According to the Journal of the American Medical Association nearly 50% of all adults in the U.S. are either currently diabetic or suffering from metabolic syndrom (pre-diabetes). In addition to being the leading cause of Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, also referred to as insulin resistance syndrome, also contributes to increased incidence of heart attacks, stroke, cataracts and cancer.
Metabolic syndrome usually develops slowly over an extended period of time – 20 to 30 years in many cases. While people may notice the obvious early symptoms, such as obesity, exhaustion, depression and increased carbohydrate cravings, most don’t realize they have metabolic syndrome until they are diagnosed with more serious medical conditions, such as hypertension, peripheral vascular disease or diabetes. And while the symptoms of metabolic syndrome can be varied and appear at different times, they all arise from a disruption of normal glucose metabolism.
Glucose Metabolism
Humans derive energy from a simple sugar molecule, glucose. After a meal the body rapidly converts sugars and carbohydrates into glucose. As glucose levels rise in the blood stream the pancreas responds by secreting insulin, a specialized hormone that allows cells to absorb glucose and metabolize (burn) it to produce cellular energy.
When food intake exceeds the body’s energy requirements, the excess glucose is converted into glycogen, another type of sugar that is stored in the liver and muscle cells as a convenient short-term energy reserve. As energy demands rise and fall during the day the body converts glycogen back into glucose to stabilize blood sugar levels and maintain energy production.
When food intake exceeds the body’s capacity to store glycogen, the excess is directed into long-term energy reserves in the form of fat.
Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance occurs when cells become less sensitive to the effects of insulin. This results in rising blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) and a drop in energy production. To compensate for insulin resistance – and to keep blood glucose levels from spiraling out of control – the pancreas tries to restore balance by producing more insulin. Left unchecked, cells become even more resistant to insulin even as the pancreas secretes ever greater amounts in a desperate attempt to bring the system back under control. This results in dangerously high blood levels of insulin (hyperinsulinemia). If not corrected the pancreas eventually becomes exhausted, resulting in diabetes and requiring daily blood monitoring and injections of insulin to manage blood sugar levels.
Obesity
Insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome are closely linked to obesity, and both conditions are aggravated by a lack of exercise and a diet high in refined carbohydrates. Insulin resistance often triggers a sharp craving for carbohydrates, especially late in the evening. As cellular metabolism drops, energy levels plummet. This has a profound effect on the brain, which gobbles up 25 percent of the body’s available glucose reserves to support cognitive functions. When the brain is deprived of fuel mental performance is impaired, leading to fatigue, depression and more frequent headaches.
To improve mood and generate a quick lift many people reach for a bagel, a doughnut or some other refined carbohydrate to quickly elevate their blood sugar levels.
Unfortunately this solution is only temporary and insulin quickly clears sugar from the blood stream. As sugar is converted into fat, energy levels plummet once again, triggering another round of intense carb cravings that can be impossible to resist.
As insulin resistance becomes more entrenched additional metabolic abnormalities begin to appear. Rising triglyceride levels act on muscle cells, further increasing their resistance to insulin and reducing their ability to burn fat. Triglycerides also affect adipose (fat) cells, making it increasingly difficult to release stored fat for energy production. Together the net effect acts like a one-way valve – fat is stored at an accelerated rate, but getting it out of storage becomes more difficult.
Long-Term Complications
In addition to promoting obesity and diabetes, metabolic syndrome also causes metabolic changes associated with a number of chronic degenerative diseases. When insulin production is impaired, cellular energy levels plummet and biological functions are impaired. Additionally, excess glucose binds to proteins and cellular structures, causing damage to blood vessels, eyes, and other organs. For example, diabetics are five times more likely to develop cerebrovascular, peripheral vascular and coronary artery diseases than are non-diabetics. Glucose has also been shown to promote inflammation, a recognized risk factor for immune-related diseases and cancer. Additionally, by elevating blood levels of fatty acids, especially triglycerides, metabolic syndrome contributes to atherosclerosis and related vascular diseases.
Because metabolic syndrome develops over a long period of time many of the symptoms are diagnosed – and treated – as separate and unrelated conditions.
Without identifying and correctly addressing the underlying condition, insulin resistance, many patients end up saddled with a wide range of treatments that can include statin drugs (to lower cholesterol), antidepressants (for depression and mood swings), ACE-inhibitors and beta-blockers (for hypertension) and anti-thrombolytic drugs (to reduce risk of developing blood clots).
Reversing Insulin Resistance
MetaPhase® is an all-natural herbal formula designed to support recovery from insulin resistance, the primary cause of obesity and obesity-related disorders such as diabetes. By restoring healthy blood sugar regulation and normalizing insulin production, MetaPhase may aid in reversing chronic metabolic and chemical disturbances caused by long-term exposure to elevated insulin and blood glucose levels. Additionally, by curbing carbohydrate cravings advanced herbal formulas have been shown to support safe and natural weight loss.
In clinical tests the indivitual herbal ingredients comprising MetaPhase have been shown aid in countering a wide spectrum of disorders that accompany diabetes, such as cardiovascular disease, degenerative eye conditions, skin ulcerations, limb numbness and pain, and kidney dysfunction.
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MetaPhase Ingredients and Actions
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Summary
MetaPhase combines a blend of herbs that have been shown to support recovery from metabolic disturbances common to metabolic syndrome while repairing cellular damage caused by prolonged exposure to elevated blood sugar levels. For best results take two to three capsules of MetaPhase, two to three times daily, 30 minutes prior to meals. The combination of herbs in the formula will stimulate a steady improvement that becomes most noticeable in 7 to 10 days. When you are satisfied with your blood sugar levels – usually within 1 to 3 months – you may reduce your intake to a maintenance dose of one to two capsules in the morning and afternoon.
Note: Some people taking MetaPhase may also experience improvements in related morbidity factors, including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, nephropathy and neuropathy. Patients with these conditions should continue to be monitored by their physician for changes in their condition and modify medications as necessary.
