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	Control Blood Sugar Naturally	Darrell Miller	10/1/08
	Cinnamon may control sugar levels...	Darrell Miller	7/8/05

Date: October 01, 2008 12:10 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Control Blood Sugar Naturally

Diabetes is an inflammatory condition caused by the autoimmune system, and manifests as resting hyperglycemia. Your blood glucose levels have to be maintained within fine concentration limits: both too high and too low a blood glucose concentration can be dangerous to your well being.

Your blood glucose level is generally controlled by insulin and glucagons, both of which are biosynthesized in the pancreas. Insulin works by making the glucose bioavailable to the mitochondria to convert into energy, while glucagon, the lesser known of this twosome, stabilizes the level of insulin and mobilizes it to do its job. There are two types of diabetes, known as Type I and Type II or A and B.

Type I diabetes, also known as juvenile onset diabetes, is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system destroys Beta cells because they are recognized as being foreign. It is the Beta cells that generate insulin, and so the condition can be fatal. Patients with Type I diabetes must take insulin throughout their lives, and while potential cures are currently under investigation, none are yet available. Although insulin can be effective it does not guarantee survival, and a better form of treatment is required.

Type II diabetes is by far the more common of the two, and is a form of resistance to insulin, where the body cells cannot use insulin properly. The pancreas initially reacts to this by producing more insulin in response to the increased blood glucose level, but through time it loses its ability to produce insulin as a reaction to an increase in blood sugar, even though this occurs as a result of digesting a meal.

The exact causes of either type of diabetes are not known for sure, although the general mechanism by which they work is known. However, Type II diabetes is believed to be due to some form of interaction between genetics and environment, and it is known that the majority of Type II sufferers are obese and also over 40.

The treatment for this type of diabetes is rarely insulin, but a controlled diet, control of your cholesterol level and blood pressure, exercise and specific medicines designed for sufferers of this form of diabetes. However, there are also natural supplements that can be used to control your blood sugar levels. Diabetes was the sixth leading cause of death of the USA in 1999, with 450,000 deaths, and by 2005 had reached about 300 million sufferers world wide. It is therefore a serious and widespread condition, though Type II is less serious than Type I.

It is important to do what you can to control your diabetes, since after several years it can lead to problems with your nerves, eyes, kidneys and gums, and can also lead to heart disease. With diabetes you are at least twice as likely to have a stroke or heart problem as those without it, although you can reduce the risk of this by keeping your blood pressure under control, and the levels of fats in your blood to a minimum. Stopping smoking helps, and there are some natural treatments that can also help you control your diabetes.

The most important means of control is to reduce your blood sugar levels. While there are natural products that will help you to do that, do not stop taking the medication prescribed by your doctor, but use these in addition to what you are already taking. Among specific substances that can help are:

Chromium: chromium helps your body to use insulin properly. When taken in the form of chromium picolinate, it helps to replace chromium that diabetics appear to be short of. Human studies have indicated that chromium can decrease insulin levels and improve the metabolism of blood sugar in those with Type II diabetes. Some claim that chromium is harmful to health, but the general opinion is that it helps, though you should consult your doctor before using it.

Cinnamon: If you take cinnamon daily, your blood sugar levels should gradually decrease. It appears to enable your cells to make better use of the insulin your blood, although there still discussion as to the mechanism by which this occurs and of the active ingredient in cinnamon that promotes it. Some claim it to be a flavonoid known as methylhydroxyChalcone polymer, or MHCP. However, others claim it not to be MHCP, but polyphenol type-A polymer. Whichever it is, many people are finding cinnamon to be effective in reducing high levels of blood sugar to a more manageable level.

Milk Thistle: It is known that antioxidants can help to control blood sugar, and the flavolignins in Silymarin marianum, an herbal extract available from milk thistle seeds, work in this manner. It is also good for protecting the liver from toxins. Although it is not clear how it is done, silymarin appears to help to control Type II diabetes possibly by way of liver digestion of sugars in the blood. The liver processed glucose and improving its function through the consumption of milk thistle could help reduce blood sugar as well. Mulberry: The Chinese make what is known as “sugar control herbal tea” from mulberry leaves, green tea and jasmine. Mulberry leaves contain adenine, pectin and choline, and also high levels of Vitamins A and B types. This tea is used by the Chinese to control blood sugar levels, which might occur through the antioxidant effect of the mulberry constituents.

Salacia oblonga: This is an herb used in India and Sri Lanka that appears to cause a dramatic drop in the levels of insulin and sugar in the blood. It binds to enzymes in the intestine that break carbohydrates down into sugars, and so reduces the amount of sugar in your blood. That in turn reduces the amount of insulin released by the pancreas.

Apple Cider Vinegar: There is evidence that apple cider vinegar can help to control your blood sugar levels if taken before a meal. Just two tablespoons appears sufficient to give a noticeable result. This is one of those home remedies that might be just anecdotal, but might also work, so is worth trying.

Zinc: It has been discovered that diabetics suffer a deficiency in zinc. This mineral plays a part in the storage and production of insulin in your body, and a deficiency could cause an increase in your sugar level. Oysters, pecans, almonds, lamb and chicken are all good sources of zinc.

Glyconutrient complexes: we know that diabetes is an autoimmune disease for type I individuals. Supporting a properly function immune system requires a good diet as well as a diet rich in Glyconutrients. The polysaccharides found in glyconutrient formulas can help the immune system communicate better with the body and just possibly correct some autoimmune diseases which attach our cells.

These are the natural supplements that people are taking to help control their blood sugar and diabetes. It is important that you take nothing that interferes with the medicines given to you by your physician, so you should let your doctor know of any natural supplement that you are using in addition to your prescription medicines. However, it is possible to control your blood sugar with natural supplements, and those mentioned above are just a few of the natural substances available that can help diabetics control their condition and so avoid the side effects.

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Date: July 08, 2005 10:48 AM
Author: Darrell Miller (dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Cinnamon may control sugar levels...

Best Cinnamon

Cinnamon,
a staple ingredient in apple pie, has remained one of the
world's favorite spices throughout recorded history. The
evergreen cinnamon tree (Cinnamomum verum), considered to be
true cinnamon, is native to Sri Lanka. Chinese cinnamon
(Cinnamomum cassia or Cinnamomum aromaticum), the cinnamon most
commonly sold in the U.S., goes by the name “Cassia.” Usage of
cinnamon in Chinese medicine is said to date back over 4,000
years. Mentioned in the Bible, cinnamon was imported to Egypt
and Europe from the Far East by 500 B.C. In addition to its
value as culinary spice, cinnamon has traditionally been
utilized as a folk medicine for colds and minor digestive
complaints. True cinnamon and cassia are very similar; cassia
has a more pungent flavor. Cassia buds can be found in potpourri
and used as a flavoring agent in sweets and
beverages.1

Recent research has revealed that constituents in
cinnamon bark called procyanidin Type-A polymers help maintain
the body's ability to metabolize glucose in a healthy way.* Best
Cinnamon Extract is Cinnulin PF®, a patented, water extract of
Cinnamon that contains Type-A polymers. Cinnulin PF® is a
registered trademark of Integrity Nutraceuticals International
and is manufactured under US Patent #
6,200,569.

Benefits

Use as Part of Your Diet to Help
Maintain a Healthy Blood Sugar Level*

In Vitro and Animal
Studies

Research has revealed that a number of herbs and
spices have insulin-like activity.2 In a study by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA), cinnamon demonstrated the
greatest ability to stimulate cellular glucose metabolism among
49 botanicals tested.3

In a 2001 study, researchers at the
USDA's Human Nutrition Research Center showed that bioactive
compounds in cinnamon trigger an insulin-like response in fat
cells.4 These compounds stimulated glucose uptake into cells and
increased glycogen (stored glucose) production via activation of
the enzyme, glycogen synthase.

The bioactive compounds in
cinnamon appear to potentiate insulin activity at the level of
the cell receptor for insulin. It has been shown that insulin
resistance involves down regulation of “insulin signaling”
characterized by dephosphorylation of the receptor.5 Enzymes
called “protein tyrosine kinases” (PTPases) are believed to
decrease receptor phosphorylation, and increased PTPase activity
has been observed in insulin resistant rats.6 Cinnamon compounds
have demonstrated the in vitro ability to inhibit PTP-1 and
increase autophosphorylation of the insulin receptor.7

In a
recent animal study, cinnamon (cassia) extract was administered
to rats for three weeks. Following this, the rats were infused
with insulin and glucose to assess their insulin response.
Increased phosphorylation of the insulin receptor was observed
in skeletal muscle of these rats, suggesting that cinnamon has
the ability to potentiate insulin function by normalizing
insulin signaling, leading to improved uptake of glucose into
skeletal muscle.8

Until recently, the precise molecular
structure of the bioactive compounds in cinnamon had not been
clearly defined. The USDA has now determined that the bioactive
compounds in cinnamon are water-soluble procyanidin Type-A
polymers of catechin and epicatechin. In a 2004 study, type-A
polymers were isolated from cinnamon and characterized by
nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy. Type-A
polymers were found to increase in vitro insulin activity by a
factor of 20. Type-A polymers also exhibited antioxidant
activity, as measured by inhibition of free radical production
in platelets. These results suggest that, in addition to
regulating glucose metabolism, cinnamon may help protect cell
membranes by controlling the lipid peroxidation associated with
disruptions in insulin function.9

HUMAN CLINICAL TRIALS

The effect of cinnamon on glucose and blood lipids
levels on people with type 2 diabetes was tested in a recent
randomized, placebo-controlled trial. A total of 60 subjects
were divided into six groups administered 1, 3, or 6 grams of
cinnamon daily, in 500 mg capsules, or equal numbers of placebo
capsules.

The cinnamon or placebo capsules were consumed for
two periods of 20 days each. Serum glucose, triglyceride,
cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol were measured
after 20 days, 40 days and again at the end of a 20-day wash-out
period, during which neither cinnamon nor placebo was
consumed.

In all three cinnamon groups, statistically
significant reductions in blood glucose levels occurred, with
decreases ranging from 18 to 29 percent. Interestingly, glucose
levels remained significantly lower after the 20-day wash-out
period (60 days from the study start) only in the group that
took the lowest cinnamon dose (1 gram daily). The placebo groups
showed no significant changes.

Decreases in triglyceride
levels ranging from 23 to 30% were observed in all three
cinnamon groups after 40 days. When the study ended at 60 days,
triglyceride levels remained lower than at the study start in
the 1 and 3 gram cinnamon groups, but not in the group taking 6
grams daily. Cholesterol reductions also occurred with the three
cinnamon doses, with decreases ranging from 13 to 25% that were
maintained at the study end. For LDL, the 3 and 6 gram cinnamon
groups showed significant reductions from 10 to 24%, while in
the 1 gram cinnamon group, non-significant reductions occurred
after 40 days; LDL levels continued to decrease, reaching
statistical significance at 60 days. With respect to HDL,
significant increases were seen only in the 3 gram cinnamon
group after 20 days; non-significant changes occurred in the 1
and 6 gram groups after 40 days.

The overall results of this
trial demonstrate that cinnamon exerts a beneficial effect on
blood glucose and lipid levels in people with type 2 diabetes,
at daily intakes of 1 gram, and that this low dose is equally
efficacious as are the higher doses of 3 and 6
grams.10

Safety

The various species of cinnamon are
classified as GRAS (generally regarded as safe) herbs.11 The
Botanical Safety Handbook lists Cinnamomum cassia a “Class 2b”
herb; not to be used during pregnancy.12 The water-soluble
cinnamon extract is largely free of the lipid-soluble components
of cinnamon most likely to be toxic at high dose of cinnamon and
long-term consumption of the herb.9

*This statement has not
been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product
is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any
disease.

Scientific References

1. Manniche, L. An Ancient
Egyptian Herbal. 1989, Austin , TX : University of Texas
Press.

2. Khan A, Bryden NA, Polansky MM, Anderson RA.
Insulin potentiating factor and chromium content of selected
foods and spices. Biol Trace Elem Res 1990;24(3):183-8.

3.
Broadhurst CL, Polansky MM, Anderson R. Insulin-like biological
activity of culinary and medicinal plant aqueous extracts in
vitro. J Agric Food Chem 2000;48(3):849-52.

4. Jarvill-Taylor
KJ, Anderson RA, Graves DJ. A hydroxyChalcone derived from
cinnamon functions as a mimetic for insulin in 3T3-L1
adipocytes. J Am Coll Nutr 2001;20(4):327-36.

5. Nadiv O,
Shinitzky M, Manu H, et al. Elevated protein tyrosine
phosphatase activity and increased membrane viscosity are
associated with impaired activation of the insulin receptor
kinase in old rats. Biochem J. 1998;298(Pt 2):443-50.

6.
Begum N, Sussman KE, Draznin B. Differential effects of diabetes
on adipocyte and liver phosphotyrosine and phsophoserine
phosphatase activities. Diabetes 1991;40(12):1620-9.

7.
Imparl-Radosevich J, Deas S, Polansky MM, et al. Regulation of
PTP-1 and insulin receptor kinase by fractions from cinnamon:
implications for cinnamon regulation of insulin signalling. Horm
Res 1998;50:177-182.

8. Qin B, Nagasaki M, Ren M, et al.
Cinnamon extract (traditional herb) potentiates in vivo
insulin-regulated glucose utilization via enhanced insulin
signaling in rats. Diabetes Res Clin Pract
2003;62(3):139-48.

9. Anderson R, Broadhurst CL, Polansky MM,
et al. Isolation and characterization of polyphenol type-A
polymers from cinnamon with insulin-like biological activity. J
Agric Food Chem 2004; 52(1):65-70.

10. Khan A, Safdar S,
Muzaffar M, et al. Cinnamon improves glucose and lipids of
people with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care
2003;26(12):3215-18.

11. Duke, JA. Handbook of Phytochemical
Constituents of GRAS Herbs and Other Economic Plants. 1992. Boca
Raton, FL: CRC Press.

12. Botanical Safety Handbook. American
Herbal Products Association. McGuffin M, et al., eds. 1997; Boca
Raton , FL : CRC Press.

Acting as a biochemical
"super-thiamin," it does this through several different cellular
mechanisms, as discussed below.

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