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Diabetes & Blood Sugar

Legumes for Diabetes

Legumes for Diabetes

Diabetes

Diabetes affects more people than we know about. While there are about 29 million verified cases of diabetes in the United States, an estimated 8 million more are undiagnosed, meaning that as much as 28 percent of people with diabetes remain undiagnosed.

Because the body cannot adequately process glucose, diabetes can be difficult to treat, as treatment relies largely on the patient being vigilant with their own wellbeing, administering insulin properly, managing diet and food consumption, and being aware of the ancillary complications that diabetes can cause.

Among the side effects that diabetes can cause are very serious ailments that can each be difficult to treat on their own.

Complications with the feet and legs:

Diabetes can cause neuropathy, which is nerve damage, and can make it difficult to feel hot and cold, as well as cause foot ulcers and peripheral vascular disease.

Neuropathy

Kidney Disease:

Kidney Disease

Diabetic kidney disease is perhaps the most damaging of the dangers of diabetes, causing the kidneys to leak abnormal amounts of protein from the bloodstream into the urine, and eventually causing kidney failure.

Stroke:

If blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol is not closely attended to and maintained, diabetics run the risk of stroke, which can range from slightly debilitating to deadly.

While there are great prescription medications to help diabetics deal with their condition, treatment and healing always begins with diet. Knowing which foods can help reduce the effects of diabetes on the body is paramount to coping with the disease effectively.

Not only is it important to consider which foods to eat, but how often and when to eat throughout the day. The foods that generate the largest spikes in blood sugar are those which are high in carbohydrates. This is not limited to just cookies and sugar laden foods; even healthy foods like cereal and fruits can spike blood sugar.

High Blood Pressure Fruits

As for amount and time of meals, experts recommend eating three main meals daily with snacks in between them to keep blood sugar consistent throughout the day.

Legumes

Studies are showing that among the best foods for diabetics are legumes. With their high protein and fiber content, beans are a wonder food for diabetics, containing as much protein in one cup as two ounces of meat or chicken.

Heavy in foods that are appropriate for diabetics, the diet typical for a person in the Mediterranean includes legumes as a staple food, and research is validating these food choices as diabetic friendly.

Published in the journal Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome, researchers studied whether or not the Mediterranean diet can help treat type 2 diabetes, with promising results.

The study was performed on 158 participants with type 2 diabetes, measuring fasting glucose and lipids in the bloodstream along with monitoring food intake to assure adherence to the diet.

Out of all participants, 55 percent were able to adhere to the Mediterranean diet properly, and researchers found that the consumption of nuts, legumes, and seeds were associated with a significantly reduces risk of diabetes.

Legumes are great for diabetics because they are very low on the glycemic index, a method to measure the impact that food has on blood sugar. Lower foods on the glycemic index are better for diabetics because they don’t create heavy blood sugar spikes which leads to internal organ damage. This coupled with high amounts of protein and fiber make beans a diabetic’s dream food.

More legumes

Perhaps the best nutrition plan for a diabetic is the paleo diet. Like the Mediterranean diet, the paleo diet also recommends eating healthy amounts of fruits and vegetables, but the paleo diet does not traditionally include legumes.

The paleo diet

The paleo diet contends that our human bodies have not yet evolved to adequately digest many of the modern, commercially augmented, foods that we regularly consume. Proponents contend that we should stick to a diet that is similar to that of Paleolithic man, consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables, grass fed meat, fish and seafood, nuts and seeds, and healthful oils.

Eating legumes

The paleo diet, however, does not recommend legumes as part of a daily diet. Paleo diet with legumes may be a powerful combination.

We know that beans are great for diabetics, but the paleo diet may be able to help control diabetes in addition to the powerful effect of legumes.

One recent study examined the metabolic and physiologic effects from following a paleo diet. Scientists conducted a metabolically controlled study on 14 type 2 diabetics, comparing the paleo diet to that suggested by the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Measurements were taken of mean arterial blood pressure, urine electrolytes, hemoglobin A1c and fructosamine levels, insulin resistance, and lipid levels.

While both groups showed improvements in metabolic measures, the group adhering to the paleo diet showed greater benefits in areas of glucose control and lipid profiles. In addition to lipids and glucose, the paleo group also showed a significant improvement in insulin sensitivity, an outcome not exhibited in any of the insulin resistant subjects following the ADA recommended diet.

And yet another study expounds on the ability of legumes to reduce inflammation in the body. Studies show that first-degree relatives of patients with diabetes are more at risk for endothelial dysfunction. This is a vascular disease in which the endolethium –the inner lining of blood vessels- has an imbalance between dilating and constricting, which can have an impact on many blood pressure-related bodily functions.

This study aims to determine how legumes can help reduce inflammation that can cause serious side effects in the relatives of type 2 diabetes patients.

26 participants, each with a familial history of diabetes, were randomly assigned to a legume enriched diet for 6 weeks, separated by a two week washout. Inflammatory markers were assessed and measured before the study. The results indicated that, with equal caloric intake, those consuming more legumes exhibited significantly reduced levels of “high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and serum levels of adiponectin”, concluding that “a legume-enriched diet significantly reduced the hs-CRP concentrations in first-degree relatives of patients with diabetes after 6 week of intervention compared with a habitual diet.”

A diet high in legumes is capable of reducing inflammation as well as aiding digestion of carbohydrates, leading to reduced blood sugar spikes for type 2 diabetes patients, and a healthier, less inflammatory response in the body due to dietary intake.

Legumes are not a perfect food for diabetics, but they are very close. With their high fiber content, coupled with high amounts of protein and low sugar and carbohydrate content, beans are an excellent food not only for diabetics, but for anyone looking to eat healthier, increase fiber intake –which generates a huge amount of benefits in and of itself- and reduce blood sugar spikes, a key to treating type 2 diabetes without harmful medication.

Legumes and beans
Full Day Of Eating For Reversing Type 2

Full Day Of Eating For Reversing Type 2 Diabetes (Doctor Recommended!)

If you have diabetes, you know how important lifestyle nutritional dietary choices are for controlling your blood sugar levels. If you struggle with what to eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, read on! We’ll reveal a 24-hour meal plan for individuals with diabetes.

24-hour diabetic meal plan

clipboard with prescription pad and red letters spelling out diabetes meal planEven though the term “high protein diet” varies in definition from one study to the next, evidence supports the idea that eating 0.8 grams per kilogram body weight results in less hunger, reduced appetite, increased energy levels, and preservation or increased blood sugar levels. A recent meta-analysis study of 74 randomized controlled trials showed that eating higher protein diets significantly reduced cardiometabolic risk factors and risk factors for diabetes, body weight, BMI, weight circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, fasting insulin. Both vegetarian and animal proteins should offer the same benefits. One study showed no significant difference between protein from animal sources and protein from vegetarian sources.

woman chopping fresh vegetables in the kitchenWhat cannot be ignored, however, is the way in which the protein food sources are prepared. The cost of high-heat cooking in a randomized controlled study showed that high-heat cooking had negative effects on diabetes. This applies to methods of cooking including boiling, poaching, stewing, steaming, rather than frying, baking, or grilling. The premise of the study was that harsher cooking methods increased the formation of advanced glycation end-products (or AGEs) that exacerbate insulin resistance. The study showed that consuming high heat cooking foods showed more signs of inflammation and more signs of glycolysis and poor glucose control.

man with a pricked finger using a blood glucose meterIn fact, the order in which we eat our meals can also influence insulin sensitivity, even though most people don’t consider this in their dietary routines. A study showed that both blood sugar and insulin levels were lower after meals that started with protein and veggies before carbohydrates, compared to eating carbohydrates first. So even the order in which you eat foods is important.

Finally, vinegar shots or apple cider vinegar before meals has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity.

Breakfast: poached eggs with spinach, cottage cheese and avocado, flaxseed slider, green tea

poached eggs sliced open on top of a bed of spinachWhen it comes to breakfast, we want high protein and lots of colors. The adage goes, “eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper”. We want a lot of calories for breakfast so it sustains your energy and blood sugar levels throughout the day.

A great breakfast recipe is poached eggs over a bed of spinach. Eggs are rich in protein and the yolk of eggs are high in carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin. Poached eggs are great because we can avoid high-temperature cooking that can cause problems for diabetic patients. Plus, poaching an egg does not break the yolk, therefore, the cholesterol within the yolk does not become oxidized so it’s much safer for your overall health.

How do you best poach an egg? Take a medium size saucepan and fill it up halfway with water. Put it on medium heat. Put about a tablespoon of white vinegar to help congeal the egg whites. Crack two eggs into a small bowl while the water is heating up. Take a wooden spoon and start swirling the water. Then, take the small bowl and pour the eggs into the swirling water. When done, use a slotted spoon to take out the eggs and place on a bed of cooked spinach and/or lettuce.

To add more colors to this plate (remember, the more colourful, the better), you can also add bit of bell peppers, green onions, shredded cheese, and even some salsa for an extra kick!

cottage cheese and avocado on a brown earthenware plateAs a side to your high-protein breakfast, have some cottage cheese with sliced avocados. You’ll get healthy fatty acids from the avocado, and more proteins from the cottage cheese. You can add some berries, raspberries, blueberries, nuts, almond or pumpkin seeds, for some powerful antioxidants.

Have a cup of green tea to get some antioxidants. You can also make a flaxseed slider as a source of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. All you need is about a tablespoon of flaxseed in a shot glass, fill it half-full with water, and let it soak overnight so the flaxseed soaks up the water. In the morning, down it like a shot!

This is going to be high protein, high antioxidant to help support your blood sugar levels.

Lunch: Green salad and coconut bean soup

close up of a healthy hearty cobb salad with eggs, cheese, greens, tomatoes, onions, and chickenIf you have diabetes, try this salad and soup for lunch. It’s high in protein and packed full of anti-inflammatory agents. This green salad is a version of the Cobb salad or Chef’s salad. It contains a mixture of spinach, mixed greens, butter bibb lettuce, hard-boiled egg, turkey bacon, sliced avocados, sliced or diced tomatoes, chicken, cheese (blue cheese is traditional in a Cobb salad but you can use any shredded or sliced cheese you wish), topped off with cranberries, green onions, and roasted beets.

It is recommended to slow cook the chicken with olive oil and lots of herbs and spices over the stove. It typically takes about half an hour, but those slow cooking methods or sure worth it versus high-temperature cooking methods. For the roasted beets, slice them and put them on a baking sheet. Drizzle a little bit of olive oil, salt, pepper, and rosemary over the top, and stick it in the oven. For the dressing, use 1/3 cup of red wine vinegar, one tablespoon of Dijon mustard, 2/3 cup of olive oil, salt, pepper, and infuse with herbs.

bowl of black bean soupA great soup for a diabetic is a coconut bean soup because beans really help to control blood sugar levels. You get the benefits of the MCT that’s contained in coconut and all of the benefits of coconut milk.

You’ll need one can of rinsed and drained black beans, a can of diced tomatoes, a can of coconut milk, one cup of vegetable broth, two chopped green onions, a tablespoon each of ginger, cumin, turmeric, two cloves of garlic chopped, salt, pepper, and fresh chopped parsley for the topping.

Combine the black beans, tomatoes, coconut milk, vegetable broth, green onions, ginger, cumin, turmeric, and garlic in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until it achieves the consistency that you’re like (usually half an hour should do it). Season with salt and pepper, and top with parsley. It’s simple and delicious!

Dinner: Basil pesto salmon with broccoli and whipped cauliflower

salmon steak topped with fresh basil pesto on an oven traySalmon is a great option for dinner. You can get a wild salmon fillet and marinate it for a bit with honey, herbs, and spices for a delicious meal. Choose wild salmon typically from the Pacific Northwest or Alaska because it contains significantly less heavy metals and pesticides and other toxins that are found in farm-raised salmon. You can also top the salmon with basil pesto and receive the antioxidant effects of basil along with the essential fatty acids in the salmon.

mashed cauliflower on a dark blue plate topped with parsleyFor some greens on the dinner table, make some steamed broccoli. It’s super easy, all you have to do is steam broccoli for about 10-15 minutes and then put herbs and spices on top.

As a great alternative to mashed potatoes, make yourself some whipped cauliflower. Place the cauliflower in a steamer for about 10-15 minutes just to break it down a little, then saute in olive oil for about five minutes or so before adding some herbs and spices to it. Then, put it in a blender and whip into a smooth consistency.

Snacks: Hummus with vegetables/apples, avocado, hard-boiled egg

hummus in a dip bowl with carrot and celery sticks neatly arranged on the plate below itIf you have diabetes you know how important it is to keep your blood sugar levels stable and level throughout the day. In addition to breakfast, lunch, and dinner, incorporating at least a few healthy high protein snacks is very important. What are the options?

  • Hummus with vegetables or apples
  • An avocado
  • A hard-boiled egg
  • Celery or apple with almond butter or peanut butter
  • Nuts and seeds. A great snack high in fatty acids that are good for diabetes.
  • Yogurt with fresh berries
  • Tuna salad. Drain the tuna, put it in a bowl, add some olive oil, chopped celery, some relish, and some herbs and spices.
  • Popcorn
  • Edamame. Boil for five minutes and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

So that wraps up the 24-hour meal plan for diabetes that helps to level blood sugars, control blood sugars, and potentially reverse the effects of high blood sugars and diabetes.

Blood Sugar Premier by zenith labsNow, obviously these are just a few recipes, breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. You should explore with high protein meals and meal colors. It’s recommended to include nine meal colors every single day and have a high protein diet of at least 0.8 milligrams per kilogram body weight of protein. If you have recipes and dietary regimens and plans, post them in the comments so that others can learn from you.

We’ve actually created a supplement called Blood Sugar Premiere which helps to control blood sugar levels. Check it out and let us know what you think!


Dr. Ryan Shelton of zenith labsIf you liked this video/article and found it useful, do share it with your friends and loved ones. Subscribe to the Youtube channel for weekly tips on new tools and techniques to improve your health and well-being.

I believe in the original meaning of the word doctor, ‘docere’, which means teacher. I’m here to help educate you on how to take care of yourself in ways that you may not have heard of before, but that are effective. I always want to hear your ideas and feedback so be sure to leave me comments below!

 

 

 

The Exercise to lower blood pressure that will surprise you (DO DAILY!)

The Exercise to Lower Blood Pressure That Will Surprise You (DO DAILY!)

Did you know that estimates from a recent study from Harvard University show that nearly 950 million people worldwide struggle with high blood pressure and the negative consequences that come along with it? The number varies from country to country but in America, it’s somewhere between 20 and 30 percent of the population. In some countries, as much as 50% of the population struggles with high blood pressure. If you’re one of those individuals, you might want to try doing this exercise consistently to help manage your blood pressure.

The Benefits of Breathing Exercises on Blood Pressure

diagram of a human skeletal, muscular, and nervous system

The parasympathetic nervous system is controlled by something called the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve basically controls everything from the neck down. It controls most of the processes that we don’t have to think about. It controls heartbeat, heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and digestion. Having more control of your vagus nerve can help you take more control over reducing your blood pressure, anxiety, asthma symptoms etc. Deep breathing exercises are actually one way of doing this.

Deep breathing exercises can actually help you take hold of your vagus nerve and help with issues like high blood pressure, asthma, anxiety, diabetes, stress, and help improve your overall health and wellbeing.

man with eyes closed outdoors smiling

A study done at the Julliard School of Music showed that musicians who implemented deep breathing exercises for 10-15 minutes a day had reduced stress and sympathetic nervous activity than another group who didn’t practice deep breathing exercises. They had lower blood pressure, incidences of asthma, and reduced abdominal pains and anxiety. They were also more calm, confident, and generally performed better. The musicians who practiced deep breathing exercises had more hold over their vagus nerve than those who did not.

a plastic heart lying on top of a blood pressure pump

Another research study done on a group of Zen practitioners showed that there were changes in blood pressure, heart rate, asthma, abdominal pain, proinflammatory cytokines and chemicals throughout the body and mental focus for 24 hours after just a 10 – 15 minute episode of deep breathing exercises. And when they continued this every day for a week, two weeks, a month, and two months, those effects compounded. They showed that the effects lasted not for just 24 hours, but 36 to 72 hours. Additionally, blood pressure, heart rate, asthma symptoms, abdominal pain, and proinflammatory cytokines all improved.

There are three important muscle groups that control respiration:

diagram showing the human diaphragm position in the human body
  1. Diaphragm: This is a big important muscle that is domed underneath the rib cage. Most of us do not utilize this muscle.
  2. Intercostal muscles: These are small muscles between the ribs. Some of us use these muscles.
  3. Scalene muscles: Most of us only use this third group of muscles which basically lifts the rib cage up to the head and neck area.

If you exercise the diaphragm through deep breathing exercises and then expand the chest out using those intercostal muscles and then rise the chest up towards the neck and the head, you can strengthen those muscles so that unconsciously when you’re not thinking about it, they’re stronger and bringing in more breath for you with every inhale.

10 and 8 Breathing Technique

BP Zone advanced blood pressure support supplement

If you’re thinking about trying some deep breathing techniques, here’s an easy one to get you started. All you need to do is practice this for 10-15 minutes a day to grab hold of that unconscious vagus nerve effect.

  1. Inhale for about 10 seconds.
  2. Hold for 1-2 seconds.
  3. Then, slowly exhale for 8 seconds.

If you are one of those individuals that struggles with high blood pressure, implementing this breathing exercise every day can make a significant impact in your blood pressure. You don’t have to spend money at a gym to do this and all you need is 10 to 15 minutes a day. It just needs to be done and performed consistently, and it can make significant reductions to your blood pressure and help with a number of other health conditions. We’ve also developed a supplement called BP Zone, which can also reduce significantly your blood pressure.


Dr. Ryan Shelton, NMD

If you liked this video/article, do share it with your friends and loved ones. Subscribe to the Youtube channel for weekly tips on new tools and techniques to improve your health and well-being.

I believe in the original meaning of the word doctor, ‘docere‘, which means teacher. I’m here to help educate you on how to take care of yourself in ways that you may not have heard of before, but that are effective. I always want to hear your ideas and feedback so be sure to leave me comments below!

7 Diabetes Superfoods You Need To Eat Daily (WORKS FAST!)

7 Diabetes Superfoods You Need To Eat Daily (WORKS FAST!)

Here are seven diabetes superfoods that you need to eat daily, and the best thing is – they work fast! If you start to make these seven superfoods part of your daily routine, you can see rapid changes in your blood glucose level and stabilization of haemoglobin A1c.

 

Cure Diabetes Fast Superfoods

1. Beans and legumes

different beans and legumes on a white surfaceThe number one superfood is beans and legumes. They are terrific sources of fiber, protein, magnesium, and calcium. A study done in 2012 showed they helped to lower blood glucose levels, blood pressure, and triglycerides in people with diabetes when eaten at least two to three times a week. Earlier studies in the early 2000s showed that the single most important food that diabetics can begin to incorporate into their diet to help stabilize blood sugar is, in fact, beans and legumes.

2. Seafood

various seafood such as fish, crabs, shrimp, scallops, octopus on a white surfaceSuperfood number two: fish and seafood, especially cold-water fish, salmon, mackerel, and shellfish. Look for low mercury sources of fish and seafood. Trout is a terrific source of omega-3s and minerals. A British study showed that it has helped lower risk factors for cardiovascular disease and kidney disease in individuals with diabetes.

3. Nuts and seeds

a pile of nuts and seeds on a white surfaceNuts and seeds are rich in fiber and protein. A study done in Canada in 2014 looked at data from 12 clinical trials and showed that eating just two servings of nuts and seeds a day lowered and stabilized blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It helped with cholesterol levels and reduced risk factors for something called metabolic syndrome.

4. Berries

different berries such as blackberries, raspberries, blueberries and strawberries on a white surfaceAny dark berries such as blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries make up this group of superfood. Researchers at Harvard School of Public Health found that for every three servings of blueberries eaten per week, people can reduce their risk for type 2 diabetes by as much as 26%.

 

5. Dark leafy greens

dark leafy greens in a colanderThis includes kale, spinach, collard greens, and mustard greens. According to a review published in the British Medical Journal, eating one and a half cups of dark leafy greens each day can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 14%.

 

 

6. Yogurt

yogurt in a white bowlThe sixth diabetes superfood is yogurt. Greek yogurt is recommended as it’s a little higher in protein and a little less in carbohydrate content than normal yogurt. It is also really high in calcium, magnesium, protein, and those all-important probiotics which can help with mental health, gut health, cardiovascular health, and, certainly, help lower your blood pressure.

7. Avocado

a whole avocado and a halved avocado on a white surfaceThe seventh superfood that helps reduce your blood sugar is avocado. Avocado is high in monounsaturated fats, fiber, potassium, and lutein. In 2013, a study showed that avocados can help lower cholesterol, promote normal blood sugar, and reduce inflammation. People with diabetes have a real problem with inflammation, and insulin is a pro-inflammatory hormone which increases risk factors for a number of eye conditions, kidney conditions, and circulatory conditions. So, anything we can do to help reduce inflammation is beneficial.

These are the seven superfoods for diabetes. What you can do tonight is have a plateful of beans, legumes, lentils, and dark leafy greens. You should start eating these foods as often as you can (daily is best!).

Thanks so much for tuning in today. Keep coming back, like the channel, share it with others, hit the bell, subscribe to the channel, because, each and every week, we come up with well-researched videos to help teach you.

Dr Ryan SheltonI believe in the original meaning of the word doctor, ‘docere’, which is teacher. It’s my pleasure to come on your video screen or personal device each and every week and help educate you along the way, because what we don’t know can end up killing us.

Thanks so much for tuning in. I look forward to seeing you next time.

Again, my name is Dr. Ryan Shelton.

dr sheltons signature

 

 

 

 

Berberine for Diabetes

Berberine for Diabetes

Sugar

Americans are awash in a sea of refined sugar. Nearly every top selling food product is loaded with sugar, often times containing more than three times the recommended daily intake.

Our bodies are genetically designed to like certain flavors, and sweet is one of the most desirable. The reason we love sweet foods is because when we eat them, they trigger endorphins in our brains, making them highly pleasurable. The center of the brain that is triggered by these flavors is part of the opioid circuitry.

Much like drugs we can become addicted to food. Sweet, salty, and fatty foods are highly addictive. Just like with drug addiction, some people have a higher probability of becoming addicted than others, and the makers of the world’s most unhealthy foods are counting on that. Manufacturers spend countless hours engineering food products that are designed to make their consumers addicted, boosting sales while affecting the health of the nation.

Consuming too much sugar can cause a range of illnesses like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes to name a few.

Diabetes affects more than 37 million Americans, comprising over 10% of our entire population, with non-Hispanic black, Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaskan Native adults about twice as likely to contract this disease as non-Hispanic whites.

Studies have repeatedly shown that high glycemic foods –those that quickly raise blood sugar- leads to poor insulin sensitivity and causes diabetes as well as obesity, leading to heart disease, which makes sugar more of a national safety threat than most people would think.

Heart Disease

Type 2 diabetes is a disease that affects the way the body processes glucose in the blood. As we eat food, the carbohydrates are converted inside the body into sugars. Some complex carbohydrates, like found in vegetables, take longer to convert to sugar, and are considered to be low on the glycemic index. The body then produces insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas that allows the body to use glucose for energy or store it for later use as fat. Insulin regulates the body’s blood sugar levels, keeping them from getting too high or too low.

When you consume a lot of processed sugar, it is already broken down to a very simple form, so the body converts it to glucose very quickly. This leads to unnatural glucose spikes, which in turn prompts the body to produce insulin rapidly, leading to insulin spikes.

Repeated sugar and insulin spikes over many years is what eventually causes diabetes. Eventually, either the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or the body can no longer effectively use the insulin it creates. This allows glucose to build up in the blood instead of being used for energy, which creates the symptoms associated with diabetes, including fatigue, constant infections, blurred eye sight, numbness, tingling in the hands or legs, increased thirst, and slowed healing of bruises or cuts.

The most popular treatment for type 2 diabetes is insulin injections. These prescription hormones were first developed by purifying the insulin from a dog’s pancreas. These days, scientists use genetic engineering to produce insulin, using bacteria to produce it. There are also oral medications available which can help insulin receptors become more sensitive to insulin.

Berberine

If you’re not fond of perpetually sticking yourself with needles or taking oral medications with potential side effects, there are alternative treatment options for diabetics. One such treatment that is showing promise is called Berberine, a quaternary ammonium salt from the protoberberine group of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids.

Berberine is a plant alkaloid used in Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for ages, but now it is making the rounds alternative western treatments for diabetes and digestive problems. Berberine can be naturally found in herbs including Oregon grape, tree turmeric, goldenseal, barberry, goldthread, and phellodendron. The benefits traditionally ascribed to berberine are treatment for high cholesterol, gastrointestinal infections, heart disease, joint ailments, hypertension, high cholesterol and many more.

There are a few exciting benefits of berberine. The herb is safe for long term consumption, is inexpensive, and is easily produced. It represents a wonderful alternative option to harvesting synthetic insulin from bacteria.

Berberine

In a brand new study published in the European Journal of Pharmacology this past December, researchers tested the anti-diabetic activities of this ancient herb. Scientists have determined that type 2 diabetes (T2D) may be treated with molecules called non-coding RNAs, which are thought to play in important role in regulating the course of insulin resistance. Berberine helps to regulate non-coding RNAs.

Another promising study found that berberine is as effective at treating type 2 diabetes as one of the most popular prescription drugs, metformin. Researchers studies its effect on 36 adults, each newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. For three months, half of the study group was given 500mg of berberine 3 times daily, the other half was given a normally prescribed dose of metformin. At the close of the study, researchers found that “The hypoglycemic effect of berberine was similar to that of metformin”, reducing fasting glucose levels, showing significant decreases in hemoglobin A1c, reduction in postprandial blood glucose, and reduction in plasma triglycerides.

In addition, researchers tested berberine on 48 adults with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus in another 3 month trial, discovering that “Berberine acted by lowering fasting blood glucose and postprandial blood glucose from 1 week to the end of the trial” reducing hemoglobin A1c from 8.1 percent to 7.3 percent, fasting plasma insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index were reduced by 28.1% and 44.7%, and total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were also significantly decreased.

Perhaps the most promising findings though are the utter lack of adverse side-effects, while medications like metformin have mild to serious side-effects like lactic acidosis, which causes symptoms of unusual tiredness, dizziness, severe drowsiness, muscle pain, difficult breathing, irregular heartbeat, stomach pain with nausea, and much worse. The list of possible side-effects of metformin is extensive.

As berberine continues its path to common use in western medicine, the law of probability suggests that it too will have side-effects for some people, as no compound is a great fit for every single person on Earth. Some people will inevitably have an allergic reaction to berberine, but it will undoubtedly end up being much safer for a larger swath of people suffering with type 2 diabetes than other medications like metformin.

Berberine also couples well and works synergistically with two other herbal extracts in the treatment of diabetes: turmeric and piperine.

Berberine has been used for many centuries in traditional medicines with great results, but as always, check with a doctor to determine whether or not this powerful herb can help you manage your diabetes.

What Cinnamon Does To Your Body If You Have Type 2 Diabetes

What Cinnamon Does To Your Body If You Have Type 2 Diabetes

If you’re one of the millions of people in the world that struggle with diabetes, or you’ve been told that you’re pre-diabetic, read on. We’ll set the record straight on what cinnamon can do for your body if you have diabetes, struggle with blood sugar control, are pre-diabetic, and what it simply cannot do.

If you struggle with diabetic issues, then the fastest way of managing it is not to take a bunch of supplements of empty promises. The key is diet, proper medication, and some supplements that can be beneficial to help with blood sugar control.

It’s estimated that as many as 23% of individuals with diabetes or pre-diabetes take cinnamon to help with blood sugar control. Now, does it work? Does it not work? The research is actually varied. Dozens of research studies have been done on the potential benefits of taking cinnamon and helping with blood sugar control.

What Cinnamon Does To Your Body…

woman pricking her own finger for blood glucose test

One particularly exciting study showed a significantly greater decrease in fasting blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin, waist circumference, and body mass index, in subjects that took cinnamon compared to another group that was taking simply a placebo. It helped with waist-to-hip ratio, blood pressure, total serum cholesterol or blood cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and it improved elements of high density lipoprotein.

small wooden bowl with cinnamon powder, a cinnamon stick lying across the bowl, and a few cinnamon sticks on the side

Accumulating evidence about cinnamon supports the notion that cinnamaldehyde, which is an active component of cinnamon, exhibits significant gluco-lowering effects. But the key is, you have to take it at the right dose. You can’t be eating cinnamon, say, in banana bread or pumpkin pie. In fact, if you’re diabetic or pre-diabetic, it is not recommended that you eat banana bread or pumpkin pie anyway, but the dose of cinnamon has to be on target with what the research shows.

graphic image of insulin and erythrocyte inside the blood vessel

Efficacy data shows that a modest decrease in fasting plasma glucose, or blood sugar, can take place if you’re taking an adequate amount of cinnamon as a supplement. After adjustment for age and sex, cinnamon use makes a difference in how the body responds to sugar.

The consumption of cinnamon is also associated with a statistically significant improvement of Haemoglobin A1C. Haemoglobin A1C levels are important because it projects how your blood sugar is over time. An improvement of Haemoglobin A1C can be significant with cinnamon intake.

Blood Sugar Premier supplement by zenith labs

In various studies, clinicians are strongly urged to refrain from recommending just cinnamon as a sole treatment option. You need to be on a great, low-glycemic diet. You should also be on proper medication to manage your condition. Cinnamon can act as a great supplement if taken at the right dose and particularly if combined with other agents to help blood sugar control.

We’ve actually created a supplement called Blood Sugar Premier, which contains cinnamon and other agents which can help with Haemoglobin A1C levelas, blood sugar control, and weight loss.

Have you tried cinnamon supplements? Let us know if they have worked/not worked for you in the comments below. We’d love to hear about your experience!


dr ryan shelton of zenith labs

If you liked this video/article and found it useful, do share it with your friends and loved ones. Subscribe to the Youtube channel for weekly tips on new tools and techniques to improve your health and well-being.

I believe in the original meaning of the word doctor, ‘docere’, which means teacher. I’m here to help educate you on how to take care of yourself in ways that you may not have heard of before, but that are effective. I always want to hear your ideas and feedback so be sure to leave me comments below!

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The Single Best Way To Fix Erectile Dysfunction in 30 Days, Period

The Single Best Way To Fix Erectile Dysfunction in 30 Days, Period

We are going to reveal the single best way to fix erectile dysfunction in 30 days. And it’s really quite simple! This topic is directed towards men, but women are encouraged to share this with their male counterparts too because, as we know, men can be a little intimidated about medical information and interventions.

 

Balance your hormones

different pairs of hands holding up colourful letters to spell "Hormones"

The single best way to fix erectile dysfunction is to balance your hormones. You’ll need to balance out several hormones including testosterone, thyroid, DHEA, growth hormone, insulin, and kidney hormones. To help balance insulin and kidney hormones, we need to get your blood sugar and blood pressure under control. We also need to balance out those other hormones, making sure that they’re within normal range for your age group. We can always look at good nutrition, herbal supplements, and L-Arginine, but if your hormones are not in balance, then you can have a more difficult time achieving an erection.

barbarian XL testosterone booster supplement by zenith labsWe’ve developed a masterclass of five pillars of health: nutrition, exercise, mind-body relationship, detox, and hormone balancing. We’ve also developed a supplement called Barbarian XL, which is tremendously effective at providing men with the erections that they desire. When we put all of these five pillars of health together, combined with the supplement, it’s remarkably effective. But we have to make sure that those hormones are in balance first before anything else as that provides the foundation.

 

man pulling the waistband of his pants outwards with one hand and giving thumbs up with other

Oftentimes, if we don’t have balanced hormone levels, even the most effective medications will not work. But if you apply the five pillars of health with the hormone balancing, you’ll see remarkable results.

The single best way to fix erectile dysfunction in 30 days is to make sure you get those hormones in balance.

 

Subscribe to the page, share with your friends, with your loved ones, like the page, give us feedback and ideas. We always want to know what your process is and what you want to learn more about.

Dr Ryan Shelton

I uploaded similar videos on how to make sure your blood pressure is under control, how to make sure your blood sugar is under control, and to make sure that these other hormones (thyroid, testosterone, DHEA, growth hormone) are all under control. Make sure you check those out, too. Subscribe to the channel so you can learn more week by week, and take care of yourself and achieve better erections.

Thanks so much for joining me today. We’ll have more later this week. My name is Dr. Ryan Shelton.

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The Single Best Daily Habit To Reverse Type 2 Diabetes

The Single Best Daily Habit To Reverse Type 2 Diabetes

If you are one of the millions of people on this planet that struggle with insulin insensitivity, high blood sugar levels, Type 2 diabetes and its negative health consequences, this article is a must-read. There’s one important daily habit you can implement to take back control of your blood sugar levels, slow the progression of the Type 2 diabetes, and even reverse it.

The Single Best Daily Habit To Reverse Type 2 Diabetes

There’s no big secret and you would be hard-pressed to find a doctor or nutritionist to offer counter-advice. The single best daily habit to reverse Type 2 diabetes is to limit (or eliminate) bad fats, sugars, and refined carbohydrates.  These can include:

  • Trans fatsRed no sign over a pyramid made of sugar cubes
  • Saturated fats
  • Partially hydrogenated oils
  • Sugars
  • Sweets
  • Desserts
  • Sugary cereals
  • Most baked goods
  • Sodas
  • Fruit juices

Fresh produce on a scale and bowl of rice to show better eating habitsLimiting these bad fats and sugars from your daily diet can make a tremendously positive impact on your blood sugar levels. It sounds like a challenge to limit these types of foods from your diet, but you have more control than you think you do. Others may tell you that failure is inevitable, stating, “No, no, dietary changes are too difficult.” However, the secret is focusing on the word ‘habit.’ It’s one thing to know that certain food choices are devastating to your blood sugar levels and the progression of Type 2 diabetes, but if you don’t make good choices a habit, then that knowledge does you little good. You can change the trajectory of your life and take control of your Type 2 diabetes today. You’ve made one healthy choice by reading this article, and now it’s time make another and another and another. You can achieve the health you want, but yes, it takes some grit. It takes perseverance, goal setting, and creating better habits. Here are five key aspects of creating good habits you can use to your advantage.

1. Learning

Close up of the words Diabetes Type 2The first key to creating good habits is learning what your personal obstacles are. Your obstacles could be lust, aversion, ill will, sloth, restlessness, worry, or doubt.

Whatever they are, understanding your personality and challenges will allow you to overcome your obstacles.

2. Connectedness

Female family members stacking hands and being connectedStaying connected with your contacts will help you create healthy habits. Let everyone in your social circle know about your commitment to healthier choices so they can encourage you. Your friends and family members are your biggest fans, so if you involve them on your road to better health, you can turn better choices into a habit.

3. Mindfulness

Doctor's stethoscope and a pile of legumes shaped as a heartBeing mindful means being aware of yourself and your surroundings, being open to new experiences, and taking on challenges with purpose. A new challenge can be as simple as changing your shopping pattern at the grocer or market – try shopping on the perimeter of the store where the fresh produce and healthy proteins are. Avoid the aisles of the store as much as possible. Now, there are exceptions to that.

Nuts, seeds, and legumes are in the aisles, but doing your best to shop on the outside of the grocery store has an important impact on your shopping pattern. You’ll have healthier foods available in your cupboards every day.

4. Giving and Gratitude

Adult daughter giving her mother a gerber daisy and saying thank youMaintaining an attitude of giving and gratitude changes everything and has reciprocal rewarding effects. When you give generously and are of service to others, you’re more likely to be positive all around. When you’re feeling positive, it’s much easier to turn good choices into habits.

5. Planning

Blood Sugar Premier by Zenith LabsThe fifth key to creating good habits is planning. Setting a date and knowing when you want to make these changes increases your willpower. Try marking different goals and changes on your calendar so you can see them every day. Believe that you stick to these dates and changes to improve your health.

Here at Zenith Labs, we’ve formulated a highly researched supplement called Blood Sugar Premier. This supplement, paired with dietary changes and physical activity, can make a positive impact on your blood sugar levels.

The greatest wealth is health and the best time to start is now. Remember, making dietary changes in your life can slow down the progression of Type 2 diabetes – or even reverse it!


Dr. Ryan Shelton of Zenith LabsIf you liked this video/article, do share it with your friends and loved ones. Subscribe to the Youtube channel for weekly tips on new tools and techniques to improve your health and well-being. I believe in the original meaning of the word doctor, ‘docere’, which means teacher. I’m here to help educate you on how to take care of yourself in ways that you may not have heard of before, but that are effective. I always want to hear your ideas and feedback so be sure to leave me comments below!  

 

 

 

The Best Foods to eat for high blood pressure

The Best Foods to Eat For High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is one of the most silent, deadliest killers that afflicts modern society. If you struggle with high blood pressure, read on to learn about the best foods to eat for high blood pressure.

Patients on high blood pressure medications may experience side effects such as coughs, headaches, and erectile dysfunction. Controlling your diet could help control your blood pressure naturally.

High Blood Pressure Diets

doctor measuring a patient's blood pressure

In the early 90s, researchers, physicians, and scientists wanted to know what type of diet contributed to high blood pressure and what kind of diet could reverse high blood pressure. After all, no one really wants to be on medications that can cause dangerous side effects. So, they developed something called the DASH diet: Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. Originally, the DASH diet was thought to be an effective diet for high blood pressure because of low sodium or low salt intake. Now, we know that the DASH diet is actually helpful because it’s high in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and lean meats, and low in fat dairy products and fatty meats (which are contributors to high blood pressure). Processed foods are also not allowed on the DASH diet.

Sheet of paper with Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan information, with wedges of grapefruit and a pink measuring tape around it

Other diets have shown similar results for helping with high blood pressure. For example, the Mediterranean Diet, which is high in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, seafoods and berries. We looked at both the DASH diet and the Mediterranean diet to see what they had in common to be able to develop the best diet for reversing/resolving high blood pressure. It came down to something called the “dietary inflammatory index”, which promotes inflammation that we have to curb if we want to reduce high blood pressure.

Here’s what all these diets had in common: They were high in potassium, magnesium, and the essential fatty acids Omega-3, Omega-7, and Omega-9. You should try to include these components in your high blood pressure diet.

The Best Diet and Foods to Reduce High Blood Pressure

If you want to reduce high blood pressure through the foods you eat and your general diet, here are some tips that you should follow daily.

What you should eat:

top down view of sliced open halves of an avocado and bananas against a yellow background
  • 4-6 servings of fruits and vegetables. Beets, sweet potatoes, bananas, and avocados are especially important because they are high in potassium and magnesium.
  • 4-6 servings of legumes or beans.
  • 1-2 servings of nuts and seeds.
  • 2-3 servings of seafood or healthy fish with omega-3 fatty acids.
  • Include coronary herbs to your meals. These include garlic, ginger, oregano, thyme, and rosemary.

What you shouldn’t eat:

different breads, pastries, and baked goods
  • Restrict yeast products and baked goods.
  • Eliminate all processed foods. These tend to be high in sodium and salt.
  • Limit fatty meats to 2-3 times a week. Try to incorporate more lean meats such as poultry and grass-fed beef or seafood into your diet.

Changing your diet can help you manage your high blood pressure better, and even come off medications that cause terrible side effects.

omega 3-7-9 + Krill supplement by Zenith Labs

There are a couple of supplements available that can help reduce blood pressure tremendously: BP Zone and Omega 3-7-9 + Krill fatty acid. You can reduce blood pressure a number of ways, but it all starts with your diet and using food as natural antidotes to your body’s ailments.

We want to know if you’re struggling with high blood pressure, how your diet impacts you, and what you’re using to manage your high blood pressure, so do write to us in the comments below. We’re on this journey with you.


Dr. Ryan Shelton of Zenith Labs

If you liked this video/article, do share it with your friends and loved ones. Subscribe to the Youtube channel for weekly tips on new tools and techniques to improve your health and well-being.

I believe in the original meaning of the word doctor, ‘docere‘, which means teacher. I’m here to help educate you on how to take care of yourself in ways that you may not have heard of before, but that are effective. I always want to hear your ideas and feedback so be sure to leave me comments below!

The Single Best Way To Reverse A Fatty Liver, Period

The Single Best Way To Reverse A Fatty Liver, Period

Let’s talk about a silent killer that affects millions of people in the world — non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or fatty liver disease. Find out the number one tip on how to stop it, if not reverse it.

About your liver

doctor in lab coat with a graphic of a human liver floating above his palmThe brain might be the “General” of our bodies, but the liver is certainly the “Captain”. It has so much importance to your health. On average, an adult liver is approximately 3.5 pounds and has over 500 functions in the body. It affects your immune system, digestive system, and detoxes everything that comes into the body either through the mouth, skin, or nose. It also affects your brain directly.

 

An incredible thing about your liver is that it is regenerative. You can take 90% of your liver out and over time, it can regenerate.

What is fatty liver disease?

human liver next to a vial of blood and a notepad page with alcohol and molecular structure of ethanol written in markerThere can be many causes of liver disease, such as viruses or alcohol use. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is characterized by fatty infiltration of hepatocytes (or liver cells) in a person who consumes less than 25-30 grams of alcohol per day. It is a process where healthy liver cells are replaced with fat due to inflammation and bad habits. The danger with fatty liver disease in a moderate drinker or a non-drinker is that it’s mostly silent. Symptoms only appear in the later stages. You may notice bloating, the whites of the eyes becoming yellowish, or itching in your palms and feet.

graphic of an obese man with fatty liver and a zoomed in image of fatty liver cellsIt’s estimated that about 25% of patients have fatty liver disease, and they don’t even know it. If you’re overweight, your risk shoots up to 75%. You’re may be thinking, “Oh, I’m slightly overweight. I have a little pot belly, but everything is fine.” The problem is that fatty liver disease turns fibrotic and cirrhotic over time. It can progress to liver failure and kill you. The scary thing is most people don’t even know that it’s going on in their bodies. There are known risk factors of fat liver disease: obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, and many medications. Common (purportedly safe) medications can cause this kind of fatty liver damage.

Fatty liver disease cannot be solved with medication

different omega 3 fatty acid food sources laid out on a round wooden baseThere’s no medication to solve fatty liver. It’s all down to lifestyle. It’s about changing your lifestyle choices and habits so that your liver can repair itself over time. Things like weight loss, avoiding food allergies, avoiding refined grans, trans fatty acids, brominated vegetable oil, can be helpful and protective against fatty liver. We also know that adding things like Vitamin E, Vitamin C, L-carnitine, MIC, lipotropics, betaine, magnesium, zinc, lysine, taurine, omega-3 fatty acids, bitter vegetables, and cruciferous vegetables can help protect you against this disease.

The liver is the only organ that can regenerate in the capacity that it can. But it takes a long time, and you’ll have to be patient. You have to moderate your life so that the liver can regenerate. It takes months, if not years, depending on the advanced state of fatty liver disease.

Top tip to stop and reverse fatty liver disease

the word "avoid" spelt out in sugar scattered on a blue tableThe research shows that the sugars, sucrose, and fructose, can aggressively advance fatty liver disease. So, avoid sucrose and fructose as much as you can. One study showed that individuals that eat more sucrose and fructose had a 115% higher rate of developing fatty liver disease. Avoid fast foods because they are laden with sucrose and fructose, and always read food labels.

 

a father, mother, and child preparing a fresh salad in the kitchenRemember the documentary “Super Size Me” by Morgan Spurlock? He basically ate nothing but fast food for 30 days. That contains enormous amounts of sucrose and fructose. He had higher liver enzymes, ALT, AST, and his fatty liver disease progressed substantially. Multiple studies have shown that if you reduce your intake of sucrose and fructose, your liver has a better ability to repair itself. This is assuming that you’re doing your best with avoiding medications, abstaining from alcohol, and implementing positive lifestyle strategies. But the number one tip is try to limit sucrose and fructose. Cook at home more and enjoy meals with your family because you will have substantially lower levels of sucrose and fructose.

zenith detox supplements by zenith labsWe’ve also created a supplement called Zenith Detox that helps the liver detoxify. It helps to repair and rejuvenate the liver. Check that out for sure.

 

Dr Ryan Shelton

Thanks so much for joining me today.

My names is Dr. Shelton.

Make sure you like the page.

Make sure you share it with your friends and your loved ones. Hit the bell. Sign up for notifications because we post more every single… And my task is to educate you about health and wellness.

Thanks so much. My name is Dr. Ryan Shelton.

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