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$99.97
The Glucose Balance Power Packs contain a powerful combination of nutrients and herbs that work together to keep your blood sugar levels in control. These include:
Diabetes is a condition that can be caused by insufficient production of insulin in the body, or by the body's inability to use the insulin produced effectively, both of which result in high blood glucose levels. It is critical to control blood glucose levels to prevent complications that can arise from diabetes, including weight loss resistance. Making appropriate dietary and lifestyle changes are recommended strategies to keep blood glucose levels in check. However, there are some complementary herbs and supplements that may help relieve symptoms and lower the risk of high blood sugar. The Glucose Balance Power Pack is formulated with a unique combination of herbs and nutrients that work synergistically to protect from high glucose.
Berberine is a botanical extract obtained from many plants such as Oregon grape, barberry, tree turmeric, goldenseal, yellowroot, Chinese goldthread, prickly poppy and Californian poppy.(1) Berberine is a bioactive alkaloidal compound that has been attributed to provide protection against insulin resistance and diabetes.(2) Berberine stimulates activity of the enzyme AMPK (adenosine monophaspahte-acivated protein kinase) and stimulates uptake of glucose. Berberine also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which could also make it effective against diabetes mellitus.(3) A recent review and meta-analysis of 28 studies reported that berberine treatment reduced fasting plasma glucose and postprandial plasma glucose levels. Glycated or glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a test that measures the average blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes over a three month period. Patients treated with berberine had lower HbA1c levels as compared to controls who did not receive berberine.(4)*
Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), also known as thioctic acid, is an antioxidant that is soluble in both water and fat. Although ALA is synthesized in small amounts in the human body and present in foods such as red meat, liver, kidney, broccoli, spinach, tomatoes and potatoes, supplements of ALA have been found to reduce oxidative stress and restore levels of other antioxidants such as glutathione, and vitamins E and C.(5) A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials showed that ALA supplements decreased fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), insulin and homeostasis models of insulin resistance in patients with metabolic diseases. Additionally, an improvement in the triglycerides, total and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was also observed.(6) ALA is involved in the production of insulin and may play a role in utilization of glucose and improving glycemic control.(5) Scientific evidence suggests that ALA may be helpful in patients with diabetes by lowering glucose levels due to its possible role in modulation of insulin action and resistance.(7)*
Thiamine or vitamin B1 is a water-soluble vitamin that activates glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), an enzyme that is involved in breaking down glucose to release energy. Diminished levels of GAPDH may cause some of the complications seen in diabetic patients such as nerve damage, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and cardiovascular disease.(8) Thiamine deficiency also decreases release of insulin in beta cells and low levels of thiamine have been observed in diabetic patients.(9) A recent experimental study found that thiamine supplementation reduced oxidative stress, serum glucose levels and increased insulin levels in addition to having antihyperlipidemic effects.(10)*
Niacin, or vitamin B3 is an essential water-soluble vitamin that plays a critical role in the metabolism of fats, tissue respiration and gluconeogenesis (production of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources). Studies show that niacin treatment may play a role in protecting function of beta cells (11) and was found to improve secretion of insulin in lean diabetes who did not respond to treatment.(12)*
Chromium, a mineral and biotin, one of the B vitamins (vitamin B7), are essential nutrients required in small amounts for normal functions in the body. Chromium and biotin, both of which play an important role in carbohydrate metabolism, improve glucose management in diabetic patients on anti-diabetic therapy. Studies report a decrease in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and fasting glucose levels in overweight diabetic patients who were given supplements of chromium and biotin.(13,14)*
Additionally, alpha–lipoic acid (ALA), also included in the Glucose Balance Power Pack competes with biotin and lowers the activities of important enzymes, pyruvate carboxylse and beta-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboylase, in the body. Biotin is included in the Glucose Balance Power Pack to help maintain activities of these enzymes.*
Vanadyl sulfate is a mineral that has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and may inhibit gluconeogenesis.(15,16) In an experimental study, vandyl sulfate altered expression of genes dysregulated in diabetic rats.(17)*
Fenugreek, a medicinal plant found in Mediterranean countries, Asia, North Africa and Europe has been used historically in these regions to treat and manage diabetes. Fenugreek contains saponins, coumarin, 4-hydroxyisoleucine and nicotinic acid that have hypoglycemic effects. Treatment with fenugreek has been reported to lower levels of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting and postprandial glucose in addition to lowering triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.(18,19)*
Bitter melon or bitter gourd, found in South America, India, Asia and East Africa, has been used historically as a medicinal herb and is attributed to have antidiabetic effects. An insulin-like plant protein called polypeptide-p found in bitter gourd has shown to lower blood glucose levels when injected subcutaneously in patients with type 1 diabetes. It has also been shown to preserve pancreatic beta cells and increase insulin secretion from the pancreas in addition to regulating glucose absorption.(18,19)*
Gymnemic acids from leaves of gymnema, a woody plant found in Africa, Australia and India, are shown to have hypoglycemic properties and have been used as herbal treatments for diabetes. Research shows that gymnema constituents work in several ways to control glucose levels such as increasing secretion of insulin, promoting regeneration of islet cells, increasing glucose utilization and inhibiting glucose absorption.(18,19)*
NAC is a supplemental form of the semi-essential amino acid, L-cysteine, a sulfur containing amino acid that increases synthesis of glutathione, an important antioxidant that may prevent liver damage from environmental toxins and pollutants. Cyteine synthesis is increased by intake of supplemental NAC, which in turn increases the production of glutathione. Low levels of glutathione in diabetes patients has been linked to increased oxidative stress resulting from excess production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This is especially seen in patients with microvascular complications that could cause cardiovascular problems associated with hyperglycemia. There is evidence that NAC may provide some protection against diabetes-induced cardiac injury.(20) Another study found that supplementation with NAC and glycine (another amino acid required for synthesis of glutathione) increased synthesis of glutathione that could possibly help prevent some complications in patients with diabetes.(21)*
The properties of milk thistle as an herbal treatment for various diseases have been recognized for more than 2,000 years. Milk thistle has been used historically for the promotion of gall bladder and liver health due to its antioxidant and detoxification properties. A number of studies show that silymarin, the active constituent in milk thistle, is effective in treating hyperglycermia and hyperlipidemia in diabetes patients. Lowered levels of fasting glucose, post prandial plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in addition to lower total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides have been reported in diabetic patients treated with silymarin.(18,22,23)*
Selenium is an essential mineral required in very small amounts in the human body. It is an important nutrient that carries out several antioxidant and immune functions in the body. It is a major component of glutathione peroxidase, which is a powerful antioxidant enzyme that reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in coronary heart disease. (24)*
Count: 30 daily packets (30 AM, 30 PM)
Recommended Dosage: Take 1 AM packet with your first meal of the day. Take 1 PM packet with your last meal of the day.
References:
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
