Herbal Support Offers Multiple Benefits for Diabetics
Mitchell A. Fleisher, M.D., D.Ht., D.A.B.F.M.
As a board-certified family physician specializing in classical homeopathy, nutritional medicine and integrative clinical research, I am often called upon to evaluate promising new botanical agents for their potential – and actual – health benefits. Over the past year, I have had an opportunity to evaluate the therapeutic effects of two such promising nutraceutical formulas, a traditional Chinese herbal support formula for healthy blood sugar levels and a Chinese herbal formula for healthy heart and blood vessels.
Healthy Blood Sugar Levels
Several of my patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) have benefited significantly from the herbal blood sugar formula. Following four months of daily use (three capsules three times daily), blood tests revealed a significant reduction in fasting blood sugar levels in my patients – in some cases dropping as much as sixty points. By reducing blood sugar, this advanced botanical formula aids in bringing serum glucose levels down to a much more acceptable range for long-term medical management.
Improved Diabetic Control
Of greater significance, blood tests have shown that it also aids in restoring hemoglobin hA1C (HgbA1C or glycosylated hemoglobin) levels to a more normal range. hA1C is a relative measurement that determines average blood sugar levels over the previous three months to aid clinicians in determining a patient’s degree of insulin resistance and sustained hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). An hA1C value of 7.0 or greater represents poor blood sugar control. In this regard, I have observed that patients taking this herbal blood sugar support formula experience, on average, a restoration of hA1C values down into the 5.4 to 6.2 range. These numbers signify a significant reduction in sustained hyperglycemia, diminished insulin resistance and improved diabetic control.
Health Risks of Elevated Glucose and AGEs
In the human body, glucose (blood sugar) serves as a primary fuel for energy production. When glucose levels are too high, the excess sugar reacts with proteins, lipids and lipoproteins in a spontaneous process called glycosylation to form abnormal chemical byproducts known as Advanced Glycation Endproducts (AGEs). AGEs contribute to cellular damage and interfere with the normal functioning of vital cellular components and enzymes required for health and well being.
These malfunctioning molecules, for example, have been shown to accelerate atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), contributing to an increase in the risk of a heart attack or stroke. In patients with chronic diabetes, AGEs are also implicated in peripheral vascular disease (which can cause gangrene and lead to amputations), peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage in the limbs), retinopathy (eye damage) and nephropathy (kidney damage). A simple Hgb A1C blood test can directly determine which patients are most at risk by measuring the advanced glycation endproducts of normal hemoglobin (HgB).
Preventing Damage from AGEs
The most effective nutraceutical agents for preventing the formation of AGEs (and dissolving pre-existing AGEs) are the amino acids Carnosine and Acetyl-L-Carnitine. These agents work best when used to augment the effects of the aforementioned traditional Chinese herbal support formula for healthy heart and blood vessels. The therapeutic dosage range of carnosine is 500 mg. two to three times daily. For acetyl-L-carnitine, I recommend 1,000 mg. again taken two to three times daily. Amino acids work best when taken between meals.
In my practice, I have observed that long-term, daily intake of the herbal blood sugar support formula, in conjunction with carnosine and acetyl-L-carnitine in the dosages described above, serves as a very effective, chronic disease preventative and anti-aging regimen.
Herbal Approach to Diabetes
From the subjective perspective of my diabetic patients, they generally report improved energy and vitality, fewer cognitive difficulties (i.e., amelioration of poor concentration and fuzzy headedness), enhanced alertness, less peripheral neuropathy (i.e., tingling, numbness and/or peculiar pains in extremities, especially in the feet and toes), improved digestion and enhanced weight loss (despite no change in their dietary and exercise regimen) when taking the herbal blood sugar support formula.
Sustained Weight Control
In fact, one of the most consistent and promising therapeutic effects of the herbal blood sugar support formula under review was that my patients and I have observed a gradual and sustained loss of unwanted weight. The loss of excess pounds appears to result from a decreased craving for sugar and refined carbohydrates, resulting from decreased insulin resistance and improved glucose metabolism (i.e., using and burning the stored starches and sugars in the body more efficiently).
Taking clinical advantage of this phenomenon, I can report that I have prescribed the formula for non-diabetic, overweight and frankly obese patients with mutually gratifying results. Over the course of about three to four months of using it, these patients have experienced an average weight loss of approximately twenty pounds. After four months, these patients are able to sustain their new, healthier weight with a maintenance dose of two to three capsules of the formula twice daily, together with their reasonable dietary and daily exercise regimens.
Cardiovascular Treatment without Drugs
With respect to the traditional Chinese herbal support formula for healthy heart and blood vessels, my clinical experience supports the use of this unique herbal formulation based on its ability to significantly restore healthy internal organ function, as well as improving systemic microcirculation, detoxification and cellular energy production. The formula has been shown to improve several parameters of the aging process, e.g., specific biological markers, including albumin, albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio and lymphocyte blast transformation index (LBTI).
It has also been shown to reduce viscosity (thickness) of the blood, thereby improving blood flow through the capillary vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to and remove waste products from the cells, tissues and organ systems.
This well-researched herbal cardio-support formula appears to be especially helpful in those patients with chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, rheumatism, generally poor and sluggish circulation (often manifested as coldness in the hands and feet), restless leg syndrome, poor memory and other conditions resulting from compromised microcirculation. My patients with diabetes mellitus and peripheral vascular disease particularly note that the formula provides a positive added benefit when combined with the herbal blood sugar support formula. I have observed that the formula aids in the control of the discomfort of their cold, numb hands and feet.
I have personally been taking 2 tablets twice daily of this cardio-support formula for over four months and have observed a definitive, gradual improvement in my stamina and endurance during vigorous exercise, including long hikes on the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain trails surrounding my home and office.
Another noticeable benefit has been an improvement in the clarity and sharpness of my vision and memory, especially after long hours of studying complicated, homeopathic cases and all the medical literature with which I have to keep abreast on a regular basis. For these reasons alone, I can wholeheartedly recommend this formula as an excellent adjunct to any anti-aging regimen.
Summary
To summarize, for patients with blood sugar control problems due to insulin resistance and diabetes, I recommend the herbal blood sugar support formula, in a daily dosage of three capsules three times daily, for an initial period of four months. This is then followed with a program consisting of two to three capsules, twice daily, for long-term health maintenance. This protocol has also been shown to work well as a part of an effective weight-management program. Additionally, I also recommend the herbal cardio-support formula, 2 tablets twice daily, for people with problems stemming from poor systemic blood microcirculation.
When used in conjunction with a healthy diet, regular exercise and a supplemental program including the amino acids carnosine and acetyl-L-carnitine, in the dosages described previously, both of these formulas can be a very effective, blood-sugar controlling and circulation-stabilizing, chronic disease preventative, anti-aging regimen.
For those currently taking prescription, anti-diabetic and/or anticoagulant, pharmaceutical medications, please consult with a licensed physician who is well-educated in nutritional medicine to help monitor the integration of the abovementioned natural agents into your overall therapeutic regimen.
About the Author
Mitchell A. Fleisher, M.D., D.Ht., D.A.B.F.M., Dc.A.B.C.T., is a board-certified family physician specializing in classical homeopathy, nutritional and botanical medicine, chelation and bio-oxidative therapy with over twenty years experience practicing the gentler art and science of integrative medicine.