The hormone insulin is necessary for regulating glucose levels in the blood. However, in diabetics the body does not produce enough insulin, or cells become resistant to insulin effects. This results in chronically high blood glucose levels that increase the risk for obesity, heart disease and kidney failure. Research indicates that certain supplements can improve blood glucose levels in diabetics. Consult your health care provider before consuming any supplements.
Pycnogenol
In research reported in the October 2004 issue of the journal "Life Sciences," researchers from the Guang An Men Hospital of Chinese Medical Science Research Institute in China studied the impact of pycnogenol on blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics. For 12 weeks, patients consumed 100 mg of pycnogenol with their anti-diabetic medication. At the end of the study, scientists found that the addition of pycnogenol further lowered blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics.
Chromium Picolinate and Biotin
Scientists from Yale University School of Medicine in Connecticut investigated the effects of the combination chromium picolinate and biotin on glycemic control in type 2 diabetics. Patients were randomly assigned to receive 600 micrograms of chromium picolinate and 2 mg of biotin or a placebo for four weeks. Researchers reported in the December 2006 issue of the journal "Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics," that subjects consuming chromium picolinate and biotin experienced significant improvements in glucose tolerance compared to subjects consuming a placebo.
Bitter Melon Extract
In findings published in the March 2008 issue of the "International Journal of Chemistry and Biology," scientists from Garvan Institute of Medical Research explored the effects of bitter melon extract on glucose metabolism. They discovered that bitter melon extract contains compounds that stimulate the activation of the enzyme AMPK, which enhances glucose uptake by cells.
Bilberry Extract
Researchers from Chubu University in Japan examined the impact of bilberry extract on type 2 diabetic mice. They discovered that diabetic mice consuming bilberry extract experienced decreases in glucose levels and increases in insulin sensitivity. Like bitter melon extract, bilberry extract improved glucose levels by stimulating AMPK, according to research reported in the March 2010 issue of the "Journal of Nutrition."
References
- Nutra Ingredients: Pycnogenol Lowers Blood Sugar Levels in Type 2 Diabetics
- Nutra Ingredients: Chromium Picolinate Plus Biotin May Help Diabetes Control
- Science Daily: A Ton Of Bitter Melon Produces Sweet Results For Diabetes
- Journal of Nutrition: Dietary Anthocyanin-Rich Bilberry Extract Ameliorates Hyperglycemia and Insulin Sensitivity Via Activation of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase In Diabetic Mice; M. Takikawa et al.; March 2010
