Glucose Response contains Banaba Extract, a new dietary ingredient extracted from the herb Lagestroemia speciosa. A traditional plant used in Southeast Asia and has been the subject of scientific studies that demonstrates its ability to support glucose metabolisim. We have also included an extract from the herb Gymnema sylvestre, a small plant native to India. Extracts of Gymnema have been used for centuries by Ayurvedic medical practitioners for glucose metabolism.*

Vital Health's Glucose Response ingredients:

• Vitamin B6, B12, and Folic Acid
  The vitamin B family, which includes folic acid, is essential for your overall health. Surprisingly, a survey indicates that about one-third of adults are deficient in B vitamins.
  
  Specifically, B vitamins and folic acid are thought to reduce the risk of nerve damage due to diabetes complications. Since people with diabetes often have lower absorption of these vitamins, supplementation of B6, B12, and folic acid are often necessary.
  
  
• Magnesium
  This mineral is essential for hundreds of chemical reactions in your body - yet many people do not get enough magnesium through their diet, especially if they eat a lot of processed food.
  
  Preliminary research has shown that magnesium can protect against type 2 diabetes (adult onset or non-insulin-dependent diabetes), and its complications.
  
  
• Chromium
  Chromium is an essential trace mineral that can help control diabetes and other symptoms related to high blood glucose levels. In scientific studies, researchers discovered a molecule called "glucose tolerance factor" that can increase the cell's response to insulin - it turns out that this factor contains chromium.
  
  Further studies showed that diabetic sufferers who take chromium are able to reduce their dosage of diabetes medications.
  
  
• Fenugreek Seed
  A recent study performed in 2005 suggests that fenugreek seed, an ayurvedic therapy, has glucose-lowering effects.
  
  
• Bitter Melon Juice
  Bitter melon or Momordica charantia has been used as a traditional therapy to reduce blood glucose in people with diabetes - studies have suggested that this effect may be due to similarities of one of its active compoent gurmarin polypeptide, to the hormone insulin.
  
  
• Bilberry Fruit Extract
  This blue-black berry, a folk remedy for diabetes, has been shown by Italian scientists to lower blood glucose and triglyceride levels (a risk factor for heart disease) in animal studies. Furthermore, bilberry can improve vision, and may prevent eye and vision complications due to diabetes.
  
  
• Dimethylglycine (DMG)
  Studies have shown that this nutritional supplement can improve the immune system, enhance cardiovascular health, and increase metabolism. In a clinical study, DMG has been shown to normalize the immune response, specifically lymphocyte activity, in patients with diabetes.
  
  
• Green Tea Extract
  Green tea or Camellia sinensis extract has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine for its healing properties. Green tea is made from unfermented tea leaves, and has the highest concentration of polyphenols - a powerful antioxidant.
  
  Animal studies have suggested that green tea extract can help prevent and slow down the progression of diabetes, and may help the body regulate glucose use.
  
  
• L-Cysteine
  People with diabetes may have an increased need for certain amino acids, such as cysteine. L-cysteine is involved in the synthesis of lipoic acid, which may reduce the need for insulin.
  
  
• Banaba Extract
  Banaba plant is used as a popular traditional medicine for diabetes in the Philippines - research has suggested that Banaba leaf extract can help reduce blood sugar due to its natural, plant insulin-like activity.
  
  
• Vanadyl Sulfate
  This nutrient is the common form of vanadium, an essential trace element in the body. In a Japanese research study, vanadyl sulfate was found helpful in treating diabetes due to its insulin-mimicking activity, supposedly as an enzyme co-factor.
  
  
• Gamma-Glutamylcysteine
  In our body, the level of the enzyme gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase declines as we age - this ultimately leads to reduction in glutathione (a potent antioxidant and cell regulator) levels in the body. Because glutathione deficiency can contribute to oxidative stress, which can exacerbate diabetes, supplementation of the precursor gamma-glutamylcysteine may help alleviate the symptoms of diabetes.
  
  

Select Scientific References

• Guerrero-Romero F and Rodriguez-Moran M. Complementary therapies for diabetes: the case for chromium, magnesium, and antioxidants. Arch Med Res 2005; 36(3):250-7.
• Basch E, et al. Therapeutic applications of fenugreek. Altern Med Rev 2003; 8(1):20-7.
• Jia W, et al. Antidiabetic herbal drugs officially approved in China. Phytother Res 2003; 17(10)1127-34
• Shapiro K and Gong WC. Natural products used for diabetes. J Am Pharm Assoc (Wash) 2002; 42(2):217-26
• Cicero AF, et al. What do herbalists suggest to diabetic patients in order to improve glycemic control? Evaluation of scientific evidence and potential risks. Acta Diabetol 2004; 41(3):91-8.
• Crespy V and Williamson G. A review of the health effects of green tea catechins in in vivo animal models. J Nutr 2004; 134(12 Suppl):3431S-3440S
• Park MY, et al. Effects of dietary mulberry, Korean red ginseng, and banaba on glucose homeostasis in relation to PPAR-alpha, PPAR-gamma, and LPL mRNA expressions. Life Sci 2005; 77(26):3344-54
• Sakurai H. A new concept: the use of vanadium complexes in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Chem Rec 2002; 2(4):237-48.