Global Trends: Diabetes Prevalence
According to global research data, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in adults is increasing exponentially over time. The future data is quite alarming, but it is the bitter truth that must be accepted. The research data reveals that over time, type 2 diabetes will increase by 69 percent in developing countries and 20 percent in developed countries.
Causes: Lifestyle Factors, and Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is typically found in overweight adults and older populations. One of the common causes of this lifestyle disease is a relative deficiency in insulin production due to insulin resistance or abnormal insulin sensitivity. This chronic disease eventually induces several age-related disabilities, including multiple organ dysfunctions. It has also been observed that 1 in 4 diabetic patients suffers from significant depression, which otherwise increases the risk of type 2 diabetes-related complications.
Standard Treatment for Diabetes
The most standard guidelines for type 2 diabetes treatment include exercise, diet control, medications, and sometimes bariatric surgery is recommended. Additionally, taking hypoglycemic drugs remains a major choice for patients suffering from diabetes due to their flexibility and low cost. Hypoglycemic drugs are especially popular in developing countries.
Alternative Treatments: Naturopathy, and Diabetes
However, there is another aspect of diabetes treatment called naturopathy, which involves the use of herbs. Among the many herbs available, garlic is one of the most common and is cultivated all over the world. It is traditionally regarded as a medicine. Herbal extract is beneficial to the human body in various ways due to its medicinal properties, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiasthmatic, anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic, and immunoregulatory effects. Previous studies have already revealed that this herb plays a positive role in various ailments such as high blood pressure, colorectal cancer, and cardiovascular mortality.
New Research: Exploring Garlic’s Effect on Diabetes
Since previous studies on garlic have given positive results, scientists are finding other positive effects of this herbal supplement, especially in diabetic patients. In one such research, scientists did a series of randomized controlled trials to find out the effect of herb extract in the management of type 2 diabetes. Following is a brief explanation of what scientists did in their research and what results they found and what conclusion was drawn from the research.
Study Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
Scientists conducted an analysis, selecting specific studies while excluding duplicates, case reports, reviews, and unrelated studies based on titles and summaries. The selected studies met stringent criteria: they had to be randomized controlled trials (RCTs), include adults aged 18-75 with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and exclude individuals with severe heart diseases or extreme blood sugar or cholesterol levels. These studies compared participants taking herbal supplements to those who didn’t, focusing on blood sugar levels such as fasting blood glucose (FBG) and HbA1c.
Data Extraction and Outcome Measurements
Researchers extracted detailed information from each study, including the author, year of publication, number of participants, gender, starting FBG levels, daily garlic dose, and measurement times. The primary outcomes measured were FBG, plasma fructosamine, and HbA1c. Secondary outcomes included post-meal blood sugar levels, insulin resistance, blood lipid levels, and the safety of herbal use.
Methodological Quality Assessment
The quality of the studies was evaluated using a standardized tool, which assessed study design, participant selection and treatment, and outcome reporting. Each aspect was rated as low, unclear, or high risk of bias. Two reviewers independently conducted this assessment, resolving any disagreements through discussion to ensure accuracy.
Data Synthesis and Analysis
Data were analyzed using Review Manager software. Studies were categorized based on the duration of garlic supplementation to account for variations among them. Statistical tests were used to identify differences between studies, and either a fixed or random-effects model was applied based on the level of variation. Changes in blood sugar levels between the herbal and control groups were compared, with significance set at a P value less than 0.05.
Study Characteristics and Quality
Out of 226 initial studies, scientists included 10 articles reporting 9 RCTs, with 430 patients taking garlic and 338 in control groups. The trials varied, with some using herbs alone for newly diagnosed T2DM cases and others combining it with diabetes medications for existing cases. Herbal doses ranged from 0.05g to 1.5g daily over 2 to 24 weeks. The overall quality of the studies was good, though some had unclear or high risks in certain areas.
Effect of Garlic on Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG)
Researchers found that seven trials reported on FBG. Meta-analysis showed significant reductions in FBG levels for both short-term (1-8 weeks) and medium-term (12-24 weeks) periods in the garlic groups compared to controls. This indicates that this herb effectively lowers FBG levels over both short and longer periods.
Effect of Garlic on Plasma Fructosamine
In two trials reporting on plasma fructosamine levels, significant reductions were observed in the garlic group compared to controls at both 1-2 weeks and 3-4 weeks. This suggests that this herb can effectively lower plasma fructosamine levels, an important marker of mid-term glucose control.
Effect of Garlic on HbA1c
Two trials reported on HbA1c levels, with meta-analysis showing significant reductions in the garlic group at both 12 and 24 weeks. This means that herbal supplementation can lead to better long-term glucose control, as reflected by lower HbA1c levels.
Effect of Garlic on Other Blood Glucose-Related Indexes
Additional studies revealed significant reductions in post-meal blood glucose and increases in C-peptide levels in the garlic group. However, one study found no significant difference in insulin resistance. These mixed results indicate the need for more research to fully understand its effects on various glucose-related measures.
Effect of Garlic on Blood Lipids
Hee supplementation showed significant reductions in triglyceride levels at 3-4 weeks and total cholesterol and LDL levels at 12 weeks. It also significantly increased HDL levels at 12 weeks. These findings suggest that this herb positively affects blood lipid profiles, potentially reducing heart disease risk in T2DM patients.
Conclusion
Through their research, scientists concluded that garlic supplementation can significantly reduce fasting blood glucose, plasma fructosamine, and HbA1c levels, as well as improve blood lipid profiles in patients with T2DM. While the overall quality of the studies was good, some biases were present. Overall, this herb appears to be a promising additional treatment for managing blood sugar and lipid levels in T2DM patients, but further research is needed to confirm these findings and determine optimal dosing strategies.
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