Diabetes (2)

Imagine our body is like a car, which needs fuel to move.

Food is like fuel. When we eat, our body breaks down food into a tiny sugar called glucose, which is our main energy source.

To use the glucose, our body needs a key. 

That key is called insulin. 

Insulin is made by a factory in our body called pancreas. 

When we eat, and glucose is made, the pancreas sends out insulin to unlock our body’s cells so they can use the glucose. 

When the cells get the glucose, they can make energy for us to perform daily activities.

But sometimes, the key (insulin) doesn’t work very well, and it’s hard to open the cells to let the glucose in.

This condition is called insulin resistance.

When this happens, glucose stays in our blood, and our cells don’t get the energy they need. 

That’s why we feel tired!

Type 2 diabetes occurs when our body can’t make enough insulin or can’t properly use the insulin it makes.

Research found that chromium is an important factor for enhancing insulin activity.

Chromium picolinate, specifically, has been shown to reduce insulin resistance and to help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Gymnema sylvestre may stimulate insulin production in the pancreas and help lower blood sugar levels.

In addition, eating parsley can be beneficial to diabetics to reduce their blood sugar levels.

Clinical studies have shown that vanadium can improve sensitivity to insulin in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

References:

Pothuraju, R., Sharma, R. K., Chagalamarri, J., Jangra, S., & Kumar Kavadi, P. (2014). A systematic review of Gymnema sylvestre in obesity and diabetes management. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 94(5), 834-840.

Suksomboon, N., Poolsup, N., & Yuwanakorn, A. (2014). Systematic review and meta‐analysis of the efficacy and safety of chromium supplementation in diabetes. Journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics, 39(3), 292-306.

Thompson, K. H., & Orvig, C. (2006). Vanadium in diabetes: 100 years from Phase 0 to Phase I. Journal of inorganic biochemistry, 100(12), 1925-1935.