Chromium Chromium is the major mineral involved in insulin production, and a deficiency in this mineral can interfere with the production and utilization of insulin. Indeed, a chromium deficiency can result in three conditions directly related to blood sugar: high blood sugar levels, an inability of the cells to pick up and use blood sugar (impaired glucose tolerance), and higher insulin levels. Chromium increases the ability of insulin to bind to cells and leads to increased insulin sensitivity of body tissue. This leads to the body being better able to absorb and use the blood sugar. In other words, chromium helps the insulin "travel guide" get to more doors and oils the key that the travel guide uses to unlock our cells to the blood sugar. Studies have indicated that chromium does lower blood sugar and insulin levels in those with Type II diabetes. The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has noted that current data suggest that chromium supplementation can be useful for people with glucose intolerance, Type II diabetes, gestational diabetes, and steroid-induced diabetes. Vanadium Although as early as 1899 it was found that a form of vanadium resulted in a decrease in blood sugar levels, it was not until the late 1970s that vanadium's insulin-like action was first described. Vanadium may activate insulin receptors – making the cells more receptive to insulin's "key"-and through this, exert insulin-like action. This has been supported in two small clinical trials. In one, eight patients with Type II diabetes received 50 mg of vanadium sulfate two times per day for four weeks. The abstract of this study notes that the vanadium was well-tolerated and resulted in modest reductions of blood sugar and hepatic insulin resistance. (Metabolism 45, no. 9 (September 1996): 1,130-5.) In another small trial, six patients with Type II diabetes were given vanadium. The authors note that after three weeks, insulin sensitivity was improved (J Clin Invest 95, no. 6 (June 1995): 2,501-9). In another trial, the effects of vanadium were compared in moderately obese nondiabetic and Type II diabetic subjects. The authors note in their abstract that "In conclusion, small oral doses of vanadyl sulfate do not alter insulin sensitivity in nondiabetic subjects, but it does improve both hepatic and skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity in NIDDM [Type II] subjects in part by enhancing insulin's inhibitory effect on the breaking down of fats. These data suggest that vanadyl sulfate [vanadium] may improve a defect in insulin signaling specific to NIDDM." (Diabetes 45, no. 5 (May 1996): 659-66.) Bitter Melon Bitter melon grows in tropical areas, including parts of the Amazon, East Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and throughout South America. It is used as a food as well as a medicine. Bitter melon does much the same as chromium: it improves the body's ability to use blood sugar and improves glucose tolerance – that is, the body's ability to get the blood sugar into the cells. In one small study, using 100 ml of bitter melon juice was found to improve glucose tolerance by 73 percent in a standard glucose tolerance test. (J Ethnopharmacology 17 (1986): 277-82). In another small study, an aqueous extract of bitter melon fruit was found to decrease blood sugar levels by 54 percent. (Phytotherapy Res 7, no. 4 (1993): 285-9.) It also has an important additional benefit: at least one animal study has noted that bitter melon fruit juice results in an increase in the number of beta cells – the cells that produce insulin – in the pancreas of diabetic rats when compared with untreated diabetic rats. The authors of the study suggest that bitter melon may cause a renewal and recovery of the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. (Diabetes Res Clin Pract 40, no. 3 (June 1998): 145-51.) Gymnema Sylvestre Like chromium and vanadium, Gymnema sylvestre works to help increase glucose tolerance. Like bitter melon, it may help the pancreas produce insulin. Gymnema has been used with patients suffering from both Type I and Type II diabetes. In one study with 27 Type I diabetic patients, the Gymnema extract reduced the insulin requirements and lowered the fasting blood glucose levels. The abstract notes that gymnema extract enhances the ability of the pancreas to produce insulin, possibly by regeneration/revitalization of the residual beta cells in Type I diabetes. (J Ethnopharmacol 30 (1990): 281-94.) An animal study supports this. In diabetic rat pancreas, extracts of Gymnema were able to double the islet number (clumps of pancreatic cells) and beta cell number (insulin-producing cells). These results show that Gymnema may improve the health of the pancreas. (J Ethnopharmacol 30 (1990): 265-79.) As far as Type II diabetes goes, in one study, Gymnema extract was administered for 18 to 20 months to 22 Type II diabetic patients taking conventional medication. All the patients showed a significant reduction in blood sugar levels, and five of the 22 diabetic patients were able to maintain their blood sugar levels without conventional drugs. Similar to the above studies, the results also showed higher levels of insulin in the blood, indicating that the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas may be regenerated/repaired in Type II diabetic patients on Gymnema supplementation. (J Ethnopharmacol 30 (1990): 295-300.)

A daily serving of 2 capsules contains: 0.394 mg of vanadium citrate, yielding 75 mcg of vanadium 450 mg of bitter melon fruit powder 500 mg of Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract 168 mg of LeafBrand™ barley, yielding 400 mcg of chromium