Help with Starch Induced Blood Sugar Spikes

Blood glucose spikes, especially after a high carbohydrate starchy meal. There is an enzyme making the news lately called Transglucosidase / Pronounced (trans-gluco-side-ace) and here is why you need to know about it. Laboratory studies have recently shown that when this enzyme comes in contact with starchy foods and natural enzymes in the digestive tract, there is a 31% reduction in rapidly digested starch, which is the kind that causes those blood sugar spikes after a big meal and it also causes an 11% increase in slowly digested starch, causing it to get converted to sugar more slowly if AT ALL.

 THIS IS EXCITING RESEARCH AND DESERVES A CLOSER LOOK. 

If you are a PRE-diabetic that is good news, as prescription treatments can potentially drop you glucose levels too low. Hey, it is also BIG news if you are a full blown type 2 diabetic. WHY?

 Latest guidelines from the "Institute of Medicine" indicates a healthy diet as one whose carbohydrate intake should be 65% of daily food intake. Here are some issues with such a high starch diet regimen: Starch is probably the BIGGEST source of sugar in your diet - even if you eat whole grain bread, brown rice and perhaps whole wheat pasta. Starchy foods are HIGH in glucose precursors - starch gets turned into SUGAR in the digestive process even if some is faster and some slower than others Impact of insulin EXCESS: Insulin is a hormone that is absolutely necessary for carbohydrate and fat metabolism, however when it is secreted in excess, it can become a death hormone. Chronically ELEVATED insulin levels put a body at risk of dying from diseases such as cancer, stokes, heart attacks and ultimately lead to a "Burnt-Out" pancreas incapable of any glucose control at all. EVEN non-diabetics with normal fasting blood sugar levels are at an increased risk IF their after meal glucose levels rise TOO HIGH, TOO FAST.

 The MOST DANGEROUS PERIOD is approximately the first two hours after a starchy meal when all starch gets turned into sugar and can cause spikes in your glucose level and INSULIN levels into the DANGER ZONE. By taking a supplement including TRANSGLUCOSIDASE before A STARCHY MEAL and adequate soluble and insoluble fiber you can go a long ways to counter acting this situation. The American Diabetes Association recommends 20 to 35 grams of fiber a day and most of us do not get ANYWHERE NEAR THAT LEVEL OF FIBER.

 Transglucosidase This is a powerful supplement combined with getting adequate fiber especially with starchy meals and should aid in reducing blood glucose spikes after a meal. ONE capsule contains 450,000 (IU) or international units of Transglucosidase)

Another source I found Enzymedica reduce IN addition to that supplement consider also taking: RhoVita , to lower cortisol, elevated cortisol levels can influence blood glucose levels


   contains alpha lipoic acid (also influences blood glucose, and pine bark (for inflammation),

  VitaBurn (Fat Burner) contains chromium, spirulina, chlorella, and garcinia cambogia and can be a great aid if weight loss is desired

  Privita - if your testosterone levels are low or you are estrogen dominant The statements and products shown on this website have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Those seeking treatment for a specific disease should consult a qualified integrative physician prior to using our products if possible.

Herbal support for insomnia, mood, ADHD, neurotransmitters, anxiety, etc

Anxiety, insomnia, nervousness, irritability, and hyperactivity--these are all symptoms of stress.  It can be stress to the nervous system, stress on the brain and mental capacity, stress on the emotions, stress on the adrenals or any other organ in the body.  What is needed is something calming.  For some it's a cup of hot tea and for others it's a great workout in the gym or an hour of yoga stretching.  There is no substitute for a healthy diet, appropriate excercise, and times of rest and restoration.  For some, however, that's not enough.  The body is out of balance and refuses to relax.  Herbs, vitamins, and minerals have been used for years to calm the body and bring it back into balance.
Herbalith has the following herbals, minerals, and RNA, which either carries or translates messages within the cells of the body.

 Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

Valerian root is nature’s quintessential calmative, a sedative for the central nervous system. It may alleviate anxiety in adults and symptoms of ADD and ADHD in children; in fact some studies show that it may even eliminate the anxiety, fear, restlessness and aggressiveness associated with this increasingly common childhood affliction. Valerian may also alleviate depression, headaches, and insomnia by helping to promote sleepiness and by improving sleep quality. Finally and mercifully, it can decrease stress—and increase concentration as well.

 Hops (Humulus lupulus)

This perennial plant is a classic calmative known to alleviate aching ears, teeth, and heads as well as help with insomnia, nervousness, and stress by sedating the central nervous system.

 Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata)

Another natural calmative from nature’s pharmacy, Passion Flower acts like Hops in alleviating anxiety and ameliorating nervousness and insomnia by sedating the central nervous system. Headaches of nervous origin and some forms of depression may be helped by Passion Flower, which can reduce irritability and the incidence of mood swings. It may even be beneficial to those experiencing withdrawal symptoms associated with street or prescription drugs.

 L-Tryptophan

Among its many therapeutic benefits, this essential amino acid may help to alleviate some cases of anxiety by stimulating the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin and many forms of depression especially those characterized by intense carbohydrate cravings. Tryptophan may decrease certain cravings and their associated depression and alleviate headaches as well migraines caused by vascular constriction. If taken some 30 to 45 minutes before bedtime, tryptophan may induce sleep given its precursor role in melatonin and serotonin production. In significant dosing tryptophan may increase the body's threshold to pain because of its requirement for the release of beta-endorphin, one of the body’s natural pain relieving substances.

 Lithium

Concentrated in the brain’s pituitary gland, lithium sedates the central nervous system, may alleviate recurrent depression and the pain associated with migraines and “cluster” type headaches. Lithium may improve learning ability and memory, prevent various mental ailments especially mood disorders, assists in maintaining stable moods and emotions, and alleviate neuralgia due to its ability to stabilize nerves. Lithium may even stimulate the growth of neurons, facilitate the regeneration of damaged neurons, and support nerve remyelinization.
It is interesting to note that (1) epidemiological studies show that communities with the highest lithium levels in their drinking water enjoy the lowest incidence of suicide

 Damiana

Damiana is a native shrub of Central and South America. It is well known for its treatment in mild depression and anxiety. It can treat emotional and physical distress in people. It enhances hormonal production, both in men and women and acts as aphrodisiac. Damiana acts as nerve tonic, to relieve your stress.

 Turmeric

Is useful in people who are depressed because turmeric has the ability to regulate the release of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.

 Schisandra

It improves the overall function level of the Central Nervous System (CNS).

 RNA

Supplemental RNA may improve mental function and memory especially in terms of its anti-aging support in adding to the brain’s quantity of this nucleic acid. RNA may also improve impaired learning ability associated with decreased brain concentrations after midlife.

 L-theanine

Is involved in the production of the neurotransmitter called GABA (gamma amino butyric acid). GABA affects other neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. And these two important neurotransmitter induce a relaxed mental state.

Consider Herbalith if you suffer from:

ADHD, Anxiety, Migraine, Insomnia, Headache, Depression, Mood Swings, Chemical Dependency, Mania, Bi-Polar, Fibromyalgia, Brain Aging

Lithium is an essential trace mineral that is required by the brain for proper functioning. Inadequate levels of Lithium in the brain produce one or more of the following symptoms: nervousness, impatience, attention deficit, “scattered thinking”, inability to concentrate, not being able to focus or stick to the point, starting many projects and not following through with them, insomnia. In severe Lithium deficiency, manic depression or bipolar disorders are common.

Pure lithium, like sodium, calcium, or potassium, is a naturally occurring mineral. Lithium is found abundantly in certain rocks and the sea and in minute amounts in plant and animal tissues. Lithium also shows up in water, notably in the springs and spas where in earlier times people "took the waters," bathing in and drinking the lithium-rich water for its soothing effects.
During the late 19th Century, French doctors noticed that the people who dug salt in the salt mines had very few mental problems. They discovered that it was their exposure to Lithium that accounted for the unusually healthy minds. Population studies suggested that areas high in lithium (like near a natural spring) have very low levels of depressed people. Areas low in lithium have a higher rate of mental disorders and higher violent crime rates. The normal source of Lithium in the diet is deep well water. In some locations, such as West Texas, water provides 2 to 6 mg of Lithium per day. This is one of the reasons that people in Abilene or Amarillo are much more relaxed than people in Houston, where the water has zero Lithium.

Lithium Deficiency Signs can include PMS, Insomnia, headache, ADHD, Joint pain & Nervous disorders


What Lithium Does:

Helps regulate nerve impulses by regulating sodium and potassium
Influences distribution of sodium and potassium
Influences sodium transport
Stabilizes serotonin transmission in the nervous system
Studies suggest it has a role in glucose metabolism and insulin resistance


Lithium is one of the most common elements used for stabilizing mood swings, mania and depression. Lithium orotate is a highly bioavailable form of lithium that is available without a prescription. Because of its superior bioavailability, (20 times more bio-active than other lithium salts) lower doses of lithium orotate (Rather than lithium carbonate or lithium citrate) may be used to achieve therapeutic brain lithium concentrations and relatively stable serum concentrations.

Lithium orotate has also been demonstrated to be of benefit in the treatment of alcoholics, and proved useful in alleviating alcohol-related symptoms of liver dysfunction, seizure disorders, headaches, hyperthyroidism, affective disorders.

Standard lithium orotate dietary supplements provide 5 mg lithium. This is 1 to 2 percent of the dose provided by prescription forms of lithium.

Herbalith contains lithium orotate A 120mg tablet of lithium orotate usually has 4.5mg--5mg of elemental lithium. Herbalith contains 100 mg of lithium orotate.


Lithium can also be incorporated into the diet. Foods that contain Lithium include eggs, milk, tomatoes, seaweed, kelp, dulse, lemons and eggplant. Garlic, cinnamon, nutmeg, thyme,and coriander are some spices that contain lithium in small amounts. Some mineral spring waters contain small amounts of this substance.

Mineral waters such as Vichy and Evian were initially also promoted on the basis of their slightly higher lithium concentrations.


Directions: Take one tablet after dinner or at bedtime. May increase to two tablets as needed.

The FDA has not evaluated any of these statements or this treatment and there is no guarantee of cure with this treatment. Results may vary.

Combatting stress in pregnancy

Some scientists now believe that the effect of the life in the womb on emotional and physical health may be greater than that of the genes we inherit. The conditions in the uterus, ranging from mother's hormones to the nutrients supplied through the placenta, may significantly determine how a baby's liver, heart, kidneys, brain and mind will function during the adulthood.

Research has shown that if mothers during pregnancy ingested such substances as alcohol, cocaine, caffeine, and tobacco, they could harm their babies' physical and mental health, notably, lower the birth weight, height, and head circumference, and impair attention, memory, intelligence, and temperament. Likewise, we have known for a while that if a mother experiences excessive stress or suffers from an emotional trauma, her baby may be born with certain deficiencies which may persist into adulthood and cause more complications.

We are still trying to understand how stress and a mother's emotional state affects her unborn baby. Take, for example, a stress hormone called Cortisol. When we are under stress, we manufacture cortisol. If you experience occasional stress, cortisol doesn't create a problem. However, if you remain under stress for a long time, cortisol may be too much for your body to handle. Cortisol can cause high blood pressure problems. A mother's excessive Cortisol can reach the baby in the womb and, for example, can raise the baby's set point for blood pressure forever. In turn this baby, later in life, could be more prone to high blood pressure.

Many mothers during pregnancy face extremely stressful circumstances. Others are confronted with such unhealthy situations as the break-up of their relationship, physical or emotional abuse, open infidelity, job stress, and financial worries. These mothers experience constant stress, shame, loneliness and, sometimes, clinical depression during pregnancy or after giving birth.

The babies of these mothers are exposed to a variety of stress hormones, toxins and malnutrition inside the womb. Some may later become hyperactive, inattentive, or temperamental and exhibit poor self-control. Many of these children are later medicated with Ritalin or antidepressants. Not everyone understands that the problems a child exhibits today may have resulted from events that occurred several years ago. Could there be a link to stress in pregnancy and autism? As time goes on and our lives become more stressful, the incidence of this condition seems to be rising. A definitive cause for autism has not been established.

There are limited resources for people who have anxiety and depression, and people suffering from stress are often unsure of where to go for help. In addition, when referred for therapy, many feel embarrassed and do not want to admit the need for psychological consultation. Their partners or families may not encourage them to seek help because the problem it is not seen as a medical one. Doctors may be reluctant to prescribe psychiatric medications because of pregnancy or breast-feeding considerations.

Thus, a woman in such a situation suffers alone and remains isolated from her support system. She is expected to transcend all such adverse circumstances, and some do. Others don't have the emotional strengths to cope. Some have struggled with depression and anxiety all their lives. Moreover, even when they are seemingly coping with the excessive stress, they might still be constantly producing stress hormones and toxins and some will reach the baby in the womb.

Could maternal stress in pregnancy cause physical malformations? Maternal stress is also linked with imperfections in the developing nervous system which can lead to problems of perception, thinking, and memory. People who are stressed in pregnancy are more prone to postpartum blues and depression which could have consequences for mother/infant bonding.

All of us want happy children. Happy children grow out of happy babies. Happy babies are born to happy mothers. Therefore, partners, families and friends of expectant mothers should do their best to make an expectant mother happy and relaxed. If she is depressed, nervous, or tense, encourage her to seek help. I have tried to create this blog to point women in this situation to tools that can help and educate them. Please talk to your doctor. Join a support group. You are not alone.

Other things to consider:

1. Relax in a bath. It doesn't have to last an hour. A ten minute bath can help you sleep, and a well rested person can deal with stress better than a tired person. Pregnancy relaxing bath

2. Make sure your prenatal supplement contains Omega 3/fish oil/DHA. Pregnancy vitamin with DHA/Omega3 Not only is it good for your baby's brain development, but it can help your mood.

3. Listen to an uplifting CD. Affirmations are available on CD affirmation cd pregnancy and can be downloaded to your IPOD, iPhone, or portable music device. Also consider religious music.

4. Exercise naturally elevates your endorphin levels. Ask your doctor if yoga or walking are Pregnancy walking exercise video appropriate for you.
Click here to order pregnancy yoga video

Naturally Calm

Help yourself deal with stress naturally. Without pills. Dispensed in a discreet dissolving strip. Contains many well-studied herbal ingredients. L-tryptophan has been used in alternative medicine as an aid to treat sleep problems (insomnia), anxiety, depression, premenstrual syndrome, attention deficit disorder, and for smoking cessation and other conditions.

Not all uses for l-tryptophan have been approved by the FDA. L-tryptophan should not be substituted for medications prescribed for you by your doctor.

Contains St. John's Wort, an herbal remedy used for depression.

Contains Kava Kava, an herbal remedy used for anxiety.

In history, M. pruriens has been used as an effective aphrodisiac. It is still used to increase libido in both men and women due to its dopamine inducing properties. Dopamine has a profound influence on sexual function.

Mucuna pruriens seeds have also been found to have antidepressant properties when consumed.

Come get your happy strip.

These statements have not been reviewed by the FDA. This is not intended to diagnose or cure any disease.