From the ArcaMax Publishing, Health & Fitness Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/healthtips/s-367182-916146
SAN FRANCISCO (UPI) -- Turmeric, an Asian spice used in curry, may
help reverse inflammation associated with obesity and reduce type 2
diabetes risk, U.S. researchers said.
Dr. Drew Tortoriello of Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center at Columbia
University Medical Center and colleagues discovered that
turmeric-treated mice were less susceptible to developing type 2
diabetes, based on blood glucose levels and glucose and insulin
tolerance tests.
The research team also discovered that turmeric-fed obese mice showed
significantly reduced inflammation in fat tissue and liver compared to
controls.
The researchers speculate that curcumin -- the anti-inflammatory,
anti-oxidant ingredient in turmeric -- lessens insulin resistance and
prevents type 2 diabetes in these mouse models by dampening the
inflammatory response provoked by obesity.
"It's too early to tell whether increasing dietary curcumin -- via
turmeric -- intake in obese people with diabetes will show a similar
benefit," Tortoriello said in a statement. "Although the daily intake
of curcumin one might have to consume as a primary diabetes treatment
is likely impractical, it is entirely possible that lower dosages of
curcumin could nicely complement our traditional therapies as a
natural and safe treatment."
The findings are scheduled to be published in Endocrinology and were
presented at ENDO, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in San
Francisco.