GLUCOSE BALANCE

Glucose is a simple sugar that our blood stream carries throughout the body to all the cells which make use of the sugar to produce energy for the body to function. We need to maintain the blood glucose levels within a safe range to avoid diabetes (high glucose levels) and hypoglycemia (low glucose levels). Diabetes is a chronic condition that results in too much sugar in the blood. Diabetes, if not controlled, can lead to several serious health problems including heart disease, neuropathy, vision problems, and other effects. Low blood sugar levels are also problematic as they cause palpitations, light headedness, memory problems, and other repercussions.   

Our bodies convert food into energy. This energy can come from carbohydrates, protein and fat with a portion of each converted into sugar. Our main source of energy is from carbohydrates. Our bodies quickly convert carbohydrates into glucose which is a type of sugar which enters the bloodstream. As a result, blood glucose levels change depending on the type and quantity of food consumed throughout the day. In general, blood glucose levels increase after eating, reaching a maximum level after about two hours. As the body makes use of glucose, with the help of insulin, the levels gradually decrease to a steady state until the next meal. Insulin is a protein/enzyme produced by the pancreas that helps glucose enter the cells to make energy. It is the equilibrium between sugar production and utilization that is generally referred to as glucose balance.   

Unfortunately, diabetes is a chronic problem affecting nearly 30 million people in the US alone. Diabetes could be due to and/or triggered in people at risk by genetics, wrong diet such as high carbohydrate diet that converts to glucose rapidly; obesity where excess sugar in the blood gets stored in the form of glycogen/fat in the muscle, and inactivity. Smoking also contributes to diabetes. The diagnosis of a high glucose problem is via a simple blood test. If the test is done while fasting, the normal level is about 90 mg/dl. If the test is done two hours after a meal, the ideal level is about 140 mg/dl. There is some leeway with these numbers depending on what is eaten and the person’s age and metabolism.   

Typically, people who are diagnosed with diabetes are given one or more of several prescription drugs. These drugs work by a variety of mechanisms and most people end up taking more than one drug or higher doses of the same drug as they age and the disease becomes worse. However, the onset of the disease or its progression can be controlled with lifestyle changes such as eating more complex carbohydrates (rather than simple carbohydrates such as bread or pasta), reducing weight with exercise, and stress management/relaxation. These lifestyle changes are encouraged and helps even if one is taking medication. By intervening early, you can work to keep your cells healthy and your glucose well balanced.  

Lifestyle changes are hard to make. But there are certain supplements that when taken regularly help promote glucose balance. The scientists at Summit Innovation Labs have studied in detail the components of healthy diet (vegetables, fruits, spices and nuts) and identified several ingredients with the ability to help body process glucose better. These ingredients formulated into the OptiCel Glucose Balance caplets are also capable of acting as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents which help insulin function better.  

It is recommended to take two caplets of OptiCel Glucose Balance each day with a glass of water. We also recommend you check your blood glucose levels regularly, and consult your physician, particularly if you are pre-diabetic or diabetic.