AVOID ADDING SUGAR TO ANYTHING.

You DO NOT want your blood sugar spiking and releasing insulin. You want the highest insulin sensitivity possible. These Glucose Disposal Agents in conjunction with dry fasting can assist in regulating blood sugar.

1. R-ALA (in Thermogenesis)

R-Alpha Lipoic Acid (R-ALA), an active isomer of Lipoic Acid, is easily synthesized and metabolized by the body. R-ALA is 2 times more effective than regular (RS) Alpha Lipoic Acid and is a key component of mitochondrial dehydrogenase, which may help to slow the natural aging process in animals. Alpha lipoic acid is known as the “universal antioxidant” because of its unique solubility in both water and fat. It has the ability to conserve and prolong the life of vitamins C & E in the body, increasing their effectiveness. Alpha lipoic acid is also an excellent metal detoxifier, particularly for mercury and cadmium, which it binds to and neutralizes for excretion.

2. Bitter Melon (in Thermogenesis)

Four cucurbitane glycosides, momordicosides Q, R, S, and T, and stereochemistry-established karaviloside XI, were isolated from the vegetable bitter melon (Momordica charantia). These compounds and their aglycones exhibited a number of biologic effects beneficial to diabetes and obesity. In both L6 myotubes and 3T3-L1 adipocytes, they stimulated GLUT4 translocation to the cell membrane—an essential step for inducible glucose entry into cells. This was associated with increased activity of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a key pathway mediating glucose uptake and fatty acid oxidation. Furthermore, momordicoside(s) enhanced fatty acid oxidation and glucose disposal during glucose tolerance tests in both insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant mice. These findings indicate that cucurbitane triterpenoids, the characteristic constituents of M. charantia, may provide leads as a class of therapeutics for diabetes and obesity.

http://ac.els-cdn.com/S1…/1-s2.0-S1074552108000823-main.pdf…

3. Gymnema Sylvestre (in Thermogenesis)

Gymnema sylvestre is native to India, and its leaves are a traditional folk medicine for diabetes. Several studies in humans and animals have confirmed it can improve glucose control, possibly by inhibiting glucose uptake in the small intestine and enhancing insulin release. It may even have positive effects on lipid metabolism and has potential for use in treating diabetes and obesity.

4. Berberine (in Thermogenesis)

Phellodendron amurense is otherwise known as “Amur Cork Tree.” A native of Asia, the bark has been used in Chinese traditional medicine to treat gastrointestinal problems, ulcers, diabetes and infections. Berberine is the best characterized of the compounds that have been identified. Berberine has antibacterial, anti-tumor and antioxidant activities. It may also have anti-diabetic activity: in one study, it decreased body fat and fasting glucose levels in rats. This work is not conclusive, however, as the berberine was administered by injection, not consumed orally. Unfortunately, we don’t have many other in-vivo studies on berberine or Phellodendron.

5. Chromium

Chromium Picolinate or Chromium Polynicotinate or Chromium FTG or chelated Chromium a nutritional form of the essential mineral chromium, as a safe nutritional supplement that may reduce the risk of insulin resistance and possibly type 2 diabetes. One small study suggests that chromium picolinate may reduce the risk of insulin resistance, and therefore possibly may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. FDA concludes, however, that the existence of such a relationship between chromium picolinate and either insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes is highly uncertain. Chromium Polynicotinate is a niacin bound form of chromium picolinate which is considered less potentially toxic with better absorbsion qualities while FTG and the chelated form of chromium are from organic sources and considered the safest of all.

6. Vanadyl Sulfate

Under normal conditions, the body contains 20 to 25 mg. of vanadium, and the average diet supplies about 2 mg. of vanadium per day. Food sources rich in vanadium include pepper, dill, radishes, eggs, vegetable oils, buckwheat and oats. Because of their organic environment, these natural sources are likely to be safer than over the counter preparations.

7. Ceylon Cinnamon

There has been a lot of talk these days about cinnamon. According to some studies, cinnamon may improve blood glucose and cholesterol levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. The results of a study from 2003 in Pakistan showed lower levels of fasting glucose, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol after 40 days with levels continuing to drop for 20 days after that.

8. Vinegar

You can lower blood sugar with apple cider vinegar, which has long been valued for its nutritive properties as a folk remedy. The health benefits and effect of apple cider vinegar on blood glucose levels has been clinically researched.

9. Corosolic Acid

Corosolic acid, a triterpenoid found in the leaves, helps regulate blood sugar by stimulating glucose uptake. This blood sugar lowering effect is similar to that of insulin – which induces glucose transport from the blood into body cells. In a study of humans with type-2 diabetes, banaba extract showed a 30% reduction in blood glucose levels. It is considered a natural plant insulin, can be taken orally, and has no side effects, according to Japanese research. Corsolic acid also appears to have strong antioxidant properties.

10. Extracts of Fenugreek

The chemical compounds found in fenugreek have the ability to aid the digestive process. Consequently, when taken with meals it is believed that fenugreek is able to slow down the rate at which sugars are absorbed into the body, whereby regulating blood sugar levels. Additionally, studies indicate that 4-hydroxyisoleucine (an amino acid) found in fenugreek may induce or promote the production of insulin when blood sugar levels are elevated.

11. Cissus (in Thermogenesis)

Cissus quadrangularis is also known as “Veld Grape.” It’s another medicinal plant native to Africa, India, and other parts of Asia. Cissus has traditionally been used to treat a variety of ailments such as bone fractures, ulcers, wounds, indigestion and asthma. Animal studies have shown Cissus extracts may have gastroprotective effects, contribute to bone health, and have antioxidant/antimicrobial activities. A number of people swear by Cissus as an analgesic and use it to treat weight lifting injuries. Lately, Cissus has also been touted as a fat loss agent, thanks to two studies.The first was discussed by Paul in his review of Cylaris. Of course, this study actually tested the entire Cylaris formula—which makes it difficult to draw conclusions about Cissus itself. A second study, however, did test a proprietary Cissus extract (CQR-300) and concluded it “…brought about significant reductions in weight and blood glucose levels, while decreasing serum lipids thus improving cardiovascular risk factors.”

12. Phellodendron extract

Anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, cholagogue, antibacterial, lowers blood sugar.

13. BMOV (Bis-Malto-Oxovanadium)

BMOV is an organic form of the mineral vanadium. Although elemental vanadium and inorganic salts of vanadium show significant biological potential, it has a poor therapeutic index due to low gastrointestinal absorbance. BMOV is recognized as safer, more absorbable, and able to deliver a therapeutic effect up to 50% greater than the inorganic forms. Vanadium is one of the rare microelements that can promote a profound boost in endurance and strongly support anabolism.

14. Na-R-ALA

(Na RALA is the sodium salt form of R-Lipoic Acid) Sodium R-Lipoate (Na-r-ALA)

ALA is naturally produced in the body as a mitochondrial enzyme cofactor. It is important to aerobic metabolism. ALA has been shown to increase cellular uptake of glucose to cell membranes by recruiting the glucose transporter GLUT4. ALA improves skeletal muscle glucose transport, resulting in desirable blood glucose disposal and increased muscle glycogen concentrations. Studies also indicate that in muscle, ALA is a potent anti-oxidant which protects cells from oxidative stress-induced insulin resistance. ALA is an invaluable addition that offers a multitude of benefits plus countless extras for any serious athlete.

15. Magnolia officinalis

Magnolia bark is used as a general anti-stress and anti-anxiety agent – so its claims typically center on general benefits in controlling stress and anxiety. Newer claims are emerging, however, to link magnolia’s anti-stress benefits with control of the body’s primary stress hormone, cortisol, and the myriad health benefits associated with normal cortisol levels (versus elevated cortisol, which has been associated with obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, memory problems and suppressed immune function).

16. Banaba (in Thermogenesis)

Lagerstroemia speciosa is Banaba—a tree native to Southeast Asia. The leaves have been used in traditional medicine in the Phillipines as a treatment for diabetes. As it turns out, the leaves are high in corosolic acid, which has been shown to improve glucose control in human and animal studies. It appears to do this by stimulating glucose uptake in muscle cells. Glucose transport is mediated by specific transporter proteins. Corosolic acid acts by increasing the amount of a particular transporter (GLUT-4) on the cell membrane surface. Although more work remains to be done, banaba looks like a useful ingredient for treating hyperglycemia and diabetes.

17. Gynostemma Pentaphyllum (in Interstellar Blend and Thermogenesis)

“Gynostemma pentaphyllum is a plant distantly related to the cucumber. In traditional Asian medicine, it’s used to promote longevity. Today’s scientists have discovered why Asian doctors prescribed G. pentaphyllum to address age-related health issues: It promotes AMPK activation.

1. pentaphyllum not only activates AMPK, but it also shuttles excess fats into the mitochondria to be utilized for energy and safe disposal. The result is efficient energy production and a sharp reduction in unnecessary fat storage.

Results of G. pentaphyllum-induced AMPK activation include increased fat burning, as well as an increase in cellular glucose uptake. Extracts of G. pentaphyllum have other beneficial properties as well, including the ability to prolong cellular life in the face of stresses induced by oxidation, fat accumulation, and diabetes.

When scientists began exploring the benefits of G. pentaphyllum for AMPK activation, they turned to animal studies. What they found was that leaf extracts of G. pentaphyllum activate AMPK, resulting in reduced body weight gain and fat accumulation. In a preclinical study, obese mice supplemented with G. pentaphyllum showed impressive declines in markers associated with obesity and its related diseases.

In another study, this time using diabetic rats, three weeks of G. pentaphyllum supplementation resulted in improved glucose tolerance by 35% and reduced new glucose production in the liver by 29%, with a reduction in liver glycogen, the storage form of sugar.

These results show the enormous beneficial impact of reducing circulating sugar and fats in response to AMPK activation by G. pentaphyllum.

Human studies have confirmed what many of the researchers had found in the lab: G. pentaphyllum boosts AMPK activity and provides important longevity benefits.

In a compelling human study, type II diabetics who were not using diabetic medications drank a tea made with G. pentaphyllum. The results compared to controls were:

A 5-fold reduction in fasting glucose,

A 10-fold reduction in hemoglobin A1c, a measure of chronic glucose exposure,

A near 3-fold decrease in insulin resistance,

No dangerously low blood sugar episodes, which can often occur with certain oral antidiabetic drugs (especially sulfonylurea class drugs). In another human study, those taking G. pentaphyllum significantly boosted the effects of a sulfonylurea antidiabetic drug, producing an additional fasting glucose reduction of 52.2 mg/dL compared with just 16.2 mg/dL for the drug alone.

None of these findings should be surprising since the prescription drug metformin, which is an AMPK activator, produces many of these same benefits.” http://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2014/ss/ampk/page-01

(CONTINUED IN THE NEXT BLOG “WHAT WOULD I DO WITH MY CURRENT UNDERSTANDING IF I HAD CANCER?”)