ing to overcome the insulin insensitivity and push glucose into the cell. This condition of hyperinsulinemia is bad enough, because it is associated with a host of serious, undesir- able health issues, some of which have been described. But even worse is the unfortu- nate reality that over time, the pancreas just can’t continue to secrete so much insulin. It becomes fatigued, so to speak, and can’t put out enough to manage blood sugar. Of course, the best way to protect your pancreas from overwork and exhaustion is to minimize refined carbohydrates (foods which contain processed sugars and flours – so-called white foods); eat a whole-foods, low-glycemic-burden, Mediterranean diet, balancing complex carbohydrate and pro- tein in five or six smaller meals and snacks spread through the day; to exercise; and to balance your stress response.
Gymnema for better beta-cells But what if your pancreas is close to
burn-out, what can you do? A number of botanicals have been found to positively affect glucose/insulin balance, among them Momordicacharantia (bitter melon), Vaccin- niummyrtillus (bilberry) and Cinnamonium cassia (cinnamon). A standout among bo- tanicals for blood sugar control, however, is the herb Gymnemasylvestre (known in Hindi as gurmar, or sugar destroyer, because it re- duces the taste of sweetness for a couple of hours after chewing on its leaves). This mel- lifluously named herb has been used in India for 2,000 years to treat diabetes, and extracts of Gymnema have become a focus of sci- entific research for their ability to increase
pancreatic beta-cell insulin production and normalize blood glucose. In naturopathic medicine, Gymnema is an important tool for improving insulin secretion in people with pancreatic fatigue and declining or low insulin output. In my practice I prescribe a formula which contains 100 mg of Gymne- ma extract, standardized to contain 25% of the gymnemic acids which are thought to be the active components of the herb. I usually prescribe Gymnema in two divided daily doses of 100-200 mg each.
Take it slow and steady Because they are very effective, if you
have severe blood sugar imbalance and in particular if you take pharmaceutical medication for blood sugar/insulin regula- tion, you must start with lower amounts of these natural agents and you must monitor blood glucose carefully as you increase them. If you take too much, too soon, it can cause an excessive drop in blood sugar. The goal is balance, so it’s best to take a gradual approach. If you’re on medication, add- ing these natural assists for healthier blood sugar may well enable you to reduce it over time, with the help of the physician who prescribed it (who knows, s/he might want to know how you did it!).
Debra Gibson, N.D. practices naturopathic family medicine in her Ridgefield, CT office. She can be reached at 203-431-4443 or at
drgibsonsoffice@sbcglobal.net. Her weblog can be found at
www.debragibsonnd.com. See ad on page 17.
OF ALL MARRIAGES FAIL According to The Forest Institute
63%
You can avoid the intense emotional pain and stress of break up/divorce by
learning the secrets of successful marriages. Most people make simple mistakes that
cause the partners to drift apart and separate emotionally. But it doesn’t have to be that way…
Imagine waking up feeling in love, and totally connected to your partner.
As a Certified Marriage Educator I have saved many marriages from divorce, even when things looked hopeless. I guarantee that I can help you too. All it takes is one willing partner.
To reserve your Free Relationship Review Call Jef f Forte today 860-633-8555
www.PeakResultsCoaching.com jeff@peakresultscoaching.com
NaturalNutmeg.com 37
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52