Green Tea Catechins: Let the "Japanese Paradox" keep Syndrome X under control for you.

It's no secret that the Japanese eat a lot of rice. The average annual consumption of rice in the United States is around 18 pounds per person, and this includes rice grown for beer.¹⁸ Japanese, on the other hand, consume 149 pounds of rice per person per year. This is over 8 times the U.S. annual consumption, and their figures are for rice consumed solely as a grain, not rice turned into alcohol.

So how do the Japanese stay so slim in comparison to Americans? The Japanese are taking advantage of the natural starch blockers in green tea, which most drink before and during meals.

There are numerous studies confirming that green tea catechins—particularly epigallocatechin (EGCG), a potent antioxidant flavonoid—have a dynamic anti-Syndrome X effect.¹⁹²⁰ Yung-Hsi Kao and his research team from the University of Chicago found that EGCG significantly reduced food intake, body weight, insulin, insulin-like growth factor I, glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides in rats.

In addition, green tea catechins inhibit the activity of amylase, a starch-digesting enzyme in your saliva that breaks down starches into sugars.²¹ (If you chew on a soda cracker for 10 to 15 seconds, you can actually taste the sugars.) Amylase inhibition means it takes longer for your body to digest starches and your blood sugar levels stay lower. You won't crave snacks and sweets between meals.

Green tea catechins are also high in antioxidants. These antioxidants reduce the oxidation of LDL (or "bad" cholesterol). It is this oxidation of LDL cholesterol that can lead to clogged arteries.²² Green tea can be a great addition to your anti-Syndrome X health regimen. However, since drinking Green tea is not a part of our normal routine, you can get all the benefits easily by taking an extract.

Bitter Melon Leaf Extract: A gold mine of health and a heavy-duty Syndrome X fighter

Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) is a common fruit that grows throughout much of the tropical world including parts of the Amazon, East Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. It is deliberately cultivated throughout South America as a food and as a medicine. The reason for its popularity among the people who use it is its wide range of health benefits treating colic; topically for sores, wounds, and infections; internally and externally for worms and parasites; and as an antiviral for measles, hepatitis, and feverish conditions.

Bitter melon contains an array of biologically active phytochemicals including triterpenes, proteins and steroids. At least three different groups of constituents found in all parts of Bitter melon have clinically demonstrated hypoglycemic properties (blood sugar lowering) or other actions of potential benefit against diabetes mellitus.

To date, close to 100 in vito studies have demonstrated the blood glucose-lowering effect of bitter melon. The fruit has also shown the ability to enhance cells' uptake of glucose, to promote insulin release, and potentiate the effect of insulin.²³²⁴²⁵

In other in vitro studies, Bitter melon fruit and/or seed has been shown to reduce total cholesterol and triglycerides in both the presence and absence of dietary cholesterol. In one study, elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels in diabetic rats were returned to normal after 10 weeks of treatment.²⁶

Bitter melon leaf can be made into a tea, but finding the leaf can be difficult unless you have access to herbal or ethnic specialty stores. It's much easier to use it in dietary supplement form, and given the very bitter taste of all parts of this plant, much more pleasant to take.

Salacia reticulata: A powerful starch blocker to lower your blood glucose levels

In addition to drinking green tea, the Japanese have been using a powerful starch-blocking supplement for years. This plant, Salacia reticulata, grows wild in Sri Lankan and Indian forests. It has demonstrated potent starch-blocking activity in several animal-based experiments.

One study done at the Kyoto Pharmaceutical University demonstrated that daily consumption of a hot water extract of Salacia reticulata suppressed body weight by 14% in the experimental subjects.²⁷

Salacia reticulata is a powerful starch blocker. It can significantly bolster your fight against Syndrome X. As with many of these ethno-botanicals, Salacia is not easy to obtain except in supplement form. This is not a problem since the extract is far easier and more convenient to take.

Banaba leaf: The Source of corosolic acid, one of the most effective anti-Syndrome X agents available

For centuries, the people of Southeast Asia have been using the leaves of the banaba plant to treat a number of disorders including diabetes and obesity. The active compound is corosolic acid.²⁸ Corosolic acid is called a plant insulin because of its insulin-like effects.

Dr. Yamazaki, Professor of Pharmaceutical Science, Hiroshima University School of Medicine, studied the effects of corosolic acid in relation to its insulin-like properties. His studies indicate that corosolic acid activates the transport of glucose across cell membranes, resulting in significant blood sugar reductions.

While oral administration of insulin does not reduce blood sugar, orally administered corosolic acid can produce a significant drop in blood sugar levels. Oral doses of corosolic acid have no known side effects.

A study done in 1998 at the Tokyo Jikeikai Medical School with 24 human subjects demonstrated that corosolic acid is effective in reducing blood glucose levels in short-term (four weeks) treatment, with no signs of adverse effects. Furthermore, even a one-time dose leaves a "memory-effect" for blood glucose control for a few days.

Banaba leaf extract (corosolic acid) is a time-tested traditional medicinal plant in Asia. The leaf tea has been used for centuries as an aid for weight loss and blood sugar control. It will greatly enhance any anti-Syndrome X nutritional plan you put into place.

Cinnamon: It's not just for seasoning—water extract boosts insulin power

Scientists from the US Department of Agriculture and several universities are confirming the effectiveness of a treatment for high blood sugar; the key factor in Syndrome X that dates back almost 4,000 years. They have isolated compounds in cinnamon bark that have been proven to lower blood sugar levels significantly in rat blood studies and in human subjects.²⁹³⁰³¹ In test tube studies using fat cells, the polyphenolic polymers were found to increase sugar metabolism a whopping twenty-fold.

Dr. Richard Anderson, lead researcher in the project reported, "These compounds increase insulin sensitivity by activating key enzymes that stimulate insulin receptors, while inhibiting the enzymes that deactivate them. They are known for their antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory functions, but they have not been commonly known [until now] to improve insulin function."

The human research study also showed considerable improvements in glucose and fat metabolism in volunteers. Blood glucose dropped 18% - 29%. Triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL (bad) cholesterol also decreased between 7% and 30%.

Table cinnamon is made from cinnamon bark and contains both water and fat soluble compounds. There is no data on potential effects of long-term ingestion of table cinnamon at this point. But the good news is the active ingredients for lowering blood glucose are from water extracts of cinnamon and appear to be nontoxic in any quantity.

So, the USDA research really points to one conclusion; if you're looking to defeat Syndrome X, you definitely should include the water extract of cinnamon in your natural supplement regimen.

Modern supplementation adds power to ancient wisdom in combating Syndrome X

So far, all of the supplements discussed are plant extracts. However, there are several very powerful supplements and minerals that are effective in combating Syndrome X. The following supplements all play a crucial role in maintaining proper blood glucose and insulin levels and should be a part of your anti-obesity campaign.

Chromium: A shortage may be responsible for excess fat

Chromium is an essential nutrient involved in normal carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.³³ Yet 9 out of 10 American diets fall far short of the trace amount needed for this essential part of maintaining normal blood sugar levels.

Studies done by Dr. R. A. Anderson of the Nutrient Requirements and Functions Laboratory, USDA, have shown that supplemental chromium has beneficial effects in lowering blood glucose levels and reducing insulin resistance without any documented side effects. His studies involved people with varying degrees of glucose intolerance ranging from mild glucose intolerance to overt Type 2 diabetes.³⁴

Chromium is also believed to build new muscle and act as a fat burner. When combined with other supplements recommended here, it appears to have a synergistic effect (the combination is more effective than each individually).

Many of these studies have determined that chromium picolinate transports the chromium into cells more effectively than other chromium supplements. If you had to choose just two minerals for your anti-Syndrome X program, one of them undoubtedly should be chromium picolinate. The other one should be: Vanadium: "The Insulin Mineral" Vanadium is a trace element that has been tested for its glucose lowering and insulin stabilizing effects for over ten years. These studies have shown it to be highly effective in decreasing blood glucose and insulin levels, lowering blood pressure, reducing the severity of Syndrome X, and lowering serum cholesterol levels in animal and human studies.³⁵

A research team from the University of Texas Health Science Center concluded that vanadyl sulfate (the sulfate salt of vanadium) administered at maximal doses for 6 weeks improved liver and muscle insulin sensitivity in patients with Type 2 diabetes.³⁶

Finally…You are in control of your metabolism

Syndrome X takes control away from you; it puts you at the mercy of an out-of-whack insulin system. However, by using the supplements described here, you can take back control of your metabolism. You can do it effectively…inexpensively…and, most importantly, with absolute confidence in being completely safe.

Defeat Syndrome X. Say good-bye to weight gain…to cravings and hunger. Say good-bye to damaging cellular effects and brain fog. Decide right now to defeat Syndrome X. With proper supplementation, you can do it with—or without—a strict, low carb diet.

Page 3 of 3 pages  < 1 2 3

References