Diabetes - A 21st Century Scourge: Nutrients for Blood Sugar Stabilization

We covered a substantial portion of the "doom and gloom" associated with diabetes whether it be grim statistics or the physical ailments it causes. With that being covered we have finally come to the portion of this series where we can bring light, hope and great health to those who are most afflicted and their loved ones. 

We will start by identifying three key areas that will assist greatly with stemming the tide of this scourge. These areas will include nutrients for blood sugar stabilization, nutrients to assist in weight loss and important tests to consider if you are diabetic or pre-diabetic. The test will provide important information that will help you figure out what nutrients are most relevant in your fight and what foods to focus on once dietary concerns are addressed.

In this article will begin with nutrients for improving and supporting blood glucose (sugar) stabilization. As we begin to expound on these supplements it is important to remember that no supplement can replace a healthy eating plan, physical activity, and stress reduction techniques.

Vitamins

A good multivitamin is a must. Even if you are following the meal plans and consuming organic or natural products chances are you are not receiving enough vitamins for optimum health. The key word is ‘optimum’ because the government standards for vitamin and mineral intake are for minimum health outcomes. When choosing a multivitamin ensure the vitamins are natural (not synthetic). Synthetic vitamins are not readily bioavailable (able to be absorbed by the body) and can create inflammation which is to be avoided as much as possible. Below are a few vitamins to focus on but all vitamins are important.

o   Biotin - this B vitamin is instrumental in preventing and overcoming insulin resistance. Reversing insulin resistance will cause a decrease in blood sugar levels which should be monitored closely.

○    Vitamin D₃ - this super vitamin acts more like a hormone and has a host of healthy responsibilities. In particular for diabetics D₃ reduces blood glucose levels and increases sensitivity to insulin making insulin more effective. The optimum range for this nutrient in the body is 50 -­ 100 ng/ml so you may be required to take 2,000 ­- 10,000 IU of D₃ daily until optimum levels are reached.

Minerals

Mineral deficiencies is a significant issue for diabetics and prediabetics. Without the proper minerals the body cannot utilize enzymes that control many bodily functions and also help control blood sugar levels. Below are some of the minerals we need to focus on in the fight to reverse diabetes.

o   Chromium Picolinate - this stealth mineral assists the body in the metabolizing of carbohydrates, fats and protein. Most importantly for diabetics is that it is the mineral that causes blood cells to “receive” glucose essentially overcoming insulin resistance. An optimum range for chromium levels is 35 micrograms for men and 25 micrograms for women. However, for most diabetics it will be necessary to consume 200 ­- 1,000 micrograms per day until optimum levels are reached. The form taken should be a picolinate. Highly refined and processed foods rob the body of chromium since these items requires heavy use of chromium for metabolization.

o   Magnesium - essential for pancreatic repair and support. Magnesium assists in stabilizing blood sugar levels by increasing the number of insulin receptors on blood cells. It also restores or repair beta cells (responsible for producing insulin) in the pancreas.

Other Essential Nutrients

o   Cinnamon - cinnamon has been well established as a blood sugar lowering nutrient. 3­6 grams daily have been shown to decrease fasting blood sugar levels by 18­29%. A high quality cinnamon extract is recommended at 250 milligrams twice daily.

o   Omega 3 Fatty Acids - omega 3’s decrease inflammation, lower triglyceride levels, may help prevent insulin resistance and improve glucose tolerance. Those with impaired gallbladder function or had their gallbladder removed will need to supplement with ox bile to sufficiently breakdown fatty acids such as omega 3’s. 500 - 1,000 milligrams of omega 3 fish oil three times per day is recommended. Those with high triglyceride levels should take 4,000 - 5,000 milligrams daily.

o   Alpha Lipoic Acid - this acid reduces oxidative stress which is very important to diabetics. It is both water and fat soluble allowing it to work in all areas of the body. It also reduces insulin sensitivity and impedes oxidation of LDL cholesterol. 300 milligrams twice a day.

This short list is by no means exhaustive but should give some insight on where to start. As always be sure to consult with a medical professional before starting a supplement regimen.

No recommendations or dosages in this article should be construed as medical advice (because it is not).

The Story of Cholesterol: A Supplemental on Supplementals

In the last article (which was supposed to be the last article in this series) we covered the miraculous and beneficial effects of CoQ10 on heart health and energy. If you or a loved one ever had a heart attack CoQ10 supplementation is a must. 

As far as supplements go the story is a bit more involved than just CoQ10 as wonderful as it is. There are a few other supplements that can greatly improve cardiovascular health and increase energy in the process. The news gets even better when you consider that, along with CoQ10, anyone can benefit from a boost of energy and vitality when the following supplements are added to a healthy lifestyle. Just as before in the previous article it is necessary to point out that nothing written here should be construed as medical advice and that any supplemental regimen should be discussed with your trusted (and open minded) healthcare professional. With that caveat established let's take a look at some of the other supplements that you may or may not be familiar with.

D Ribose

We are energetic beings and our bodies need plenty of energy. ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is how our body gets things done energetically speaking. One of the main constituents of ATP is D-ribose. No D-ribose means there can be no way to produce ATP. Without ATP there can be no energy. D-ribose is generated by the body mostly on the as-needed basis and there is no way to store it. This is an important factor to consider because when tissues are under stress they cannot produce D-ribose and thus the body is robbed of energy. The combination of poor heart function leading to oxygen deprivation and the inability to produce energy can leave you feeling quite poor in deed.

A prominent German physiologist by the name of Heinz-Gerd Zimmer established a connection between heart function and D-ribose. He found that people who had hearts deprived of nutrients and oxygen sometimes due to blockages fared better when given D-ribose.  Zimmer also found that the administration of D-ribose had restorative powers for energy and helped bring about normal diastolic heart function. In a 1992 clinical study D-ribose was also shown to have increased the ability to do exercise in patients that had severe coronary artery disease.

Magnesium

One of the main culprits of poor cardiovascular health is actually the inability to properly absorb calcium which is found in plentiful amounts in most western diets. When calcium is ill-absorbed it remains in the blood stream longer where it has a greater chance to interact with free radicals increasing the rate of calcification that often occurs in arteries and other blood vessels. At this point blockages are sure to happen given enough time. This is where magnesium comes in to help. Magnesium, along with vitamin D, helps to convert calcium into a more absorbable form before it calcifies keeping blood vessels clear. If that was not important, or impressive, enough magnesium is also great at keeping platelets from aggregating (sticking together) and forming blood clots while it also acts as a vascular dilator reducing blood pressure. It should be noted that people suffering from renal insufficiencies should not supplement with magnesium without medical guidance.

B Vitamin Complex (especially B5)

B vitamins in and of themselves provides the body with massive, sustained energy over a significant amount of time and that is simply awesome. For the sake of this article, however, we will cover vitamin B5 specifically in a slightly different light. Many people are unaware of the vital role B5 (also known as pantothenic acid) plays in limiting inflammation and oxidation of cholesterol. No less than 28 clinical studies have shown that vitamin B5 produced positive results regarding triglyceride levels and LDL cholesterol levels while increasing HDL levels. A literature review was conducted by Dr. Mark Houston and published in Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases helped establish pantothenic acid’s importance in cardiovascular health. The literature demonstrated after only four months of B5 supplementation total cholesterol was reduced by 15%, LDL cholesterol by 20% and triglycerides by 32.9% while increasing HDL by 8.4%. He also noted that studies of longer duration showed continued improvement in participants over the initial four month successes. Reduce inflammation and you reduce cholesterol…period!

We long to live lives enriched by the fragrance of energy and productivity radiating from every pore. Sometimes, however, devastating health conditions such a heart attack can rob us of that ability leaving one disturbed and down trodden. The beauty of nature and life is that even if we find ourselves in this lowered state of affairs we do not have to dwell there. An out is often provided if we look carefully and thoughtfully at our circumstances. There are, of course, many more supplements that could be considered but this is a healthy start (pun intended). Proper supplementation of the right nutrients can be the difference between slumming in the doldrums and soaring with the eagles after an adverse cardiovascular event. This article should serve as a great catalyst for conversation between you and your trusted healthcare provider.

Sources for this article include:

The Great Cholesterol Myth (Bowden and Sinatra)

Cold and Flu Season Advice

Powerful Immune support against the cold and flu 

With our first taste of Fall like weather (a welcome relief for most of us) now is a great time to prepare for the “cold and flu” season. Here are a few ideas for you and your loved ones.

What to Eat

Eating well and proper supplementation is key in helping your body fight the good fight. Unfortunately, we tend to rely or otherwise come into contact with an increased amount of comfort foods during this time of year because of the holidays (and perhaps increased alcohol use, as well, for many different reasons). Nourishing the body now with great all-natural nutritionals that contain vitamins and minerals will help either stave off a cold or assist in recovering from one more quickly. Proper vitamin and mineral levels at the start will assist for a faster finish. The old stand-by vegetables to stick close to would be the green leafy variety (spinach, cabbage, etc.) for their calcium and magnesium. Broccoli and tomatoes are excellent for their antioxidant powers. Carrots help increase the flow of blood and also deliver powerful antioxidants ensuring your entire system gets nourished. Incorporate onions and garlic into your eating plan as often as possible. Bacteria and other pathogens have a tough time against this dynamic duo. If you are interested in powerful liquid nutritionals perhaps you should try a fucoidan based beverage. It nourishes the immune system and could prove very effective in your fight against the ill effects of the flu. Read more about it at https://thoughtfulhealth.mysisel.com/en/US/productdetail.htm?id=26.

Exercise

Exercise is an often over looked aspect of cold prevention. Exercise in and of itself is a great detoxifier. Nitric oxide is produced during moderate to strenuous physical activity. This helps to not only keep arteries clear but also helps to remove impurities from the body allowing the immune system to rest and get ready for other potential threats. Getting your heart rate up and maintaining that higher rate for at least twenty minutes could save you days of misery.

Home Remedy

What should you do when you begin to feel the first tell-tale signs of cold or flu like symptoms? Make your own therapeutic syrup! It has been well established that cough syrups, especially for kids, do not work (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,181128,00.html). Follow this simple recipe to make a tonic that could stop or shorten your cold or flu symptoms:

•Honey (Unpasteurized to prevent enzyme destruction; usually a locally produced honey will not be pasteurized)

•Fresh garlic juice

•Organic or Natural Black Seed Oil (cold pressed only)

Mix equal parts black seed oil and garlic juice. Add honey to the mix to a consistency you prefer. It is best to mix and consume at the very first hint of trouble to prevent the onset of all the symptoms. It is also a great preventative so if you are prone to colds and flu take a tablespoon or more of this per week to build your immunity. This particular tonic has been used in our household for over a year and has proved to be very effective.

Following these tips could save you from the expense and misery caused by being sick any longer than you have to be, if at all. If you would like more tips or have a more specific concern contact me at thoughtfulhealth@gmail.com. Happy cooler temperatures to all!

A word of caution…When reading the article referenced for this report please know that I do not endorse the “alternative” to cough syrup sited in the article. The underlying cause should be addressed and the remedy listed above is one of many great alternatives.

Also, it is typically advisable to not give children under the age of two honey because of a potential allergic reaction to some enzymes found in honey. Consult you Healthcare Practioner before doing so.

Powerful Immune support against the cold and flu

Milk: A Different White Lie Part I

The dairy industry has garnered a windfall from it's advertising campaign with it's widely known "Milk. It does a body good" slogan. Does milk do a body good? Evidence that milk is only intended for unweaned creatures, including humans, has been mounting for years. With all the television and print commercials along with huge government subsidies you wouldn't know it. Milk, without doubt, has issues as it relates to the human body. We have been told to drink milk for its nutrient packed goodness especially as it pertains to calcium but a closer look is needed to assist in making an informed decision.

The calcium content of milk as long been the trumpet sounded by the dairy industry as to why we should consume their products. We, the consumer, have obediently danced to the sound of their music in order to sustain growth, especially in children, and maintain strong, healthy bones. Rarely, if ever, are the biological mechanisms of calcium absorption discussed. For calcium to be absorbed it must be found in a 2:1 ratio with magnesium. That is to say for every 2 parts of calcium consumed there must be at least 1 part of magnesium present to make the calcium available for use in the body. Milk is calcium rich but magnesium poor. In fact the calcium/magnesium ratio in milk is 10:1! That makes the excess calcium in milk unavailable to the body. Why, do you ask? Calcium from milk must be converted into a usable form by magnesium which also helps to solidify calcium into bone. A person would have to take a magnesium supplement with milk to absorb all the calcium or risk creating a magnesium imbalance in the rest of the body as magnesium is diverted from other functions to attend to the excess calcium floating around. Consuming cheese for its calcium content is even worse when you consider the calcium/magnesium ratio is 28:1. A study involving 120,000 U.S. women printed in the American Journal of Public Health, 1997 had some startling results. The 12 year study found that women who consumed 2 or more glasses of milk per day had a 45% higher risk of hip fractures and 5% increase in forearm fractures than women who drank less. The study director, Diane Feskanich, advises not to rely on milk for prevention of osteoporosis. Good sources of calcium and magnesium can be found in dark green leafy vegetables, almonds and figs.

Next week the discussion will focus on a seldom discussed but udderly (cheesy pun...wow a pun in a pun!) important hormone called insulin-like growth factor or IGF for short.