In fact, these tiny organelles reverse the process of photosynthesis, by which plants use sunlight to transform carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O) into glucose.

This is the miracle of life. Our cells then use those ATP energy units to power every process in the body, including muscle contraction, tissue repair, cell reproduction, and the manufacture of proteins, hormones, and our overall health and immune competency.

The hormone insulin, which is manufactured by the pancreas, controls the delivery of blood glucose into our cells.   When this process fails, the body declines into a disease state.

The best know failure of sugar management is called diabetes. It’s also known as hyperglycemia (hyper = too much). Both abnormally high and abnormally low blood sugar levels can wreak havoc in the body.

It’s estimated that 38.4 million Americans (or 11.6% of our population) has diabetes (up from 24 Million cases when I first wrote about it.) There could be as many as another 18 million undiagnosed cases. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) estimates that an additional 26.4 million Americans are pre-diabetic. Unfortunately, statistics for new cases of diabetes are currently unavailable.   [1]

Diabetes induces a spectrum of complications, because over time high glucose levels will damage nerve tissue, “gum up” the smallest blood vessels in our eyes, kidneys, hands, feet, as well as in the heart muscle. In serious cases, loss of vision, gangrene in the limbs, or even kidney failure may occur.

The inflammatory damage that occurs to the innermost (or intimal) layer of our blood vessels predisposes us to atherosclerosis (or hardening) of the arteries, leading to high blood pressure and other complications, including heart attack or stroke.   [2]

Let’s discuss the hormonal management of blood glucose, and then review the Shaklee supplements that support a healthy blood sugar level.

Hormonal Control

Hormones like insulin are complex chemical triggers that choreograph specific bodily functions. Scientists have identified 51 separate hormones in humans. [3] Although hormones circulate throughout the body, they only impact the cells that possess specificreceptors for them. They are referred to as the ‘target cells’.

In general, hormones operate with the classic “lock and key” mechanism. The hormone is the key that turns the lock, switching on, or switching off various processes and functions within their target cells. [4]

There are 3 classes of hormones:

• Steroids, which include the sex hormones, and are made from cholesterol.

• Amino Acid hormones, which includes adrenaline, and

• Peptide hormones, which are the most numerous and diverse group of hormones.
  Insulin is found in this class.

Only 2% of the cells in the pancreas actually produce insulin. They are called the Beta cells. [4] Every cell in our body contains approximately 10,000 receptors for insulin, out of an astounding 10 million receptors found on every cell membrane.

Insulin lowers blood sugar levels by directing the cell membrane to transport glucose from your blood stream into your cells.

A second hormone called glucagon, reverses the process, by commanding our liver to break down stored glycogen, to be released into the blood stream as glucose, thus elevating sugar levels back up to the normal range. This system helps to maintain a very narrow blood sugar range of 80-100 mg/dl. at all times.

So, these 2 hormones work together antagonistically to maintain a constant, and well-controlled flow of sugar to the engines of our cells, 24 hours a day.

So... What Goes Wrong?

• Certain viruses, including rubella, Epstein-Barr, and retroviruses, and diseases like the mumps, chicken pox, and measles, can damage or destroy Beta Cells wsithin your pancreas. [5],   [6]

• Early exposure of infants to dairy products (in particular cow's milk with it’s β (beta) casein proteins), OR excessive exposure to high nitrate levels from drinking water, OR low vitamin D consumption, have all been linked to increased risk for Type 1 diabetes. [6]

• An August 2008 report in the Journal of the American Medical Association also tied elevated levels of arsenic in the water supply to increased risk of diabetes, because arsenic interferes with cell’s ability to transport glucose across the cell membrane. [7]

• Another cause of poor blood sugar management is referred to as pre-diabetes, also known as Syndrome X, Insulin Resistance, or Metabolic Syndrome. This occurs when cells lose their ability to bind with insulin. If the key can’t turn the lock, the door won’t open. Then, blood sugar levels (and insulin levels) both sky rocket, causing havoc throughout the body.

Although the cause of metabolic syndrome is unclear,
it’s strongly associated with this cluster of risk factors:

When all 4 conditions are present, your risk for developing diabetes increases five-fold.