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What supplements may be of help for Type 1 Diabetes? Cayenne Capsaicin, a compound found in cayenne pepper has been shown in studies to possess insulinotropic activity in mice with type 1 diabetes, causing increased insulin secretion, yet at the same time it does not cause hyperinsulinemia. In many cases this resulted in a reduction in blood sugar, but not in all cases. Cayenne has been studied for neuropathy as well, showing lower pain scores in many cases. Many customers over the years have reported to me good results with their blood sugar levels in response to taking cayenne supplements. In addition, peppers are some of the highest food sources of vitamin C. If you are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, however, because peppers are in the nightshade family, you may want to limit their intake. Gymnema One of the best options for type 1 diabetes may be a potently bitter herb called Gymnema Sylvestre, also known as "sugar destroyer". Gymnema possesses multiple mechanisms of action on blood sugar control and has been studied in mice with type 1 diabetes and in humans with type 2 diabetes. A review published in 2015 in the Evidence Based Complimentary and Alternative Medicine Journal pinpointed some of these effects. Gymnema may increase insulin secretion, decrease plasma glucose levels, and regenerate pancreatic beta cells. Gymnema also has the potential to block excess sugar absorption and if you let it sit on your tongue for a few minutes before swallowing, it can inhibit your taste buds from tasting sweets. Plus, with use in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years, it has history on its side. Berberine Berberine is a bitter alkaloid contained in herbs such as goldenseal, barberry, Oregon grape root, and others. It is commonly used to treat diabetes and diarrhea in China. Berberine increases insulin in a dose- dependent manner, meaning, normal concentrations increase pancreatic insulin secretion, while extremely high concentrations actually decrease pancreatic insulin secretion. A study in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2009, reported that berberine prevented the progression of type 1 diabetes in 50% of the mice studied after just 2 weeks. Berberine also reduced inflammation in the study. Other studies on berberine show an increase in insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic mice. It has also been shown to attenuate intestinal barrier damage in type 2 diabetic mice. I always refer to berberine as the next curcumin. The amount of research I have seen on berberine and the variety of issues it may help is staggering and I think it deserves to be in the spotlight of anyone's regimen for overall health. Bitter Melon We are beginning to see a clear theme here about what may help to keep your blood sugar within a healthy range. Bitters. The bitter taste is the taste you ought to be looking for in your foods if you wish to control your blood sugar and increase insulin production. In China, bitter melon is eaten as a vegetable and has been referred to as "vegetable insulin", though botanically speaking it's actually a fruit. It contains a protein called polypeptide-p, or, p-insulin, which is structurally similar to human insulin. "The p-insulin works by mimicking the action of human insulin in the body and thus may be used as plant- based insulin replacement in patients with type-1 diabetes" – Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease, 2013. Treatment with a water extract of bitter melon prevented apoptosis (cell suicide) in pancreatic beta cells in vitro (in a petri dish) as reported in 2007 in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The Molecular Cell Biochemistry journal published a study in 2004 showing a significant increase in pancreatic beta cell numbers in rats receiving daily oral administration of bitter melon juice compared to untreated diabetic rats. One should be careful of consuming bitter melon seeds, as the vicine content may have good as well as bad effects on the body. Supplement manufacturers are usually aware of this. Many other nutraceuticals and therapies that show potential benefits for type 1 diabetics in the medical literature exist, such as, vanadium and pregnenolone (regenerate Page 44 | Abby's Magazine - www.AbbysMag.com