Support Glucose (60 Caps)

Is this only helpful for those with elevated glucose levels or is it also helpful for those with low glucose/hypoglycemia?

It is intended to help with glucose metabolism, in general. Under FDA regulations we cannot say if a dietary supplement can or cannot influence levels of glucose.

Is there a recommendation for those with diabetes or other glucose issues?

A disclaimer often used for products like this: This product should only be used with careful monitoring of blood sugar levels and in consultation with your healthcare practitioner. If pregnant or nursing consult your healthcare practitioner before taking this product.

• ChromeMate® Niacin bound Chromium (as Cr Polynicotinate) – Chromium is a trace mineral heavily involved in glucose metabolism. Research suggests that supplementing with chromium picolinate may help support insulin sensitivity by targeting a critical inflammatory molecule called tumor necrosis factor-α [1]. Research also shows that chromium supplementation may significantly increase levels of “good cholesterol” known as HDL while decreasing levels of” bad cholesterol” known as LDL [2]. Studies indicate that chromium supplementation may significantly improve carbohydrate craving, indicating a potential role in weight management [3]. Clinical research suggests that when chromium and niacin form a complex, chromium can more powerfully exert each of these effects [4].
• Gymnema Sylvestre Leaf Extract – Native to India, Africa, and Australia, this extract has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries and is enriched with gymnemic acid. In a study that examined supplementation with this potent extract, patients experienced significantly reduced HbA1c and glucose levels, indicating a potential increase in insulin sensitivity [5]. In another study, patients who were supplemented with gymnema sylvestre extract for eight weeks experienced a significant reduction in body weight, cholesterol levels, and LDL levels [6]. Studies also indicate that supplementing with this extract may help dampen a patient’s cravings for sweets [7].
• Cinnulin PF® Cinnamon Extract – This proprietary water extract is derived from Cinnamomum burmannii through an enhanced process that filters out toxins that are found within whole cinnamon. This form of cinnamon is particularly beneficial since it is rich in Type A polymers, which help to promote cardiovascular health. One study found that patients who supplemented with Cinnulin PF® for 12 weeks experienced significantly improved fasting blood glucose levels [8].
• Alpha-Lipoic Acid – This fatty acid plays a crucial and multifaceted role in glucose metabolism. It bridges two critical reactions that convert glucose into energy while also scavenging and neutralizing harmful oxygen radicals. One study showed that supplementing with alpha-lipoic acid for eight weeks significantly reduced fasting blood glucose, post-meal blood glucose, and indicators of insulin resistance [9].
• Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) Extract – Bitter melon has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for various ailments. In one study where participants were supplemented with bitter melon extract for three months, participants experienced significantly increased insulin secretion with simultaneous significant reductions in weight, waist circumference, blood glucose levels, and HbA1c [10].
• Lagerstroemia speciosa L. (Banaba) Leaf Extract – Native to Southeast Asia, this extract contains an antioxidant called corosolic acid, which promotes cardiovascular health by targeting inflammation-causing free radicals, enhancing glucose transport, and balancing cholesterol levels. Studies have shown significant reductions in blood glucose when participants underwent oral glucose tolerance tests after supplementing with corosolic acid [11]. Additionally, patients who were supplemented with regimens including Banaba leaf extract were found to exhibit significant improvements in triglyceride and HDL levels [12].
• Vanadyl Sulfate – This trace mineral has been found to exhibit profound effects on glucose control. In one study, participants who were supplemented with vanadyl sulfate for three weeks experienced significantly reduced blood glucose levels and enhanced peripheral insulin sensitivity [13].

References

1. Imanparast F, Javaheri J, Kamankesh F, et al. The effects of chromium and vitamin D3 co-supplementation on insulin resistance and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in type 2 diabetes: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2020;45(5):471-477. doi:10.1139/apnm-2019-0113
2. Press RI, Geller J, Evans GW. The effect of chromium picolinate on serum cholesterol and apolipoprotein fractions in human subjects. West J Med. 1990;152(1):41-45.
3. Docherty JP, Sack DA, Roffman M, Finch M, Komorowski JR. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, exploratory trial of chromium picolinate in atypical depression: effect on carbohydrate craving. J Psychiatr Pract. 2005;11(5):302-314. doi:10.1097/00131746-200509000-00004
4. Urberg M, Zemel MB. Evidence for synergism between chromium and nicotinic acid in the control of glucose tolerance in elderly humans. Metabolism. 1987;36(9):896-899. doi:10.1016/0026-0495(87)90100-4
5. Gaytán Martínez LA, Sánchez-Ruiz LA, Zuñiga LY, González-Ortiz M, Martínez-Abundis E. Effect of Gymnema sylvestre Administration on Glycemic Control, Insulin Secretion, and Insulin Sensitivity in Patients with Impaired Glucose Tolerance. J Med Food. 2021;24(1):28-32. doi:10.1089/jmf.2020.0024
6. Preuss HG, Bagchi D, Bagchi M, Rao CV, Dey DK, Satyanarayana S. Effects of a natural extract of (-)-hydroxycitric acid (HCA-SX) and a combination of HCA-SX plus niacin-bound chromium and Gymnema sylvestre extract on weight loss. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2004;6(3):171-180. doi:10.1111/j.1462-8902.2004.00328.x
7. Brala PM, Hagen RL. Effects of sweetness perception and caloric value of a preload on short term intake. Physiol Behav. 1983;30(1):1-9. doi:10.1016/0031-9384(83)90030-6
8. Ziegenfuss TN, Hofheins JE, Mendel RW, Landis J, Anderson RA. Effects of a water-soluble cinnamon extract on body composition and features of the metabolic syndrome in pre-diabetic men and women. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2006;3(2):45-53. Published 2006 Dec 28. doi:10.1186/1550-2783-3-2-45
9. Ansar H, Mazloom Z, Kazemi F, Hejazi N. Effect of alpha-lipoic acid on blood glucose, insulin resistance and glutathione peroxidase of type 2 diabetic patients. Saudi Med J. 2011;32(6):584-588.
10. Cortez-Navarrete M, Martínez-Abundis E, Pérez-Rubio KG, González-Ortiz M, Méndez-Del Villar M. Momordica charantia Administration Improves Insulin Secretion in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. J Med Food. 2018;21(7):672-677. doi:10.1089/jmf.2017.0114
11. Fukushima M, Matsuyama F, Ueda N, et al. Effect of corosolic acid on postchallenge plasma glucose levels. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2006;73(2):174-177. doi:10.1016/j.diabres.2006.01.010
12. Cicero AFG, Fogacci F, Morbini M, et al. Nutraceutical Effects on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Patients with Impaired Fasting Glucose: A Pilot, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial on a Combined Product. High Blood Press Cardiovasc Prev. 2017;24(3):283-288. doi:10.1007/s40292-017-0206-3
13. Halberstam M, Cohen N, Shlimovich P, Rossetti L, Shamoon H. Oral vanadyl sulfate improves insulin sensitivity in NIDDM but not in obese nondiabetic subjects [published correction appears in Diabetes 1996 Sep;45(9):1285]. Diabetes. 1996;45(5):659-666. doi:10.2337/diab.45.5.659