One quarter of Americans over 20 years old have abnormally high glucose levels – which is considered to be pre-diabetic. By the time Americans are 60 or older the percentage rises to 35%. Considering the US population data, as of 2009, about 60,000,000 citizens are pre-diabetic and at very high risk of developing diabetes.
- Due to excess carbohydrates in the diet, about 20% of Americans are pre-diabetic.
- Carbohydrates are absorbed into the blood primarily due to the digestive enzymes amylase, sucrase, and glucosidase.
- However, L-arabinose – a natural, mostly indigestible sugar – blocks sucrase activity, preventing sugar sucrose from moving into the bloodstream.
- Similarly, extracts of seaweed, white beans, and Irvingia block starch breakdown in the intestine, preventing these calories from being absorbed into the bloodstream.
- Green tea extract helps your body metabolize additional calories while you are not active.
- All together these are natural compounds that have the potential to dramatically slow total carbohydrate intake, limit blood sugar and insulin spikes after meals, and help support weight loss.
Editor’s Note: See more information on nutrition, diabetes and diabetic retinopathy.
Sources: National Institutes of Health, 2007, 2009