Vitamins, Herbs, And Blood Sugar
Blood sugar is one of the mechanisms of the human body in maintaining metabolic homeostasis. In addition to the part it plays in the distribution of bioactive fuel that serves as the primary precursor of cellular energy, it is a good indicator of overall health. Low levels of blood sugar can result in muscle weakness and feelings of heaviness in the head among others whereas high levels contribute to many metabolic disorders, most notably diabetes mellitus, which afflict an estimated number of 200 million people worldwide. Recent developments in medical science and the resurgence of interest in alternative medicine have proven to be of great help in the management of blood sugar.
In conjunction with lifestyle modifications, supplements have been reported to significantly improve the quality of life and remove a great deal of disease burden. Research looking into the benefits of supplementation to maintain healthy blood sugar levels is one of the most advanced, with clinical trials producing very encouraging outcomes. No matter what your supplement is, make sure it contains the right amounts of chromium, vanadium, and extracts of the herb Gymnema sylvestre.
Minerals And Blood Sugar
Chromium Supplements Reverse Deficiency
It is a widely accepted fact that individuals afflicted with diabetes have low levels of elemental chromium, and many of them are actually diagnosed with chromium deficiency. It has long been postulated that healthy levels of dietary chromium aids glycemic control and the overall metabolism of sugar. In fact, supplementation of chromium has long been used as an adjunct treatment by patients with type 2 diabetes and those who depend on insulin. Indeed chromium is a trace element that stabilizes not only blood sugar, but also other factors of metabolism, such as cholesterol.
Vanadium Promotes Insulin Sensitivity
Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for up to 95% of all cases of diabetes in the US alone, is directly caused by the impairment of glucose sensitivity of cells. The pancreas secretes a hormone called insulin, which is responsible for instructing the cells in the liver, muscles, and fat tissues to take up glucose from the blood. Insulin resistance occurs when these cells fail to respond to insulin, resulting in elevated levels of glucose in the blood. There have been numerous citations concerning the health benefits of vanadium (Vanadyl Sulfate), and one of these points to its ability to ameliorate insulin resistance.
Gymnema sylvestre Suppresses Sugar Cravings
The scientific community is convinced that lifestyle factors play an important role in blood sugar control. In addition to sedentary practices, these factors also include our diet, inasmuch as we get our glucose needs from the foods we eat. Gymnema sylvestre is the herb under investigation for its medicinal potential especially in effectively lowering blood glucose levels. It curbs cravings for foods high in glucose and other saccharides. This herb contains glycosides that are believed to act on taste buds. Right after chewing the leaves, they block the receptors of the tongue responsible for the perception of sweetness and make saccharine foods watery in taste.