Ginsing lowers glycemia
Från Arch Intern Med 2000;160:1009-1013.

  Panax quinquefolius, or American ginseng reduces postprandial glycemia in both nondiabetics and patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a report in the April 10th issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

    Based on the findings, the herb may hold promise as an adjunct to conventional diabetes therapy and perhaps as a preventive treatment, researchers suggest. There is little research to back up the many health claims made for Ginseng, according to Dr. Vladimir Vuksan, of St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, but some animal research has suggested that it has a positive effect on carbohydrate metabolism and diabetes.

    Dr. Vuksan and his colleagues tested the effects of one variety of the herb, American ginseng, in 10 nondiabetic adults and nine adults with type 2 diabetes. Each participant received two 3-g doses of ginseng, once 40 minutes before a 25-g oral glucose challenge and once during the challenge. On separate occasions, they also took placebo before and during the glucose challenge.

    After the challenge, serum glucose levels were measured every 15 to 30 minutes for up to 2 hours. In diabetics, ginseng significantly lowered glycemia, whether it was taken before or during the glucose challenge, according to the report. In nondiabetic subjects, the effect of ginseng on glycemia did not differ significantly from placebo when given during the glucose challenge. When given beforehand, however, glycemia was significantly lower 45 minutes and 60 minutes after the glucose challenge. - We are certainly very, very excited about the results, Dr. Vuksan told Reuters Health in an interview.

    But Dr. Vuksan said that it would be premature to make any recommendations about the use of ginseng based on one small study. He did say, however, that he and his colleagues plan to announce the results of a long-term trial of ginseng at the American Diabetes Association meeting in San Antonio in June.

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