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Willner Chemists: The Nutritional Supplement Professionals
Page 101
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Diabetics Benefit from
Curcuminoid and Vitamin E
Supplementation
Curcuminoids Improve Lipids
Those with type 2 diabetes are more likely
to have heart and circulatory problems, and
abnormal lipid levels. Curcuminoids are
natural compounds found in turmeric, and
earlier evidence suggests anti-diabetic and
lipid-regulating benefits, but few studies have
measured the effect of curcuminoids on lipids
in type 2 diabetes.
In this study, 118 people aged 18 to 65 with
type 2 diabetes took a placebo or a daily
supplement containing 1,000 mg of
curcuminoids plus 10 mg of piperine; the
fragrant compound in black pepper that helps
improve absorption of curcumin.
After 12 weeks, those taking curcuminoids
saw total cholesterol decline by 21.86 mg per
deciliter of blood (mg/dL) compared to 17.06
for placebo. Non-HDL cholesterol decreased
by 23.43 mg/dL vs. 16.84 for placebo, and
HDL, the "good" cholesterol, increased 1.56
mg/dL for curcuminoids while decreasing
slightly for placebo.
Vitamin E Reduces Kidney
Disease
Oxidative stress plays a large role in
developing and advancing diabetic kidney
disease, a common complication in type 2
diabetes. Doctors wanted to know which
antioxidants might slow diabetic kidney
disease, and analyzed results from 15 relevant
studies covering 4,345 diabetic kidney
disease participants that looked at vitamins
B6, C, and E, glutathione, lipoic acid,
silymarin, and zinc, alone or in combination.
Overall, antioxidants reduced albuminuria;
when the kidneys excrete excess levels of the
protein albumin in the urine, an early sign of
diabetic kidney disease. Vitamin E in
particular was most likely to reduce early
kidney damage, with those taking 480 mg to
1,200 mg of vitamin E per day having the best
results.
(Reference: Complementary Therapies in
Medicine; August, 2017, Vol. 33, 1-5,
Published Online)
Pomegranate Seed Oil Improves
Menopausal Symptoms
A
n earlier study on pomegranate seed oil
showed a reduction in menopausal
symptoms, but the results were not
considered statically significant. "After 12
weeks of treatment, PGS reduced the number
of hot flashes per day by 4.3 (38.7%),
whereas placebo reduced it by 2.5 (25.6%).
Both groups were significant compared with
baseline, but the treated group was not
significant compared with the placebo group
(P = 0.17). . . ." (Menopause. 2012
Apr;19(4):426-32. doi:
10.1097/gme.0b013e3182345b2f.
Pomegranate seed oil in women with
menopausal symptoms: a prospective
randomized, placebo-controlled, double-
blinded trial. Auerbach L1, Rakus J, Bauer C,
Gerner C, Ullmann R, Wimmer H, Huber J.)
The author's formal conslusion at that time
was "In postmenopausal women, PGS does
not significantly reduce hot flashes within a
12-week observation period, but further
studies are needed to investigate the long-
term effect."
Well, further studies seem to have come up
with slightly different results. Folk and
Ayurvedic medicine have used pomegranate
seeds to treat many female health concerns.
Pomegranate contains unsaturated fatty acids,
linolenic acid, and phytoestrogens that
doctors believe may help improve
menopausal symptoms.
In this new study, 78 women experiencing
menopausal symptoms for an average of 46
months took 500 mg of pomegranate seed oil
twice per day. The women reported their
symptoms for four weeks before beginning to
take pomegranate seed oil, and then again at
the end of the four-week study.
Most symptoms were significantly reduced,
with the greatest improvement in hot flushes,
sleep quality, energy, and mood. The women
also reported a 35 percent improvement in
vaginal lubrication.
Discussing the findings, doctors said that
while the effects on hot flushes, sleep, and
mood are important, pomegranate seed oil
may be a new plant-based solution for vaginal
lubrication concerns.
(Reference: Alternative Therapies in Health
& Medicine; 2017, Vol. 23, No. 2, 28-34)
This is just one of the many proposed
benefitds of pomegranate seed oil and/or
extract. The pharmacists and nutritionists at
Willner Chemists will be happy to assist you
in choosing the best supplement for your
specific needs.
The Willner Chemists web site is a valuable resource for information on nutritional
supplements how to choose them, and how to use them.
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