Scientists to try to prevent diabetes by testing turmeric - omega 3 combination
Posted on: 20/Jul/2015 10:16:21 AM
Scientists from the University of Newcastle’s Nutraceuticals Research Group are looking for people for a clinical trial in which they will test the results of turmeric along with Omega 3 fatty acids on Type 2 diabetes. According to researchers, the combination of Omega 3 and curcumin, which is found in turmeric, can delay or prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes.
Says one of the researchers, ‘The root cause of type 2 diabetes is systemic inflammation, which impacts insulin secretion and function... We want to nip the inflammation in the bud... This study will use two bioactive compounds that we find in food – curcumin and omega-3 fat. Both are very important anti-inflammatory agents... Turmeric has been used for centuries to promote healing of bruises, sprains, wounds and inflammation. Nowadays in India the level of curcumin (turmeric) intake has dropped considerably as people switch to Westernised fast foods, and it parallels with a significant rise in type 2 diabetes cases. In fact the disease is now an epidemic in India and may soon be the number one health burden... The anti-inflammatory mechanisms surrounding curcumin and omega-3 fats are different, so we want to test if they complement each other and have treatment synergies beyond their individual effects... Our thinking is that the combination is safe, free of any side-effects and may prove to be as effective as drugs used for management of diabetes.’
Those in the trial will be given capsules that contain 200 mg of curcumin and 1 gm of Omega 3 fat. People aged between 30 and 70 are eligible.
