Diabetes: Cinnamon and Supplements That Can Help

Using cinnamon for treating diabetes is becoming a growing interest. With cinnamon bark and cinnamon flowers used medicinally, Chinese cinnamon also known as Cinnamomum aromaticum is the form used for diabetes. The active ingredient in cinnamon is the chemical hydroxychalcone which can enhance the effect of insulin.

Hydroxychalcone may work on insulin receptors to increase insulin sensitivity and help promote glucose uptake into cells and tissues and promote glycogen synthesis. Cinnamon has been used for type 2 diabetes and for gastrointestinal complaints, including flatulence, GI spasms, nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea. Cinnamon is just one of the many home remedies for diabetes.

Nutritional Supplements for Diabetes

Below is a list of supplements and how they can help mange diabetes:

• Viamin E - People with diabetes have a higher than usual need for vitamin E, which improves insulin activity and acts as an antioxidant and a blood oxygenator.
• Vitamin C - People with Type 1 diabetes (IDDM) have low vitamin C levels, it lowers sorbitol in diabetics and may improve glucose tolerance in Type 2 diabetes (NIDDM).
• Vitamin B6 - Vitamin B6 supplements improve glucose tolerance in women with diabetes caused by pregnancy.
• Vitamin B12 - Vitamin B12 supplementation has been used with some success in treating diabetic neuropathy.
• Biotin - Biotin is a B vitamin needed to process glucose, it has been shown to work synergistically with insulin and independently in increasing the activity of glucokinase.
• Chromium - As a key constituent of the 'glucose tolerance factor,' chromium is a critical nutrient in diabetes.
• Manganese - Manganese is an important cofactor in the key enzymes of glucose metabolism.
• Magnesium - A deficiency in magnesium may worsen the blood sugar control in Type 2 diabetes.
• Vanadium - A recent study found that when people with diabetes were given vanadium, they developed a modest increase in insulin sensitivity and were able to decrease their insulin requirements.
• Potassium - Potassium supplementation yields improved insulin sensitivity, responsiveness and secretion in diabetics.
• Zinc - Zinc is involved in virtually all aspects of insulin metabolism -synthesis, secretion and utilization.
• Coenzyme Q10 - People with diabetes cannot adequately process carbohydrates, Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, is needed for normal carbohydrate metabolism.
• Inositol - Inositol is needed for normal nerve function since diabetes can cause nerve damage, or diabetic neuropathy.
• Taurine - People with Type 1 diabetes (IDDM) have low taurine levels, that leads to "thickened" blood-a condition which increases the risk of heart disease.
• Carnitine - Carnitine is a substance needed for the body to properly use fat for energy.

 Helpful For Blood Sugar Levels - Glucose M2

Progressive Health's Glucose M2 may help you manage glucose levels, by addressing your body's nutritional needs. When used in conjunction with regular exercise and sound diet, Glucose M2 can provide you with an effective means to manage glucose in your body.

The ingredients in Glucose M2 include:

• Magnesium - Magnesium plays an important role in carbohydrate metabolism. It may influence the release and activity of insulin, the hormone that helps control blood glucose levels. A lack of magnesium can affect insulin resistance.
• Chromium - Chromium may be helpful for moving glucose and other nutrients into the cells of the body more efficiently. Additionally, low chromium levels are linked to other areas of health. Low Chromium levels may be responsible for glucose tolerance and glucose levels in the blood and urine.
• Zinc - Low zinc levels reduce the body's abilities to synthesize and secrete insulin, and glucose.
• Calcium - The most abundant mineral in the body, Calcium is involved in maintaining a multitude of functions in the body including a healthy heart beat. This mineral is also thought to be involved in blood pressure regulation.
• Vandium - Supplementation with Vandium has been reported to help with diabetes. Animal studies have shown that Vandium can help maintain blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides. It has been shown in human studies to be beneficial as well, possessing the ability to promote healthy cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
• Alpha Lipolic Acid - Alpha Lipolic Acid affects insulin as well as the body's regulation of blood sugar. In addition, some of these studies have revealed favorable lipoic acid effects that appear to be independent of its antioxidant properties, including; increased glucose uptake, promotion of new neurite growth and chelation of transition metals.
• Bitter Melon Ext. - The blood sugar leveling action of the fresh juice or extract of the unripe fruit has been shown in both experimental and clinical studies. Bitter melon's many constituents contain several compounds with properties shown to promote healthy blood sugar levels. Of these compounds, Momordica also contains an insulin-like polypeptide, polypeptide-P, which promotes healthy blood sugar levels. 50-60 ml of the juice has shown positive effects in clinical trials.
• Gymnemna Sylvestris Ext. - Gymnemna is thought to promote insulin secretion, and several studies report that it does control blood sugar. Gymnemna assists the pancreas in the production of insulin. It may also decrease one's cravings for sweets.

To learn more about Glucose M2, click here.

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