ABSTRACT
Brewer's yeast may have beneficial effects on insulin receptors because of its glucose tolerance factor in diabetic patients. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of brewer's yeast supplementation on glycemic indices in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In a randomized double blind controlled clinical trial, 84 adults [21 men and 63 women] aged 46.3 +/- 6.1 years old with type 2 diabetes mellitus were recruited and divided randomly into two groups: Supplement group receiving brewer's yeast [six 300mg tablets/day, total 1800 mg] and control group receiving placebo [six 300mg tablets/day] for 12 weeks. Body weight, height, body mass index, food consumption [based on 24h food record], fasting blood sugar [FBS], glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin sensitivity, and insulin resistance were measured before and after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences [version 18.0]. The changes in FBS, glycosylated hemoglobin, and insulin sensitivity were significantly different between the two groups during the study [respectively P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.02 independent sample t-test]. There was a significant difference in FBS, glycosylated hemoglobin, and insulin sensitivity at the end of the study between the two groups after removing the effects of baseline values [respectively P = 0.002, P < 0.001, P = 0.02, analysis of covariance]. Changes in body mass index, 24h food record, insulin resistance were not significant. Dietary supplementation with brewer's yeast besides the usual treatment of diabetes can ameliorate blood glucose variables in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Male , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 , Glycated Hemoglobin , Double-Blind Method , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Blood GlucoseABSTRACT
<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids can alter the inflammatory response in diabetic patients. This study aimed to determine the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on the serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-2 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 84 subjects aged 45-85 years with at least a two-year history of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Participants were randomly assigned to the treatment or control group. Each subject in the treatment group received three omega-3 capsules per day (eicosapentaenoic acid 1,548 mg; docosahexaenoic acid 828 mg; other omega-3 fatty acids 338 mg), while each subject in the control group received three placebo capsules (sunflower oil 2,100 mg) for a period of eight weeks. At the beginning of the study and post intervention, fasting blood samples were taken and serum concentrations of IL-2, TNF-α and CRP were assessed and compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Serum IL-2 and TNF-α levels were significantly reduced in the treatment group compared to the controls (p < 0.01). There was no significant change in serum CRP levels.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Short-term omega-3 fatty acid supplementation (3 g/day for eight weeks) can decrease the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-2 in diabetic patients, with no change in CRP levels. Consumption of omega-3 fatty acid supplements is highly recommended to alleviate inflammation caused by type 2 diabetes mellitus.</p>