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SURGERY LOCATION DR ALAN TRAN 3 WHARF ST FORSTER AUSTRALIA NSW 2428 02 6555 9284 0413 186 690 FAX:02 65559284 Acupuncture Chinese Medicine Herbal Medicine Allergy Testing Pain Management Menopause and Hrt
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AMERICAN GINSENG REDUCES POSTPRANDIAL GLYCEMIA.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included) Issue: July, 2000 Use of herbal remedies as an unconventional health treatment has increased approximately 380% during the last seven years in the United States. Ginseng is one of the most widely used herbs. Two of the most common types are Asian ginseng and American ginseng. Asian ginseng has been noticed to affect blood flow and have antistress, memory increasing, and antifatigue activities. American ginseng is thought to increase sex drive, memory, and learning. There is a suggestion that both types of ginseng may influence carbohydrate metabolism and diabetes mellitus. A recent study examined the action of American ginseng on postprandial glycemia in nondiabetic subjects and subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. On four separate occasions, ten nondiabetic subjects (six male, four female; mean age 34 years, mean body mass index 25.6, mean weight 73 kg), and nine subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (five male, four female; mean age 62 years, mean body mass index 29, mean weight 81 kg) were randomized to receive 3 g ginseng or placebo capsules, either 40 minutes before or together with a 25 g oral glucose challenge. The placebo capsules contained corn flour, in which the quantity of carbohydrate and appearance matched the ginseng capsules. Patients were instructed to maintain the same dietary and exercise patterns the evening before each test and consume a minimum of 150 g of carbohydrate each day over the three days prior to the test. A capillary blood sample was taken fasting and then at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after the glucose challenge. This is the first placebo-controlled, short-term clinical trial to demonstrate an effect of American ginseng on postprandial glycemia in humans. In nondiabetic subjects, no differences were found in postprandial glycemia between placebo and ginseng when administered together with the glucose challenge. When ginseng was taken 40 minutes before the glucose challenge, significant reductions were observed. In subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus, the same was true whether capsules were taken before or together with the glucose challenge. Reductions in area under the glycemic curve were 18 [+ or -] 31% for the nondiabetic subjects and 22 [+ or -] 17% for subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus administered before or together with the glucose challenge, respectively. The mechanism by which ginseng lowers blood glucose concentration is unknown. To avoid an unintended hypoglycemic reaction, it might be important for persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus to take ginseng with meals. Whether the results of this study will prove clinically relevant is debatable. Before the therapeutic benefits of American ginseng can be realized, studies of the efficacy of long-term administration on HbA1c as an end point and dose responses are required. V. Vuksan, J. Sievenpiper, V. Koo, et al., American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L) Reduces Postprandial Glycemia in Nondiabetic Subjects and Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Arch Intern Med 160:1009-1013 (April 2000) [Correspondence: Vladimir Vuksan, Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Centre, St. Michael's Hospital, 6 138-61 Queen St. E, Toronto, ON M5C 2T2, Canada. E-mail: v. [email protected].] |
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