In type 2 diabetes compounds from two culinary spices improved glucose measures and control
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| In type 2 diabetes compounds from two culinary spices improved glucose measures and control |
In this study, 66 type 2 diabetics who were taking an oral
insulin-stimulating drug also took an extract of cinnamon or a placebo. There
were two doses of cinnamon: 120mg or 360 mg per day. After three months, while
there were no changes for placebo, measures of long-term-average blood sugar
levels declined 7 percent in the low-dose cinnamon group, and 10 percent in the
high-dose cinnamon group, while fasting blood sugar levels declined 11 and 14
percent respectively .
Although participants’ fasting and long-term blood sugar levels
remained higher than normal, doctors said it was the polyphenols in the
cinnamon extract that significantly increased insulin-dependent glucose
metabolism. Cinnamon also appeared to raise beneficial antioxidant activity in
type 2 diabetics .
Curcumin from turmeric
spice
Lab studies have shown curcuminoids, the active ingredient in
turmeric, lowered blood sugar and improved insulin sensitivity by helping to
metabolize fatty acids. Elevated fatty acid levels are common in type 2
diabetes and play a role in developing insulin resistance, so lowering free
fatty acid levels might reduce chances of and help manage diabetes, doctors
said .
In this study, 100 people with type 2 diabetes took 300 mg of
curcuminoids per day, or a placebo. After three months, while there were no
changes for placebo, the curcuminoids group saw much lower long-term-average
blood sugar levels, lower fasting blood sugar levels, and greater sensitivity
to insulin, meaning the body was better able to metabolize glucose .
In discussing their findings, doctors said part of the reason
curcuminoids lower glucose levels is by helping the body use up excess free
fatty acids, removing them from the bloodstream, and lowering total fatty acid
levels to safer levels .
Reference: Nutrition Research Journal; 2012, Vol. 32, No. 6,
408-12
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