Diabetes and nutraceuticals
The most common form of diabetes is type 2 diabetes with 95% prevalence and is associated with obesity. Although various drugs for prevention and treatment of diabetes have been introduced, however, globally the total number of people with diabetes with various causes is increasing. Diabetes, not only imposes considerable economic burdens on individual patients and their families but also places substantial economic burdens on society.
In recent years a wide range of herbal dietary supplements and herbal medicines have scientifically proven to benefit type 2 diabetes mellitus in preclinical studies, however, few have been proven to do so in properly designed randomized clinical trials.
Isoflavones are phytoestrogens which have structural/functional similarities to human estrogen. Soy isoflavones have been studied most and their consumption have been associated with lower incidence and mortality rate of type II diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis and certain cancers.
Omega-3 fatty acids have been suggested to reduce glucose tolerance in patients predisposed to diabetes. For the synthesis of a long chain n?3 fatty acids, insulin is required; the heart may thus be particularly susceptible to their depletion in diabetes. Ethyl esters of n?3 fatty acids may be potentially beneficial in diabetic patients.
Lipoic acid is an antioxidant which is used for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy and seems to be effective as a long-term dietary supplement for protection of diabetics from complications. Dietary fibers from psyllium have been used extensively both as pharmacological supplements, food ingredients, in processed food to aid weight reduction, for glucose control in diabetic patients and to reduce lipid levels in hyperlipidemia. A lot of plants extracts such as Toucrium polium, cinnamon and bitter melon have been shown to prevent or treat diabetes.