Insulin Support

This formula is a combination of nutrient and herbal support for healthy glucose metabolism. With select B vitamins and the mineral chromium, it features concentrates of fenugreek, Gymnema, and bitter gourd. This formula provides nutritional support for glucose and insulin metabolism and supports healthy blood lipid levels already within the normal range.

Thiamin: The decreased availability of this enzyme has been implicated in diabetes complications such as blindness, nerve damage, kidney failure, stroke, and cardiovascular disease [1]. Thiamin deficiency may cause diabetic neuropathy by decreasing transketolase, needed for normal myelinization, and thiamine monophosphatase, needed for primary sensory neuron function [2].

Niacin: is required for lipid metabolism, tissue respiration, and glycogenolysis. It may preserve and protect Beta cells [3]. Niacinamide improved insulin secretion in lean diabetics who had failed drug treatment [4].

Chromium and Biotin: synergistically improve glucose tolerance [5,6]. Biotin, in large doses (5-15 mgs) enhances the effects of enzymes involved in glucose metabolism [7]. Chromium polynicotinate, preferred for its bioavailability and biological activity may increase insulin receptor sensitivity and enhance glucose transport [8].  

Bitter Gourd: contains an insulin-like polypeptide shown to exhibit hypoglycemic effects [9] with an onset of action between 30-60 minutes and a peak effect at about 4 hours [10].

Fenugreek Seed: can lower high serum cholesterol and triglycerides [11].

Gymnema Sylvestre: reduces fasting blood sugars, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and glycosylated plasma protein levels and thus insulin requirements in Type 1 diabetics by reducing glucose absorption in the intestine, stimulating pancreatic beta cell growth. Gymnema was shown to also reduce serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, VLDL and LDL [12].

Vanadyl Sulfate: may reduce hepatic gluconeogenesis and “mimic” insulin’s effect [13].

References

1. Obrenovich ME, Monnier VM. Vitamin B1 blocks damage caused by hyperglycemia. Sci Aging Knowledge Environ. 2003 Mar 12; 2003 (10): PE6.
2. Frydl, V., Zavodska, H. Diabetic Polyneuropathy and Vitamin B1, Medwelt,1989;40:1484-6
3. Pozzilli, B. et al. Adjuvant therapy in recent onset type 1 diabetes at diagnosis and insulin requirement after 2 years. Diabete Metab.1995 Feb:21(1): 4709. [PMID: 7781843]
4. Polo, V. Saibene A., Pontiroli AE. Nicotinamide improves insulin secretion and metabolic control in lean type 2 diabetic patients with secondary failure to sulfonylureas. Acta Diabetol 1998;35:61-4
5. McCarty MF. High dose biotin, an inducer of glutokinase expression, may synergize with chromium picolinate to enable a definitive nutritional therapy for type II diabetes. Med Hypothese 1999 May;52(5):401-6
6. Singer GM, Geohas J. The effect of chromium picolinate and biotin supplementation on glycemic control in poorly controlled patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomized trial. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2006 Dec; 8(6): 636-43 [PMID:17109595]
7. Coggeshall JC, et al. Biotin status and plasma glucose in diabetes. Annals New York Academy of Sciences 1985; 447:389-92
8. www.naturaldatabase.com
9. . Sarkar S, Pranava M, Marita R. Demonstration of the hypoglycemic action of Momordica charantia in validated animal model of diabetes. Pharmacol Res, 1993;33(1)1-4
10. Raman A, et al. Anti-diabetic properties and phytochemistry of Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae). Phytomedicine 1996; 26
11. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK The Pharmaceutical Press, 1993
12. Shanmugasundaram, E.R.B., Rajeswari, G., Baskaran K., Rajesh Kumar, B.R., Radha Shanmugasundaram, K., Kizar Ahmath, B. Use of gymnema sylvestre leaf extract in the control of blood glucose in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. J Etnopharmacol 1990;30:281-94
13. Badmaev V. Vanadium: review of its potential role in the fight against diabetes; J Altern Complement Med, 1999; 5(3): 273-291