Guest blog by Dr. Frederick Vagnini, MD, FACS, Heart, Diabetes & Weight-Loss Centers of New York

If you’ve recently listened to me on the Res-Q HealthLine radio shows, I recently indicated that there were four silent killers. But now, due to expanded research and more and more problems coming through my centers in New York, I have expanded them to eight.

First of all, what is meant by a silent killer? Well, it’s simple. It’s something you don’t feel until a heart attack occurs, or until you fracture a bone, or you have a stroke. These silent killers include:

1. High blood pressure: Many times you could have a blood pressure of 200 and you don’t feel it.
2. High cholesterol and triglycerides: There’s typically no pain in the arteries. Unless you get your lipids checked, you’re not going to realize that your arteries are clogging up.
3. Inflammation: Inflammation is the backbone of pathophysiology for cardiovascular disease and aging, which is very prevalent in Western culture. It can be anything from a swollen toe to inflamed arteries, the latter of which you cannot feel.
4. Oxidative stress: Damage from free radicals and oxidative stress is when the body’s antioxidant system becomes overwhelmed. Oxidative stress accelerates the aging process.
5. Blood glucose: Another silent killer is blood glucose. Many people are coming into my office with 200-300 blood-sugar levels. They don’t feel a thing.  But they are pre-diabetic or diabetic and they have been doing damage to their bodies for many years before they even realize it. High blood-glucose levels can not only lead to diabetes, but also eye disease, blindness, kidney disease, nerve disease or death.
6. Glycation: (sometimes called non-enzymatic glycosylation) is something that accelerates heart disease, cellular damage and aging, and it is simply a problem with glucose that adheres to proteins lipids and DNA to create something called “Advanced Glycation End Product” (AGE)
7. Telomere shortening: Telomeres are the tips of chromosomes and when they shorten you have progressive aging. What happens to accelerate this aging process is inflammation and oxidative stress.
8. Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is a bone disease that leads to an increased risk of fracture. It is another silent killer simply because you don’t feel your bones weakening until you’ve lost four inches of height.

What can we do to prevent these silent killers from leading us into cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and accelerated aging? Well, I developed a protocol in my Centers based on the following:

• Diet: a modified, low-carbohydrate Mediterranean diet
• Exercise: Any exercise is good; cross training is the best, which is when you do a combination of resistance training with aerobics.
• Stress reduction: Stress reduction is critical. It’s one of the leading factors that influence degenerative diseases and especially cardiovascular disease.
• Supplements: The right supplements can combat high triglycerides, high cholesterol, high blood pressure oxidative damage, high blood sugar, arthritis, weight reduction, diabetes, fatigue, and basically all of the degenerative and cardiovascular problems.
• Pharmaceuticals: Medical drugs are prescribed when necessary.

Prevention Through Supplements & Nutrition
Years ago, I developed a program called Cardio Nutrition, and that is simply a program, along with diet and exercise, in which we use supplements. Here’s a list of some of the “silent killers” and what Res-Q products will work best to combat them.

High Cholesterol/Triglycerides:

•  L-D-L less (red yeast rice)
•  Res-Q LDLx2 (polycosanol) with or without niacin
•  Res-Q 1250, which is primarily a triglyceride-lowering agent
•  Res-Q Land ’n’ Sea Fiber is excellent for lowering lipids
•  Res-Q Multi, as it has 300 milligrams of garlic
•  Res-Q HDL+ (raises your good cholesterol)

When it comes to cholesterol we also worry about the oxidative damage and we have a number of antioxidants including Res-Q Multi, Res-Q CellPower (CoQ10), Res-Q Resveratrol, Nature’s Shield Superfoods and Nature’s Shield Leg & Vein Support, which all protect the LDL against oxidative damage.

Hypertension/ High Blood Pressure:

• Res-Q Multi vitamin, which has taurine, hawthorn berry, garlic and L-carnitine
• Res-Q Orosine
• Res-Q 1250
• Nature’s Shield Smart Cal (with vitamin D3)
• Res-Q 1250+
• Res-Q Multi
• Res-Q Land ‘n’ Sea Fiber
• Res-Q Mg (magnesium)
• Res-Q CellPower (CoQ10)
• Nature’s Shield Leg & Vein
• Res-Q Sleep

Oxidative Stress

• Res-Q Multi
• Res-Q Mega Acai
• Res-Q Land ‘n’ Sea Fiber
• Res-Q CellPower (CoQ10)
• Nature’s Shield Leg & Vein
• Res-Q Resveratrol
• Nature’s Shield Superfoods
• Res-Q Sleep

Glucose Levels:

• Res-Q Land ‘n’ Sea Fiber
• Res-Q 105MAX (specifically designed to lower blood sugar)
• Res-Q 1250+
• Res-Q 1250
• Nature’s Shield Superfoods
• Res-Q Resveratrol

Telomere shortening:

Research now shows that an omega-3 supplement can prevent telomere shortening

• Res-Q 1250
• Res-Q Calamarine
• Res-Q 1250+
• Res-Q Multi

Osteoporosis:

• Nature’s Shield SmartCal is great for osteoporosis
• Res-Q 1250
• Res-Q 1250+
• Res-Q Multi

Inflammation:

• Res-Q 1250
• Res-Q Calamarine
• Res-Q 1250+
• Res-Q Multi
• Res-Q CellPower (CoQ10)
• Res-Q Orosine (repairs at the cellular level)
• GlycoMarine

Glycation:

• Res-Q 1250+
• Res-Q 1250
• Nature’s Shield Superfoods
• Res-Q Resveratrol
• Res-Q Multi

Weight and Digestion:

• Res-Q All Essential Enzymes
• Res-Q Probiotic
• Res-Q Land ‘n’ Sea Fiber
• Nature’s Shield Weight Control
• Res-Q Trim System

In observance of National Diabetes Month, we thought it might be fun to share some of our favorite customer comments on the benefits of Res-Q 105 MAX.

Tom from Richboro, PA: Res-Q 105MAX has done wonders for my wife’s blood sugar. It brought it down to a more comfortable place and helped her meet her objective of blood sugar at 100. We take Res-Q 1250 and Res-Q Multi and both have cholesterol and triglycerides that improved significantly. We’ve been taking them for years. Plus we just feel better all the time.

Dan from San Antonio, TX: As a personal testimony, when I was first diagnosed with diabetes in January 2008, my A1C was 12. I was losing lots of weight, but eating like a pig and drinking loads of ice water. They attempted to put me on Metformin and it caused me to become dehydrated and very ill. My wife researched and learned the benefits of Res-Q 1250 and Res-Q 105MAX, and put me on a strict regimen of these supplements and a stringent exercise program. After six months, my levels dropped back to an A1C of 7. My last visit to the doctor, I was a 7.2 but because I had been misbehaving- letting go of the rigorous exercise and not taking the Res-Q anymore. Lately, I’m back to taking it, but merely once or twice a day and my exercise is moderate. As a note, my doctor was astounded at how my A1C was able to drop. He said it was unheard of to drop that quickly. Thanks for the info… and thank you Res-Q! For the record I remain off meds…

Ruth C. from Burlington, NJ: I take Res-Q 105MAX and I have noticed a difference with my glucose levels. I have not had an elevation in my levels or any side effects since taking Res-Q 105MAX along with my insulin. My doctor is pleased with my level, which allows me to not have to take so many medications. I am very pleased with Res-Q 105MAX!

Patrick S. from San Antonio, TX: I am considered borderline diabetic and the doctor wanted me to start taking medication. I watch my diet and started taking Res-Q 105 MAX and it has helped me. My blood sugar is an average of 101 and I am very pleased with it. I also take many Res-Q products such as Res-Q 1250, Res-Q Multi, Res-Q Fiber and Res-Q CellPower. I have been taking many of your products for about 4 or 5 years now and I depend on them.

P. Lind from Zionsville, PA: I am getting great results taking Res-Q 105 MAX! My doctor is very happy with how all your products are working for me.

M Cherry from Sicklerville, NJ: Res-Q 105 MAX has saved my life! For years I was trying to lose weight and I tried everything! The doctor told me I have Wilson’s Syndrome, Cushings Disease, and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. Since November of 2007 I have been taking your Res-Q 1250 and Res-Q 105 MAX and not only have I gotten excellent results on my blood work, I also have lost 54 pounds! I thank Res-Q 105 for that. I am very excited and I am telling my friends about it. I even have family members taking your products already!

T. Coutts from Dana Point, CA: My husband and I both take Res-Q 1250 and we love our results! My cholesterol is doing great. Since starting Res-Q 105 MAX for a little over a month, my insulin resistance number has gone down and I think this is wonderful! It is down to 9.7. My doctor is very pleased with my results. I had never seen her smile before!

R. Taddei, Yardley, PA: I just turned 70 and I have had some serious heart problems and surgery about 2 years ago. Since then I started taking many of your Res-Q products. I especially like Res-Q 1250 and Res-Q 105 MAX. Now my cholesterol is great and my doctors are amazed! The one doctor said he has never seen numbers this good. Even my triglycerides have come down. My glucose was borderline high and since I have been taking Res-Q 105 MAX it is has dropped down too! I feel really good and my health is great too.

Res-Q Product of the Week: Res-Q 105 MAX is a safe, all-natural and effective product for pre-diabetics and people with type II diabetes, which lowers blood sugar. Blood sugar, a 6-carbon sugar, requires insulin for entry into cells. Pentose (pumpkin) extract, which is the key ingredient in Res-Q 105 MAX, is a 5-carbon sugar that does not require insulin in order to enter cells to be used for energy. It restrains the burning of fats in the metabolic process that acts to lower blood-sugar levels.

What exactly is “processed” food? Well, for starters, it’s any raw, natural food that has been changed or altered from its original state (think raw milk from a cow) and turned into a food-like item for the sake of convenience and sometimes safety (think pasteurized milk). In some instances, like raw milk, it is often better to process food to prevent disease and bacteria. However, more and more food is being processed not for safety, but convenience. An apple turned into a prepackaged apple pie is one example of when processing goes too far. Grapes transformed into sugary grape juice is another example. Hot dogs and deli meats with added nitrates; cereals with added sugars; and food items loaded with sugar, artificial sweeteners, trans-fats, sugar substitutes, man-made chemical additives, high-fructose corn syrup and carbohydrates are all examples of America’s obsession with processing. And sadly, these types of foods cause an increased risk of diabetes.

So… How do you even begin to avoid processed foods when almost 85 percent of food at the grocery store is processed?! Here are a few easy and not-so-drastic lifestyle changes to help you focus on healthier eating:

The American Diabetes Association says, “A healthy meal plan for people with diabetes is generally the same as a healthy diet for anyone – low in fat (especially saturated and trans fat), moderate in salt and sugar, with meals based on whole grain foods, vegetables and fruit.” However, this means a diet rich in vitamins, minerals and wholesome foods, not a high-carb diet full of refined grains or sugars that lack nutritional value.

1. Vegetables

Vegetables are carbohydrates that have fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and other healthy nutrition. According to the article, Foods That Cause Diabetes, “Studies on other vegetables such as cabbage (brassica oleracia), capsicum (Capsicum annum), green leafy vegetables, beans and tubers have shown the beneficial hypoglycemic influence in diabetic patients.” This means these foods can help lower blood sugar.

2. Fruits

Fruit is a food high in sugar (surprise!), but when fruit is substituted for other foods equally high in sugar that lack nutritional value, it is a good thing. A whole fruit contains the nutrition of antioxidants, vitamins and fiber, whereas fruit juice is loaded with sugar. Antioxidants help protect cells from damage, including cells of the pancreas, where insulin is made and fiber helps slow the release of sugar into the bloodstream. For prevention of disease, fruits and vegetables are good foods to eat.

3. High-Sugar Processed Foods (avoid these)

Jelly beans, frozen pizza, ice cream, french fries, processed breakfast cereals, white bread, pretzels, waffles, bagels and even rice cakes (yes, rice cakes!—the diet food) raise blood sugar (see glycemic index) much faster than a pear or an apple will! An excess amount of sugar in the bloodstream—that does not get burnt off with exercise immediately—is stored for later use and that means weight gain and obesity, increasing your risk of getting diabetes. To help prevent it, avoid processed foods that spike blood sugar.

4. Whole Grains (skip the processed cereal)

As pointed out above, cold cereals are high in sugar and many types of processed breakfast cereals can spike sugar. Oatmeal contains carbohydrates that are essentially broken down into sugars, but the fiber in oats slows the release of sugars into the bloodstream to keep them at a more even level and help balance energy levels. Additionally, oatmeal contains magnesium, an important mineral for blood-sugar metabolism.¹

As reported by the Whole Grains Council, “Researchers in Mannheim, Germany carried out a dietary intervention with 14 patients who had uncontrolled type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance. The patients were introduced to a diabetes-appropriate diet containing oatmeal during a short hospital stay, then examined again four weeks later. On average, patients achieved a 40% reduction in insulin dosage – and maintained the reduction even after 4 weeks on their own at home.”

5. Meats

Red meat, processed meats, bacon and hot dogs have been linked with an increased risk of diabetes in a 2003 study. A more recent headline also links processed meats with type 2 diabetes. They say eating processed meats like sausage and lunchmeat too much is not good; eating these foods too often can increase a healthy person’s risk of getting diabetes. Therefore, packing some leftover chicken breast for lunch that you cooked the night before may be far healthier than sandwiches made from lunchmeat. It is the processed meats that are bad.

6. Artificial Sweetners, Soda and Those Awful “Diet” Drinks

If you currently have diabetes or are watching your dietary sugars, then beware of fruit juice: it is often just made from a concentrated powder with even more sugar added to it! As if it were not sweet enough to begin with! Unsweetened tea and water—especially clean, pure, filtered and tested, safe water—are all options for the diabetic to drink. Who says that it has to be sickening sweet to drink it?! Artificial sweeteners are man-made and they mimic the effect of sugar (surprise!), which triggers excess insulin production. As a result, diet drinks may make you feel hungrier and should be avoided. Your body just needs the water.

Footnotes:
1. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/magnesium

More than 70% of type 2 diabetics saw a decrease in their blood sugar after 90 days of taking a pumpkin extract. After seven days, only 20% saw results. Therefore 90 days is the best time frame. They took three capsules at each meal either just prior to, during or immediately afterward, and if the blood sugar at mealtime was higher than 200, additional capsules were consumed. The reduction in blood sugar was about 10-60%.¹

Magnesium

Magnesium is a mineral found in foods like halibut, almonds, cashews, spinach, oatmeal, avocado, peanuts, potatoes and kidney beans that helps carbohydrate metabolism by influencing “the release and activity of insulin.” Insulin is a hormone that helps the metabolism of blood sugar.² Type 2 diabetics often have low levels of magnesium. Magnesium supplements reduce the fasting blood-sugar number and raise magnesium levels in type 2 diabetics.³

Fiber

There are many different kinds of fiber and although it is not digested (humans lack the enzyme), fiber has great health benefits. However, it is the viscous fiber that is recognized by the American Diabetic Association for its role in blood sugar.⁴ Rapid spikes or sudden increases in blood sugar can occur after a meal and it is only the viscous fiber, i.e. legumes, that forms a gel-like solution that slows down digestion and absorption of sugar. Types of viscous fiber are pectins (apples), beta-glucans (oats), guar gum and mucilage in psyllium supplements. Viscous fibers like psyllium and oats can reduce the post-meal blood-sugar spike, which may help prevent some of the low and high blood-sugar swings that accompany diabetes.

Resveratrol

Resveratrol is an antioxidant found in red grape skins, red wine and resveratrol supplements, the latter of which is the most potent. Not only is resveratrol great for heart health and longevity, but studies on blood-sugar metabolism continue to emerge. Resveratrol supplements may help protect the cells of the pancreas—the place where insulin is made—and help blood sugar to be utilized (supports glucose uptake).⁵

Banaba Leaf Extract

In the Philippines, the leaves of the banaba tree are dried and shredded, then used to treat diabetes and kidney disease. The all-natural banaba leaf  also reduces weight. It has an amazing effect on blood sugar that has mystified scientists who continue to study it to learn how it works.⁶

Chromium

Chromium is another very popular blood-sugar supplement. Chromium is a mineral that is naturally present in the diet⁷ in lean meats, broccoli and brewer’s yeast, although actual content may vary due to soil. A chromium deficiency can impair blood-sugar control.⁸ After two to four months of supplementing with chromium, type 2 diabetics taking the supplement experienced improvements in blood-sugar levels.⁹

Vanadium

Vanadium is another well-known supplement for blood sugar. This mineral is found in low concentrations in foods like mushrooms, shellfish and some spices like black pepper, parsely and dill weed. As reported by the University of Maryland Medical Center, “Several animal studies and a few very small human studies suggest that vanadium may reduce blood-sugar levels and improve sensitivity to insulin in people with type 2 diabetes.”¹⁰

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a spice that is known for its blood-sugar balancing effects. Adding a teaspoon of cinnamon to rice pudding lowers the after-meal blood sugar.¹¹ Cinnamon bark extract is a dietary supplement made from the bark of the cinnamon tree,¹² which may produce the same effect as cinnamon spice. Cinnamon bark extract works on reducing the post-meal sugar and insulin levels from the dietary sugar fructose.¹³

Bitter Melon

As reported in Reader’s Digest, the best herbs and supplements for diabetes include the fruit bitter melon. “When Philippine researchers had men and women take bitter melon in capsule form for three months, they had slight, but consistently, lower blood sugar than those taking a placebo.”

Zinc

In Natural Treatments for Type 2 Diabetes, the mineral zinc makes this top-10 list. Zinc helps the “production and storage of insulin.” Type 2 diabetics may have zinc deficiencies due to “decreased absorption and increased excretion of zinc.” Foods that have zinc include fresh oysters, ginger root, lamb, pecans, split peas, egg yolk, rye, beef liver, lima beans, almonds, walnuts, sardines, chicken and buckwheat. Oysters contain the most zinc and the absorption of zinc from whole grains is poor.¹⁴ Therefore, supplements that include zinc  may be helpful for type 2 diabetics.

1.   Berks County Clinical Research
2.   http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium/
3.   Oral magnesium supplementation improves insulin sensitivity and metabolic control in type 2 diabetic subjects: a randomized double-blind controlled trial, Diabetes     Care 2003 Apr;26(4):1147-52
4.   Position of the American Dietetic Association: Health Implications of Dietary Fiber
5.   Hypoglycemic effect of resveratrol in type 2 diabetic model db/db mice and its actions in cultured L6 myotubes and RIN-5F pancreatic β-cells
6.   Antidiabetes and Anti-obesity Activity of Lagerstroemia speciosa. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2007 December; 4(4): 401–407. Published online 2007 March 14. doi: 10.1093/ecam/nem013
7.   http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/chromium-000294.htm
8.   http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/chromium/
9.   Elevated intakes of supplemental chromium improve glucose and insulin variables in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes. 1997 Nov;46(11):1786-91
10. Vanadium, University of Maryland Medical Center 
11. Spoonful of Cinnamon Helps Blood Sugar Stay Down, Reuters News for June 2007
12. Cinnamon Bark, Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
13. Cinnamon bark extract improves glucose metabolism and lipid profile in the fructose-fed rat
14. Zinc, Office of Dietary Supplements

And yet, I still battle constantly with the need to wolf down a side of fries. I still love a good burger every now and then. And there’s always the dreaded brownie sundae, which I can’t resist once or twice a year.

But my battle with food is based on knowing food and not being misled by what it claims to be.

Diseases like diabetes are becoming so prevalent because of the obvious. Junk is everywhere. In an article in the New York Times, “Is Candy Evil or Just Misunderstood,” author Julia Moskin writes that, despite the fact that there is the amount of sugar of a dozen candy corns in Gatorade, people think this “sports” drink is good for you. She also noted that although “candy provides only 6 percent of the added sugar in the American diet… sweet drinks and juice supply 46 percent.” There’s obviously something wrong when a granola bar with chocolate chips is marketed as a health food while a chocolate-chip cookie is marketed as nothing but a sugary cookie; yet the two are virtually the same.

A large part of avoiding diabetes or, for some of you, fighting it, is getting real about food. The alluringly packaged bag of “baked” potato chips, which claims to be healthier for you, may still be an over-processed bag of chips with oils, modified starches, and sometimes even salt and sugar. “Smart food” isn’t all that smart. And “Made from the juice of real fruit” is, well, probably a juice drink so loaded with sugar that you would probably need to eat three bags of jelly beans to equal the sugar in the juice.

Read labels. Stick to homemade foods. Eat more raw, organic foods—salad greens, carrots, beets, broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, apples, oranges, bananas, grapes and blueberries. Most importantly, don’t be fooled by marketing. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Look, I admit. I will never be able to completely avoid junk food. Despite almost zero nutritional value, nothing beats a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup (or two). But, as long as I make my indulgences sacred and minimal, and the bulk of what I eat healthy, I’m doing good.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. In recognition, here are some facts:

 Facts About Pre-Diabetes (Borderline Diabetics)

• 57 million people in the United States have pre-diabetes, defined as “blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.”
• According to statistics from the 2007 National Diabetes Fact Sheet, 5.7 million people are undiagnosed. This means that they have diabetes and don’t even know it.
• Everyone should ask for these three blood-sugar tests: the A1C, fasting blood-sugar and oral-glucose tolerance.
• If your fasting blood-sugar number is not less then 100, face the fact that you are diabetic or pre-diabetic and start making some lifestyle modifications such as weight loss, eating healthier and becoming more active.
• In fact, as published in Diabetes Metabolism, “Intensive lifestyle changes were even more effective than [diabetic drugs] in preventing diabetes.”

 One of the best publications I’ve found on diabetes, which includes great recipes, exercise plans and other weight-loss tips, is Prevention Magazine’s “Outsmart Diabetes” guide. I found my copy at the grocer’s checkout.

 Coming Up Next Week: The Snack Craze: How and How Not to Snack 

Individuals with diabetes have problems metabolizing blood sugar. Therefore, it is important to improve blood sugar metabolism before problems occur. The fruit of bitter melon may help maintain blood sugar levels. It is important to test your blood sugar levels every day while on any program to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. 

How the fruit of bitter melon helps blood sugar metabolism: 

First of all, bitter melon helps blood sugar to enter into the cell. This is an important aspect of blood sugar metabolism. Bitter melon encourages the release of insulin and promotes the health of the pancreatic cells that produce insulin, known as the beta cells. Insulin is necessary for blood sugar metabolism because it allows the blood sugar to enter the cell. Secondly, as the blood sugar enters the cells, the blood sugar is exiting the bloodstream which accounts for a healthy, rather than elevated, blood sugar level. Last but not least, bitter melon encourages the use of sugar for energy which is known as glucose oxidation. This is how bitter melon helps maintain a healthy blood sugar level when used as part of the diet. Natural products can have a beneficial effect on blood-sugar metabolism and blood-sugar utilization. 

Bitter melon is an ingredient found in Res-Q 105MAX, Res-Q’s primary product for blood sugar metabolism. Res-Q 105MAX contains a combination of all-natural ingredients clinically shown to help maintain a healthy blood sugar level when used as part of the diet.  For questions or to order Res-Q 105MAX, an all-natural dietary supplement that encourages blood-sugar metabolism, please call 1-800-26-ALIVE.

 To evaluate the effect of gymnema sylvestre on blood sugar and insulin levels, Gymnema sylvestre (all-natural herb) extract was used successfully in long-term clinical studies conducted on type 2 and type 1 diabetic people. Gymnema sylvestre was taken along with oral medications and insulin therapy. Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract helped support blood sugar and A1C levels, a test used to evaluate blood sugar metabolism. The use of gymnema sylvestre may promote the normal function of blood sugar and insulin function common to everyone, thus reducing the treatment requirements of the patient.

Gymnema sylvestre helps maintain a healthy blood sugar level by promoting blood sugar metabolism. Gymnema sylvestre promotes blood sugar metabolism by inhibiting the intestinal absorption of sugar, promoting cell responsiveness to insulin and by promoting insulin release from the pancreas.

Gymnema sylvestre promotes the release of insulin, a hormone necessary for blood sugar metabolism, by supporting the health of the pancreas, an organ or gland that releases insulin. The pancreas, part of the digestive system, produces enzymes and hormones necessary for metabolism. Gymnema sylvestre promotes pancreatic function by encouraging the health of the pancreas islet cells.

Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract is an all-natural herb found in Res-Q 105MAX, a Res-Q product that promotes the normal function of blood sugar metabolism. Res-Q 105MAX is a dietary supplement that contains a combination of various all-natural ingredients that have been shown in clinical studies to support blood sugar metabolism. Always consult your physician regarding any questions about your blood sugar, medications, a medical condition, and before using a new supplement.  For questions or to order Res-Q 105MAX, please call 1-800-26-ALIVE and ask about our special money-saving promotional offers that help you to get the best price on Res-Q 105MAX.

A double-blind placebo-controlled study revealed that type 2 diabetic men receiving five grams of psyllium seed husks twice a day, along with a diabetic diet inclusive of carbohydrates, experienced a reduction in the after-meal blood sugar levels.

Psyllium is a safe and effective fiber supplement. According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, “The addition of psyllium to a traditional diet for persons with diabetes is safe, is well tolerated, and improves glycemic and lipid control in men with type 2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia.”

The placebo group received a fiber (cellulose) placebo and did not experience results. Therefore, the study revealed that psyllium seed husks are a safe and effective supplement.

As reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, “Two doses of psyllium taken immediately before breakfast and dinner resulted in significantly lower metabolic ward measurements of all-day postprandial glucose and postlunch serum glucose concentrations in the psyllium than in the placebo group. All-day and postlunch postprandial glucose concentrations were 11.0% and 19.2% lower, respectively, in the psyllium than in the placebo group.”

Res-Q LAND ‘n’ SEA FIBER, an all-natural dietary supplement, provides approximately five grams of psyllium seed husks per tablespoon. A small amount of kelp, a beneficial sea plant, is blended into the psyllium seed husk.

Mix Res-Q LAND ‘n’ SEA FIBER powder with your favorite beverage and stir briskly. Take Res-Q LAND ‘n’ SEA FIBER with food, preferably 20-30 minutes prior to each meal, in order to help maintain a healthy blood sugar level when used as part of the diet.

Unlike other psyllium supplements, Res-Q LAND ‘n’ SEA FIBER is all-natural; it does not contain any artificial flavorings or colors.

Res-Q LAND ‘n’ SEA FIBER supplement is also available in capsules.

Use Res-Q LAND ‘n’ SEA FIBER, a supportive supplement for blood-sugar health, with Res-Q 105MAX, Res-Q’s primary product for blood sugar health.

We recommend that you review all supplements with your physician prior to use.

References:

Effects of psyllium on glucose and serum lipid responses in men with type 2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1999

According to the American Heart Association, “Major risk factors are those that research has shown significantly increase the risk of heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease.”

Diabetes mellitus is one of the major risk factors.  According to the American Heart Association, “About three-quarters of people with diabetes die of some form of heart or blood vessel disease.”

It is a good idea to ask your doctor to test your blood sugar levels. Even if you are just a borderline diabetic, it is important to start making changes to help keep blood sugar under control before the situation becomes worse.

Dietary modifications and all-natural supplements can play a role in managing blood sugarAccording to the medical journal Diabetes Metabolism, “Intensive lifestyle changes were even more effective than metformin in preventing diabetes.”¹  Talk to your doctor about a treatment plan for diabetes.

Res-Q 105MAX is an all-natural dietary supplement that may help maintain a healthy blood sugar level when used as part of the diet.

Res-Q TrimSystem helps support blood sugar health by providing additional minerals and herbs to promote blood sugar metabolism, enhance the metabolic rate, and reduce hunger and carbohydrate absorption.  Dietary guidelines are provided with each purchase of Res-Q TrimSystem. For more information about Res-Q Supplements, call 1-800-26-ALIVE.

Res-Q Product Home Page

 1. Implementation of the “Diabetes Prevention Program”, in Europe, Diabetes Metabolism, 2003 April;29(2 Pt 3):S16-20

Resveratrol

This is not the first study to help elucidate the mechanism behind how resveratrol may help improve blood sugar metabolism. Scientists believe that resveratrol, a natural component of the red grape skins and red wine, which is also made from the red grapes, may be beneficial for the health of those with Type II diabetes.

The results of many research studies suggest that resveratrol could help promote blood sugar metabolism.  Many studies have been conducted to find out how resveratrol promotes blood sugar health. The studies have revealed various information about how resveratrol affects insulin and blood sugar, of which the most impressive and well-known factor may be resveratrol’s ability to affect Sirt1. Sirtuin 1, referred to as both a gene and an enzyme, works on a cellular level to promote the basic survival mechanism of many living things and is attributed with the expansion of the lifespan or what is more commonly referred to as living longer.

Since resveratrol activates Sirt1 (Sirtuin 1), which is less active in cells that are not responding to insulin, resveratrol can improve blood sugar metabolism.² Sirutins are found throughout the body¹, including the liver, brain, pancreas and body fat. Resveratrol’s activation of sirtuins can benefit our health in more ways than just living longer.

Resveratrol’s activation of Sirtuin 1 can  promote the normal function of blood sugar metabolism common to everyone.  The activation of Sirt1 has been shown to help regulate the action of insulin and encourage blood sugar metabolism.³

Resveratrol is only present in red wine and red grapes in very small quantities.  The amounts used in research are potent amounts of resveratrol.  Therefore, resveratrol supplements are used to help provide a concentrated extract of resveratrol and supplement the diet.

Res-Q Resveratrol is a high-quality resveratrol supplement containing resveratrol in its most biological active form. For the health benefits of blood-sugar metabolism, we recommend our primary product Res-Q 105MAX, designed specifically to help maintain a healthy blood sugar level when used as part of the diet. Res-Q Resveratrol may also be used as a supportive product to help maintain blood sugar metabolism and encourage longevity. Res-Q Resveratrol has many health benefits: longevity, good health, cardiovascular health and brain health.  Call 1-800-26-ALIVE to learn how you can get the best price on Res-Q Resveratrol, a high quality resveratrol supplement.  

1. New research: resveratrol improves diabetes by affecting the brain, Natural News, Nov 7, 2009
2. Abstract: SIRT1 Improves Insulin Sensitivity under Insulin-Resistant Conditions by Repressing PTP1B Cell Metabolism: October 2007, Pages 307-319
3. Silencing Insulin Resistance through SIRT1, Cell Metabolism 2007