and allopathic medicine may just turn your life around. And remember you MUST control overall inflammation in order to control your blood sugar.
Scientifically Speaking…
Those of you using, or considering, the proprietary blend Blood Sugar Modulator™ keep asking about the actions of individual ingredients. This comprehensive blend of natural nutrients and herbals where included because of their shown ability to support healthy blood sugar AND the organs that can be damaged or challenged by diabetes, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome.
Studies show that the major ingredient in Blood Sugar Modulator, Berberine, in appropriate potency is as effective as conventional prescriptions for management of Type2 diabetes – without the side effects*.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease or disorder.
What’s in the Wholistic Blend of Blood Sugar Modulator?
Now, let’s understand why the following ingredients are included in this all-in-one unique formula…
- Berberine
Berberine, a plant alkaloid revered in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine – largely ignored in conventional medicine – is poised to become one of our most powerful natural therapies for preventing and treating a wide range of conditions—particularly insulin resistance and diabetes.
What Conditions Does Berberine Help?
Anti-aging
Diabetes
Heart disease
High cholesterol
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Immune challenges
Intestinal infections
Joint problems
Low bone density
Weight control
What are the mechanisms that make Berberine work?
Berberine targets a very basic and ancient regulator of metabolism present in all animals and plants called AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) – increased AMPK activity explains why Berberine contains so many diverse benefits.
For people with diabetes, AMPK activation…
Stimulates the uptake of glucose into the cells
Improves insulin sensitivity
Reduces glucose production in the liver
For people with heart-related problems, AMPK activation:
Slows the release of free fatty-acids, which lowers lipid levels and prevents harmful fat deposition
Boosts fat burning in the mitochondria
Stimulates the release of nitric oxide (NO), a signaling molecule that relaxes the arteries, increases blood flow and lowers blood pressure, and protects against atherosclerosis
Researchers Speak Out about Berberine
Diabetes: In a clinical trial published in Metabolism, people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes were randomly divided into groups and assigned to take metformin (Glucophage) OR Berberine. Improvements were noted the very first week, and at the study’s conclusion, the average blood sugar and hemoglobin A1c levels significantly decreased in both groups. Remarkably, Berberine helped fight diabetes every bit as effectively as metformin. The researchers concluded that the two had “identical effect[s] in the regulation of glucose metabolism.”
Lipids, Blood Pressure, and Weight: In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial, patients recently diagnosed with diabetes and cholesterol/triglyceride abnormalities but hadn’t yet started on medication took either 500 mg of Berberine or a placebo capsule twice a day.
After three months, Berberine supplementation not only significantly lowered blood sugar but also triglycerides (35.9 percent), LDL cholesterol (21 percent), and total cholesterol (18 percent)—compared to minimal declines in cholesterol and an increase in triglycerides in the control group. Furthermore, the group taking Berberine had lower blood pressure (average drop of 7/5 mm Hg systolic/diastolic) and modest weight and abdominal fat loss.
DISCLAIMER: This content is offered on an informational basis only, and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified health provider before making any adjustment to a medication or treatment you are currently using, and/or starting any new medication or treatment. All recommendations are "generally informational" and not specifically applicable to any individual's medical problems, concerns and/or needs.
- Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA)
Overview – Nerve damage (neuropathy) is a common complication of diabetes. It’s permanent and can be difficult to alleviate. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) has come to light as a possible alternative remedy to treat pain associated with diabetes neuropathy.
Also called lipoic acid, ALA is an antioxidant found in trace amounts in some foods. The body also makes it in small amounts. ALA not only helps fight free- radicals, but it is believed to help convert sugar (glucose) into energy.
People with diabetes could benefit by adding ALA in supplemental form to help neuropathy. This supplement is promising, that said, consult with your health professional to see if this is appropriate for you.
How Does ALA Work?
ALA is not a diabetes medication, it’s a supplement available in professional and over-the-counter formulas. ALA has gained attention as a potential natural treatment method of nerve pain relief in diabetes.
Considered both water- and fat-soluble, this antioxidant may be absorbed in all areas of the body – attacking free-radicals is just one potential benefit of ALA. The supplement has also shown the ability to decrease blood glucose.
If you have hyperglycemia and neuropathy ALA might provide relief from:
pain
numbness
itching
burning
Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is a powerful antioxidant, which regenerates other antioxidants in your body (like vitamins C and E) and returns them to the front-lines of the inflammation battle caused by free-radicals.
If you have high blood sugar, ALA can be a lifesaver
In fact, in one carefully controlled study, 74 patients were given ALA or a placebo (fake pill). Those given ALA boosted their ability to absorb and use blood glucose by 27%!
Other studies show ALA improves your body’s sensitivity to insulin, which is critical for Type 2 diabetics.
Alpha Lipoic Acid also improves your ability to burn blood sugar. ALA can also lower your fasting glucose levels and enable your cells to store more glucose for energy — helping prevent weight gain and aiding weight-loss. Rather than having blood sugar just build-up, ALA helps the system work more efficiently and achieve a healthier homeostasis (balance).
- Gymnema Sylvestre Leaf Extract
The extract is derived from the leaves of a climbing plant native to the forests of central and south India. An effective natural treatment for diabetes, Gymnema leaves have been used in traditional medicine since the 6th century B.C.
What Condition (s ) is Gymnema Sylvestre Effective For?
Diabetes
How Does Gymnema Sylvestre Work?
The leaves of the Gymnema Sylvestre plant contain gymnemic acids, which have shown to slow the transport of glucose from the intestines to the bloodstream. This, in turn, helps to:
Lower blood sugar
Lower hemoglobin A1c
Some research also suggests Gymnema Sylvestre extract can help repair and regenerate the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin.
Scientifically Speaking
Research shows Gymnema Sylvestre extract is an effective therapy for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
In one clinical trial, 22 people with type 2 diabetes who were taking oral diabetes drugs, like Metformin, also took 400 mg of Gymnema Sylvestre extract (as GS4) daily. Participants experienced significant reductions in blood sugar, hemoglobin A1c and glycosolated plasma protein levels.
More remarkably, at the end of the 18-month study, the participants were able to reduce their drug dosages, and five of the study subjects were able to effectively maintain normal blood sugar levels with the GS4 alone. The researchers concluded, “the beta cells may be regenerated in type 2 diabetic patients on GS4 (Gymnema Sylvestre) supplementation.”
In another study, researchers gave 27 people with type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes 400 mg of Gymnema Sylvestre extract (GS4) daily. After 10 to 12 months, Gymnema Sylvestre extract demonstrated a number of benefits, including reductions in fasting blood sugar, hemoglobin A1c and glycosylated plasma protein levels. Insulin requirements were also reduced.
In one clinical trial, 22 people with type 2 diabetes who were taking oral diabetes drugs also took 400 mg of Gymnema sylvestre extract (as GS4) daily. Participants experienced significant reductions in blood sugar, hemoglobin A1c and glycosolated plasma protein levels.
- Chromium
The chromium and diabetes “buzz” has been out there for years. Many diabetics, and a number of scientists, believe that Chromium may help lower blood glucose levels. Chromium is considered an essential trace mineral, meaning the body needs the mineral in trace amounts to run properly. It is not produced by the body and must be consumed in our diet or through nutritional supplements. You need chromium to help metabolize fats and carbohydrates. The mineral also helps brain function (including brain-fog) and other bodily functions through fatty acid stimulation and cholesterol synthesis. Importantly, it also activates several key enzymes that produce chemical reactions in the body that are essential for life.
Chromium is needed for insulin metabolism
Chromium prevents diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity
Of all the trace minerals, chromium may be the most beneficial to diabetes patients. It's an insulin potentiate (making it more effective), so it makes the body's own insulin production go further.
- Cinnamon Bark
Cinnamon is commonly used as a spice in many recipes yet its claim to fame for its health benefits is just now coming to light in the U.S. Yet, it’s no secret that eating too many sugar-ladened foods and refined carbs causes blood sugar to skyrocket. Over time, constant or excessively high blood sugar can damage, and even kil,l the “insulin receptors” on your cells. When that happens, your body’s cells don’t respond as well to insulin, so your cells don’t absorb as much sugar into your muscles to produce energy. Recently, scientists discovered that cinnamon could solve this problem
The type of cinnamon is vital here – not any old cinnamon from the grocery store. There’s only one form of cinnamon that’s been shown to work in human studies, and it’s called Cinnamomum cassia, included in the proprietary blend of Blood Sugar Modulator.
- Vanadium
A trace mineral found in the body.
Vanadium – how does it work to lower blood sugar?
Normally, vanadium acts as a co-factor for various enzymes which are part of blood sugar, lipid and cholesterol metabolism.
Many clinical trials conducted in animals determined what vanadium does for diabetes. In both type 1 and 2 diabetes, vanadium works by mimicking the insulin, leading to lower blood sugar.
To order Blood Sugar Modulator, available from the exclusive distributor, go to www.naturalrejuvenation.solutions (formerly the Health Matters Store) or call Toll-free (888) 352-8175, Closed Friday. Direct line: (208) 255-5252.
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