Blood Sugar Management Programs:
Simple Changes to Keep Levels in Check
Try a natural approach that helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels. In an optimal state, the body maintains blood glucose levels in a fairly narrow range that is neither too low (hypoglycemia) nor too high (hyperglycemia). Stability of blood sugar is important because imbalances, particularly raised levels, can cause serious health problems.
To remain healthy, the body does all it can to maintain normal blood sugar levels. It achieves this stability through the secretion insulin. Research has found, however, that many individuals don't respond to insulin like they should. Left unattended, this would cause blood glucose levels to rise. But because the body tries to keep blood sugar in a normal range, its first response is to secrete more insulin. This condition, which has been called insulin resistance, may be measured in the blood in the form of high blood insulin levels.
Producing more insulin may be beneficial in the short run because it prevents glucose from becoming elevated. The resulting higher circulating insulin levels (hyperinsulinemia) can have repercussions in the long run-such as hypertension, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. Elevated insulin levels may also be associated with weight gain, difficulty losing weight, hypoglycemia, polycystic ovaries, and other blood sugar problems.
A natural strategy should attempt to balance glucose and insulin levels. This goal can be achieved by:
- Simple dietary changes. Patients with blood sugar dysregulation that consume a diet high in simple sugars, processed foods, saturated fats, and low in fiber can exacerbate their condition. By eating the right kinds of foods, such as a low-glycemic-load diet, patients can enhance the success of their program. The glycemic index (GI) assesses blood glucose response to a food, and research documents that people at risk of diabetes should maintain a diet with low GI foods.
- Targeted nutritional support. Research suggests that certain vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients in foods can improve the body's sensitivity to insulin. That is, they can improve the cells response to insulin so that the body needs to secrete less of the hormone to achieve the same effect. And specific starches and fibers help stabilize blood glucose and insulin levels.
- Cinnamon. In a double-blind, controlled trial, cinnamon was shown to promote healthy insulin and glucose metabolism in people with diabetes. In vitro and animal studies also suggest that cinnamon may modulate insulin action.
- Specialized nutrients. Chromium, alpha-lipoic acid, vanadium, vitamin E, biotin, and magnesium support insulin receptor sensitivity and function, as well as insulin-stimulated glucose disposal.
- Antioxidants. Beta-carotene, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, and vitamins A, C, and E help reduce the oxidative stress associated with hyperinsulinemia.
- Protein & isoflavones. Dietary protein adequacy and nitrogen balance are key in controlling dysinsulinemias, and isoflavone intake appears to be inversely associated with incidence of type 2 diabetes.
- Targeted carbohydrates. Studies have shown that high amylose starch improves insulin response and glucose levels of normal and diabetic subjects, and long-term consumption of a diet with high amylose starch may be of benefit in improving hypertriglyceridemia.
- Galactomannan from locust bean. Hypolipidemic agent that may substantially improve both the glycemic and insulinemic responses in patients with type 2 diabetes.
- Soluble fiber from guar gum. Helps lower postprandial blood glucose and insulin in type 2 diabetes.
Healthcare practitioners may recommend an approach that includes UltraGlycemX medical food and a complementary low-glycemic-load dietary plan. UltraGlycemX is formulated with the nutrients above to provide comprehensive nutritional support for patients with conditions associated with blood sugar dysregulation, such as hypoglycemia, hypertension, insulin resistance syndrome, and type 2 diabetes.
UltraGlycemX® medical food support for dysglycemia
Additional Support for Blood Sugar Management:
UltraMeal® medical food support for metabolic syndrome
UltraMeal® Bar medical food support for metabolic syndrome
Ultracare FirstStart™ medical food support for metabolic syndrome in children & teens
Nutraceutical support for healthy blood sugar management