Blood Sugar Control Important In Disease Prevention & Age Management
By Jerry Gillick, RPh, College Pharmacy, Colorado Springs LIVING WELL Magazine
For the 19 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the U.S., blood sugar control is a daily battle. For the rest of the population, controlling fluctuations in blood sugar is an important factor in disease prevention and age management.
Continuous spikes in blood sugar result in related spikes in insulin production. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas in response to increases in blood sugar levels. It transports glucose from the bloodstream into muscle tissue to be used as fuel. It also promotes glycogen storage in the liver and fat storage in the fat cells. Simply put: too much, or too little insulin will negatively impact your health.
In addition to diabetes and heart disease, continuous insulin fluctuations result in hormone imbalances. Proper hormone levels are essential for healthy aging processes. Insulin related hormone imbalances cause accelerated aging and chronic health problems in various body systems. Insulin spikes also play an important role in the aging of tissue through a process called glycation. Damaging side-effects of the glycation process can impact nerves, blood vessels, and capillaries in your eyes, kidney, and brain.
Natural Blood Sugar Control: Stop The Roller Coaster
Diet & Exercise: A plan to promote stable blood sugar levels should center on a healthy diet rich in non-starchy vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and low in refined sugars and carbohydrates. At least 30 minutes of brisk exercise a day can make a world of difference. Get out and stretch your legs on a nice day, and take the stairs whenever possible.
Nutritional Supplements: We suggest the following to support healthy blood sugar levels: GlycoTrol®, BeneGene™, Chromium, Alpha Lipoic Acid, and Benfotiamine. Contact College Pharmacy for additional information about these supplements and correct dosing suggestions. Make sure to talk to your healthcare practitioner or a pharmacist before incorporating nutritional supplements into your diet.
If you would like to learn more about natural approaches to hormone balance and nutritional supplements for blood sugar control, contact College Pharmacy to speak to one of our trained pharmacists at 719-262-0022. You can also visit College Pharmacy on the web at www.collegepharmacy.com.
