| |
| |
Alternative medicine Home |
Beauty InfoMassage techniquesPure Natural Aromatherapy Essential oils |
|
Herbal Medicine for Diabetes
Herbs used in traditional Indian medicine to treat diabetes seems to lower blood sugar and insulin levels in a manner similar to prescription drugs, a new study reports. Researchers gave extracts of the herb Salacia oblonga to 39 healthy adults, and the results were promising. The largest dose of the herb extract - 1,000 milligrams - decreased insulin and blood glucose levels by 29 and 23 percent, respectively. "These kinds of reductions are similar to what we might see with prescription oral medications for people with diabetes," said Steve Hertzler, a study co-author and an assistant professor of nutrition at Ohio State University. Salacia oblonga, which is native to regions of India and Sri Lanka, binds to intestinal enzymes that break down carbohydrates in the body. These enzymes, called alpha-glucosidases, turn carbohydrates into glucose, the sugar that circulates throughout the body. If the enzyme binds to the herbal extract rather than to a carbohydrate, then less glucose gets into the blood stream, resulting in lowered blood glucose and insulin levels. "Lowering blood glucose levels lowers the risk of disease-related complications in people with diabetes," Hertzler said. "Also, poor compliance with diabetes medications often hinders the effectiveness of these drugs. It may be easier to get someone to take an herb with food or in a beverage, as opposed to a pill." The study appears in a recent issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. Thirty-nine healthy adults participated in four separate meal tolerance tests. These meals, which were given in beverage form, were spaced three to 14 days apart. Each participant fasted for at least 10 hours before consuming the test beverage. Participants were asked to drink about two cups' worth of the chilled beverage, which contained zero, 500, 700 or 1,000 milligrams of Salacia oblonga extract. Afterward, the researchers used the finger-prick method to draw blood samples from each person every 15 to 30 minutes for three hours. These blood samples were used to determine insulin and blood glucose concentrations. The biggest changes in blood glucose and insulin levels usually happen within the first two hours after eating. The beverage that contained the highest concentration of the herbal extract - 1,000 milligrams - provided the most dramatic reduction in insulin and blood glucose levels. Insulin levels were 29 percent lower, while blood glucose levels were 23 percent lower as compared to the control drink, which contained no herbal extract. As Salacia oblonga can cause intestinal gas, the researchers had the study participants collect breath hydrogen samples hourly for eight hours after drinking the test beverage. The participants collected their breath in small plastic tubes. The researchers then analyzed these breath samples for hydrogen and methane content - the level of either substance in the breath corresponds to the level contained in the colon. The subjects also rated the frequency and intensity of nausea, abdominal cramping and distention and gas for two days after consuming each test meal. While the test beverages containing Salacia oblonga caused an increase in breath hydrogen excretion, reports of gastrointestinal discomfort were minimal, Hertzler said. Right now he and his colleagues are trying to figure out what dose of the herb is most effective, and when it should be taken relative to a meal. "We want to know how long it takes for the herb to bind to the enzymes that break down carbohydrates," Hertzler said. "The participants in this study took the herb with their meal, but maybe taking it before eating would be even more effective." The researchers also want to study the effects of Salacia oblonga in people with diabetes. "A lot of studies show that lowering blood sugar levels reduces the risk for all kinds of diabetes-related complications, such as kidney disease and nerve and eye damage," Hertzler said. "We want to see if this herb has this kind of effect." Salacia oblonga is still relatively difficult to find in the United States, Hertzler said, although there are manufacturers that sell the herb through the Internet. This study was supported by the Ross Products Division of Abbott Laboratories in Columbus. Hertzler is continuing to conduct Salacia oblonga studies with the Ross Products Division of Abbott Laboratories. He has no links to the company beyond this affiliation. Hertzler conducted the work with former Ohio State colleague Patricia Heacock, who is now at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey; Jennifer Williams, a clinical scientist with Ross Products Division, Abbott Laboratories; and Bryan Wolf, a former research scientists with Ross Products Division. Goldy For Salacia Oblonga herb Traditional Indian medicine, herb Salacia oblonga may help treat diabetes
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Illness - What Can We do About it? Illness concerns everyone. How can we approach it? And what is the reason behind illness? Whether you need to stay well or get well, lifestyle changes are essential to help you win the fight against illness. Natural Medicine--Finding a Qualified Naturopath Naturopathic medicine is currently the fastest growing segment of the alternative health movement but not everyone practicing this branch of "natural" medicine is qualified to do so. I like to group naturopaths according to their educational backgrounds because I believe that the quality of your naturopath's education directly affects the quality of care you'll receive. Voice Care for Recovery from Colds and Vocal Strain Every singer, no matter how careful they are of their instrument, has times when they have cheered a bit too much for their team, or had three weeks of cold and flu, and feel plain vocally awful.Here are some tips that will bring you back to health and ensure complete healing for your voice. Reflexology & Meridian Therapy Reflexology & Meridian Therapy are combined healing arts that utilize stimulation of the feet, hands, ears, and meridian lines to correspond with respective body parts and organs. By using reflexology & meridian therapy sessions together aids in stress relief, muscular tension, and improves blood circulation. Biofeedback: Applying the Mind to Health What is biofeedback?In biofeedback you expand self-awareness and practice powerful self-healing under guidance. This is often done with measuring devices to train for relaxation. How to Stop Hair Pulling With Hypnosis Stress caused by the day-to-day issues of home life and work can bring people to their breaking point. Many people struggle with the feeling of wanting to pull out their hair. Garlic - My Favorite Healing Herb Garlic is a wonderful healing herb and, unlike many of the other herbs, it tastes great and can be incorporated into a variety of meals. Garlic has been used for over 5000 years as a healing herb and has strong antibacterial, and antiviral properties. Getting into The Zone with The Alexander Technique Have you ever attempted to perform a simple act and completely failed? From completely mistiming a shot to losing balance at a crucial moment, the outcome may have fallen short of our intention and expectation. In contrast there are times when everything goes just right, every act is carried out to perfection with little perceived effort. Reversing Macular Degeneration: Without Drugs Or Surgery I would like to report some anecdotal research findings that suggest how our beliefs and our traumatic life history can be directly linked to some of the physical illnesses that we experience during our lives. Additionally, I would like to report that there is now a modality that can permanently release the beliefs and the memories of trauma from consciousness, or as I think of it from the human bio-field, and effectively begin to eliminate the illness at the physical level. Herbs and Essential Oils - Powerful Medicine We can find many beneficial uses for natural herbs and their essential oils in our lives. The essential oils contain the concentrated part of the herb. Just The Tea FAQs: Health Benefits (Part I) Hands up all those who can't get through the day without their shots of coffee.. An ADD Case Study: What Does it Mean to Fail? Josh is a client of mine who is a junior in college. He's very smart. Water: The Best Medication Ever Created! How much water do you drink every day? The majority of people do not drink enough!In 1995 Dr. F. Exploring the Mystery of Aromatherapy Through Biotechnology Aromatherapy originated in Ancient Egypt. About a hundred years ago, a pharmacist from France used an innovative method which led to a breakthrough in aromatherapy techniques. ReFidolize: The Majic Missy Mix Includes Medicinal Mushrooms Autoimmune disorders, lupus, Sjogrens, MS, IBS, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, leukemia / cancer, and many autoimmune diseases, may have a bacterial or fungal related etiology. Ask the so-called medical specialists. Sick Building Syndrome and Indoor Climate Control The problem of high levels of CO2 in ambient air appears to be a modern one. Yet, this is not one of the new fads that crop up from time to time and then disappear again, never to be mentioned again. What Disorders Can Acupuncture Treat and How Does It Work? How did acupuncture start?The story was met with widespread disbelief.During a visit to China in 1978, cardiologist Doctor Isadore Rosenfeld witnessed open-heart surgery on a patient, anaesthetised only with acupuncture. Drugstore Hemorrhoid Medications There are many drugstore and alternative Internet productsfor treating hemorrhoids. Most of the products are notmade to cure or eliminate hemorrhoids but to give youtemporary relief of itching, pain, swelling or bleeding. Shiatsu What is Shiatsu? Shiatsu, literally means: Shi = 'finger,' Atsu = 'pressure.' By definition, Shiatsu translates into 'finger pressure. Reiki REIKI is a form of natural healing through direct application of Universal Life Force Energy, or CHI (the term used by Chinese mystics and martial artists for the underlying Universal force, otherwise, energy). Through Reiki, energy is thought to be effected by thought.
|
| Alternative home | site map | Beauty | Massage oils | Essential Oils | Privacy and FAQ | Alternative medicine Courses |
| Massage oils 365 © 2011 Alternative medicine |
