Monday May 26, 2014 (foodconsumer.org) -- A study in the May 2014 issue of Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry suggests using turmeric as a dietary supplement can help type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who are treated with metformin.

N. Maithili Karpaga Selvi and colleagues conducted the study and found patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were treated with metformin had better fasting glucose, HbA1c levels, inflammatory biomarkers and oxidative stress, compared with those receiving metformin only.

For the study, 60 diabetics on metformin therapy were assigned to take two grams of turmeric per day or placebo for four weeks.   Biochemical parameters were determined in each participant at baseline and the end of treatment.

Turmeric supplementation significantly decreased fasting glucose, HbA1c levels, lipid peroxidation, and malondialdehyde, and increased total serum antioxidant concentrations in metformin treated patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. 

Additionally, turmeric improved dyslipidemia, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, non HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol and LDL/HDL ratio and reduced hsCRP (an inflammatory marker).

The researchers concluded "Turmeric supplementation as an adjuvant to T2DM (type 2 diabetes mellitus) on metformin treatment had a beneficial effect on blood glucose, oxidative stress and inflammation."

Turmeric is a major ingredient found in curry, which is commonly used in India.  One major ingredient in turmeric called curcumin has been tested and found highly effective in preventing prediabetes from progressing to become type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Another dietary supplement called spirulina has also been tested in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and found that it has a potent antihyperglycemic activity.

More than 25 million Americans live with type 2 diabetes mellitus.  The medical condition (high blood sugar concentrations) needs to be controlled effectively or it can cause serious complications. (David Liu PHD)