Table of Contents
Table of Contents
If you’ve been told by your doctor to start “watching your blood sugar,” you’re not alone. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 3 American adults—around 98 million people—live with prediabetes. Most don’t even know it! In addition, approximately 36 million people in the United States have type 2 diabetes. Blood sugar issues have truly reached epic proportions in our country.
I find these rates alarming, but it’s no mystery to me why we’re seeing such an explosion of diabetes and prediabetes—the answer is right on our plates. Over the last 70 years, the American diet has changed dramatically, with a sharp rise in the intake of sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, refined carbohydrates, and ultra-processed foods. The truth is, our bodies aren’t designed to properly handle this constant overload of unhealthy foods, and our blood sugar levels are paying the price.
While improving diet and staying active are key to overall good health, many people are also looking for natural ways to support healthy glucose and A1 levels. That’s where Hintonia latiflora—one of my favorite health-supporting botanicals—comes in. This hardy desert plant has been used for generations in traditional medicine and is now backed by modern science for its ability to help maintain healthy blood sugar balance.
Before I explain how Hintonia latiflora can help keep blood sugar levels healthy, it’s important to define what blood sugar and A1C levels actually are, and how they contribute to poor health, including diabetes.
Blood sugar (glucose) is your body’s main source of energy. When you eat, carbohydrates break down into glucose, which enters the bloodstream. Your pancreas then releases insulin to help move glucose into your cells for fuel.
However, when your body takes in more sugar and carbs than it can use for energy, the excess glucose has to go somewhere. This is how high blood sugar levels also contribute to the obesity epidemic. The excess sugar that can’t be burned as fuel in the cells is stored away in the liver and the abdominal cavity as fat, which is the number one cause of obesity. People who struggle with obesity often consume an excess of sugar and carbs, leading to elevated blood sugar levels and fat accumulation.
Problems surface when the body doesn’t make enough insulin or becomes resistant to it, causing glucose to build up in the blood. Over time, high blood sugar can do a number on your health. It damages your blood vessels, nerves, and organs and increases your risk for developing diabetes, heart disease, and other complications.
You may have also heard your doctor mention A1C levels. A1C (also called HbA1C) is a measure of how much glucose is attached to hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Your A1C number reflects your average blood sugar over the past two to three months. Higher A1C levels mean there’s more sugar in your bloodstream, which increases your risk of developing diabetes.
Hintonia latiflora grows in the deserts of Mexico and Central America, in a very harsh climate, where scorching heat and heavy rain are the norm. To survive in such an extreme environment, the plant produces powerful natural compounds that help protect it from stress. Interestingly, it’s these same compounds that appear to provide health benefits for humans, including reducing high blood sugar levels.
Botanicals have always fascinated me. Plants and their extracts are incredibly complex, and uncovering the reasons behind their benefits is often a challenge. However, scientists in Germany have done a great deal of research to discover the key mechanisms behind Hintonia’s effectiveness.
The key appears to lie in a compound in the bark, called coutareagenin. This compound addresses blood sugar through multiple pathways in the body. According to research, one of its mechanisms is to inhibit alpha-glucosidase, an enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates and releases sugar into the bloodstream.
Hintonia latiflora can actually delay this process, helping to reduce spikes in blood glucose and promote steadier levels throughout the day, which is especially important for people managing type 2 diabetes or blood sugar fluctuations. Research also suggests that it may improve insulin sensitivity and support pancreatic function, helping the body use insulin more efficiently.
In addition, studies suggest that compounds from Hintonia leaves may help protect against gastrointestinal damage and gastric ulcers—a valuable benefit, considering the harsh digestive effects of some diabetes medications.
Hintonia latiflora has been clinically studied for over 70 years in type 2 diabetes and has shown incredibly impressive results. Early clinical work showed that in mild to moderate cases of diabetes, Hintonia was found to be as effective as (or even more effective than) insulin in helping to regulate blood sugar levels.
In clinical trials, participants with mild to moderate cases of diabetes experienced significant reductions in their daily blood sugar levels. Many individuals who were using insulin or oral medications were able to reduce their doses after adding Hintonia to their regimen—and some were even able to discontinue oral medications entirely. Long-term follow-up studies, lasting up to three years, showed Hintonia latiflora continued to be effective without any serious side effects.
While ideally no one would need prescription drugs to manage their blood sugar, research suggests that Hintonia may safely reduce blood sugar levels to delay the need to start prescription medications. For those already taking medications, it may allow for lower, yet still effective, doses. Of course, I always recommend you discuss the use of any supplements with your healthcare practitioner.
Too much sugar in the blood can damage the walls of your blood vessels (especially capillaries, which are tiny and fragile). This results in chronic inflammation throughout your body and eventually tissue damage. Over time, this can cause many issues for your health, including:
When you have all this information, it’s clear that keeping blood sugar levels in check is so important for good overall health. But even for those who follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly, maintaining blood sugar balance can be challenging. For those seeking additional support, Hintonia latiflora may help provide natural, science-backed assistance in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.
If you have any blood sugar concerns at all, I feel Hintonia latiflora could truly benefit you. Look for a clinically studied form that delivers polyphenols from Hintonia latiflora bark extract.
Of course, the best route for maintaining blood sugar and overall health is to avoid carbs and unhealthy foods altogether and focus on proteins, healthy fats, vegetables, and fruits. However, Hintonia latiflora is a valuable supplement to a healthy lifestyle. With seven decades of studies to back it up, this clinically proven solution may be exactly what you need to get back on track to optimal health.
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