Staying informed and aware of your blood sugar , while adopting a balanced life, is the secret to optimal well-being . And don't forget, before introducing a dietary supplement into your routine, do not hesitate to seek the advice of a health professional online.
Find out how blood sugar affects your health and how targeted dietary supplements can help balance it . Explore our guide to making the best choices for your well-being. Blood sugar, chromium, cinnamon, we tell you everything!
Does blood sugar speak to you? It is simply the amount of sugar, also known as glucose, that is in your blood. Its value fluctuates throughout the day and varies from person to person. Keeping blood sugar stable is essential for our well-being. Indeed, constant hyperglycemia is a sign of diabetes, a disease that requires constant attention and treatment. To help you manage this, here we offer dietary supplements designed specifically for blood sugar.
Three states of blood sugar can be distinguished: normal blood sugar, hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia . The level of glucose in the blood is regulated by a subtle balance between different hormones, including insulin, which lowers this level. Other hormones, such as glucagon, adrenaline and growth hormone, have the opposite effect and raise blood sugar. Low blood sugar can cause various symptoms such as fatigue or malaise, while high blood sugar can lead to weight gain and the onset of diabetes, an incurable disease.
To maintain a normal blood sugar level , it is recommended to have a varied and balanced diet and to exercise regularly. Sometimes dietary supplements can be helpful. If you are under treatment for diabetes, we advise you to consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting to take a dietary supplement.
Chromium is an essential trace element for our body. It is involved in many physiological processes, such as the use of fatty acids, proteins and carbohydrates. It also plays a role in maintaining normal blood sugar levels. Chromium is actually a cofactor for insulin, the hormone that helps lower blood glucose levels . It is present in various forms: ampoules, capsules, oral solutions or tablets. Plus, it's found naturally in many foods like brewer's yeast, liver, broccoli, green beans, potatoes, whole grains, mushrooms, and meats.
Magnesium, this star mineral, plays a key role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, the production of energy, the creation of certain proteins and cell duplication. But that's not all, it has also demonstrated its potential to reduce insulin resistance , which hinders the transfer of glucose into cells.
Interestingly, people with diabetes often have lower magnesium levels . For what? Because diabetes causes excessive urination which flushes out magnesium.
Alpha-lipoic acid, this natural compound produced by the mitochondria of our cells, has an interesting particularity: it is both fat- and water-soluble. This means that it can be absorbed by all of our cells and act as a powerful antioxidant to combat the damaging effects of oxidative stress caused by free radicals .
Our body produces alpha-lipoic acid, or ALA, but it is also found in many foods such as spinach, broccoli, potatoes, organ meats, red meat and brewer's yeast.
In medicine, ALA is used for diabetic patients as a natural way to lower blood sugar and avoid severe complications related to this disease.
Cinnamon, used since antiquity, is an active compound present in the bark of the cinnamon tree. It is best known as a spice to spice up dishes, but also has health-promoting properties . It is sometimes nicknamed " the poor man's insulin " because it is involved in glucose metabolism and can help maintain balanced blood sugar levels and a healthy weight. Be careful though, cinnamon is not recommended for people on blood thinners, due to the risk of interaction.
There are other herbs that are good for blood sugar, such as gymnema , which helps neutralize the sweet taste of foods and plays a role in glucose and lipid metabolism. The Japanese mulberry , or white mulberry, is also used for its beneficial action on carbohydrate metabolism.
Before taking a blood sugar supplement, be sure to talk to your doctor or online pharmacist, especially if you are on medication. Food supplements can upset the balance of this treatment.