Glucagon--the Forgotten Blood Sugar Hormone that can Make Diabetes Worse

Glucagon is often overlooked as a possible cause of high blood glucose levels. 

Glucagon is a hormone that works opposite to insulin. 

Insulin allows glucose into cells, and when the cells have adequate glucose, insulin causes the glucose to be stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen.

Glycogen--linkages of glucose

When blood sugar levels drop, glucagon is released to cause the glycogen to break down into glucose to bring the blood glucose levels up.

So in general, insulin decreases blood glucose levels by causing glucose to go into cells and storing glycogen, and glucagon increases blood glucose levels by breaking down glycogen into glucose.

Most people with Diabetes Type 1 who take insulin shots also have an emergency kit with a glucagon shot to help bring up the blood glucose if the levels drop too low.

Doctors usually concentrate on insulin levels to deal with diabetes.  However, most doctors don't realize that glucagon can also play a role in elevated blood sugar in people with diabetes.

Whenever the pancreas senses the blood sugar levels are too high it will release insulin to open the cells to accept glucose.  And whenever the pancreas senses the cellular glucose levels are too low, it will release glucagon to bring the glucose levels up.  You need a healthy balance of both hormones to keep your blood sugar in check.  But with diabetes, this delicate balance is disrupted.

In Diabetes Type 1, the pancreas can't make enough insulin, and so not enough glucose can move into the cells.  In Diabetes Type 2, the cells become resistant to the insulin, and so not enough glucose can move into the cells.  In both situations the blood glucose levels are too high, but there isn't enough glucose in the cells to make energy.  Because there isn't enough glucose in the cells, glucagon is released to break down the stored glucose in glycogen so the glucose goes higher.  Instead of working with insulin to maintain healthy blood sugar, it can send your blood sugar levels sky high.

Because of this, more and more insulin is needed to bring glucose levels down and make more glycogen, but in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes the cells can become more insulin resistant, causing more glucagon to be released, making it much more difficult to control blood sugar.

The good news is, there has been a recent breakthrough discovery of a 5,000 year old Chinese nutrient that naturally lowers glucagon levels while supporting healthy insulin levels and helping your body burn off excess blood sugar.

For centuries this nutrient was used to treat infections and fight inflammation.  But recently, modern medical science discovered that it can have a powerful effect on blood sugar as well.

Berberine

This amazing nutrient is called berberine.  It is found in many natural plants such as barberry, goldenseal, oregon grape, and more. 

In a study in 2008, Efficacy of Berberine in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes (Jun Yin, et. al.) berberine was given to a group of diabetics.  A placebo was given to another group.  During the 12 week trial, the patients given berberine saw their fasting blood sugar go from an average of 172 to 97!  Their glucose tolerance, a measure of how well they metabolize excess glucose, improved by 44%, and their hemoglobin A1C decreased from an average of 8.1 to 7.3.

Further studies showed that berberine helps lower glucagon levels, slows down carbohydrate digestion, promotes healthy insulin levels, reduces inflammation, lowers cholesterol and helps release AMPK, which works as a metabolic "master switch."  It has shown to be as effective as equivalent doses of Metformin in balancing blood sugar and insulin.

We are pleased that one serving of our SpringTree Glucose Balance contains 600 mg of berberine, more than you will find in most other glucose support supplements, as well as many other nutrients and herbs which support the balance of glucose, insulin and glucagon.  You can go up to 1500 mg. of berberine a day without major problems.  If you have diabetes, I highly recommend berberine as part of your daily supplements.

Until we meet again,
Dr. Judi

Don’t Miss this Important Disovery! AMPK Activators: Anti-Aging, Anti-Diabetic, Anti-Obesity and Anti-Fatigue!

AMPK (adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase) is an enzyme that regulates energy metabolism.  When the cells sense energy depletion, AMPK is activated to stimulate energy production and limit energy utilization.  Found in every cell, AMPK promotes longevity factors that have been shown to extend life and “turn off” many damaging effects of aging.  AMPK activity declines in aging, excess calorie consumption, and/or low levels of physical activity, increasing the risk of obesity, diabetes, fatigue, and the chronic diseases of aging.

AMPK enhances energy metabolism while suppressing inflammatory responses. It can inhibit the oxidative stresses which are involved in metabolic disorders and the aging process, improve stress resistance and extend the lifespan of cells while reducing inflammation.

AMPK increases glucose uptake in the cells, reducing insulin sensitivity.  It helps control appetite and energy expenditure.  Current evidence indicates that AMPK activation may reduce risk for atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke; help manage congestive heart failure; ameliorate metabolic syndrome, reduce risk for diabetes type 2, and improve glycemic control in diabetics; reduce risk of weight gain and improve weight loss; decrease risk for a number of common cancers while improving prognosis in cancer therapy; decrease risk for dementia and possibly other neurodegenerative disorders; help to preserve the proper structure of bone and cartilage; and provide aid in the prevention and control of autoimmunity.

AMPK has been demonstrated to inhibit synthesis of fatty acids, cholesterol, and formation of fatty liver, while increasing fatty acid oxidation, muscle glucose transport, formation of mitochondria and reduction of caloric intake.  It influences metabolism in fat cells while suppressing the adipose dysfunction and inflammation.  It promotes cellular energy production by initiating mitochondrial biogenesis.

AMPK Activators:

·         Exercise—AMPK is activated by exercise and may be why exercise reduces blood sugar, increases metabolism and reduces obesity.



·         Metformin—this diabetic drug causes AMPK to be activated in the liver, suppressing gluconeogenisis, enhancing glucose uptake in the cells and reducing insulin resistance.



·         Berberine—a naturally occurring bright yellow botanical that has been commonly used in traditional Chinese and Korean medicines as an antimicrobial/antifungal and as a treatment for Diabetes Type 2.  It has been shown in clinical trials to be as effective as Metformin in reducing blood sugar and insulin sensitivity, and recent studies show that a good part of the effects of Berberine are because of AMPK activation.

·         Alpha Lipoic Acid—this naturally occurring short-chain fatty acid is an essential co-factor of enzymes in the mitochondria, and is best known for its powerful effects as an antioxidant.  Recent studies have demonstrated impressive effects of ALA on many aspects of metabolic regulation and weight loss, and these appear to be largely dependent on AMPK activation.

·         Polyphenols such as Resveratrol, found in red wine, red and dark grapes, vinegar and other plants stimulate AMPK activity in a variety of cell types including liver, skeletal muscle, neurons, and cancer cells.



Gynostemma pentophyllum

·         Gynostemma pentaphyllum--widely used in Asian countries as an herbal medicine named Jiaogulan to treat dyslipidemia, Diabetes Type 2 and inflammation.  Pharmacological research has indicated therapeutic properties in lowering cholesterol and high blood pressure, strengthening immunity, and inhibiting tumors.  Until recently it was a locally known herb used primarily in southern China and northern Vietnam.  It is known as the "immortality herb", because people within Guizhou Province, where jiaogulan herbal teas are consumed regularly, are said to have a history of unusual longevity. It has been shown in studies to strongly activate AMPK in cultured L6 myotube cells, which increased lipid oxidation and glucose uptake.  One study showed a significant inhibitoy effect on the growth of melanoma B16.  It stimulated Tumor Necrosis Factor and other immune chemicals which caused antitumor effects.  In a 12-week, randomized, double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial in Korea, 450 mg/day significantly decreased total abdominal fat, total weight, body fat mass, percent body fat, and BMI compared to placebo.  There didn't seem to be any negative effects.     

Rose Hips

·         Trans-Tiliroside—derived from the seeds of rose hips, strawberries, raspberries and other dietary plants, shows AMPK activation, along with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic and hepatoprotective activities.  Studies have shown anti-obesity and anti-diabetic activities via enhancement of fatty acid oxidation in the liver and skeletal muscle and significantly reduced blood glucose levels after a loading dose in mice, promoting healthy blood glucose levels and body weight.

Is it possible to extend our healthy life span?  Animal studies are showing positive results with AMPK activation, however, it is too soon to tell with humans.  However, there are enough studies showing positive results from AMPK activation in humans that it is worth considering.



SpringTree Glucose Balance, originally created to assist in blood sugar imbalances, low blood sugar, pre-diabetes and diabetes, also has contained the AMPK activators of Berberine and Alpha-Lipoic Acid.  The new formula just being released contains increased amounts of Berberine, and also includes Gynostemma Pentaphyllum and Trans-Tiliroside in the amounts shown by studies to improve glucose levels and weight loss.  The ingredients in the new formula can now be used to assist in pre-diabetes, diabetes, obesity, energy enhancement, and/or anti-aging.  Blood sugar balance is important in all chronic diseases, including cancer.  We are excited to be releasing this high quality supplement!  It can be purchased at www.springtreehealth.com.

Until we meet again,

Dr. Judi