Health Hotline Magazine | September 2023

Supplements for Blood Sugar and Immune Support While diet is vital for maintaining healthy blood sugar balance, there are also some key sup plements that will give you extra support. The advantage of these supplements is that many of them are foundational nutrients that, in addition to maintaining healthy blood sugar balance, will promote overall health and immune competence, as well as reduce inflammation and oxidative damage in the body. B-complex vitamins. This family of vitamins is intricately tied to cellular energy production via their role in metabolizing carbohydrates and complex sugars. When you eat an excess of grain based carbs your body quickly burns through the B vitamins to keep up, which can drastically deplete levels. When these important cofactors are missing, blood sugar imbalances can occur. A B-complex vitamin is a foundational supplement that also supports general health, overall immune competence, and mental wellbeing. Magnesium. This important mineral plays a key role in regulating insulin activity and cellular glucose uptake, and supplementation with the mineral has been shown to improve fasting and post-prandial glucose levels and insulin sensitivity, as well as decrease markers of inflammation in those with prediabetes. Magnesium also supports white blood cells’ ability to seek out and destroy pathogens and low magnesium levels can lead to a cytokine storm, a severe immune reaction in which the body releases a cascade of inflammatory cytokines too quickly. It is estimated that at least half of all Americans don’t get enough magnesium through diet, making supplementation necessary. Chromium. This mineral is essential for normal carbohydrate metabolism and research has found that supplemental chromium has significant beneficial effects on HbA1c (a marker of long-term blood sugar levels) and glucose and insulin levels. Chromium also plays a role in modulating the immune response, that is, it ensures that the immune system neither under- nor over-reacts to pathogens. Zinc. Another important mineral for blood sugar balance, zinc plays a role in insulin signaling, helping to regulate blood glucose levels. One trial showed that zinc supplementation lowered blood glucose and cholesterol levels in prediabetics, as well as reduced the number of people who progressed to full-blown diabetes. A meta-analysis of 32 studies, involving 1,700 participants, concluded that zinc supplementation can improve blood glucose control in both prediabetic and diabetic patients. Zinc is also a critical mineral for both innate and adaptive immune system function and even moderate deficiencies can increase the risk of viral infection.

Alpha-lipoic acid. One of this antioxidant’s important roles in the body is to support insulin function and research has shown that supplementation significantly decreases fasting glu cose, insulin, insulin resistance, and HbA1c in diabetics in a dose-dependent manner, that is, higher doses led to more significant decreases (daily doses ranged from 300 to 1,200 mg). It’s also been found to reduce triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels, and through its power ful antioxidant actions, reduce oxidative damage caused by chronically high blood sugar. Berberine. Research has shown that the plant extract berberine lowers fasting glucose and insulin levels, post-prandial glucose (glucose levels after eating), HbA1c, and triglycerides. It improves insulin resistance, inhibits glucose production in the liver, and stimulates the breakdown of glucose. Berberine also has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties and supports mitochondrial health, another key component for overall health. One of the most important things you can do for both your short-term and long-term health is to get your blood sugar under control. It is absolutely vital for your body to be rooted in health and to remain resilient against infection. And it’s in your power to do it—aim to eat a low-carb diet most of the time so you can enjoy those moments of indulgence, and incorpo rate some key supplements that will give you the extra support you need over the long term. Do this and you’ll increase your chances of staying healthy and vibrant, not just through the fall and winter months, but for years to come.

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