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How Sweet It... ISN'T
An amazingly large number of people I see in my practice have blood sugar issues.
This may not be surprising considering the high amounts of grains and sugar-containing processed foods people eat these days. Even so it is still cause for concern. High blood sugar is associated with all sorts of health problems.
Here's a short list:
- Hypoglycemia - high blood sugar can trigger the sudden and severe drop in blood sugar that hypoglycemics experience. Of course this then triggers hunger and the cycle often starts over again. Fatigue, fuzzy thinking and mood swings are all part of this pattern.
- Diabetes - the hallmark of diabetes is highly elevated blood sugar levels. Type II diabetics are at much higher risk for heart disease, circulatory problems, kidney disease and strokes.
- Metabolic Syndrome - also called Syndrome X, this is a situation where chronically elevated insulin levels (triggered by high blood sugar) cause the body's cells to resist the effects of insulin, causing blood sugar levels to remain unnaturally high. Weight gain, pain in joints and connective tissue, and forgetfulness are common.
- Inflammatory conditions - with insulin resistance, cells in the body start concentrating the sugars by combining them with proteins. This happens in the same way that milk becomes caramel. It creates sticky, gooey blockages in tissues that generate inflammation as your body fights to clear it. Fibromyalgia, arthritis, and circulatory problems can all result.
- Cancer - surprised? It turns out that cancer cells feed on sugar. Although some might argue against the idea that sugar causes cancer, there is abundant evidence that it aggravates it. Why risk it?
What Can You Do?
Aside from the obvious—reducing intake of refined, concentrated sugars—there are a number of supplements that can help. Here are some of the best:
- CoQ10. Although known for promoting heart health, CoQ10 also lowers blood glucose in diabetics by 30%. It helps the body detoxify and increases cellular energy. In addition, it is an antioxidant, reduces toxic iron levels in cells and protects the heart and brain.
- Chromium. When chromium levels are low, HDL (good cholesterol) drops, insulin resistance develops and triglycerides and total cholesterol both rise. People who take chromium supplements improve insulin sensitivity, decrease cross-linked sugars and proteins and reduce total cholesterol.
- Herbal Remedies. Panax ginseng, silymarin (milk thistle) and cinnamon extract all support the body's ability to regulate blood sugar. One particular compound made from cinnamon, called MHCP (methylhydroxy chalcone polymer), has shown real potential for treating diabetes.
- Omega-3 fatty acids. You are probably familiar with Omega-3 for lowering the risk of stroke and heart attacks and reducing inflammation. Since sugars can create both inflammation and greater stroke and heart attack risk, Omega-3 fatty acids are an excellent preventive.
- Alpha-lipoic acid.
Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) exists in our every cell and tissue and is very
effective in lowering blood sugar and preventing diabetic complications —
especially cardiovascular and neurological problems. It is unique because it
is both fat and water soluble, allowing it to benefit all the tissues of the
body.
In addition, ALA strengthens immunity, improves cellular energy, protects brain cells against excito-toxicity and removes excess iron and other toxic metals. A number of studies have shown that it can correct blood sugar in type-2 diabetics and improve or even eliminate insulin need in insulin-dependent diabetics.
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