[ effects of curcumin supplementation on control glycemic and anthropometric indices in overweight patients with type 2 diabetes]

Introduction: Experimental observations have shown the effect of curcumin on improving fasting blood glucose and weight loss. Curcumin is a natural yellow plant [stem], which exhibits various biological activities such as anti-oxidant, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-diabetic effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of curcumin supplementation on glycemic control and anthropometric indices in overweight patients with type 2 diabetes

Materials and Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 53 participants with type 2 diabetes were divided randomly into the experimental and control groups to receive either 500mg curcumin or placebo capsule three times in a day for 10 weeks. Anthropometric measures including weight, height, waist circumference, hip circumference and BMI, serum levels of fasting blood sugar [FBS], Hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c], insulin, HOMA-IR and HOMA-beta were determined at baseline and again 10 weeks later

Result: There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to mean age, duration of diabetes, treatment method, drugs and sex distribution. At the end of the study the mean serum concentration of blood sugar decreased significantly between the two groups [p=0.01]. Mean serum concentrations of insulin, HbA1C, HOMA-IR and HOMA-beta showed no significant changes between two groups at the end of the study. Mean body weight decreased significantly in the curcumin group, compared to the controls at the end of the study [p=0.04]. Mean hip circumference decreased significantly in curcumin group at the end of the study compared to the baseline [p=0.05], a difference that was significant in curcumin group, compared to the placebo group [p=0.01]. At the end of the study the mean waist circumference had no significant difference between the two groups

Conclusion: This study indicated that daily administration of 1500 mg curcumin has positive effects in reducing fasting blood glucose and weight in patients with type 2 diabetes

[Association between glycemic index, glycemic load and cardiovascular risk factors in adults]

Limited studies on the relation between the cardiovascular diseases [CVDs] risk factors and dietary glycemic index [GI] and glycemic load [GL] are available. This study was done to determine the association between glycemic index, glycemic load and cardiovascular risk factors in adults. This descriptive study was carried out on 2284 subjects [1327 males, 957 females] with 19-84 age in Tehran, Iran during 2005-08. Dietary GI and GL were assessed using a validated semi quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Blood pressure, Anthropometric, fasting blood of glucose and lipid profiles including total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein [HDL] and low density lipoprotein [LDL] as a CVDs risk factors were measured. The mean intake of nutrient, adjusted for energy production, gender, age, according to GI and GL, using general linear model analysis covariance test was measured. Data were analyzed using SPSS-15, one-way analysis variance, Chi-Square, partial correlation and Linear regression. The mean intakes of glycemic index and glycemic load were 68.3 and 244.8, respectively. Dietary GI and GL was inversely associated with whole grain and positively associated with refined grained, fruits, dairy products and simple sugar. After adjustment for lifestyle and dietary variables, dietary GI was inversely associated with triglyceride and HDL cholesterol concentrations among obese subjects. Dietary GL was inversely associated with fasting and 2-h blood glucose among non-obese subjects after adjustment for confounders. GI in obese men associated with serum increase triglyceride and reduced HDL-C. Glycemic load in a non-obese man is correlated with reducing fasting blood glucose

Association between dietary fiber intake and metabolic syndrome: tehran lipid and glucose study

There is little known about the relation between metabolic syndrome and fiber intake are available in Iran. We evaluated the relation between total, and various types and sources of dietary fiber and the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome. In this cross sectional study, 2457 adults, aged 19-84 years were studied. Total dietary fiber intake and its types and sources were assessed using a validated semi quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Blood pressure, Anthropometrie, and biochemical measurements were assessed. The metabolic syndrome was defined according to definition by Iranien National Committee of Obesity. In the multivariate-adjusted odds ratio, intakes of total [OR: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.39-0.74], both soluble [OR: 0.60; 95% Cl: 0.43-0.84] and insoluble dietary fiber [OR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.35-0.72], fruit fiber [OR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.37-0.72], legume fiber [OR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.53-0.99] and cereal fiber [OR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.57-0.97] were inversely associated with the metabolic syndrome. There was not significant association between usîng vegetable and nut fiber and prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Total dietary fiber, both soluble and insoluble fibers, and especially fruit and legumes fibers, reduce the metabolic syndrome among adults in Tehran

[Effect of pomegranate juice consumption on blood pressure in type 2 diabetic patients]

Diabetes causes hypertension in most diabetic patients. Pomegranate juice is known to have antioxidant and antiatherosclerotic properties; the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of pomegranate juice consumption on blood pressure of type 2 diabetic patients. In 1384, in a randomized clinical trial study, 61 diabetic patients [54.9 +/- 8.4 years old], attending the Special Diabetic Affairs Foundation and the Iranian Diabetic Society, were recruited, and were randomly allocated to either the pomegranate juice consumption or the control group. Patients in the pomegranate juice group consumed 200ml of pomegranate juice [sugar or additives free] daily for six weeks. The questionnaires for general characteristics, semi-quantitative food frequency and 24-hour food recall were completed by interview. Blood pressure and anthropometric measurements, including weight and height, were measured at baseline and at the end of the study. SPSS software was used for data analysis and Paired T-test, Independent T-test, Covariance analysis and Chi Square test were conducted. The mean body mass index, nutrients and fiber intake, drug intake and physical activity of patients did not change during the study. In the pomegranate juice consumption group, the mean systolic blood pressure [P< 0.001] and diastolic blood pressure [P< 0.05] were significantly decreased compared with baseline. The mean systolic blood pressure [P< 0.02] and diastolic blood pressure [P< 0.03] were significantly different between the pomegranate and control groups after intervention. Considering the positive effect of pomegranate juice consumption in reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure in diabetic type 2 patients it may be recommended for hypertension prevention in these patients