Sweetner -
Stevia is recommended as a replacement for all
sugar. Known in South America as the “sweet herb,”
stevia has been used for over 400 years without
ill effect. Stevia has been enormously popular in
Japan, where it has been in use for more than 20
years, now rivaling Equal and Sweet’N Low … For
those who want to move through their cravings for
sugar without artificial chemicals, stevia is a
great
option.
Stevia
has some very interesting properties. It has no
calories but has actions similar to several
currently used medications. It stimulates the
release of insulin and normalizes the response to
glucose, especially in type 2 diabetes. It is used
in Latin America as an inexpensive therapy for
hyperglycemia.
Natural Supplements
- Researchers in London recently reported
that vitamin D is essential for the islet cells in
the pancreas to be able to secrete insulin
properly. Other researchers have found that the
diabetic is unable to convert carotene into
vitamin A. Also recommended is a vitamin E
supplement, ranging from 400-1200 IU per day and a
vitamin C supplement ranging from 1000-4000 mg per
day to help prevent small vessel disease of the
extremities.
Brewer's
yeast is another food supplement that is
recommended for the diabetic patient. The yeast is
a rich source of chromium-containing GTF (glucose
tolerance factor) which is able to potentiate the
insulin in our bodies. Both brewer's yeast (9
gm/day) and trivalent chromium (150-1000 mcg/day)
have been shown to significantly improve blood
sugar metabolism when taken for several weeks to
months.
Chromium
is found in foods as both inorganic and organic
salts. Brewer's yeast contains a form of chromium
with high bioavailability, chromium-dinicotinic
acid-glutathione complex. Chromium is also
available from a variety of sources including
whole grains, potatoes and apples with skins,
spinach, oysters, carrots, and chicken breast.
Recent research has identified certain varieties
of barley grown in Mesopotamia to be some of the
richest sources of
chromium.
