Maintaining glucose control and taming an Inflamed Brain with nutraceuticals

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, May, 2007 by Gina L. Nick

Somewhere deep in the origins of aging and chronic disease states is a fundamental disturbance in glucose homeostasis. Insulin resistance is believed by many to be the origin of the metabolic syndrome. Following closely on its heels is hyperglycemia and glucose toxicity. Both insulin and glucose in excess amounts are directly toxic to the body, disrupting many metabolic pathways and damaging both cells and biochemicals.

The insulin-glucose relationship has direct effects upon the stress reaction and, consequently, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and cortisol resistance, which is a fundamental cause of Inflamed Brain (Sickness Syndrome*). Insulin increases plasma norepinephrine levels and growth hormone activity, which can raise blood pressure. (1) Excess glucose downregulates transmembrane and intracellular glucose transport along with glucose disposal pathways, both oxidative and nonoxidative. (2,3)

High levels of cortisol, which are associated with stress, can also negatively impact glucose levels. Stress triggers the adrenal glands to secrete specific hormones that can lead to a host of physical and mental problems: nervousness, poor memory, cravings for sweets, overeating, weight gain, fatigue, and compromised sleep. Adrenal stress has also been linked to reduced effectiveness of insulin, leading to increased fat stores in the abdominal area and unnecessary weight gain, which can increase the odds of developing diabetes or aggravating an existing diabetic condition.

Since glucose is the cellular energy source, the ramifications of these changes (increased levels of insulin, glucose, and/or cortisol) are far-reaching and ultimately detrimental to the body's well-being. Optimizing insulin-glucose activity is essential to good health, which can be achieved by incorporating the following nutraceuticals into the diet.

Nutraceuticals That Optimize Glucose Homeostasis Cinnamon Bark

Cinnamaldehydes and polyphenols from cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum burmanii) increase glucose removal from the blood in two ways. They directly activate insulin receptor kinase while inhibiting its dephosphorylation, which serves to increase insulin sensitivity in cells. Additionally, these chemicals increase the activity of hepatic glycogen synthetase, stimulating increased hepatic glucose uptake. (4) Cinnamon extracts also lower lipids and function as antioxidants. (5)

A study reported in the European Journal of Clinical Investigation (6) demonstrated the effect of cinnamon extract on diabetic patients with poor glycemic control. A total of 79 patients with diagnosed diabetes mellitus type 2, who were not on insulin therapy but were treated with oral antidiabetics or diet, participated in the four-month, double-blind study. They received either a placebo or a cinnamon extract capsule three times a day, with the amount of aqueous cinnamon extract corresponding to a daily dose of three grams of cinnamon powder. The patients receiving cinnamon capsules showed a 10.3% reduction in fasting plasma glucose levels compared to the placebo group (3.4%), with the decrease in plasma glucose correlating significantly with the baseline concentrations, indicating that subjects with a higher initial plasma glucose level would benefit more from cinnamon intake. (7)

Banaba Leaf Extract (GlucoTrim[R])

Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.), a remedy used for ages in the Philippines, appears to have several metabolic benefits, foremost among them an ability to increase cellular insulin sensitivity. (8,9) It has also induced a reduction of hepatic lipids and total body adipose deposition in murine laboratory models. (10)

A study was conducted with ten type 2 diabetics using various types of GlucoTrim[R] (soft gelatin capsules and powdered form in a hard-shell capsule). At the end of the multi-phase study, both groups showed a marked lowering of blood sugar--approximately 30% decrease for the soft gel group and 20% for the hard shell group--and enhanced glucose clearance from the blood. These results hold the promise that GlucoTrim[R] supplementation may aid in warding off long-term adverse effects of high blood glucose such as neuropathies, retinopathies, hypertension, liver disease, and the risk of kidney and heat failure. (11)

Nutraceuticals That Optimize the Stress Response

When the neurotransmitters (epinephrine, norepinephrine, and serotonin) produced by the sympathetic half of the autonomic nervous system override the parasympathetic or vegetative neurotransmitters (gamma-amino butyric acid [GABA] and dopamine) that function as natural tranquilizers, the result is stress. And, as noted earlier, increased stress levels adversely affect glucose homeostasis.

L-theanine

Ingesting adequate doses of L-theanine (no less than 200 mg) has proved to be an effective counter-measure to dominant levels of sympathetic (or stimulant) neurotransmitters. An amino acid created by adding an ethyl group to glutamine, L-theanine antagonizes the stimulant effect of caffeine, increases brain dopamine and GABA levels, decreases brain serotonin levels, and has been shown to promote alpha brain waves--that state of cerebral activity that predominates in relaxation and meditative states. (12)