This article is from the WebMD News Archive
Rice Bran Lowers Diabetic Blood Sugar
Reviewed by
Gary D. Vogin, MD
April 10, 2002 -- Diabetics may have a new weapon to help them lower their blood sugar levels. Rice bran was able to lower blood glucose by up to 30% in a small group of patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes participating in a pilot study.
Researchers report that one out of four diabetics taking part in the 57-subject study were able to reduce their daily injection of insulin or medication dosages after adding stabilized rice bran to their diets for just two months. The findings were reported in the March issue of the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry.
"These are preliminary findings, and they need to be duplicated in a larger group of patients taking rice bran as a nutritional supplement for longer periods," says lead researcher Asaf A. Qureshi, PhD. "But in this study, rice bran proved to be very good at lowering blood glucose levels."
Qureshi and colleagues at Advanced Medical Research in Madison, Wis., also found that patients with elevated cholesterol who consumed 20 grams per day of stabilized rice bran lowered their total serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels between 5% and 15%.
The rice bran formulations evaluated by the researchers are manufactured by the California nutraceutical company NutraStar Inc. In company literature, rice bran is touted as "the most nutritious food on earth," and NutraStar markets its four rice bran products for a host of conditions including arthritis, constipation, and joint problems.
But the diabetes research is the first human trial to offer scientific evidence of rice bran's benefit. Studies have shown that eating a high-fiber diet lowers blood sugar levels, but the water-soluble rice bran that worked best in the study was not high in fiber.
Nutritionist Barbara Levine, RD, PhD, agrees that larger trials are needed to confirm the study's findings. But she says that the promising early findings are intriguing. Levine is director of the Human Nutrition Program at New York's Rockefeller University.
Levine cited findings from the ongoing Framingham Heart Study showing that obese people with type 2 diabetes have a 99% chance of developing heart disease. The CDC now estimates that 35 million Americans have diabetes.
"Right now there is very little out there for diabetics, other than medication," she says. "There is an epidemic of diabetes in this country, and it is largely linked to the epidemic of obesity. The most important thing diabetics can do is keep their weight under control and eat appropriate foods. But if soluble rice bran can help, I'm all for it."
© 2002 WebMD, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Is This Normal?
Get the Facts Fast!Answer:
Your level is currently NormalHigh (hyperglycemia).Low (hypoglycemia). |
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Your blood sugar level is slightly high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.
However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your level is currently normal. However, if you are concerned about diabetes speak with your physician. There may be other risk factors that increase your risk for diabetes.
Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your blood sugar level may be high, depending on when you last ate. If you have not eaten for at least 8 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 100. If you've eaten within the last 2 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 140. You should call your health care provider and ask if you need laboratory tests to check for diabetes. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Blood sugars consistently above 180 warrant prompt medical attention.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your blood sugar level is high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
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