GC Control - Metabolic Syndrome

(Please read our disclaimer)
A syndrome is a group of symptoms that consistently occur together. Having at least three of the following risk factors, or symptoms constitutes a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome:

A waist measurement of over 35 inches for women or over 40 inches for men. High triglycerides - 150 mg/dl or greaterHDL cholesterol of less than 50 mg/dl for women or less than 40 mg/dl for menBlood pressure reading of 130/85 or greaterFasting blood sugar of 100 or greater

Having even one of the risk factors can be serious. But a cluster of symptoms creates a risk for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. The 35 percent of adults who have metabolic syndrome are twice as likely to develop heart disease and five times as likely to develop diabetes compared to persons who do not have metabolic syndrome.

A study funded by the Alzheimer's Association found that another possible outcome of having metabolic syndrome is reduced blood flow to the brain. Whether this will lead to Alzheimer's disease is yet unknown, but individual risk factors for metabolic syndrome have been linked to an increased risk of dementia.

Lifestyle and diet changes can prevent and, in some cases, reverse the risk factors for metabolic syndrome. Note that the tips (below) to improve each individual risk factor help improve all the other risk factors.

1. Reduce waist measurement. As more adults become heavier, metabolic syndrome will become more common. A large waist measurement is indicative of visceral fat that surrounds and permeates internal organs. It is believed that an excess of this type of fat contributes to metabolic syndrome.

Science Daily reviewed a study showing that diets that reduced the after-eating blood sugar surge may be the best diet for lasting weight loss. Eating a low sugar diet (also called a low glycemic diet) helps keep blood sugar and hormones stable after eating.

Highly processed foods are quickly digested by the body into damaging sugar — then cause inflammation. Natural, low-glycemic whole foods take longer to digest, helping maintain balanced energy and contribute to weight loss. NPR also reviewed this exciting study.

2. Lower triglycerides. Losing weight and eating a low glycemic diet will reduce triglyceride levels. FiberWise with seven natural fibers (80% soluble and 20% insoluble) plus soothing herbs, antioxidants, and probiotics, lowers cholesterol and helps keep blood sugar levels balanced.

3. Raise HDL cholesterol level. Losing even a little weight can improve HDL cholesterol levels. Exercise has been shown to reduce belly fat and improve HDL cholesterol levels. Walking is the most natural way to start. If need be, your exercise routine can consist of several short 10-minute sessions done throughout the day.

Plant sterols and omega-3 fatty acids also help improve HDL cholesterol. Phytomega combines research-recommended plant sterols with omega-3. Coldwater Omega-3 also improves cholesterol balance.

4. Improve blood pressure levels. The addition of ProvexCV to the diet promotes healthy blood pressure levels. Each bottle of ProvexCV contains the power of 10,000 grapes. One way in which grapes help improve blood flow is by helping the blood vessels relax.

5. Improve blood sugar levels. The Melaleuca Wellness Guide recommends drinking GC Control Shakes. GC Control was clinically tested and found to help balance blood sugar levels and promote a healthy insulin response. When our body handles sugar and insulin efficiently we feel less tired and less hungry. Weight loss becomes easier.

In Review: Strive to reduce belly size. Make activity part of each day. Take Vitality 6 +Heart which includes ProvexCV and Phytomega. Add FiberWise and Coldwater Omega-3. Eat a diet based on natural low-glycemic whole foods. For hunger-control add GC Control Shakes.

~ Richard M Barry

GC Control Success Stories

One of the first products we tried when we joined Melaleuca, was the GC Control. My husband George was on diabetic pills and he wanted to try out the shakes and see if it would help him. After taking it for one year, his Dr. took him off the prescribed diabetic medication he was on. Continuing to take the GC control daily for almost another year, then periodically since then, he's been off the prescribed medication for almost 2-1/2 years and his six months check-ups show the diabetic counts normal. We really feel that the GC Control has helped him enormously and made it possible to be taken off the prescribed medication.


You are so right, I love The Melaleuca Wellness Guide. It's one of the best and most knowledgeable books I have ever known. It helps me understand the Melaleuca products and how to use them properly. I got it shortly after I joined Melaleuca and soon found out that it is a very important book; I refer to it pretty much daily, or whenever I need information on certain issues, that's when I turn to my guide book. I find it very useful with information on pretty much anything you need to know, including "warts". I highlight what is important to me on different issues and products; I've started my own book, a folder style with notes on the products I've used. I also like the newsletter you send out and enjoy reading the information on different products as well as the different comments from customers. I can't say enough about The Melaleuca Wellness Guide and always look forward to receiving your newsletters. Thank you for keeping us informed,

~ Alice

I have type One diabetes and have had it for over 49 years. I use insulin in a pump, and also I use GC Control every day. I have it in my morning coffee and it helps me feel I have done everything to start the day out right. It has high protein, fiber, and all the great supplements diabetics need, like choline, cinnamon, and green tea. My hemoglobin A1C is near normal, and my doctor is happy with my control. Of course, I follow a good diet, use all prescribed medicine (insulin is needed for diabetics like myself) and exercise. Plus it is delicious and makes me feel I am having a treat even though it does not send my blood glucose rising.

I use The Melaleuca Wellness Guide when I have a problem in my home or body. It really gives me a common sense look at how I can solve some problems without chemicals.

~ Merritt

I have been a Melaleuca customer for 14 months and am very happy with the products. My blood sugar level was close to being diabetic, and for years I tried to cut back on sweets, but I found it very difficult and kept relapsing. In reading about GC Control, I noticed that it contains Crave Blocker, so I decided to give it a try about 4 months ago. I resolved to break my sugar habit, and it has worked! I take one or two GC Control shakes every day, and I haven't eaten any candy bars or other sweets since then. I've gone from 161.5 lbs to 147 lbs, and from size 16 to size 12 jeans. I have more energy and feel better, and I no longer worry about becoming diabetic. Also, last month when one of my friends saw how much weight I had lost, she became a Melaleuca customer too.

~ Anne

I actually have two GC Control stories to tell! My mother had been diagnosed as "pre-diabetic" and at one of her doctor's visits she was told that if her blood sugar was still high at the next visit, she would be diagnosed as diabetic. I suggested she try the GC Control and she did for 3 months. When she returned to the doctor, her blood sugar was within normal range!

I have been hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) for over 20 years, always having to carry food with me, having to stop to eat frequently. It could be a huge inconvenience. Well, I decided to try the GC Control shakes and, with one shake in the morning, I have not had one single episode of low blood sugar symptoms in several months. I don't have to worry about when I'm going to be able to eat next, and can just go about my day! GC Control has made a huge difference for both my mother and me!

~ Diana

I cannot believe how well GC Control works! I had a terrible flu this winter while in California. I couldn't eat just anything as it upset my innards. I had gastritis and I had to eat something. I opted for GC and it helped me through a real rough time. I am also a celiac, and antibiotics are not my favorite. I can thank GC for stabilizing my blood sugar and getting me on the road back to health. I thank Melaleuca for making these products gluten-free. Amazing how I felt picked up after just several minutes.

~ Carol

I have had gestational diabetes with each of my 3 pregnancies, and my doctor told me after the second that I seem to have insulin resistance, which he said they also refer to as metabolic syndrome and pre-diabetes. I was very excited to see the GC Control come to the Melaleuca product line! I have not "dived in" and started to use it on a very regular basis, but many mornings I will make a GC Control shake with milk for breakfast. . . it is simple and fast to make, the powder is very fine, so it dissolves better than a lot of other powder shakes, and it is delicious!!!

I also LOVE smoothies, so it is a treat to use the GC Control in a smoothie. In the blender with some milk or yogurt and frozen fruit, or if I am using the chocolate flavor, I love a peanut butter chocolate shake, maybe with a frozen banana. What I have found, is that when I have a GC Control shake for breakfast, I feel full for longer throughout the morning. When I do get hungry, I don't get "snacky" for something sweet as much as I usually do, but I just get truly hungry instead of the craving feeling that I describe as "snacky". So it helps me to eat healthier later in the day. Thank you Melaleuca for yet another delicious healthy alternative to help me meet my wellness goals!

~ Nancy

I have used GC Control shakes for my breakfast for 7 or 8 years. My husband often asks, "Don't you get tired of that?" I always tell him, "No, it tastes so good." There are some nights when I arrive home about 8 p.m. and don't know what I want to eat. I can always count on the refreshing taste of GC Control and the satisfied feeling that I have after I drink it. Being a Type 2 diabetic, this is so important to me.

With the recent introduction of GC, I am afforded even more control of my blood glucose levels. In 2007, I had an angiogram and subsequent angioplasty. Then I had the opportunity to attend a Cardiac Rehab program. When it was time for my interview with the dietician, I took along my GC Control label so she could see what my daily breakfast consisted of. I was apprehensive at the time as some meal replacements are frowned upon. This lady has a Masters of Science degree and she stated that "this is the best and most complete meal replacement that I have ever seen. Where do you buy it so I can recommend it to my other clients?" It has changed my life.

~ Joan