Study Shows Curcumin, Cinnamon And Resveratrol Health Supplements Effective In Prevention And Management Of Diabetes
Source: Thailand Medical News Nov 15, 2019 5 years, 11 months, 2 weeks, 5 days, 3 hours, 10 minutes ago
At least 42 people are with diagnosed with
diabetes every five minutes globally. It is the world’s fastest growing chronic condition, but as its prevalence grows more individuals are adding dietary or
health supplements to their diets in the hope of reducing their risk of the disease. But how effective are
dietary supplements?
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Medical researchers from University of South Australia have conducted a new study to examine the efficacy of some of the most commonly used
health supplements (‘
nutraceuticals’) to manage diabetes and its risk factors.
The study findings found that the nutraceuticals
resveratrol (a compound from grapes),
curcumin (from turmeric) and
cinnamon were all effective in combatting various elements of
diabetes, including regulating glucose, improving insulin resistance and reducing cholesterol.
Diabetes is a chronic condition marked by high levels of glucose in the blood. While Type 1
diabetes cannot be prevented, Type 2
diabetes is most common and preventable in up to nearly 60 per cent of cases by maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active and following a healthy eating plan.
The WHO (World Health Organization) estimates that 422 million people (or one in 11) have
diabetes, costing US $986 billion in global health expenditure each year. The number of people developing
diabetes is rising exponentially each year and dietary and lifestyle habits are the main reasons. Processed foods, Fast Foods and the “Café Culture” along with even The “Pub Culture” are all major factors.
With complications causing blindness, heart disease, kidney diseases and amputations, it’s the biggest challenge confronting the global health system.
University Of South Australia researcher, Dr Evangeline Mantzioris says it’s important to recognise the role
nutraceuticals have in modern society, especially given their popularity among consumers.
In a phone interview with
Thailand Medical News, Dr Evangeline Mantzioris said, “More than 40 percent of Australian adults and 31% of people globally regularly use
dietary supplements to enhance and improve their diets. They’re easily available, accessible and affordable, and unlike pharmaceuticals, they don’t need a prescription, making them extraordinarily popular. The challenge is, however, knowing which
nutraceuticals will deliver on their promises. Our research sought to establish the effectiveness of the most popular types of
nutraceuticals, and for
diabetes,
nutraceuticals that used the active ingredients cinnamon, curcumin or resveratrol were all effective, but in
different ways.”
Dr Mantzioris further added, “We found cinnamon can reduce fasting blood glucose levels in type 2
diabetes; curcumin can improve insulin resistance in pre-diabetic and Type 2
diabetes, and resveratrol can reduce glucose levels and improve insulin resistance. We also tested the efficacy of
nutraceuticals on obesity, a key risk factor for diabetes, and, despite all the hype, none had any significant impact for weight loss.”
While
nutraceuticals have their place, a healthy diet and lifestyle is the most important factor influencing health. People should invest in a diet filled with whole foods vegetables and fruits, cereals, lean meats, fish, eggs, nuts and seeds, as well as dairy foods. This should provide them with enough of the nutrients essential for good health.
Anyone considering
health supplements or
nutraceuticals to manage or prevent
diabetes are always recommend to consult a licensed doctor first. Also, if you are already on prescribed medications by hospital or clinic, never stop them until you have consulted a doctor.
Also, when buying
health supplements or
nutraceuticals, be careful of the brands that you buy and also read the labels properly. Its best to avoid brands made in Thailand, Myanmar or other parts of Asia as almost all are of substandard quality.
Reference: Nutraceuticals: Reviewing their Role in Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Bergamin, A., Mantzioris, E., Cross, G. et al. Pharm Med (2019) 33: 291. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40290-019-00289-w
