Herbal Blend Found to Prevent Chances of Diabetes by 32%
People who are considered pre-diabetic have elevated blood sugar levels and are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. A diagnosis like this can do one of two things—send a patient to their MD seeking pharmaceutical solutions, or spur them into a healthier lifestyle (which has proven time and time again to be the best way to control diabetes). But a new study shows there may be another options—traditional Chinese medicine.
Researchers with the University of Chicago wanted to know how Chinese herbal medicine may help slow the advancement of pre-diabetes and prevent the eventual diabetic diagnosis. What they found was a mixture of 10 herbs—known as Tianqi—was able to help manage blood sugar levels.
Lead researcher Doctor Chun-Su Yuan explained:
“With diabetes evolving into a serious public health burden worldwide, it is crucial to take steps to stem the flood of cases. Patients often struggle to make the necessary lifestyle changes to control blood sugar levels, and current medications have limitations and can have adverse gastrointestinal side effects. Traditional Chinese herbs may offer a new option for managing blood sugar levels, either alone or in combination with other treatments.”
For the study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 389 individuals with pre-diabetes at 11 different research sites in China were put into random groups. One group was assigned to take the Tianqi herbal blend and the other group took a placebo. Over a one-year period, the study subjects took their capsules, received lifestyle education, and met with a nutritionist. Their blood sugar levels were measured quarterly.
At the conclusion of the 12-month trial, 36 subjects in the Tianqi group had developed diabetes. But, 56 participants in the placebo group had full-on diabetes, showing a reduced risk among those taking the traditional Chinese herbs.
Those taking Tianqi were able to cut their risk of developing diabetes by 32.1 percent compared with the other group.
“Few controlled clinical trials have examined traditional Chinese medicine’s impact on diabetes, and the findings from our study showed this approach can be very useful in slowing the disease’s progression,” explained researcher Doctor Xiaolin Tong of Guang’anmen Hospital in Bejing. “More research is needed to evaluate the role Chinese herbal medicine can play in preventing and controlling diabetes.”
Lifestyle changes such as exercise and positive dietary alterations have been shown to help diabetics time and time again. Instead of turning to pharmaceuticals, try simply consuming a Chinese herbal blend or utilizing other herbs for diabetes.