People often think high blood sugar is something only diabetics or pre-diabetics have to worry about. But the truth is high blood sugar is something that everyone should be concerned about. Why? Because it can affect your overall health – even the rate at which you age. In fact, a recent study done by the National Institutes of Health shows that too much sugar in your bloodstream actually DOUBLES your risk of developing age-related conditions, such as low energy, weight gain, heart problems, high cholesterol, memory loss and even joint pain. What’s even worse, doctors don’t consider slightly elevated blood sugar a problem, even though levels that are typically thought of as “healthy” can create serious health issues.
So how can you get your blood sugar at a healthy level? Even if you avoid traditionally sugary foods and beverages such as sodas, candy, donuts, cake, etc., sugar can still be hiding in foods you wouldn’t expect, such as breads, cereals, salad dressings, and pretty much anything processed. And even though “natural” sugar, found in such foods such as fruit, is thought to be healthier for you, the truth is that sugar is sugar, and any type can bump up your blood sugar levels.
Given this knowledge, more and more companies are coming out with products which can help manage your intake of sugar, and help balance your blood sugar levels. One such product is Glucotol.
What is Glucotol?
So, we’ve already mentioned that too much sugar – any kind of sugar – can wreak havoc on your health in many different forms. So how can you prevent this from happening? It’s impossible to avoid sugar ALL of the time. So imagine if you could actually block sugar from entering your bloodstream and damaging your body… well, Glucotol says you can.
Glucotol contains a natural sugar “blocker” which basically blocks the enzymes that allow your body to digest and absorb glucose from sugar and carbohydrates. This sugar blocker is a natural ingredient called InSea2™, which is made from two kinds of brown seaweed. The InSea2™ works with other natural ingredients (which we will go over below) to help maintain blood sugar levels, reduce dangerous inflammation, and even help you burn more calories for easier weight loss.
What Does Glucotol Do?
Like we said above, Glucotol works to block sugar from entering your bloodstream. But does it really work? It appears so, with study after study showing some pretty positive results. For instance, in one double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study, a group of volunteers took 500 mg of InSea2™ and then ate a piece of white bread 30 minutes later. But when researchers measured their blood sugar, instead of finding heightened levels, they found that the volunteers’ blood sugar dropped 48.3% over the next three hours and that their insulin secretion dropped 22% in the first 30 minutes. In another study, subjects who took InSea2™ not only experienced lower blood sugar levels but they lost weight too – up to 14% weight loss, all without eating less or exercising more. Even more research shows that when compared to similar seaweed or algae extracts, InSea2™ is up to 1,300% more effective at blocking sugar digestion.
Another ingredient in Glucotol, chromium, is essential for balancing blood sugar levels – whether you have high blood sugar OR low blood sugar. In fact a review of 41 clinical studies (41!) concluded “Chromium supplementation significantly improved glycemia among patients with [blood sugar issues].” The problem arises in that almost 90% of all U.S. adults are deficient in chromium. Also, not all forms of chromium are equal. The chromium found in Glucotol, chromium polynicotinate, supports healthy blood sugar whereas other forms do not.
Ingredients
Glucotol stresses the importance of seven natural ingredients in keeping your blood sugar under control and preventing further damage to your body. They are as follows:
InSea2™: blocks the enzymes that allow your body to digest and absorb glucose from sugar and carbohydrates, resulting in healthier blood sugar levels and even weight loss.
Chromium: essential for balancing blood sugar levels, and has been shown in study upon study to improve levels in patients who suffer from either high or low blood sugar.
Gymnema Sylvestre: contains special gymnemic acids that help stop sugar absorption. People in India have used it for over 2,000 years to stop cravings for sweet food. Also, gymnema sylvestre allows more of the sugar you do eat to pass through your digestive system without being absorbed by locking into sugar receptors in your intestines.
Vanadium: natural mineral that activates your body’s natural insulin signals, including certain enzymes that allow your cells to absorb sugar more easily and prevent it from building up in your bloodstream.
Fenugreek: spice used medicinally for years in both India and China. The amino acid 4-hydroxyisoleucine stimulates the release of insulin and reduces blood sugar. May also slow damage done by free radicals, and reduces the size of fat cells.
Cinnamon Bark: contains polyphenols that help improve the transfer of sugar from the bloodstream into cells, improving insulin sensitivity and increasing sugar metabolism – up to 20 times, according to one study by the USDA’s Human Nutrition Research Center. Keep in mind, this is cinnamon bark; not the cinnamon you use to flavor your favorite cookies, cakes, oatmeal, etc.
AlphaLipoic Acid (ALA): helps reduce blood sugar by improving how well your cells absorb glucose. Also, ALA helps neutralize dangerous free radicals, which speed the rate at which you age. ALA is both fat- and water-soluble, which means it can work anywhere in your body – and even crosses the brain-blood barrier.
What We Like
Holy cow… what’s NOT to like? With the rate of obesity (and thus diabetes) on the rise, any product that can help manage the symptoms and causes of high blood sugar, weight gain, and age-related conditions is a winner in my book. Another plus? All the RESEARCH. Study after study on every single one of the ingredients show that they truly are effective in helping to maintain healthy blood sugar levels, and even managing your weight. Not to mention the benefits of reducing chronic inflammation and slowing (or reversing) the effects of aging. And the research comes from some heavy hitters: Harvard, The Mayo Clinic, National Institutes of Health, and Columbia University, just to name a few. The price point is also nice, considering that you get all seven of those ingredients in one capsule. And the company offers a no-risk, lifetime guarantee.
What We Don’t Like
Usually I have something to note here in the “downside” category… but with Glucotol, I really don’t. The only thing, and this goes with ANY supplement, would be to make sure the ingredients in Glucotol are safe for you in regards to any other medications (or even supplements) you might be taking. Otherwise, I give this one a solid five stars!
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