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Magnesium Cellular magnesium seems to play an important role in glucose metabolism, both in regulating glucose's entrance into the cell where it can be utilized for fuel, and in its involvement in key enzymatic reactions in the metabolism of glucose for energy. Studies indicate that diabetics who supplement with magnesium show significantly lower levels of resting blood glucose than controls, indicating improved metabolism of glucose. A magnesium deficiency is commonly seen in type 2 diabetes, because high glucose levels cause magnesium to be flushed from the body. In a recent clinical study, four months of magnesium supplementation improved insulin sensitivity. Magnesium works with glucose to improve insulin regulation. Several studies have shown magnesium can also lower the risk of developing heart conditions such as coronary artery disease and abnormal heart rhythms. Alpha Lipoic Acid A collaborative study between Mayo Clinic and a medical center in Russia found that alpha lipoic acid (ALA) significantly and rapidly reduces the frequency and severity of symptoms of the most common kind of diabetic neuropathy. Symptoms decreased include burning and sharply cutting pain, prickling sensations and numbness. Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Anemarrhena is a rare herb that grows wild in Japan and the northern part of China. It has a 2,000-year history of use, and written records of its use date from 200 A.D. Anemarrhena has been traditionally used in the orient for fever, cough, and diabetes. Astragalus Membranaceous Astragalus is a perennial plant that is native to the northern and eastern parts of China as well as Mongolia and Korea. The dried root is used in TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) for a diverse array of health problems. Bitter Melon (Momordica Charantia) Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) is also known as bitter gourd, bitter cucumber, bitter apple, karolla and karela. Bitter melon is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family and is related to honeydew and Persian melon, cantaloupe, muskmelon and casaba. Bitter melon is a vegetable cultivated and eaten in many parts of the world, including India, Asia, Africa and South America. The fruit and seeds of bitter melon are thought to be useful for diabetes. Gynostemma Pentaphyllum (Jiaogulan) Jiaogulan is a member of the gourd family that grows in southern China and some neighboring countries. 16 species and 3 variations of Jiaogulan have been discovered and documented so far. Jiaogulan has been used in China for over a thousand years to help relieve/ease coughs, phlegm, chronic bronchitis, and toxic and virus conditions. In 1976, Japanese scientists first isolated the key ingredients in Jiaogulan, the gypenosides. 82 gypenosides have been identified by Chinese scientists thus far, 4 of them have the exact same chemical structures as the ginsenosides Rb1, Rb3, Rd, and F2 in ginseng (1, 2, 3 and 4). Jiaogulan is relatively new to the list of adaptogens. According to recent studies, it contains nearly four times as many saponins as Panax ginseng. These saponins, known as gypenosides, are similar to the ginsenosides and panaxosides found in Asian ginseng. Preliminary studies also suggest Jiaogulan may have even more powerful regulatory effects on a number of body systems than does Asian ginseng. In addition, Jiaogulan has demonstrated antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and a beneficial effect on blood pressure regulation. Jiaogulan also has been shown to bolster the immune system, improve fat metabolism, moderate cholesterol levels, and enhance strength and physical endurance. Panax Ginseng Asian Panax Ginseng has been a part of Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. The first reference to the health-enhancing use of Asian Panax Ginseng dates to the first century A.D. Results of clinical research studies demonstrate that Panax ginseng may improve psychological function, immune function, and conditions associated with diabetes. Pueraria Lobata Pueraria (Kudzu) Root is a perennial, trailing or climbing vine of the Legume family. The first written mention of the plant as a medicine is in the ancient herbal text of Shen Nong (circa A.D. 100) in China. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Pueraria Root is used in prescriptions for stomach discomforts, thirst, headache, and stiff neck with pain due to high blood pressure. It is also used in modern Chinese medicine for angina pectoris, allergies, migraines, and diarrhea. In laboratory animals, chemicals derived from kudzu have affected blood sugar levels. For some animals kudzu reduced blood sugar levels, but not by increasing insulin release. Instead, it is thought that these chemicals increase the body's production of a substance known as beta-endorphin. In turn, glucose tolerance (the ability of body cells to absorb sugar and convert it into energy) also increases. In general, animals with diabetes experienced a bigger reduction in blood sugar while given kudzu than normal animals. Rehmannia Glutinosa Rehmannia is a perennial herb with reddish-violet flowers native to China, Japan and Korea. Its common name is Chinese Foxglove. Rehmannia's root is used medicinally in Oriental medicine to replenish vitality, to strengthen the liver, kidney and heart and for treatment of a variety of ailments like diabetes, constipation, anemia, urinary tract problems, dizziness and regulation of menstrual flow.
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