Blood Sugar: A Balancing Act
Blood Sugar: A Balancing Act
The issues of blood sugar imbalance range from relatively mild symptoms such as irritability and fatigue due to alternate peaks and dips in glucose (blood sugar), to more serious conditions like obesity, cardiovascular distress, and diabetes. The list of deleterious effects that diabetes itself can have on the body is sobering: vision problems, erectile dysfunction, and nerve damage which, if left untreated, can increase risk of amputation. Lifestyle changes (diet) can be extraordinarily beneficial in improving blood sugar imbalance. Certainly simple carbohydrates, which are immediately converted to sugar, should be kept to a minimum as the body responds to chronically high levels of glucose by releasing greater amounts of the hormone insulin. These high insulin levels damage the body.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
There are many nutrients which can aid in bringing blood sugar into balance and improving glucose utilization. The mineral chromium may regulate the body’s blood sugar levels, reducing high levels in people with high blood sugar and increasing blood sugar in people with low blood sugar levels. One of the most critical nutrients for blood sugar and diabetes support is the coenzyme alpha lipoic acid. This powerful antioxidant has multiple applications here. Primarily, it increases cellular uptake as well as oxidation (burning) of glucose. Studies have shown that it also stimulates insulin activity and reduces insulin resistance in diabetics. In addition to regulating blood sugar, it is also able to reduce and improve the neuropathies (nerve damage) which result from diabetic complications. By virtue of its ability to reduce glycation, the undesirable bonding of sugars to proteins, which is increased in diabetes, it also protects eye tissues from the retinopathy which may result.
Jarrow’s Alpha Lipoic Sustain
Another nutrient which may help to regulate blood sugar levels is the B-family vitamin biotin. One alpha lipoic acid product from Jarrow Formulas, Alpha Lipoic Sustain, combines this nutrient with 300 mg of alpha lipoic acid in a dual-action tablet providing a combination of both quick and sustained releases to maximize and sustain blood sugar levels. This product is gluten-free and vegan.
Sucontral D
Terry Naturally has released another amazing product with a lot of clinical research behind it. Sucontral D garners tremendous positive feedback here at Evergreen. Based on a plant called Hintonia latiflora, native to Mexico and Central America, with a long history of traditional use, Sucontral has been shown to modulate sugar release from carbohydrates, thereby allowing people to experience even-keel blood sugar levels throughout the day, preventing the “spiking” that affects energy and mood. In addition, clinical studies have found the product to support healthy cholesterol and triglyceride balance, healthy A1C levels, and healthy insulin function.
Balancing Botanicals
There is a host of herbs with the ability to help maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Cinnamon, gymnema, green coffee bean, mulberry, bitter melon, nopal and others are becoming popular as people with blood sugar issues seek to manage their conditions naturally. There are formulas available which combine herbs with nutrients like alpha lipoic acid for total support. Of course, there are also multivitamins specifically for diabetics as well, such as Nature’s Way Alpha Betic, and all of these products can be found at Evergreen in our Blood Sugar section, located on the (Willamette) west wall.
For more information on ways to help support healthy blood sugar see our previous newsletters on: nopal cactus, berberine, Sucontral D, and alpha lipoic acid.
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