Characterised by chronic hyperglycemia, most cases of diabetes in the West are linked to lifestyle choices. The good news is that certain dietary supplements can help regulate blood glucose levels.
Described by the World Health Organization as “a leading cause of death globally”, diabetes constitutes a genuine worldwide pandemic, which in all likelihood, poses one of the greatest threats to mankind since the end of the Second World War.
Indeed, there are approximately 61 million diabetics in Europe and 537 million worldwide, though these figures are rising constantly: the number of people with diabetes has increased by 74 million in just two years (1).
This is hardly surprising: type 2 diabetes, which accounts for over 90% of all diabetes cases, is primarily associated with a sedentary lifestyle and a high-fat, high-sugar diet.
In normal circumstances, intake of dietary carbohydrates naturally causes blood sugar levels, or glycemia, to rise after a meal.
The pancreas responds by producing a hormone whose function of which is to allow cells to take up this glucose as needed, with excess sugar sent to the liver and fat cells to be stored.
Except that with age, and especially when the diet contains too much fat and sugar, cells become resistant to the pancreatic hormone: this is the first stage of type 2 diabetes.
From that point on, the pancreas increases production of the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels in order to maintain its blood sugar-lowering effect: this is the second stage of type 2 diabetes.
After a few years, in the absence of any improvements to the diet, the pancreas becomes exhausted and stops producing enough blood sugar regulating hormone: this is the third stage of type 2 diabetes.
Initial approaches to treating type 2 diabetes are fairly self-evident (2):
Should these diet and lifestyle measures prove ineffective at lowering blood sugar levels, doctors will generally recommend diabetes medication, in the form of tablets and then injections.
To tackle this genuine diabetes pandemic and the rapid progression of symptoms, scientists have increasingly been turning their attention in recent years to certain plants used in traditional medicine around the world to help lower blood sugar levels.
Ginger is recognized for helping to regulate blood sugar levels. Several studies suggest that ginger, particularly its gingerol content, has an inhibitory effect on alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase. Ginger may also act by modulating pancreatic hormone production and may improve cells’ sensitivity to this hormone. Hence the scientific interest in the potential of ginger in helping to tackle diabetes (5-7).
With a long history of use in many traditional systems of medicine, fenugreek is also being studied for its ability to lower blood sugar levels. One of its active principles, 4-hydroxyisoleucine, is believed to be responsible for its effects on the pancreatic hormone (8-9).
Fenugreek is thus recognized for helping to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Australia, Japan, Vietnam: Gymnema sylvestris is used in traditional medicine in many countries in Asia and Oceania, as well as in Ayurvedic medicine.
While this vine-like shrub is recognized for supporting weight control, as well as fat and carbohydrate metabolism, it is of particular interest to doctors for its beneficial effects on the pancreas. The active principles in Gymnema sylvestris appear to promote the regeneration of beta cells, a type of cell found in the pancreas which is involved in production of the blood sugar regulating hormone. The plant is therefore considered to offer particular promise in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, especially at an advanced stage (10-11).
Plants belonging to the Berberis family, such as barberry, contain berberine, an alkaloid widely studied for its antioxidant, hypolipidemic and blood sugar-lowering effects.
In a number of studies investigating the efficacy of berberis-based treatment in diabetic subjects, the plant was found to support glucose catabolism, stimulate pancreatic hormone production and improve its blood glucose-lowering function(12-13).
Banaba or crape myrtle, has been used for thousands of years in traditional Asian medicine in the form of a tea or extract, to support weight loss and regulate glycemia. Recent studies have demonstrated that the benefits of banaba, including its recognized contribution to glucose metabolism, are due to one of its active principles: corosolic acid.
That’s why, since the early 2000s, a number of studies have been conducted to evaluate the potential of this Asian plant in the treatment of diabetes and its complications.
It goes without saying that you should feel free to seek advice from your doctor before starting any course of supplements, alongside your medication.
References
Keywords
5 Days
Great products and fast shipping!!’
Phu Nguyen
7 Days
The curcumin really helps my arthritis!
BLANCO Judy
7 Days
One of the supplements I got from your company has alot of pills that where broken. Otherwise shipping is great! Orders are shipped in a timely manner.
Deborah
9 Days
Good website, fast delivery, great product.
Sharon Feyhl
21 Days
ease of ordering, well described products, short delivery time
richard sears
21 Days
Product works as advertised and the delivery time was excellent.
JEFFREY
22 Days
SuperSmart's supplements have always been top-notch for both me and my husband. I recommend this company for the best quality supplements. Whenever I have a health issue that I want to address with supplements, I go first to SuperSmart and look under the health topic supplements category and start looking there first for how to address whatever I need. Can't go wrong with SuperSmart.
Diane
23 Days
You have what the doctor can’t do for me Lower de prolactin I am very happy You change my life.!
MENDOZA Mirna
26 Days
Your products are good. You just need to change the way people purchase. Give customers the option of being a guest purchaser.
Grace Jordan
28 Days
Prompt and accurate service.
Cecelia Grosholz
28 Days
The supplements I have purchased from Supersmart have helped me enormously. Their products are well-priced compared to other brands. My order of H. Pylori Fight Advanced Formula arrived yesterday. I have not used this before, but I am hopeful this will be another positive experience.
C Sara
30 Days
The knowledge of knowing by reading what is available to us.
DOMINIC
32 Days
Their products are excellent. I highly recommend SuperSmart for all supplementation needed.
LAZO Renata
34 Days
great website, good products fast, easy checkout
Vivian
35 Days
Fast and efficient service as always
OOMEN Robert