Clinical studies show that supplementation improves blood sugar control

[Guest guest]

Clinical studies show that supplementation improves blood sugar

control JoAnn Guest

Jan 11, 2007 10:52 PST

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The person with diabetes has higher requirements for many nutrients.

 

Clinical studies have shown that supplementation with key nutrients

can improve blood sugar control as well as help prevent or reduce

the development of the major complications of diabetes.

 

Furthermore, taking a multiple vitamin and mineral supplement has

also been shown to boost immune function and reduce infections in

diabetics.

 

Q. What herbal extracts have been shown to be useful in diabetes?

 

The two most active herbal extracts are Gymnema sylvestre and bitter

melon. Gymnema extracts have been shown to enhance glucose control

presumably through helping to increase the production or activity of

insulin.

 

Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) on the other hand has been shown

to contain an insulin-like substance that promotes improved blood

sugar control.

Other herbal extracts useful are fenugreek, milk thistle, and

yacon leaf.

 

Q. What is alpha-lipoic acid and why is important for diabetics?

 

One of the critical goals in nutritionally supporting individuals

with diabetes is to flood the body with a high level of antioxidant

compounds to counteract the negative effects of free radicals and

pro-oxidants. This program is packed with optimal levels of all of

the key nutritional antioxidants (e.g., 900 IU of vitamin E daily)

and includes a daily dosage of 400 mg of alpha-lipoic acid - a

vitamin-like substance that is often described as " nature's perfect

antioxidant. "

 

Unlike vitamin E which is primarily fat soluble and vitamin C which

is water soluble, alpha-lipoic acid can quench either water or fat

soluble free radicals both inside the cell and outside in the

intracellular spaces. Alpha-lipoic acid has been shown to lead to an

improvement in

blood sugar metabolism, improves blood flow to peripheral nerves,

and actually stimulates the regeneration of nerve fibers.

 

 

Knowledge and awareness are the greatest allies for people with

diabetes. An individual with diabetes who makes a strong commitment

to

learning about their condition and who accepts the lead role in a

carefully supervised blood sugar monitoring program greatly improves

the

likelihood that they will lead a long and healthy life.

 

On the other hand, individuals who remain ignorant about their

disease

and who refuse to undergo regular testing or self monitoring are far

more likely to face years of unnecessary suffering and, more often

than

not, catastrophic health problems.

 

Utilizing natural products can lead to definite improvements in

blood

sugar control. These improvements will subsequently be demonstrated

by

changes in the results with the different monitoring tests, but

especially in self-monitored blood sugar levels.

 

 

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Diets