High Blood Sugar supplement natural herb, vitamin
April 16 2016 by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

People who tend to be sedentary -- as indicated by the amount of time they spend watching television or in front of their computer for several hours or all day -- are likely to have high blood sugar, even though they may not be diabetic. The insulin hormone level will be higher. Regular activity breaks are more effective than continuous physical activity at decreasing postprandial glycemia and high insulin levels in healthy, normal-weight adults. Breaking prolonged sitting reduces postprandial glycemia in healthy, normal-weight adults: a randomized crossover trial.

Many older people with diabetes may be exposed to potential harm from their medications because doctors are trying to keep overly tight control of their blood sugar levels. Most older diabetics who are in poor health have been placed on a diabetes management regimen that strictly controls their blood sugar, aiming at a targeted hemoglobin A1C level of less than 7 percent. But these patients are achieving that goal through the use of medications that place them at greater risk of hypoglycemia, a reaction to overly low blood sugar that can cause abnormal heart rhythms, and dizziness or loss of consciousness.

The role of fats
Eating more healthy fats, like nuts, seeds and fish oils, while limiting animal fats and refined carbohydrates, can help prevent or control type 2 diabetes.

The following compounds may lower high blood sugar
Flavonoids, xanthones, triterpenoids, alkaloids, glycosides, alkyldisulfides, aminobutyric acid derivatives, guanidine, polysaccharides and peptides.
Green tea drinking - A meta-analysis suggested that green tea had favorable effects, ie, decreased fasting glucose and Hb A1c concentrations. Subgroup analyses showed a significant reduction in fasting insulin concentrations.  2013 American Society for Nutrition. Effect of green tea on glucose control and insulin sensitivity: a meta-analysis of 17 randomized controlled trials.
A diet rich in plant antioxidants called polyphenols lowers blood sugar. These antioxidants are found in dark chocolate, green tea, coffee, and extra virgin olive oil, among other foods and plants.

Testing for high blood sugar
The amount of sugar ( glucose ) in your blood indicates whether you have diabetes or may be at increased risk of developing the disease and its complications. If your doctor suspects you're at risk, he or she may prescribe a blood sugar test, known as a blood glucose test. Assuming you have not had any food or drink for at least six hours before your test:
Blood sugar readings of up to 100 mg/dL are considered normal and healthy.
Blood sugar readings between 100 and 126 are considered slightly elevated and may indicate pre-diabetes.
A blood sugar reading of 126 or higher typically indicates diabetes.

Consequences of a high sugar or carbohydrate meal
Glucose has an extended stay in blood and indiscriminately adds on to surface protein-amino groups. Fructose in common sugar is 10-fold more active. This random glycation process interferes with the functions of many proteins (e.g., hemoglobin, eye lens proteins) and causes progressive damage to heart, kidneys, eyes and nerves.

See also HBa1c blood sugar test.

Herbal medicine
Nutr Res Pract. 2013. The antidiabetic effects of an herbal formula composed of Alnus hirsuta, Rosa davurica, Acanthopanax senticosus and Panax schinseng in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. A folk prescription consisting of Alnus hirsuta, Rosa davurica, Acanthopanax senticosus and Panax schinseng has been used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Does gymnema sylvestre help with high blood sugar levels? What about D-fagomine?
    I have not seen enough human research to know for certain.

Q. I was told of a supplement in Mexico called insujen or insuhen or insugen which kills blood sugar in its tracks. Have you heard of this? My friend said his father went from insulin injections 3 times a day to one pill of insujen after each meal with no side effects.
   A. I am not familiar with insujen.