Ten percent of Americans over the age of 20 have problems with blood sugar levels.** Unstable blood sugar levels can lead to dangerous health consequences, and blood sugar support supplements are used to help balance healthy glucose levels.** This in turn helps your body maintain normal blood sugar levels for overall wellness in addition to:**
What is Blood Sugar?
In the human body, blood sugar concentration refers to the amount of glucose (sugar) present in the bloodstream. Glucose is the main fuel source for cells. When functioning normally, the body uses a hormone called insulin to regulate blood sugar, thereby maintaining the stable state of homeostasis. When blood glucose levels become unbalanced, high blood sugar or low blood sugar can result.**
According to the World Health Organization, there are more than 345 million people around the globe who have chronically high blood glucose. These blood sugar issues can lead to multiple serious health issues involving vision, digestion, circulation and overall energy levels. Considerably less common, low blood sugar means that the body lacks enough glucose to keep blood cells functioning properly. Low blood sugar can also affect wellness, resulting in issues with sleep, cognition, mood and the ability to relax. Those who have consistently high or low blood sugar additionally face a greater likelihood of developing other health issues, including overweight and obesity, that may impact overall well-being and quality of life.**
Conventional health practices offer various forms of blood sugar support that may have side effects. However, there are many blood sugar supplements derived from plants and other natural sources that complement the body’s innate glucose balance. These natural blood sugar supplements, combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise, can help to maintain healthy blood glucose levels and overall wellness. Some of the most popular blood sugar supplements are:**
- ALA: Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a natural antioxidant contained in every cell of the body and found in many blood sugar supplements. The compound promotes glucose metabolism, optimizes blood sugar and sparks energy production. ALA has been investigated for its ability to maintain ideal blood glucose levels.**
- Cinnamon: One of the world’s most popular spices, cinnamon is derived from the fragrant bark of a tree native to southern Asia. Used in various wellness traditions, cinnamon contains natural polyphenols that have potent antioxidant activity that promotes blood sugar balance. It is one of the most popular blood sugar supplements.**
- Bitter Melon: This fruit has long been cultivated in Asia and used in Ayurvedic and Chinese wellness practices. As its name suggests, bitter melon (Momordica charantia) is known for its bitterness, and appears in blood sugar supplements for its support of ideal glucose metabolism and balanced blood glucose levels.**
- Gymnema Sylvestre: A tropical plant native to India, gymnema sylvestre is a prized ingredient in blood sugar supplements. This herb has been used in Ayurvedic health traditions for thousands of years due to its blood sugar support. Modern research shows gymnema promotes insulin secretion for blood glucose balance and metabolic function.**
- Chromium: Known as chromium picolinate in supplemental form, this trace mineral exhibits antioxidant activity and has been studied for its links to ideal glucose tolerance, carbohydrate metabolism and overall blood sugar support, making it a popular ingredient in blood sugar supplements.**
- Fenugreek: One of the earliest cultivated plants, fenugreek has long appeared in traditional curries and folk wellness practices. Fenugreek supplies special amino acids that trigger insulin release while blocking certain digestive enzymes. Both of these biological actions help to balance blood glucose, benefiting blood sugar supplements.**
Blood Sugar Products
Blood sugar products and supplements originate from a wide variety of sources, with many extracted from Asian plants common in Ayurveda. The B vitamin biotin is another ingredient commonly found in blood sugar supplements. These supportive nutrients, particularly cinnamon and chromium, are sometimes offered together in blood sugar supplements. Capsules are the typical delivery form of blood sugar supplements.**
Blood Sugar Products Directions for Use
Before taking blood sugar supplements or beginning any supplement regimen, talk to your health care provider. No standard dosage for blood sugar supplements has been established. Amounts vary widely based on specific ingredients, with blood sugar supplements capsules ranging from 1,000 mcg (micrograms) to 600 mg (milligrams).**
