Ceylon Cinnamon (on left)
"A multitude of in-vitro studies have demonstrated that cinnamon increases glucose entry into cells by enhanced insulin receptor phosphorylation and translocation of the glucose transporter GLUT4 to the plasma membrane [17]. Cinnamon increases the amount of GLUT4 receptors as well as Insulin Receptor (IR) and Insulin Receptor substrate [18, 19], thereby facilitating glucose entry into cells. The active compound responsible is believed to be a water-soluble poly-phenolic compound comprising procyanidin type A polymers [20]. Another possible mechanism for its hypoglyaemic properties, is an increase in the expression of PPAR (alpha) and PPAR (gamma), thereby increasing insulin sensitivity [21].
It has also been demonstrated that Cinnamon posses an inhibitory effect on intestinal glucosidases and pancreatic amylase. Ceylon cinnamon is the most potent inhibitor of pancreatic amylase and intestinal sucrase [22]. Cinnamon also possesses the ability to increase glycogen synthesis and inhibit gluconeogenesis, by increasing the activity of Pyruvate Kinase (PK) and decreasing that of Phoshoenol pyruvate carboxy kinase (PEPCK) [23].
A human study demonstrated its ability to delay gastric emptying as well as curb the postprandial glucose surge [24]."
http://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/articles/10.1186/1475-
Momordica charantia (MC)
(Bitter gourd or bitter melon)
"Bitter gourd is a member of the cucerbitaceae family, a perennial climber and is characterized by warty-fruit like gourds or cucumbers. The white to green unripe fruit changes to yellow as the fruit ripens. The fruit has a characteristic bitter taste, which becomes more pronounced as the fruit ripens. The fruit, as well as the whole plant is believed to posses anti-diabetic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anticancer properties and has been scientifically evaluated in the recent past [39]."
Warning: Those on insulin and oral diabetes drugs use with a doctors supervision only.
A good quality powder can cause major drops in blood sugar levels. Actual melons are more difficult to locate and juice or eat fresh due to bitterness.
Mechanisms of blood glucose lowering
"Results of animal and human studies show that the fruits, leaves and seed extracts of this plant possesses hypoglycaemic effects. The active compound of MC is believed to be charantin, vicine and polypeptide p. Extracts of bitter gourd is known to bear structural similarities to animal insulin [40]. Studies have demonstrated the ability MC extract to increase cellular glucose uptake by enhancing cellular insulin signaling pathways through the up regulation of GLUT4 and PI3K, as well as up regulating PPAR gamma [41].
MC preserves islet beta cells and has shown to stimulate glycogen storage by liver and insulin secretion by islets of Langerhans [42, 43]."
http://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/articles/10.1186/1475-2891-13-102
Fenugreek Seeds
(Note: using fresh seeds and simmering them 20 minutes is necessary to reap benefits)
"Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is a plant belonging to the family leguminosae. Fenugreek seed is often used as a spice as well as a medicine around the world. The leaves, chemical extracts and shoots of the plant have shown anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic and hypocholesterolaemic properties [49]."
Mechanisms of lowering blood glucose
"Fenugreek seems to share many of its glucose lowering mechanisms with Cinnamon. It stimulates the tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor and enhances glucose uptake into cells [50]. In rodents, it has been shown to inhibit the intestinal disaccharidases as well as normalize the deranged levels of Pyruvate Kinase (PK) and phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase (PEPC K) enzymes [51]."
Evidence from clinical studies
"Several clinical trials exist that demonstrated the efficacy of fenugreek to lower blood glucose. In 1998 Madar et al. demonstrated its ability to lower plasma glucose by addition of 15 g ground fenugreek to a 500 kcal meal. The study utilized 21 Type 2 diabetic subjects who were administered 2 meals, one with and one without fenugreek over a period of 4–7 days. In 17 of the 21 subjects studied, there was a significant decrease of postprandial blood glucose with the addition of fenugreek [52]."
http://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/articles/10.1186/1475-2891-13-102