Portusana is a patented purslane extract. Purslane has been used in traditional Asian and Mediterranean medicine to alleviate metabolic problems, and science has demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing blood sugar and its antioxidant properties.

Bitter melon is used in traditional European and Asian medicine to alleviate problems related to poor metabolism. Scientific studies have shown that it contains the peptide p-insulin, which is in vitro and in vivo showed that it regulates the insulin receptor IR. [7]

Trivalent chromium has strong scientifically proven antidiabetic properties, and EFSA allows a general health claim that it can be used to reduce blood sugar levels. However, it must be trivalent chromium. In the form of picolinate, it also has the highest bioavailability among the forms of chromium.

Bitter melon extract, Portusana^® – clinically tested purslane extract, anti-caking agents: magnesium stearate, talc, and silicon dioxide, chromium picolinate, vegan capsule: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC).

Net quantity:
15.4 g (30 capsules x 515 mg)

II. Premium supplement with clinically tested purslane extract, bitter melon, and chromium

Over the past 50 years, a more sedentary lifestyle has become prevalent, characterized by reduced physical activity and increased consumption of meat, dairy products, vegetable oils, tobacco, sweet foods, sweetened beverages, and alcoholic beverages. In 2013, 382 million adults worldwide had diabetes, rising to 463 million in 2019, with 4.2 million people dying from diabetes in 2019.

Diabetes is a group of medical conditions (metabolic syndrome, prediabetes, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes) that affect the production, release, and use of insulin and can have various causes and mechanisms.

II.A. Problems of poor metabolism

Hyperglycemia (too much sugar in the blood) and hyperlipidemia (too much fat in the blood) cause oxidative stress, amyloid accumulation in the pancreas, and chronic inflammation, leading to the destruction and dysfunction of β cells in the pancreas that release insulin.

II.A.1. Oxidative stress

Hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia cause oxidative stress, which inhibits the mobilization of calcium Ca²⁺ in the pancreas (which should trigger insulin).

II.A.2. Amyloid accumulation

Hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia also lead to the accumulation of amyloids in the pancreas. Amyloids are proteins that fold incorrectly due to oxidative stress, making them useless to the body. They accumulate in the pancreas and are believed to be one of the main causes of β-cell destruction.

II.A.3. Increased inflammation

In this process, β-cells are also subject to inflammation. In inflammation, the body's immune system attacks pathogens, but in chronic inflammation, it also attacks the body's own healthy cells. Thus, chronic inflammation leads to the destruction of β-cells.

Non-functional β-cells do not respond to high levels of glucose and fat, or respond inadequately. As a result, they do not release enough insulin and glucose remains in the blood and organs, causing complications. Diabetes and similar conditions are a serious problem and require medical attention.

II.B. Scientific, in vitro and clinically proven efficacy of purslane extract (Portulaca oleracea L.) Portusana®

Purslane has traditionally been used in Mediterranean and Asian medicine, and science has demonstrated its clear antioxidant and antidiabetic properties. GlukoCare capsules also contain bitter melon and chromium picolinate.

II.B.1. Three excerpts in vitro Portusane® studies

In vitro Studies are laboratory studies on cells or tissues. Each active substance is further studied in vitro, and excerpts from these studies form the basis for animal studies (in vivo), which form the basis for clinical studies (on humans). In vitro and in vivo Studies do not yet indicate that the same effect will occur in humans; they are primarily intended to determine the mechanism of action.

In vitro Portusana® has shown that it could:

• Reduced absorption of glucose from the intestine.
• Increased sensitivity to insulin through its effect on the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma (PPARγ), which is a key regulator of sugar in the body.
• It lowered glucose and HbA1c (a long-term marker of sugar) in the blood.

II. B. 2. Clinical study of Portusane®

A clinical study of Portusane® showed a statistically significant reduction in HbA1c in the blood after 6 and 12 weeks. HbA1c is a long-term marker of sugar and glucose in the blood.

II.C. Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) – a traditional herb containing p-insulin

A tropical plant, also known as bitter gourd or Momordica charantia, closely related to zucchini, pumpkin, and melons, which has been used in traditional medicine in Asia, South America, India, the Caribbean, and East Africa to alleviate problems associated with diabetes.

In the extract we find various glycosides (molecules that contain a glucose molecule and thus use the same transporters), such as momordin and quarantine, which should have hypoglycemic effect).

We can also find polypeptide-p or p-insulin, which chemically mimics the action of insulin and regulates the action of the insulin receptor IR.

II.D. Chromium picolinate (trivalent chromium)

Chromium participates in the breakdown of macronutrients and thus regulates the absorption of glucose from food. A lack of chromium leads to problems with glucose tolerance. Chromium picolinate is the form of trivalent chromium with the best absorption and bioavailability on the market.