Natural Supplements Reduce Risk of Diabetes and Heart Disease

Thursday, September 16, 2010 by: John Phillip
Tags: diabetes, supplements, health news

(NewsTarget) Diabetes is an insidious disease which greatly increases the risk of developing coronary artery disease, a condition characterized by the buildup of deadly plaque within the interior wall of arteries supplying the heart with blood. A study published in the Journal for the American College of Cardiology details the sobering fact that more that 75 percent of diabetics will die from heart disease. Fortunately, natural nutritional supplements can provide help by targeting the root cause of these diseases.

Blood Sugar Spikes Lead to Diabetes and Heart Disease
A diet filled with sugary junk foods and refined processed carbohydrates eaten as snacks and at every meal initiates a cyclical process of blood sugar spikes which ultimately result in metabolic dysfunction and diabetes. High blood sugar levels from poor diet leads to narrowed coronary arteries from plaque accumulation, greatly increasing the risk of sudden death from a heart attack. In an attempt to compensate for reduced blood flow, the heart demands more oxygen which results in damaging oxidized LDL cholesterol and a depleted pool of natural antioxidants.

Cinnamon Extract Lowers Blood Sugar, Increases Antioxidants
In addition to adopting a diet which eliminates sugar and refined carbohydrates that cause blood sugar levels to skyrocket out of control, supplementing with cinnamon extract has demonstrated the unique ability to naturally moderate glucose spikes. The results of a study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition show how cinnamon extract lowers fasting blood glucose and improves antioxidant status by as much as 13 to 23 percent in prediabetic obese study participants.

Cinnamon is most effective when sprinkled over food or taken at the beginning of a meal. The spice works by improving the effectiveness of insulin, helping to usher sugar into cells for use as energy. Diabetes and heart disease are both promoted by high blood sugar levels and lowered reserves of antioxidants. Supplementing with cinnamon can provide necessary support to help prevent and treat the underlying cause of these potentially fatal afflictions.

Fish Oil Lowers Clot Risk and Triglycerides
Omega-3 fats from fish oil exert a powerful effect on the lipid and platelet composition of blood, reducing the tendency of platelets to clot and clearing dangerous levels of triglycerides (blood fats). Clots which travel through narrowed coronary arteries are much more prevalent when glucose in the blood is high, so any intervention which lowers this tendency will reduce the risk of a heart attack.

Fish oil also lowers levels of systemic inflammation which is rooted in the initiation and progression of diabetes and heart disease, as well as many other life threatening conditions. The anti-inflammatory properties exerted by Omega-3 fats reduce the release of harmful chemical messengers by the immune system which wreaks havoc on the delicate endothelial lining of the arteries. Fish oil has been shown to reduce the risk of death from a heart attack by as much as a third.

Diabetes and heart disease account for millions of preventable deaths each year, as they feed off each other in a never ending spiral of disease. While there`s no substitute for a diet based on plenty of fresh vegetables and leafy greens, lean protein, nuts, seeds and monounsaturated fats, natural supplements have a demonstrated effect on lowering disease risk while providing effective prevention and treatment. Try adding cinnamon and fish oil to your nutritional arsenal and prevent the onset of these deadly diseases.

Article References
http://www.jaccjournaloftheacc.com/article/S...
http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full...
http://www.jacn.org/cgi/content/abstract/28/...

About the author

John Phillip is a Health Researcher and Author who writes regularly on the cutting edge use of diet, lifestyle modifications and targeted supplementation to enhance and improve the quality and length of life. John is the author of 'Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan', a comprehensive EBook explaining how to use Diet, Exercise, Mind and Targeted Supplementation to achieve your weight loss goal. Visit My Optimal Health Resource to continue reading the latest health news updates, and to download your Free 48 page copy of 'Your Healthy Weight Loss Plan'.