This article is from the WebMD News Archive
Milk Thistle May Help Treat Diabetes
Iranian Study Shows Improved Blood Sugar Control; Researchers Call for More Studies
Reviewed by
Louise Chang, MD
Oct. 31, 2006 -- An extract made from milk thistle seeds may help control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, Iranian researchers say.
But the scientists -- who included H. Fallah Huseini, PhD, of the Institute of Medicinal Plants in Tehran, Iran -- aren't recommending the extract to patients just yet.
Instead, they call for further studies to probe milk thistle's effects.
Their report appears online in Phytotherapy Research.
"The results are very encouraging, and now we need to do further large multi-centre studies," Huseini says in a news release from the journal's publisher.
Huseini and colleagues studied 51 adults in Iran with type 2 diabetes.
The patients were 40-60 years old (average age: 53-54) and had had diabetes for more than two years. Patients took oral diabetes drugs throughout the study.
The researchers gave the patients tablets to take three times a day with meals.
Half of the patients got tablets containing an extract made from milk thistle seeds. The others got placebo tablets containing no milk thistle or other medicine.
Patients didn't know which tablets contained the milk thistle seed extract.
At the study's start, the patients had similar blood sugar levels and blood sugar control.
But after taking the tablets for four months, the milk thistle group showed better blood sugar control and cholesterol and triglyceride levels. (Triglyceridesare a type of blood fat.)
The key might be compounds in milk thistle that are collectively called silymarin, the researchers say.
"We don't know the exact mechanism of action for this effect, but this work shows that silymarin could play an important role in treating type 2 diabetes," Huseini says in the news release.
No side effects were reported in this study.
However, milk thistle has been reported to occasionally cause a laxative effect, upset stomach, diarrhea, bloating, and allergic reactions, according to the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM).
The NCCAM recommends talking with your doctor before you take any herbal or other dietary supplements.
© 2006 WebMD, Inc. All rights reserved.
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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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