Tag Archives: diabetes

Diabetes link to Alzheimer’s

Posted on July 10, 2015 | Leave a comment

questionSince 2005 evidence has been mounting that Alzheimer’s disease is essentially type-3 diabetes. Theories say that the build-up of beta amyloid plaques in the brain in place of normal brain cells, is key contributor to the development of the disease – and insulin resistance may trigger these plaques to develop. Research also suggests that type-2 diabetics lose more brain mass with age than a healthy individual which may contribute to dementia.

Insulin helps regulate neurotransmitters such as those responsible for memory and learning. Therefore, a drop in insulin levels may impair cognition. Some studies indicated a link between lower insulin levels and the risk of Alzheimer’s. Dallas Clouatre, Ph.D. says “Increased consumption of simple carbohydrates leads to blood brain barrier degradation and subsequently  damage to the hippocampus.”

In reading this article it would seem to prevent insulin resistance, cut down on your carbs and sugars. Also we have found that Phosphatidyserine (PS100) supports good brain function and also our favorites are lecithin, magnesium, electroltyes specifically formulated for the brain (www.electroblast.com) and a good plant source of essential fatty acids (http://foreveryoungcooperative.com/yesefas.html).

*Whole Foods magazine July 2015 “This is your brain on supplements” by Kaylynn Chiarello-Ebner p18

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Why do adaptogenic herbs adjust to the person?

Posted on January 27, 2015 | 2 comments

rhodiolaplant

 

 

Rhodiola Rosea plant

Adaptogenic herbs are “medicines” that move the body towards health by adjusting to the specific needs of each person. Ashwagandha helps to strengthen the adrenals, which helps hormones affect energy and mood. As an adaptogen, the herb used by a person with low adrenals will see improved energy and stamina, but a person under stress may see a lowering of their cortisol levels and a calming effect. Pub Med lists 688 studies on Ashwagands for a wide variety of illnesses such as cancer, kidney damage from diabetes, pain, gout, anxiety, depression and neurodegenerative disease. In specific cases it can make the person more resistant to physical and psychological stressors and improve energy and endurance. Ashwagandha is probably safe for short-term use. In large doses Ashwagandha may cause stomach upset, diarrhea and vomiting; side effects of long-term use are unknown. People with thyroid, auto-immune or liver issues should not use this herb.

 

Boswelia, also called frankincense, has 346 studies in the NIH database. It is made from gum resin from the Boswellia serrata tree. It is extremely effective to modulate inflammation in places that no drug except steroids can touch.  But if no purified to remove beta boswellic acid to less than 5%, it can actually cause inflammation so you must be careful when you buy it.

 

Our favorite adaptogenic herb is Rhodiola Rosea. This has been used to lower the cortisol production, thereby rebalancing the cortisol and lowering the stress response. Evidence suggests that Rhodiola rosea may help those suffering from depression, to climb out of their psychological hole. Clinical studies on Rhodiola rosea have been performed at leading Soviet universities and medical academies. Rhodiola activates the enzyme lipase which is key to getting energy (ATP) released by cells which benefits athletes. In studying 112 athletes, researchers discovered that 89% of those supplementing with Rhodiola rosea showed a more rapid improvement in performance in sports such as track and field, swimming, speed skating and ski racing. Rhodiola rosea’s normalizing effect on the adrenal glands may also have the same effect on cholesterol, blood sugar, potassium levels and blood pressure thereby decreasing many risk factors for heart disease. It has many other benefits including improving memory and hearing, helping with Parkinson’s, weight management and immune support.

 

Be careful when you buy it. According to researchers, true Rhodiola rosea contains rosavin, rosin, rosarin and salidroside, while its adulterant contains only salidroside. The true Rhodiola rosea is the most biologically active, Unfortunately, often so-called Rhodiola rosea herbal formulas sold in the United States contain no rosavin. They are standardized using only common salidroside. For true Rhodiola rosea check out this product:  Click Here  Email the publisher for a free ebook which will be out Spring 2015: safe@bcn.net

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The need for extra magnesium and potassium

Posted on January 2, 2015 | 1 comment

You may not know if you are deficient in magnesium or potassium, but if so, it will have a substantial effect on your health. Magnesium is a co-factor in more than 300 enzyme systems that regulate biochemical reactions in the body including protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control and blood pressure regulation and it is essential to heart health. Studies have shown people have less heart attacks and strokes when they have sufficient levels of magnesium. Diets with good magnesium levels are associated with a significantly lower risk of diabetes as low blood magnesium levels may worsen insulin resistance.

 

Potassium is needed for proper function of cells, tissues and organs. It is also a required electrolyte that conducts electricity and is essential for nerve transmissions. But, potassium must be balanced with other electrolytes including magnesium. It is also crucial to heart health as well as playing a key role in skeletal and smooth muscle contraction which effects not only muscles but digestion as well. Potassium also plays a role in regulating blood pressure in relationship with sodium. Insufficient potassium is associated with poor bone health and muscular weakness including heart failure and cramping.

 

According to the NHANES Dietary Survey done from 2007-2010, none of the 17000 participants met their average requirement for potassium and it was estimated that 52% of Americans do not get their required magnesium each day.

 

Foods high in magnesium are beans and nuts, whole grain bread and green leafy vegetables. Foods high in potassium are squash, yogurt, fish, avocados, beans, green leafy veggies. But if you are concerned that although you eat this you may not get enough, run to the health foods store and get a supplement.

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8 ways sugar is killing you.

Posted on March 29, 2013 | 1 comment

coneDr. Nancy Appleton, author of Suicide by Sugar, actually lists 146 reasons why sugar is ruining your health. We’ll look at eight for now.

 

(1) Sugar is a cancer cell’s favorite food. Even without having cancer, we all have a few cancer cells floating around.

When an acidic internal environment discourages normal cellular glucose metabolism with oxygen, those oxygen starved cells begin thriving by fermenting glucose and demanding more that our culture readily provides. Why encourage them?

(2) Candida yeast cells also exist in small amounts with everyone. When they overwhelm our friendly probiotic bacteria, we have Candida yeast overgrowth, which enables this fungus to infiltrate the body with all sorts of health problems.

Diets for discouraging and helping eliminate Candida promote complete abstinence from all forms of sugar until the overgrowth recedes. High sugar intake encourages Candida, which many say is cancer’s favorite habitat.

(3) Processed sugar and fructose are stripped of all mineral content and wind up leeching minerals from our bodies, including our teeth. They also inhibit mineral absorption, including magnesium. Magnesium is a commonly deficient and vitally important for over 300 metabolic processes.

(4) GMO corn is used to manufacture High Fructose Corn Syrup, and this process creates a mercury byproduct. GMO beets are used more now for creating sucrose (table sugar). Pure unprocessed sugar cane does contain nutrients, while processing involves nasty chemicals that can come along.

(5) Sugar is addictive. It stimulates central nervous system neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, giving you a pleasant buzz to crave more and promote overeating dead processed foods.

(6) Sugar creates glucose spikes that force the pancreas to produce insulin more often and beyond it’s normal capacity. This wears the pancreas down, limiting insulin production that leads to diabetes. Type II diabetes is insulin resistance, which is preceded by metabolic syndrome at least partly attributable to high sugar intake.

(7) A depleted pancreas can’t provide sufficient proteolytic enzymes to bust open cancer cell walls and render them defenseless from the immune system’s killer cells.

(8) Many nutritional experts attribute the rise of obesity and cardiac problems to higher refined carbohydrate and sugar consumption. And the condensed fructose in HFCS is absorbed first by the liver, which cannot metabolize it all and has to store accumulated fructose as fat creating fatty liver.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/039609_sugar_death_risk_lifespan.html#ixzz2OwPIL2l

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Licorice Root for Diabetes

Posted on May 30, 2012 | Leave a comment

Researchers in Berlin have discovered natural substances that have an anti-diabetic effect in the licorice plant’s edible root and in the fruit of the amorpha fruticosa bush. Mice studies have shown that they have anti-inflammatory effects, reduce blood sugar and prevent fatty liver – a common disease caused by excessively fat-rich nutrition.

Just drinking licorice tea or eating licorice will not help treate diabetes. the concentration of the substances in the tea and candy is far too low to be effective. Through a special extraction process the amorfrutins can be more concentrated.  They are now conducting the required tests in clinical studies on diabetes patients but there is hope for the future!

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