Turmeric Extract Can Prevent Type 2 Diabetes?

The Journal of the ADA, i.e., American Diabetes Association, the journal Diabetes Care published a remarkable study. This human clinical study came to the discovery that the turmeric extract is 100 percent successful when it comes to preventing prediabetic patients from becoming diabetes patients. The Thailand researchers did this study. And the main goal of the study was to estimate the curcumin and its efficacy. The efficacy in delaying the development of T2D, i.e., type 2 diabetes in people who have prediabetes. The curcumin is actually the primary polyphenol in turmeric.

More About the Study

This was a double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, which included 240 participants. All these participants met the criteria for prediabetes of the American Diabetes Association. Moreover, all participants were randomly chosen to take placebo capsules. Or to take 250 mg of curcuminoid for a period of nine months. The progression of the condition was evaluated by measuring different parameters. Parameters such as insulin resistance, and changes in beta cells in the pancreas. Also, measuring the adiponectin which is an anti-inflammatory cytokine at four different times. Those times are the beginning, at three months, six month and nine months visit during the study.

The Results of the Study

The participants got nine months treatment with curcuminoid and placebo capsules. According to the results of the study, around 16.4 % of the participants from the placebo group got type 2 diabetes diagnosis. On the other hand, none from the curcumin-treated group got type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Moreover, the curcumin group had better function of the beta cells, with lower C-peptide and higher HOMA-β. Also, this group had higher adiponectin and lower HOMA-IR level. This is in comparison to the placebo group.

Opinion of the Researchers

According to the researchers, this curcumin intervention in those with prediabetes which lasted 9 months actually reduced the number of prediabetic people who eventually develop type 2. Moreover, this treatment improves the function of the beta cells with small adverse effects. Therefore, according to this study curcumin treatment might be beneficial for those with prediabetes.

Discussion

Based on CDC statistics, around 40 percent of the population in the U.S. from 40 to 74 years old have the condition. Therefore, the health implications of this study are actually profound. Curcumin which has from 3 to 4 percent of dry turmeric powder is easily accessible, safe and affordable. In fact, curcumin contains around 600 health benefits. According to this study, the curcumin in turmeric is a perfect alternative drug. Doctors and those with prediabetes should take this study seriously. This is important, especially after taking into consideration that the study was published in the highly respected journal of the American Diabetes Association.