Sugar getting bigger

Sugar getting bigger

Tone down with ginger

Ginger could help diabetic patients to control their sugar level in the blood, according to a new research. Scientists at the University of Sydney investigated the active components of the rhizome of Ginger to examine their relations with glucose uptake in the body.

Type 2 diabetes is one the most common chronic lifestyle disease worldwide, affecting 285 million people. Diet and exercise remain the hallmark in the management of this particular endocrine disorder, especially from prevention of disease in early stage to handling its complications in the advanced stage. Integrating phytomedicines with the diet and exercise regimen throughout this spectrum enhances the overall benefits. Therefore, research on efficacy of herbal medicine in diabetes is getting a remarkable momentum.

Under normal conditions, blood glucose level is strictly maintained within a narrow range, and skeletal muscle is a major site of glucose clearance in the body. Ginger intake in the body increases the uptake of glucose into muscle cells independently of insulin, results of the latest Sydney research exhibited. Basil Roufogalis, lead researcher of the study and professor of pharmaceutical chemistry at University of Syndey, said, “this assists in the management of high levels of blood sugar that create complications for long-term diabetic patients, and may allow cells to operate independently of insulin.” He further added, “Components responsible for the decrease in glucose were gingerols — the major phenolic components of the ginger rhizome.”

The bottom-line is herbs like ginger, amla, turmeric now remain no longer ignored; more and more research will continue to highlight their benefits in the future healthcare. Ayurveda aptly describes ginger as ‘Vishwabheshaj’ (universal medicine or medicine that is capable of treating broad range of diseases), and the present study underlines its true efficacy in treating a ‘Vishwarog’ (global disease) i.e.-diabetes.