mcsblues
10-30-2006, 11:05 PM
Silymarin aka Milk Thistle has been around for quite a while in the context of supplements that may help liver function. This preliminary study suggests significant benefits for glycemic control as well.
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/113445765/ABSTRACT
Abstract
Oxidative stresses are increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications which may either cause direct pancreatic -cell damage or lead to metabolic abnormalities that can induce or aggravate diabetes. The valuable effect of antioxidant nutrients on the glycemic control of diabetic patients has been reported in experimental and clinical studies. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of the herbal medicine, Silybum marianum seed extract (silymarin), which is known to have antioxidant properties on the glycemic profile in diabetic patients. A 4-month randomized double-blind clinical trial was conducted in 51 type II diabetic patients in two well-matched groups. The first group (n = 25) received a silymarin (200 mg) tablet 3 times a day plus conventional therapy. The second group (n = 26) received the same therapy but a placebo tablet instead of silymarin. The patients were visited monthly and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBS), insulin, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL, triglyceride, SGOT and SGPT levels were determined at the beginning and the end of the study. The results showed a significant decrease in HbA1c, FBS, total cholesterol, LDL, triglyceride SGOT and SGPT levels in silymarin treated patients compared with placebo as well as with values at the beginning of the study in each group. In conclusion, silymarin treatment in type II diabetic patients for 4 months has a beneficial effect on improving the glycemic profile.
Milk thistle may help diabetics: study
October 31, 2006 - 12:51PM
link (http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Milk-thistle-may-help-diabetics-study/2006/10/31/1162056968449.html#)
A herbal therapy used for thousands of years may help to control blood sugar levels in people suffering from type 2 diabetes, scientists said.
Milk thistle, a flowering herb, is a popular complementary therapy. It is also called silymarin, which is a mixture of the herb's active components, used to treat liver problems such as cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis and gallbladder problems.
Researchers in Iran have also found the remedy could benefit diabetes sufferers.
"We don't know the exact mechanism of action for this effect, but this work shows that silymarin could play an important role in treating type 2 diabetes," said Fallah Huseini, who works for the Institute of Medicinal Plants in Teheran.
Type 2 diabetes, which is linked to obesity, is an increasing health problem worldwide. Most of the world's 194 million diabetics have type 2 diabetes, which is caused by an inability to regulate the glucose, or sugar, in the body properly.
Huseini compared the effects of daily supplements of silymarin, which contains a number of active constituents called flavolignans which help protect the liver from poisoning, against a placebo in 51 diabetics. The findings are reported in the journal Phytotherapy Research.
Half the patients received 200 milligrams of silymarin three times a day for four months or the dummy pill along with conventional treatments. At the end of the study, people in the herbal group had reductions in blood glucose levels compared to their earlier levels.
"The results are very encouraging, and we now need to do further large multi-centre studies," Huseini added in a statement.
The charity Diabetes UK said some substances appear to have an effect on lowering blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes but they are not a cure and should not replace traditional therapies.
"Studies have shown that the best method of controlling glucose levels is through a combination of regular physical activity, a healthy diet and the relevant prescribed medication," a Diabetes UK spokesperson said.
"This study is very small and still in its early stages, therefore we would not recommend using milk thistle or any other supplement for people with diabetes."
Diabetes, which is a chronic illness, also increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney damage and nerve disorders that can lead to foot ulceration and amputations.
The World Health Organisation expects the number of diabetics to rise to 300 million by 2025.
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/113445765/ABSTRACT
Abstract
Oxidative stresses are increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications which may either cause direct pancreatic -cell damage or lead to metabolic abnormalities that can induce or aggravate diabetes. The valuable effect of antioxidant nutrients on the glycemic control of diabetic patients has been reported in experimental and clinical studies. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of the herbal medicine, Silybum marianum seed extract (silymarin), which is known to have antioxidant properties on the glycemic profile in diabetic patients. A 4-month randomized double-blind clinical trial was conducted in 51 type II diabetic patients in two well-matched groups. The first group (n = 25) received a silymarin (200 mg) tablet 3 times a day plus conventional therapy. The second group (n = 26) received the same therapy but a placebo tablet instead of silymarin. The patients were visited monthly and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBS), insulin, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL, triglyceride, SGOT and SGPT levels were determined at the beginning and the end of the study. The results showed a significant decrease in HbA1c, FBS, total cholesterol, LDL, triglyceride SGOT and SGPT levels in silymarin treated patients compared with placebo as well as with values at the beginning of the study in each group. In conclusion, silymarin treatment in type II diabetic patients for 4 months has a beneficial effect on improving the glycemic profile.
Milk thistle may help diabetics: study
October 31, 2006 - 12:51PM
link (http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Milk-thistle-may-help-diabetics-study/2006/10/31/1162056968449.html#)
A herbal therapy used for thousands of years may help to control blood sugar levels in people suffering from type 2 diabetes, scientists said.
Milk thistle, a flowering herb, is a popular complementary therapy. It is also called silymarin, which is a mixture of the herb's active components, used to treat liver problems such as cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis and gallbladder problems.
Researchers in Iran have also found the remedy could benefit diabetes sufferers.
"We don't know the exact mechanism of action for this effect, but this work shows that silymarin could play an important role in treating type 2 diabetes," said Fallah Huseini, who works for the Institute of Medicinal Plants in Teheran.
Type 2 diabetes, which is linked to obesity, is an increasing health problem worldwide. Most of the world's 194 million diabetics have type 2 diabetes, which is caused by an inability to regulate the glucose, or sugar, in the body properly.
Huseini compared the effects of daily supplements of silymarin, which contains a number of active constituents called flavolignans which help protect the liver from poisoning, against a placebo in 51 diabetics. The findings are reported in the journal Phytotherapy Research.
Half the patients received 200 milligrams of silymarin three times a day for four months or the dummy pill along with conventional treatments. At the end of the study, people in the herbal group had reductions in blood glucose levels compared to their earlier levels.
"The results are very encouraging, and we now need to do further large multi-centre studies," Huseini added in a statement.
The charity Diabetes UK said some substances appear to have an effect on lowering blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes but they are not a cure and should not replace traditional therapies.
"Studies have shown that the best method of controlling glucose levels is through a combination of regular physical activity, a healthy diet and the relevant prescribed medication," a Diabetes UK spokesperson said.
"This study is very small and still in its early stages, therefore we would not recommend using milk thistle or any other supplement for people with diabetes."
Diabetes, which is a chronic illness, also increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney damage and nerve disorders that can lead to foot ulceration and amputations.
The World Health Organisation expects the number of diabetics to rise to 300 million by 2025.