A compound known as curcumin that is found in turmeric spice could help prevent diabetes in people at high risk, revealed a Thai study. Earlier studies have suggested that curcumin can fight inflammation and so called oxidative damage to body cells. These two processes are contributed to a range of diseases including Type 2 diabetes.
Thai researchers carried a nine months study including two hundred and forty adults suffering prediabetes. They were arbitrarily assigned to take either curcumin capsules or a placebo. The study participants who are taking curcumin took six supplement capsules a day, each of which contained two-hundred-fifty milligrams of curcuminoids.
After nine months, nineteen among one hundred and sixteen those in placebo group had developed Type 2 diabetes. But none of the study participant in curcumin group developed diabetes. They found that a daily dose of curcumin seemed to prevent new cases of diabetes among people with prediabetes, abnormally high blood sugar levels that may progress to full-blown type 2 diabetes.
Researchers believe the supplement appeared to improve the function of beta-cells, which are cells in the pancreas that release the blood sugar-regulating hormone insulin. They assume that the anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin help protect beta-cells from damage. But it is too early for people to head to the health food store for curcumin supplements.
Study leader Somlak Chuengsamarn from Srinakharinwirot University in Nakomnayok, Thailand , explained because of its benefits and safety, they propose that curcumin extract may be used for an intervention therapy for the prediabetes population. The study findings were published in the journal Diabetes Care.