Cambration March 2011 Newsletter

Supplement Support for Glucose Stability

Balancing blood sugar levels may not be sexy, but it’s important for the prevention of diabetes, a disease affecting more than 3 million Canadians.

Very simply, the body creates energy (glucose) from carbohydrates and controls this function with the hormone insulin. But if the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, or if insulin isn’t properly used, high blood sugar levels result (diabetes). Over time they can cause complications such as blindness, heart disease, and kidney problems.

Besides maintaining a healthy, high-fibre diet, getting regular exercise, and not smoking, taking specific nutritional supplements–in addition to a high-potency multivitamin and multimineral–can help balance blood sugar levels.

Chromium

This is the most important mineral involved in blood sugar metabolism and is beneficial for both high and low blood sugar issues. Insulin won't work without chromium, the main element in a molecule called "glucose tolerance factor."

Chromium doesn't boost the body's insulin production; instead, it makes existing insulin stores work more effectively.

Conjugated Linoleic Acid

CLA, as it's also known, assists in weight loss, and helps fight cancer, diabetes, and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). The mechanism, researchers believe, is twofold: first, it blocks the body's fat cells from filling with fat. Second, it increases cellular sensitivity to insulin.

Chia Seed

An ancient grain native to Central America, chia is rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids, fibre, and antioxidants. It's helpful in managing the effects of diabetes, as well as in the prevention and treatment of heart disease. Mix it with yogourt first thing in the morning and you're good to go!

Omega 3 Fish Oil

Omega-3 Oils are essential for support of cardiovascular system, balancing cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels.

Cinnamon Force

By stimulating insulin receptors and increasing their sensitivity, Cinnamon significantly increases cellular capacity for glucose utilization, useful for Type II diabetes. It also reduces LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. 

5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan)

A form of l-tryptophan, it increases levels of serotonin in the brain which promotes a happy mental outlook and improves sleep, and depression. Curbs cravings for high glycemic carbohydrates. 

 

Other Helpful Herbs

Mother Nature’s bounty of antidiabetic aids includes the herbs fenugreek, cinnamon, ginger, coriander, and bilberry. Onion and garlic also help prolong compromised insulin stores, so use them generously in the kitchen.

New research published in the Journal of Endocrinology in July 2008 reveals that curcumin from the spice turmeric also has a protective effect.

Obese rats given curcumin were less susceptible to developing diabetes than the leaner control group; they also lost weight and body fat, and had less inflammation in the liver and fatty tissues. Reducing inflammation is important because it’s linked to the onset of type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Balancing blood sugar levels isn’t a simple task, but it is indeed possible with a naturopathic approach, including the use of nutritional supplements.

Source: alive #313, November 2008

Blood Sugar Balance

Prevention of Blood Sugar Issues

Elevated Cortisol and Blood Sugar Levels — Is That You?

Cortisol plays a major role in our metabolism and the functioning of the endocrine and nervous systems. Due to high stress levels more people are experiencing adrenal exhaustion, blood sugar imbalances, belly weight gain, and overall fatigue. Is that you? New laboratory blood and salivary tests are becoming popular to determine cortisol, DHEA, and sex steroid levels for treatment plans by your health care practitioner.

What is the endocrine system?

The endocrine system consists of nine major glands: the adrenals, pancreas, parathyroid, pineal, pituitary, the thymus, thyroid, and male and female sex glands. These glands secrete hormones that are released into the bloodstream to regulate all systems of the body. The adrenal glands and their secretions regulate metabolism and maintain proper levels of potassium and sodium in the blood. The most important function of the pancreas is to produce insulin, the hormone that breaks down glucose. When the adrenal glands and pancreas weaken, often due to high stress or excessive ingestion of caffeine, sugar, starches, antidepressants, alcohol, or nicotine, one can experiences low energy (especially after eating), stress intolerance, blood sugar fluctuations, emotional instability, and anxiety.

Cortisol — Adrenal Stress Hormone

Cortisol is an adrenal stress hormone that is released during times of physical and emotional stress. It prepares the body for action by increasing blood pressure and heart rate, mobilizing stored fat, breaking down muscle and bone, suppressing the immune system, increasing appetite, and lessening insulin sensitivity, whereby more fat is stored. When under constant stress, cortisol levels can remain elevated without returning to normal, the energy in the body is diverted and the liver fails to get energy necessary for healthy digestion and detoxification. (Some people are so used to being stressed they don't know what it feels like not to be.)

Elevated Cortisol and Blood Sugar

Cortisol increases appetite for carbohydrates and fats which can elevate levels of blood sugar, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. High blood sugar and insulin resistance is a growing concern today. Type II diabetes, brain fog, lack of mental focus and stamina, depression, irritability, and fatigue can result. Many people have uncontrollable cravings for sugars, sweets, bread, soda pop, alcohol, or nicotine – an excess of which can be detrimental. To balance the blood sugar and reduce cravings for these substances, it is vital to reduce cortisol levels by nourishing the adrenals and strengthen the pancreas for improved digestion. A healthy diet that includes high-fiber carbohydrates and a low glycemic index results in a smaller increase in glucose and insulin and improves carbohydrate metabolism.

Quick summary and solutions in sight.

Constant pressure is felt by young and old. Small wonder that cortisol levels are high, GERD, diabetes and obesity are on the rise, and depression and anxiety are becoming common 'medicated' disorders. What do we do to achieve a better balance and homeostasis?

Our knowledgable staff at Cambrian can help you determine the best supplement program for you.  If you are on any medications or have any health concerns, please check with your doctor before starting any supplement regime

March's Recipe - Omega 3 fatty Acids and Diabetes

Fish is an excellent low-fat, high protein alternative to meat. Research has shown that eating fish on a regular basis can be protective against cardiovascular disease. People with diabetes often have high triglyceride and low HDL levels. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil can help lower triglycerides and apoproteins (markers of diabetes), and raise HDL, so eating foods or taking fish oil supplements may help people with diabetes. Fatty fish such as salmon and halibut are a good source of these essential fatty acids.

Salmon with Lemon-Ginger Sauce

From the Complete Canadian Diabetes Cookbook (available at Cambrian Pharmacy)

    Marinade
  • 2 green onions
  • 1 ½ tsp minced fresh gingerroot
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp low-sodium soya sauce
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp grated lemon rind
  • 1 tsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 4 salmon fillets, 5oz (150g) each
  1. Marinade: Chop green onions; set aside chopped green tops for garnish. In a bowl combine white part of onions, gingerroot, garlic, soya sauce, lemon juice and rind, sugar and sesame oil.
  2. Place salmon fillets in a single layer in a shallow baking dish. Pour marinade over; let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes or in the refrigerator for up to 1 hour.
  3. Bake, uncovered, in preheated oven for 13 to 15 minutes or until salmon turns opaque. Arrange on serving plates, spoon sauce over and sprinkle with green onion tops.

Try broccoli and sweet potatoes as you're side dishes to this quick and easy recipe. Broccoli is a non starchy vegetable and is one of the best choices for a diabetic because it is low in calories and is antioxidant-rich with high amounts of vitamin C, vitamin A, beta-carotene and folic acid. Sweet potatoes are a starchy vegetable, and intake needs to be controlled to help you manage your blood sugar. They are one of the best vegetables you can eat because they contain high amounts of vitamin C, vitamin A, fiber and potassium. A single serving is equal to 1/2 cup or 4 oz.

Nutritional Analysis per Serving of Salmon with Lemon-Ginger Sauce

4 Meat and Alternative Servings Fiber 0g Fat, total 11g
Calories      237 Protein 31g Fat, Saturated 2g
Carbohydrate 3 g Sodium 293mg Cholesterol 83mg

Compounding for Neuropathic or Chronic Pain


By Diane Young, Compounding Technician

Compounding is a method of creating personalized medication in the optimal strength and dosage for each patient. One of the many customized prescriptions for patients, who have specific needs that aren't met by commercially manufactured dosages, is transdermal or topical medication for neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain is a sensation caused by damage to a nerve. Possible causes of neuropathic pain include, but are not limited to, tissue injury, spine surgery, chemotherapy, diabetes, amputation, HIV, carpal tunnel syndrome, alcoholism, shingles, multiple sclerosis, any number of nerve problems or dysfunctions within the nervous system, and spine surgery.

Typical complaints of neuralgias include a burning feeling, shooting or stabbing pain like a knife, throbbing or electric shock-like pain, also itching, numbness or pins and needles. The sensation may begin as one feeling and evolve to others as a disease progresses or if treatment is unsuccessful. In a severe trauma situation the damage is generally more stable so the patient may become used to the new situation and be able to tolerate it more, reducing the need of medications or, they may become tolerant to medications used, requiring more and different therapies. Knowing that neuropathic pain is chronic and patients may need treatments for long periods of time means that medications need to be considered carefully in order to reduce dependence, tolerance and long term side effects.

Gabapentin and Pregabalin are becoming the most common oral treatments for nerve related pain currently available. Gabapentin is a sodium channel blocker that keeps GABA available to nerve receptors for longer. Because of its many adverse effects, it must be introduced slowly, often taking over a month to reach its therapeutic dose.

While neuropathic pain is very difficult to treat, it is one of the most common problems faced by doctors and pharmacists. By targeting several areas along the CNS pain is more effectively managed, but many of the available medications have serious side effects and interactions so they cannot be taken together in oral form. By compounding into a transdermal or topical form, several drugs can be combined to reach different target areas with little systemic absorption, providing greater pain relief and few side effects. Different strengths or drugs are used for various disease states, but the protocol is similar, in attempting to reach various receptor sites and create as much relief as possible with minimal side effects.

Cambrian Pharmacy is one of the few pharmacies in Calgary that specialize in compounding. Our compounding professionals combine the latest medical knowledge with state-of-the art technology to prepare custom medications. Cambrian's trained professionals use compounding to provide countless therapeutic possibilities by formulating customized prescriptions for patients who have specific needs that aren't met by commercially manufactured dosages.

Secure Order