Curcumin and Diabetes

A new study suggests that curcumin, a yellow pigment of the spice turmeric, may lower blood sugar and therefore may help treat diabetes.

Turmeric has been used in Asian food preparation, medicine, cosmetics and fabric dying for more than 2,000 years. Marco Polo described turmeric in his memoirs, and the herb became popular in Europe during Medieval times for its coloring value and medicinal uses.

Traditionally, turmeric has been used to improve gastrointestinal upset, arthritis and overall body energy. As an ingredient in foods, turmeric provides a yellow tint, as well as flavoring to curry dishes. Turmeric also plays a role in some Indian religious ceremonies. It is produced most extensively in India, but it is also cultivated in other countries in Asia and Central America.

Curcumin is the main constituent extracted from the roots of turmeric. During the 1970s, research began to focus on the pharmacological properties of turmeric and curcumin, particularly regarding possible anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Researchers from Sunchon National University, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea, investigated the effect of curcumin on insulin resistance and glucose homeostasis in male mice and their age-matched lean non-diabetic mice. The mice were fed with or without curcumin for six weeks.

The study found that curcumin significantly lowered blood sugar levels and it suppressed body weight loss in diabetic mice.

The study authors concluded that curcumin seemed to be a potential glucose-lowering agent and antioxidant in type 2 diabetic mice, but had no affect in non-diabetic mice.

Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a chronic health condition where the body is unable to produce enough insulin and properly break down sugar (glucose) in the blood. Glucose comes from food and is used by the cells for energy. Glucose is also made in the liver. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, a large gland behind the stomach. Insulin is needed to move sugar into the cells where it can be used for energy needed for body processes.

Diabetes is associated with long-term complications that affect almost every part of the body. The disease often leads to blindness, heart and blood vessel disease, stroke, kidney failure, amputations and nerve damage. Uncontrolled diabetes can complicate pregnancy and birth defects are more common in babies born to women with diabetes. Pregnant women can temporarily develop gestational diabetes, a type of diabetes that begins late in pregnancy.

In 2007, an estimated 20.8 million children and adults in the United States, or seven percent of the population, had diabetes. An estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed with diabetes (both type 1 and type 2), while 6.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware that they have type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes is widely recognized as one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recognizes diabetes as the 6th leading cause of death in the United States, with over 72,000 deaths in 2004.

References

1.Seo KI, Choi MS, Jung UJ, et al. Effect of curcumin supplementation on blood glucose, plasma insulin, and glucose homeostasis related enzyme activities in diabetic db/db mice. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2008 Apr 8. View Abstract.

2.Natural Standard Research Collaboration: The Authority on Integrative Medicine. http://www.naturalstandard.com/  Copyright © 2008
 
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