Dr. James Manos (MD)
July 5, 2019
July 5, 2019
The most essential herbs & dietary supplements that may help in the treatment of insulin resistance & diabetes mellitus type 2
The results of a human study demonstrated that intake of 1, 3, or 6 g of cinnamon per day reduces serum glucose, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol (΄΄bad΄΄ cholesterol), and total cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes and suggested that the inclusion of cinnamon in the diet of people with type 2 diabetes will reduce risk factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
A study showed that Cinnamomum cassia extract has a direct antidiabetic potency – the results showed that Cinnamomum cassia extract was slightly more efficacious than the equivalent amount of Cinnamomum Cassia bark; a decrease in blood glucose levels was observed in a glucose tolerance test (GTT), whereas it was not apparent in rats that were not challenged by a glucose load.
Another study concluded that cinnamon supplementation (1.5 g/day) does not improve whole-body insulin sensitivity or oral glucose tolerance and does not modulate the blood lipid profile in postmenopausal patients with type 2 diabetes.
A study in Chinese indicated that cinnamon supplementation is able to significantly improve blood glucose control in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.
A meta-analysis concluded that cinnamon extract and/or cinnamon improves fasting blood glucose (FBG) in people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.
· Asian or Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) & American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius)
Although American ginseng has been studied more for diabetes, both types of Panax ginseng may lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. However, in a few studies, it seemed that Asian or Korean ginseng raised blood sugar levels. Some people think that the ginsenosides in American ginseng might lower blood sugar, while different ginsenosides in Asian ginseng could raise blood sugar levels (Reference (Retrieved October 12, 2015): http://umm.edu/health/medical-reference-guide/complementary-and-alternative-medicine-guide/herb/asian-ginseng ).
· American ginseng
Taking 3 grams of American ginseng by mouth, up to two hours before a meal, can significantly lower blood sugar after a meal in patients with type 2 diabetes. Interestingly, larger doses don’t seem to reduce blood sugar more. Different American ginseng products may have different effects. Researchers think that is because they contain varying amounts of active chemicals called ginsenosides.
Several human studies found that American ginseng lowered blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. The effect was seen on fasting blood sugar and postprandial (after eating) glucose levels. One study found that people with type 2 diabetes who took American ginseng before or with a high-sugar drink experienced less of an increase in blood glucose levels. However, more research is needed. One study with mice found that the American ginseng berry was more effective at lowering blood sugar levels than the root.
In a human study, on 4 separate occasions, ten non-diabetic subjects and 9 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus were randomized to receive 3 g ginseng or placebo capsules, either 40 minutes before or together with a 25 g oral glucose challenge; the study concluded that American ginseng attenuated postprandial (after a meal) glycemia (blood sugar) in both study groups. For nondiabetic subjects, it may be significant that American ginseng is taken with the meal to prevent unintended hypoglycemia.
· Chromium (e.g., chromium picolinate or chromium (III) malate complex)
In one double-blind, placebo-controlled study, people with type 2 diabetes who took chromium picolinate had better HbA1c values (used to measure long-term control of blood sugar levels) than those who received placebo; the group taking chromium also had lower fasting blood glucose levels.
Another double-blind, placebo-controlled study that looked at a combination of chromium and biotin showed that those who took chromium and biotin had better fasting glucose levels and HbA1c values.
One study found that women who have diabetes as a result of being pregnant improved their blood sugar control when they took chromium.
Some evidence shows that taking chromium picolinate (a chemical compound that contains chromium) by mouth can lower fasting blood sugar, lower insulin levels, and help insulin work better in people with type 2 diabetes. Chromium picolinate might decrease weight gain and fat accumulation in type 2 diabetes patients taking a prescription drug called sulfonylureas. Higher chromium doses might be more effective and work more quickly.
Some researchers suspect chromium supplements might primarily benefit patients with poor nutrition or low chromium levels –chromium levels can be below average in patients with diabetes.
A human study concluded that supplemental chromium (Cr) had significant beneficial effects on HbA1c (used to measure long-term control of blood sugar levels), glucose, insulin, and cholesterol variables in subjects with type 2 diabetes.
A review of studies using chromium picolinate (CrPic) CrPic supplementation for type 2 diabetes mellitus subjects showed substantial reductions in hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) and hyperinsulinemia (high blood insulin)
A study in rats concluded that chromium (III) malate complex [Cr(2)(LMA)(3)] may represent a novel, proper chromium supplement with potential therapeutic value to control blood glucose and serum lipid in diabetes.
Another animal study showed that chromium supplementation as chromium picolinate (CrP) is beneficial in correcting hyperglycemia, implying that the modulation of glucose metabolism by chromium may be therapeutically useful in the treatment of diabetes.
The results of a study on rats revealed that supplementing chromium picolinate (CrPic) and biotin alone or in a combination exerts anti-diabetic activities, probably through modulation of PPAR-γ, IRS-1, and NF-κB proteins.
· Chicory root
A study on rats showed that the hypoglycemic (blood glucose-lowering) effects of the ethanolic extract of Cichorium intybus (chicory) (CIE) were observed in an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in which a dose of 125 mg of plant extract/kg body weight exhibited the most potent hypoglycemic effect; also, daily administration of CIE (125 mg/kg) for 14 days to diabetic rats attenuated serum glucose by 20%, triglycerides by 91% and total cholesterol by 16% - the results of the study support the traditional belief that Cichorium intybus (chicory) may help at diabetes mellitus.
Another in vitro and in vivo (on rats) study showed that the caffeoyl derivatives of chicory salad leaves show a promising pharmacological effect on energy homeostasis (regulation) via PTP1B inhibition both in vitro and in vivo.
An in vitro study concluded that the activities possessed by Cichorium intybus (chicory) are highly desirable for the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) because it reduces blood glucose levels without inducing adipogenesis (adipose, i.e., fat, tissue development) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes (fat cells that form the adipose (fat) tissue).
A study in rats showed that oligofructose supplementation from inulin-type fructans extracted from chicory root improved glucose homeostasis (regulation) (i.e. decreased glycemia, increased pancreatic and serum insulin content) in diabetic rats previously treated with streptozotocin, a phenomenon that is partly linked to the reduction in food intake and that correlates with the increase in colic and portal GLP-1 content.
· Chlorogenic acid –coffee
Several international prospective studies show a protective effect of coffee on the development of type 2 diabetes, as coffee consumption can reduce glucose uptake.
A study showed that chlorogenic acid (CA) did promote a significant reduction in the plasma glucose peak at 10 and 15 min during the oral glucose tolerance test, probably by attenuating intestinal glucose absorption, suggesting a possible role for it as a glycemic index lowering agent and its potential role on reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
A human study showed that chlorogenic acid-enriched instant coffee appears to significantly affect the absorption and utilization of glucose from the diet.
A human study concluded that differences in plasma glucose, insulin, and gastrointestinal hormone profiles further confirm the potent biological action of caffeine and suggest that chlorogenic acid might have an antagonistic effect on glucose transport; thus, it may attenuate intestinal glucose absorption rates and shift the site of glucose absorption to more distal parts of the intestine.
A study in hamsters showed that chlorogenic acid (CGA) can modify lipids (fats) and glucose metabolism, which may be attributed to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-alpha) facilitated lipid clearance in the liver and improved insulin sensitivity.
A human study concluded that coffee drinking is protective against glucose intolerance; a possible effect modification of serum γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) on the type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) association warrants further studies.
· Kaempferol
Considerable evidence shows that chronic hyperglycemia can cause pancreatic beta-cell (cells of the pancreas that secrete insulin, blood glucose-reducing hormone) dysfunction, which contributes to the progressive deterioration of glucose homeostasis (regulation) and overt diabetes.
A study found that kaempferol, a flavonol compound in various Chinese medicinal herbs, has cytoprotective (protective for the cells, here related to pancreatic cells) effects on cultured clonal beta-cells and human pancreatic islets. Kaempferol treatment dose-dependently promoted viability, inhibited cellular apoptosis (programmed cell death), and reduced caspase-3 activity in beta-cells and human islets exposed to chronic high glucose, with 10 μM kaempferol exerting the maximum effect. The cytoprotective effects of kaempferol were associated with improved insulin secretory function and synthesis in beta-cells and human islets. These findings prove that kaempferol may be a naturally occurring anti-diabetic compound by protecting pancreatic beta-cell survival and function in a hostile environment that otherwise leads to type 2 diabetes.
· Coenzyme Q-10
CoQ10 supplements may improve heart health. In diabetics, they may decrease blood sugar levels and help manage high blood pressure. Two studies found that 100 mg of CoQ10 twice daily improved A1c levels, a measure of long-term blood sugar control.
A human study showed that CoQ01 supplementation may improve blood pressure and long-term glycemic control in subjects with type 2 diabetes.
The results of a human study are consistent with the suggestion that the supplementation of ubiquinol (a reduced form of coenzyme Q10) in subjects with type 2 diabetes, in addition to conventional antihyperglycemic medications (medications that lower the increased blood glucose), improves glycemic control (blood sugar control) by enhancing insulin secretion without any adverse effects.
· Alpha-lipoic acid
· High-fiber diet/ soluble fibers [such as Psyllium (Ispaghula) husk (which contains both soluble and insoluble fiber), pectin, and the soft parts of fruits, dried beans, and peas
· Oat
· Tart cherries
A study in rats showed that the rats that received the 1% cherry diet had total cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, and insulin levels that were significantly lower than those of the rats that did not receive cherries; the same also occurred for those on the 10% cherry diet, compared with rats that received a diet with an equivalently high level of carbohydrates, not from cherries.
· Reishi mushroom [Lingzhi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum)]
A study concluded that Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (Gl-PS) possess a hypoglycemic (blood sugar lowering) effect on normal mice. One mechanism is its insulin-releasing activity due to facilitating Ca2+ inflow to the pancreatic beta cells.
· Resveratrol
It is known that resveratrol affects insulin secretion and blood insulin concentration.
Resveratrol was found to reduce blood insulin in animals with hyperinsulinemia (high blood insulin). Moreover, data indicate that in diabetic rats, resveratrol is able to reduce hyperglycemia.
Resveratrol is a substance found in the skins of grapes and in certain other plants, fruits, and seeds. It is made by various plants to help defend against invading fungi, stress, injury, infection, and too much sunlight. It is being studied in the prevention of cancer and heart disease. It is a type of antioxidant polyphenol.
Evidence suggests that resveratrol (found in red wine, grapes, and olive oil) may be extremely potent. Lab studies have shown that it increases cell survival and has been shown to increase the lifespan of worms and fruit flies.
Studies demonstrated a longevity gene called Sir2 (silent information regulator 2) in baker's yeast cells, a sirtuin. This gene expands lifespan by decreasing DNA instability. In mammals, a similar gene is known as SIRT1. Many researchers support the idea that the Sir2 gene is expressed on calorie restriction (CR; see the separate chapter). CR ends up with an increased longevity lifespan of 30% – 40% in mice and rats. Similarly, in mammals, a CR diet ends up in the increased activity of the SIRT1 gene. Resveratrol is a substance found by Sinclair that activates Sir2/SIRT1 gene in yeast, nematode worms, drosophila (fruit flies), and mice with a high-calorie intake, thus expanding their lifespan. However, other research in Drosophila (a fruit fly), yeast, worms, and normal mice didn't ascertain this lifespan extension. However, Italian researchers found that resveratrol expands the lifespan in vertebrate fish by 59%.
Previous research demonstrated that resveratrol possesses promising properties for preventing obesity. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress was proposed to be involved in the pathophysiology of both obesity and hepatic (liver) steatosis (‘fatty liver’). In a study, the authors hypothesized that resveratrol could protect against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic steatosis and ER stress and regulate the expression of genes related to hepatic steatosis. Rats were fed either a control diet or an HFD for 12 weeks. After 4 weeks, HFD-fed rats were treated with either resveratrol or a vehicle for 8 weeks. The results of the study suggest that resveratrol can prevent hepatic ER stress and regulate the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta, ATP citrate lyase, suppressor of cytokine signaling-3, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-1beta in diet-induced obese rats, and these effects likely contribute to resveratrol's protective function against excessive accumulation of fat in the liver.
Resveratrol is a natural polyphenolic compound that activates nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide-dependent deacetylase SIRT1. Resveratrol has recently been shown to exert potent antidiabetic actions when orally delivered to animal models of type 2 diabetes. However, the tissue(s) mediating these beneficial effects is unknown. Because SIRT1 is expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) neurons known to control glucose and insulin homeostasis, scientists have hypothesized that resveratrol antidiabetic effects are mediated by the brain. A study reported that long-term intracerebroventricular infusion of resveratrol normalizes hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) and dramatically improves hyperinsulinemia (high blood insulin) in diet-induced obese and diabetic mice. These effects are independent of changes in body weight, food intake, and circulating leptin levels. Also, CNS resveratrol delivery improves hypothalamic nuclear factor-kappaB inflammatory signaling. In conclusion, these results unveiled a previously unrecognized key role for the CNS (central nervous system) in mediating resveratrol's anti-diabetic actions.
· Goji berry (wolfberry)
A study showed that treatment with polysaccharide extracted from Lycium barbarum (LBP) (Goji berry) for 28 days resulted in a significant decrease in the concentration of fasting blood glucose levels (FBG), total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) in diabetes mellitus mice.
The hypoglycemic (blood sugar lowering) and hypolipidemic (blood lipid (fats) lowering) effects of Lycium barbarum (goji berry) fruit water decoction, crude polysaccharide extracts (crude LBP), and purified polysaccharide fractions (LBP-X) in alloxan-induced diabetic or hyperlipidemic (with high blood lipids, i.e. fats) rabbits were investigated. It was found that the three Lycium barbarum fruit extracts/fractions could significantly reduce blood glucose levels and total serum cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) concentrations and, at the same time, markedly increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol; ‘good’ cholesterol) levels after 10 days treatment in tested rabbits, indicating that there were substantial hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects.
· Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum) & grapefruit (Citrus paradisi)
An in vivo & in vitro study concluded that helichrysum and grapefruit extracts improve postprandial (after a meal) glycemic control (blood sugar control) in rats, possibly by inhibiting alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase enzyme activities and decreasing SGLT1-mediated glucose uptake.
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