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Alpha Lipoic Acid Benefits (Buy at Trader JoesTake 600mg/day)

ALA has been used to improve liver health, treat diabetes-related nerve damage and help

regulate blood sugar, prevent diabetic retinopathy (damage to the eyes done by diabetes), and

provide protection against oxidative processes involved in the degenerative diseases. In addition

to being a powerful antioxidant and liver purifier, Alpha Lipoic Acid has shown promise in

several areas of medicine.

Alpha Lipoic Acid: Most Powerful AntioxidantAlpha lipoic acid is an extremely important antioxidant that destroys many of the free-

radicals that are harmful to the human body. Lipoic acid is both water and fat soluble.

This is beneficial in countering many different forms of oxidative stress and cellular

damage in any part of a cell.

Alpha Lipoic Acid and DiabetesPeople with diabetes are at greater risk for the development of cardiovascular disease,

kidney disease, nerve damage and blindness. Clinicians and patients in Europe who

have used Alpha Lipoic Acid have reported significant reductions in complications

associated with diabetes, including neuropathy, and cataracts . ALA has shown

benefits in also found reversing diabetic neuropathy and in assisting the body ability to

utilize glucose. There is evidence which suggests that ALA my help diabetics reduce

their reliance on insulin.

Diabetic Neuropathy

Extensive studies have demonstrated that oxidative stress may be a final common pathway in

the development of damage to the nervous system caused by diabetes, also known as diabetic

neuropathy. Antioxidants can also prevent or in some cases reverse hyperglycaemia-induced

nerve dysfunction. ALA demonstrated positive results for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy

in major studies. The Alpha-Lipoic Acid in Diabetic Neuropathy (ALADIN) study evaluated

three intravenous doses of alpha-lipoic acid and involved 328 type 2 diabetics with neuropathy.

These patients were treated with 1,200 mg, 600 mg, or 100 mg of the antioxidant or a placebo

for a period of three weeks. Improvements of 30% or more in symptom scores were seen in

71% of the 1,200-mg group, in 82% of the 600-mg group, in 65% of the 100-mg group.

Diabetes Mellitus

Chronically elevated blood glucose levels are the hallmark ofdiabetes mellitus (DM). Impaired

cellular glucose uptake in response to insulin (insulin resistance) plays a key role in the

development of type 2 DM (40). Although individuals with type 2 DM may eventually require

insulin, type 2 DM is also known as noninsulin-dependent DM because interventions that

enhance insulin sensitivity may be used to maintain normal blood glucose levels.

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Glucose Utilization

There is evidence that high doses of ALA can improve glucose utilization in individuals with

type 2 DM. A study of 72 patients with type 2 DM found that A LA at doses of 600 mg/day,

1200 mg/day or 1800 mg/day improved insulin sensitivity by 25% after 4 weeks of treatment

(43). There were no significant differences among the three doses of LA, suggesting that 600

mg/day may be the maximum effective dose (40).

Diabetic Neuropathy

A LA approved for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy in Germany (4). More than 20% of

diabetic patients develop peripheral neuropathy, a type of nerve damage that may result in pain,

loss of sensation and weakness, particularly in the lower extremities. In addition to the pain and

disability caused by diabetic neuropathy, it is a leading cause of lower limb amputation in

diabetic patients. The results of several large randomized controlled trials indicate that

maintaining blood glucose at near normal levels is the most important step in decreasing the

risk of diabetic neuropathy. However, such intensive blood glucose control may not beachievable in all diabetic patients. A meta-analysis that combined the results of four randomized

controlled trials, including 1258 diabetic patients, found that treatment with 600 mg/day of

ALA for 3 weeks significantly reduced the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy to a clinically

meaningful degree.

In the longest trial of oral ALA therapy, 299 patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy were

randomly assigned to treatment with 1200 mg/day of racemic LA, 600 mg/day of racemic LA

or a placebo. Those who took either 1200 mg/day or 600 mg/day of LA showed significant

improvement in electrophysiological tests of nerve conduction compared to those who took the

placebo.

Another neuropathic complication of diabetes is cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy, which

occurs in as many as 25% of diabetic patients (40). Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy is

characterized by reduced heart rate variability, and is associated with increased risk of mortality

in diabetic patients. In a randomized controlled trial of 72 patients with type 2 DM and reduced

heart rate variability, oral supplementation with 800 mg/day of ALA for 4 months resulted in

significant improvement in heart rate variability.

Overall, the available research suggests that treatment with 600 mg/day of intravenous LAfor 3 weeks significantly reduces the symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. There is

evidence that ALA may be beneficial in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (600-

1800 mg/day) and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (800 mg/day).

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CHROMIUM PICOLINATE1000mcg per day buy online or at whole foods

When chromium picolinate, is used, all studies have yielded positive results (in blood sugar,

blood insulin and/or blood lipid [cholesterol and triglyceride] readings).[i]

One of these studies, involving 180 type II diabetes patients in China, is a classic: it

documented spectacular results in diabetes patients who took 500 mcg chromium picolinate

twice daily. After four months, nearly all of the diabetes patients no longer had traditionalsigns of diabetes. Their blood sugar and insulin levels dropped to near normal

something that medications could not achieve. Even more importantly, the gold standarddiagnostic measure of diabetesblood levels of hemoglobin A1c (sugar-damaged proteinsthat age cells)also dropped to normal.

A follow-up study by some of the same researchers monitored 833 type II diabetes patients who

took500 mcg chromium picolinate twice daily: a significant reduction in fasting blood sugar

levels and in post-meal blood sugar levels was found during the ten months of the study. No

negative side effects were shown from taking the supplements. In addition, more than 85

percent of the patients reported improvements in the common diabetic symptoms ofexcessive thirst, frequent urination and fatigue.

Chromium supplements, help reverse the underlying disease process that leads to type II

diabetes. In other words, they help both prevent and reverse Type II diabetes

Chromium picolinates benefits for other types of diabetes patientsMany diabetes patients who inject insulinboth type I diabetes patients, and type II diabetes

patients who are in more advanced stages of the diseaserespond positively to chromium

picolinate supplementation. About 70 percent of both types of diabetes patients showimproved insulin responsiveness after taking 200 mcg supplemental chromium per day.

Some experience such improved insulin sensitivity that they are able to reduce the amount of

insulin they inject or the amount of other blood-sugar-lowering medications they take.

Basics about Chromium and Supplementation Dosages

Although researchers still dont know exactly how chromium does its magic, chromium helps

insulin work more efficiently to allow blood glucose to move from the blood into the cells. The

Recommended Daily Allowance Committee recommends 50-200 mcg of chromium per day.

This amount seems reasonable for the average healthy person, but higher amounts are needed

for people with conditions involving insulin resistance, such as type II diabetes and pre-diabetes. Type II diabetes patients who have taken chromium picolinate in low doses200 mcgper dayhave had some improvement in their condition; however, they have not the same

spectacular results as type II diabetes patients who have taken 1,000 mcg per day.

In animal experiments, chromium has demonstrated a lack of toxicity at extremely high

levelslevels several thousand times the estimated safe and adequate daily dietary intake

(ESADDI) limit of 200 mcg per day. There is no evidence of toxic effects related to

chromium supplementation in chromium supplementation in humans or animals.

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For all of these reasons, supplementation with chromium picolinate is a must with diabetes

patients. Its a prudent, safe, well-tested nutritional approach that more often than not will offeryour patients impressive benefits in their condition and their symptoms.

OTHER HELPFUL HERBS AND SUPPLEMENTS

GYMNEMA SYLVESTRE

Main use: Lowering blood sugar Typical dosage: 200 to 250 milligrams twice daily. This plants Hindi name translates as

sugar destroyer, and the plant is said to reducethe ability to detect sweetness. Its regarded as one of the most

powerful herbs for blood-sugar control. It may work by boosting the activity of enzymes that help cells use glucose or by

stimulating the production of insulin. Its not known to cause serious side effects.

BITTER MELON

Main use: Lowering blood sugar Typical dosage: 50 to 100 milliliters (approximately 3 to 6 tablespoons) of the juice daily.

The aptly named bitter melon is thought to help cells use glucose more effectively and block sugar absorption in the

intestine. When Philippine researchers had men and women take bitter melon in capsule form for three months, they had

consistently, lower blood sugar. Gastrointestinal problems are possible side effects.

PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS

Main use: Lowering blood sugar Typical dosage: If you eat it as a food, aim for 12 cup of cooked cactus fruit a day.

Otherwise, follow label directions. The ripe fruit of this cactus has been shown in some studies to lower blood sugar -

levels. You may be able to find the fruit in your grocery store, but if not, look for it as a juice or powder at health food

stores. Researchers speculate that the fruit may possibly lower blood sugar because it contains components that work

similarly to insulin. The fruit is also high in fiber.

GAMMA-LINOLENIC ACID

Main use: Easing nerve pain Typical dosage: 270 to 540 milligrams once a day. Gamma-linolenic acid, or GLA, is a fatty

acid found in evening primrose oil. Research suggests that people with diabetes have lower than optimal levels of GLA,

and studies have found that the supplement can reduce and prevent nerve pain associated with diabetes.

FENUGREEK

Main use: Lowering blood sugar Typical dosage: 5 to 30 grams with each meal or 15 to 90 grams with one meal per day.

These seeds, used in Indian cooking, have been found to lower blood sugar, increase insulin sensitivity, and reduce high

cholesterol, according to several animal and human studies. The effect may be partly due to the seeds high fiber content

The seeds also contain an amino acid that appears to boost the release of insulin. In one of the largest studies on

fenugreek, 60 people who took 25 grams daily showed significant improvements in blood sugar control and post-mealspikes.

Sophora is applied to prevent internal bleeding of various origins: into brain, heart and retina of eyes.

(From 10 drops 4-5 times a day to 1 tsp 2-3 times a day.) It is also used at stenocardia, hypertension,

diabetes, at kidney and liver diseases, for stomach and duodenum ulcers, for gastritis and colitis, diarrhea,

for typhus, sepsis, thrombophlebitis, for hemorrhoids, rheumatism, worms, and at early stages of

tuberculosis. Externally tincture is applied to treat burns. Healing comes very quickly.. Combine fresh

Sophora beans and 70% alcohol (1:1) and let stand for 21 days in a dark place. Take 30-50 drops 3 times

a day before meal. Dry beans are combined with vodka (1:2) Preparation of tincture and dosage are the

same as above.

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Rehmannia and Diabetes

Rehmannia root is correlated with reduced signs and symptoms of the condition of diabetes. Diabetes is causedby an abnormal production of the hormone insulin, leading to increased and decreased levels of sugar(glycogen) within the blood. Rehmannia root is associated with the ability of reducing the loss of stored sugars.Storage of sugars enhances the bodys natural ability to treat low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia).

GLUC-ABATE- Diabetic Tea

10 tea bags, net WT 0.7 Oz (2g x 10 bags)

INDICATIONS:

Herbal Gluc-Abate Diabetic tea is blended with the best oriental herbs. Helps ease the thirst, aches and other discomforts commonly

associated with diabetes.

INGREDIENTS:

Pomegranate Fruit, Sophora Root, Rehmannaia Root, American Ginseng Extract.