You don’t have to be a diabetic to suffer post-meal blood sugar spikes. It happens to everyone from time to time. And although it may be common, it certainly isn’t good.
Each spike can cause undetectable damage inside your body. Diabetes or no diabetes…over time it can add up in all sorts of ways. Spikes can cause damage to nerves, vision, and organs including your kidneys and liver.1 They cause inflammation and cell damage that can lead to advanced aging, heart disease, cancer, and even Alzheimer’s.2
But there is good news. It is preventable. Even if you have diabetes.
Researchers have found a potent nutrient that may halt those post-meal spikes.3
In a recent study, 57 diabetics took either 300mg of the nutrient or a placebo daily, for eight weeks. Researchers took blood samples from the subjects after an overnight fast and two hours after breakfast. And the results… The group that took the nutrient had significant decreases in fasting and post-meal sugar levels.
So what helped these patients turn their sugar into energy?
Alpha lipoic acid (ALA).
ALA is called the “Universal Antioxidant.” And it is just that. It is both fat- and water-soluble. That means it can work throughout the entire body.4 It prevents cell damage caused by free radicals—the same sort of damage caused by sugar spikes. It can even help recycle other antioxidants, so your body can continue using them for protection.
And its anti-diabetes properties don’t end there…
| 3 Foods to Eat to Convert Blood Sugar to Energy
Pumpkin Seeds – They are loaded with magnesium. And recent studies show diets that had the highest amounts of magnesium lowered metabolic syndrome by 31 percent.11 The mineral improves the body’s ability to use insulin. And helps regulate blood sugar. The more magnesium people had, the lower the insulin levels. Berries – They are a superfood when turning sugar into energy. They are an easy addition to any diet. And sometimes satisfies those sweet tooth cravings. The ones that usually set us over the edge. But with a low glycemic index you can’t go wrong with berries. Plus, they are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and fiber. All great for controlling sugar spikes. Lean Meat and Fish – Packed with healthy fats such as omega-3 it helps fight inflammation. Meat also helps enable insulin to function properly. With meat you don’t have to worry about raising blood glucose levels. And that helps carbohydrates metabolize burning blood sugar into energy. Just remember to buy organic or grass fed. |
It helps prevent diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage).5 And it relieves the uncomfortable numbing, tingling, and burning throughout the body.6
ALA is a fatty acid found in every cell in your body.7 It helps blood sugar levels stay normal by increasing insulin sensitivity.8 How? By burning sugar into energy.
What’s more, studies have shown that ALA can help treat all components of metabolic syndrome.9 ALA not only lowers insulin resistance, but aids weight loss, balances cholesterol and helps lower blood pressure.10
So regardless of whether you’ve ever had an issue with blood sugar before, you should always be focused on keeping it balanced. Avoid spikes by staying away from high carbohydrate foods with little nutritional value. And for ultimate protection—take an ALA supplement.
ALA can help stop damage in its tracks before you ever have to see it or feel it. The universal antioxidant is also proving to be the universal healer.
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References:
1 http://diabetes.webmd.com/diabetes-hyperglycemia
2 http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12716823
3 http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21666939
4 http://umm.edu/altmed/articles/alpha-lipoic-000285.htm
5 http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17495764?dopt=Abstract
6 http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20421656?dopt=Abstract
7 http://research.va.gov/news/features/Alpha-lipoic-acid.cfm
8 http://diabetes.co.uk/insulin/insulin-sensitivity.html
9 http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17302524
10 http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2533724/
11 http://realage.com/information-ondiabetes/eat-these-seeds-to-give-metabolicsyndrome-the-slip