Each year, about 1.6 million people aged 20 or older are diagnosed with diabetes.
According to the American Diabetes Association, of the23. 6 million children and adults that currently have the disease—7.8 percent of the US population—5.7 million do not know they have it.

It is estimated that 57 million adults aged 20 and older have pre-diabetes, type 1 diabetes accounts for five to 10 percent of all diagnosed cases and type 2 diabetes accounts for 90-95 percent of all diagnosed cases, and is increasingly being diagnosed in children and adolescents.

In addition, the American Institutes of Health estimates that over 65 percent of Americans are either overweight or obese and the number is climbing. With the rise of obesity, the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes has also been increasing.

According to Scott Steil, president of Nutra Bridge (Shoreview, MN), the exclusive US distributor of innoVactiv’s (Quebec, Canada) InSea2™, the blood sugar management sector is still small, but poised for solid growth in the near future. “This is due to the fact that the target audience is well over 60 million people,” he said. “The current trends in obesity, diabetes and the food we consistently choose, and radical changes in the role of each individual in managing his/her own health will push consumer interest in natural products that help control blood sugar.” Steil continued in pointing out an increasing number of consumers are looking for methods to help control blood sugar before they develop full-blown diabetes.

“Specifically, the concept of metabolic syndrome and glycemic index (GI) are becoming better known, which opens up new doors for our industry.”

Laurent Leduc, vice president of health and marketing at Frutarom USA (North Bergen, NJ), agreed: “There has been an increased consumer awareness of blood sugar health, due in part to the low-carb, low glycemic index trends that have occurred over the past decade,” he said. “We’ve also learned more in the past decade about how blood sugar health affects weight management and energy levels.”

Matt Phillips, president of Cyvex Nutrition (Irvine, CA), said he feels that while the market is steady for strictly blood sugar supplements, recent research suggesting the link between blood sugar and obesity has positively expanded this market. But Dennis Torkko, executive vice president of Ayurvedic-Life International, LLC (Neenah, WI), expressed that despite the category’s importance to consumers, blood sugar management has received scant attention, and consumers are increasingly searching out natural options due to recent concerns.

“Recent issues with some prescription medications such as Avandia have caused consumers to explore alternative, safer options,” he said. “Herbal based ingredients, amino acids and natural derivatives (e.g. berry extracts, etc.) are gaining significant momentum. We view consumers’ increasing interest in natural, non-prescription alternatives to be very positive, not only to our prospects, but to the prospects of the supplement industry in general.”

Trends

As previously mentioned, consumer awareness of the glycemic index has grown considerably, especially with the publication of a number of positive clinical trials showing the benefits of eating slowly-digestible carbohydrates, such as those contained in whole grains or legumes. For example, Steil offered a study published by Jenkins et al. In the Journal of the American Medical

Association (JAMA) in 2008 that showed a low-GI diet helped type 2 diabetes patients reduce their glycated hemoglobin level, as well as increase their good cholesterol better than a high-cerealfiber diet. “This news received mainstream media coverage in Time magazine, Canadian national television networks as well as The Globe & Mail in late 2008,” he said.

Phillips expressed that he’s noticed consumers are increasingly interested in novel, naturally derived ingredients that are backed by scientific research and safety trials. As consumers turn to the expanding functional foods and beverages category to meet their nutritional and condition-specific needs, he offered that his company’s top-selling blood sugar management ingredient, Chirositol, and its diverse finished goods applications should bode well. “Chirositol is a clear, soluble and tasteless offering that retains the same percentage of active Ingredient as in powdered dietary supplement form,” he said.

As omega-3 fatty acids continue to take center stage in the media, their benefits for blood sugar management represent a considerable piece of that consumer awareness. But Marina Linsley, marketing director with NP Nutra (Rancho Dominguez, CA), said that with awareness also comes fresh concerns. “Research into omega-3 fatty acids is showing interesting results on their effects in controlling glucose and reducing heart disease risk in people with type 2 diabetes,” she said.

“However, concerns have been raised over the possible contamination of fish oil supplements due to the presence of contaminants such as mercury, pesticides and PCPs in some fish species.Fish oil in high doses can also cause unwanted interactions with blood pressure medication.” NP Nutra offers what Linsley considers a viable alternative in Its Sacha Inchi Oil. “With an average of 40 percent omega-3s, Sacha Inchi seeds are among the best plant sources for omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9 essential fatty acids, and may support healthy blood sugar levels.”

Science-Proven Mechanisms of Action

Steil said that his company has observed solid interest in the products that help block/slow down the absorption of table sugar (sucrose) in addition to ingredients that can increase insulin sensitivity. This could be one of the reasons that Ft. Lauderdale, FL-based Life Extension has signed on to include innoVactiv’s InSea2 in its newly launched Natural Glucose Absorption Control, a formulation developed to slow the rate of complex and simple carbohydrate breakdown and glucose absorption.

According to innoVactiv, InSea2, an optimized blend of polyphenols derived from two species of brown seaweed, is the only product on the market today that exhibits a dual mechanism of action against digestive enzymes involved in carbohydrate digestion and assimilation.

As one of the key ingredients in the Natural Glucose Absorption Control formulation, InSea2 selectively targets digestive enzymes involved in carbohydrate digestion and diminishes the metabolic impact following a high-GI meal. Specifically, InSea2 has demonstrated potent inhibiting effects against both á-glucosidase and á-amylase enzymes. By consuming InSea2 and targeting these enzymes, the rate of carbohydrate digestion and absorption can be significantly slowed, potentially reducing the caloric impact of foods rich in starch and sugar.

In a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover human clinical trial led by the Institute of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods of Laval University (Quebec, Canada), InSea2 produced a statistically significant 48 percent decrease in the normal glycemic response that follows ingestion of a standardized meal (white bread, P = 0.046) in 23 healthy volunteers.
InSea2 also induced a 22 percent reduction in initial insulin production (P = 0.045) and an overall 12 percent reduction in the area under the curve of the insulin response (P =0. 031). Even more interesting was the fact that InSea2 improved insulin sensitivity by eight percent (Cederholm index, P = 0.047) after a single use of the product.

Frutarom’s Leduc offered that two of his company’s products are capitalizing on mechanism of action trends. First is FenuLife, a soluble fiber from fenugreek that’s been on the market for about 10 years that helps slow the absorption of glucose into the blood stream, which can allow for less of a blood sugar spike after high carbohydrate meals as well as promote satiety. The second mechanism, increasing the uptake of glucose into cells and modulating insulin sensitivity, is being explored in a new ingredient, Portusana™, a purslane extract.Preliminary data showed the blood glucose- lowering effect of Frutarom’s purslane herb extract in humans. In order to prove the efficacy, safety and tolerability of the extract for long-term glucose control, a clinical study was conducted in type 2 diabetic patients.


The 12-week, randomized, doubleblind parallel group, placebo-controlled clinical study, which was conducted at the Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon (Israel), gave type 2 diabetic patients aged 30-75 years 60mg Purslane herb extract three times a day or a placebo. Success criteria was based on glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c; average baseline level of study participants
7. 38 percent), a long-term marker for blood glucose control, strongly associated with an increased risk for developing cardiovascular disorders. Results showed, after six weeks, HbA1c levels had improved in almost 80 percent of patients; after 12 weeks, Frutarom’s purslane herb extract significantly reduced the concentration of HbA1c compared to placebo in responding patients. The reduction amount to 0.85 HbA1c percentage points outperformed placebo by 44 percent. In addition, no serious adverse events were recorded and the extract was well tolerated Throughout the study period.

In an effort to provide options for manufacturers seeking to combat metabolic syndrome, which statistics show affects one in five people and prevalence increases with age, Cyvex offers BioVin® Advanced with five percent resveratrol. One study from Department of Life Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University (Tao-Yuan, Taiwan) entitled, “Resveratrol Improves Insulin Resistance in High Cholesterol- Fructose Diet Induced Metabolic Syndrome,” had compelling results, according to Phillips, who shared some researcher commentary: “The results show that administration of resveratrol significantly improved HCF tissue glucose uptake activities and hepatic glycogen synthesis. Thus, we conclude that the metabolic syndrome prevention effect in conjunction with its aforementioned health benefits, suggests the use of resveratrol as a health food supplement and as a therapeutic drug to treat patients with metabolic syndrome.”

Meanwhile, Ayurvedic-Life’s Torkko expressed that products that work to stimulate specific body functions or actions are becoming much more popular “since they help the body to Respond in a more natural fashion,” he said. “As a result, side effects can be reduced since the body is ‘treating’ itself on a more natural level.”

Ayurvedic-Life offers a novel Gymnema sylvestre isolate produced from its patented proprietary extraction process that preserves the labile compounds of the key active principles of botanically pure Gymnema sylvestre leaves. The company sponsored research at King’s College-London featuring its multi-patented next-generation Gymnema sylvestre extract, which “validates its development for clinical use” per a research paper published in Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry, February 2009.

The research showed that low concentrations of the novel Gymnema sylvestre isolate stimulate insulin secretion in-vitro without compromising pancreatic beta cell viability, unlike the commonly used GS-4 standardized Gymnema sylvestre extract, researchers said. Ayurvedic-Life’s novel Gymnema sylvestre isolate has the ability to stimulate insulin secretion similar to sulphonylureas and meglitinide analogues that are currently used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Arun K. Chatterji, PhD, the inventor of the patented Gymnema sylvestre Virgin Isolate extraction technology and the chairman and CEO of Ayurvedic-Life International, said, “My invention of the Ayurvedic Virgin Isolate technology coupled with the superb cellular level research performed at King’s College- London has the potential to bring a truly unique health solution to millions of people worldwide.”

“Our company’s Virgin Isolate OSA technology provides the science behind its Gymnema sylvestre extract in our blood sugar formula,” added Torkko.
“This is revolutionary in its function and the benefits it provides, and is proven through multiple clinical studies and over 20 years of international research.”

Gymnema sylvestre was one of the earliest blood sugar management ingredients NP Nutra introduced and remains its most popular. But the company has since expanded its portfolio to include a range of botanicals, such as Lo Han Guo and one of its most recent ingredient, Banaba.

“Lo han guo (Siraitia grosvenori) is a natural sweetener that contains no calories, does not elevate insulin levels, raise cholesterol or stimulate fat storage,” explained Linsley. “Emerging research indicates that Lo han guo may be also be helpful for maintaining normal levels of cholesterol and blood sugar, as well as supporting kidney and pancreatic health.

“Meanwhile, banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa) has long been used in the Philippines as an aid for managing blood sugar,” she added. “Interestingly, scientists have now found that banaba leaves are in fact high in corosolic acid, which is sometimes referred to as ‘plant insulin.’ This acid, along with several other constituents of banaba, encourages the use of glucose as fuel and produces insulin-like effects.”

Clearing Up Confusion

The newest ingredient innovation from Bradenton, FL-based HP Ingredients is Bergamonte™, an innovative nutraceutical ingredient for metabolic syndrome, cholesterol control, blood glucose control and weight management. While the company focuses on promoting research and science backed nutraceuticals, and it squarely recognizes its job is to educate the manufacturers as well as consumers on the research and health benefits of citrus bergamot, and according to Annie Eng, the company’s president, it has its work cut out for it. “There is already confusion that many companies think that citrus aurantium is citrus bergamot, and we are actively communicating their differences,” she said.

Due to weather conditions, citrus bergamot is only grown in Calabria, Italy, where it controls 80 percent of worldwide production. The active compounds in citrus bergamot have been identified as naringin, neoeriocitrin, neohesperidin, poncerin, rutin, neodesmin, rhoifolin, Melitidine and Brutelidine. It differs from citrus aurantium as citrus bergamot does not contain synepherine, N-methyltyramine nor octopamine. These compounds have been shown in research to constrict arteries, increase blood pressure, increase heart rate, cause heartrhythm disorders, heart attack and stroke, offered Eng.

“We are fortunate to work with a group of scientists from Italy,” she said.

“To date, we have completed research in over 500 human clinicals, and these scientists have committed to continue the human clinical work until we reach 2,000 patients’ data. There are no other natural products that have this kind of research support. We help to increase product awareness through press release of our research findings, PR through radio and TV interviews, and participating in various health seminars and national tradeshows.”

And HP Ingredients has a lot to talk about. “On average, we are seeing a 20 percent decline in blood glucose level in 30 days,” said Eng.