During the early stages of testing a new chromium supplement, Agricultural Research Service chemist Richard A. Anderson, Ph.D. and his colleagues were attempting to disrupt some volunteers? blood sugar control by feeding them a low chromium diet that included apple pie. Surprisingly, these volunteers? blood sugar remained under control. Subsequent test-tube studies showed that cinnamon in the pie was boosting insulin activity, as chromium does, and thus controlling blood glucose. The spice turned out to be the ?best thing we ever tested? for that purpose, Anderson says. (Science News Online 1/5/2004; Vol. 165, No. 18).
Since then Dr. Anderson and colleagues have confirmed the blood sugar lowering properties of cinnamon and its ability to lower triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol in test tube and animal studies as well as in a number of human trials. Details of these studies and human trials are outside the scope of this article.
Richard A. Anderson said: ?If you can improve insulin function the cholesterol goes down, triglycerides go down, glucose goes down, and all this goes towards the alleviation of type 2 diabetes,? He cautioned, however, that consumers should not simply start dousing their food with cloves and cinnamon [at high doses]. He noted, for example, that cinnamon in powder form is rendered ineffective by contact with saliva, and its lack of solubility in water can result in an unwanted build up of the spice in the body. (HealthDay News 5/4/06).
There are some simple ways around this including buying cinnamon capsules.
Cloves
Dr. Alam Khan, Agricultural University, Peshawar, Pakistan, a former postdoctoral student and Fulbright Fellow in the Anderson laboratory, reported on the first study of the effect of cloves on insulin function in humans at the Experimental Biology 2006 meeting, in San Francisco. (Medical News Today 9/4/2006).
At the end of the study, regardless of the amount of cloves consumed, all those who ingested cloves showed a drop in glucose, triglycerides and LDL (?bad?) cholesterol levels. Blood levels of HDL (?good?) cholesterol were not affected among the clove eaters. Those who did not ingest cloves experienced no changes. (HealthDay News 5/4/2006). More details of this study can be found at the author's website.
Gymnema
Studies show that Gymnema sylvestre helps control both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Gymnema is a well-proven treatment for diabetes, and it has been used for this purpose for over 2,000 years and has proved to be very effective in type 1 diabetes.
It is best known for its apparent ability to lower blood sugar levels. Results from case reports and studies in humans and animals suggest that it may work in several ways to help control both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It is possible that gymnema sylvestre may even prompt the pancreas to develop more beta cells - the source of insulin. It may also make body cells more responsive to the insulin that is available. (DrugDigest).
The first scientific confirmation of the effects of gymnema on glucose in human diabetics was in 1926 when it was demonstrated that the leaves of Gymnema reduced urinary glucose. (K.G. Gharpurey, Indian Medical Gazette 1926; 61: 155).
A number of trials have been carried out demonstrating the properties of Gymnema sylvestre, the details of which are beyond the scope of this article.
Chromiun
Scientists believe that insulin uses chromium as an assistant (technically, a cofactor) to ?unlock the door? to the cell membrane, thereby allowing glucose to enter the cell.
More than 15 scientific studies support the safety and role of chromium in improving insulin function and glucose metabolism in people with type 2 diabetes and related conditions. ?There is strong scientific evidence to suggest that supplemental chromium picolinate may improve insulin sensitivity, blood glucose control, and cardiovascular risk factors in adults with type 2 diabetes,? according to Dr. Kaufman, former president of the American Diabetes Association and specialist in pediatric endocrinology. (PRNewswire-FirstCall 15/2/2005). Details of these studies are outside the scope of this article.
Science News Online reported in April 2005 that Robert DiSilvestro and Emily Dy of Ohio State University showed data at the Experimental Biology 2005 meeting in San Diego indicating that only the picolinate form of chromium is absorbed well by the body. The report stated that according to Robert DiSilvestro about 40 percent of chromium picolinate was absorbed by people taking chromium supplements in one experiment. DiSilvestro added that absorption of other forms of the mineral in supplements ran as low as 1 percent and only about 10 percent of any form of chromium in foods is typically absorbed. (Science News Online 16/4/2005; Vol. 167, No. 16).
Additionally, an animal study conducted at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that chromium picolinate was better absorbed by the tissues (e.g., liver and muscle) than chromium nicotinate and chromium chloride. Absorption into the tissue is important because for a mineral to be beneficial, it must survive the digestive tract and reach the bloodstream. Otherwise, minerals pass through the body, leaving it void of necessary nutrients. (Medical News Today 7/2/2007).
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Natural Treatments for Infertility
Natural treatments for infertility have worked well for some. There are many different factors leading to infertility. By making changes to tackle those infertility factors is the simplest form of natural treatments for infertility. Start by eliminating the bad habits that could be causing your infertility. Enhance your health by having a good diet and nutritional supplements where necessary. This will also enhance your chance of conception. The result for natural treatments for infertility will vary depending on the problems present.
Individualised Natural Treatments
You will need to understand that the result for natural treatments for infertility will take time to show. It may be a few months before the result is apparent. The very first things you should do are to eliminate any caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco from your body. Stay clear from non-organic foods as they may cause hormonal imbalance. You will need a healthy and balanced diet. Making these changes may be all you need to increase the chance of conception.
You should consider adding folic acid, zinc, selenium, fatty acids, vitamin E, vitamin A, and vitamin c to your daily diet. You can get these if you are taking prenatal vitamins. For men, L-Carnitine tablets are great natural treatments for infertility. It is an amino acid that helps the body to produce good quality sperm. It will help to increase the sperm count and also to give the sperm greater motility.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Traditional Chinese medicine infertility treatment works on the basis that a mixture of herbs and acupuncture can help to restore the body disharmony, which causes infertility.
Before starting TCM for infertility treatments, you should consult a medical doctor. If the doctor can determine that the cause of infertility is due to structural problem, you will probably not benefit from the traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture treatment sought to address the kidney, spleen, and liver. These three organs directly affect the reproductive organs, hence, TCM treatment focus on them.
TCM enhances result by using herbal medicines. The treatment takes into consideration any problems that may exist. If there is disharmony, the appropriate herbs will be used to correct the condition. Herbs that will help in conception can also used in unison. Herbs to curb stress and anxiety are also added to boost the chances for success.
TCM treatment can improve the chances of pregnancy. However, it is also important to continue with Western medical treatments. TCM treatments may produce results but using all avenues for treatment will increases the chances of pregnancy.
Acupuncture Treatment
Acupuncture has been used for centuries by the Chinese as a healing tool. Acupuncture works on the theory that energy flow or blood pressure can be regulated by stimulating the central nervous system. This process releases neurotransmitters and neurohormones, which help the body to heal. Acupuncture also releases endorphins which will block pain and give the body a sense of wellness. Acupuncture for infertility is not painful at all. You may feel a little tingling sensation at the treatment spot and you may experience slight bruising.
Acupuncture for infertility works on the theory that channels of energy run through the different parts of the body and the body surface. When these channels are blocked for whatever reason, health problem will occur. The needles in acupuncture for infertility help to open these blockages. The needles are used to stimulate the various nerves and cause them to release chemicals which influence the muscle, brain, and spinal cord. This allows the body to heal itself.
Acupuncture for infertility works for those who have a functional reason for infertility. If you have infertility caused by a physical problem such as damaged reproductive organs, it may not be effective. The effects should be apparent after a few visits to the acupuncturist if the treatment is indeed something that can help you. To enhance the effectiveness of acupuncture, you may also want to combine with herbal remedies as well. They are complementary treatment methods. Generally, one or two sessions per week of acupuncture is necessary for good results.
Both Kevin Flatt & Cindy Heller are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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