Brazil: There is extensive evidence that the postprandial blood sugar peak is associated with diabetes mellitus and its complications. Treatments that promote the attenuation of peaking of postprandial blood sugar observed in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) improve several parameters, such as inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, cardiovascular damage, atherogenesis predictors, and aging indicators.Some foods, such as flaxseed, have blood sugar lowering or antihyperglycemic properties without severe reported side effects.
Golden flaxseed could be a simple and affordable dietary strategy for improving blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a recent study in the journal Nutrients has revealed.
The study showed that compared to a control breakfast (no flaxseed ingested), the ingestion of 15 g of ground raw golden flaxseed prior to a breakfast containing complex carbohydrates reduced the 2 h postprandial glycemic response in men with T2DM.
Several studies have shown postprandial glucose peak to be associated with diabetes mellitus and its complications. Treatments that promote the attenuation of postprandial hyperglycemia observed in patients with T2DM improve various parameters such as endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, cardiovascular damage, aging indicators, and atherogenesis predictors.
Flaxseeds have antihyperglycemic properties without known side effects. Long-term consumption of flaxseed (for 8 to 12 weeks) is shown to reduce glycated hemoglobin, blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure in T2DM patients, and improved insulin sensitivity and reduced insulinemia and blood sugar in those with prediabetes and in obese or overweight individuals. Its effects on the postprandial glycemic response, however, remain unknown.
Considering the above, a research team from Brazil led by Fernanda Duarte Moreira aimed to investigate the acute effects of raw flaxseed consumption on the 2 h postprandial glycemic curve in men with type 2 diabetes in a randomized crossover clinical trial.
The study included nineteen men with T2DM who were randomly assigned to a standardized breakfast with a previous intake of 15 g of ground raw golden flaxseed (flax) or without (control).
The measurement of glycemia was done at fasting and postprandial at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min. Palatability markers (smell, visual appeal, and pleasantness of taste) and taste intensity (saltiness, sweetness, sourness, bitterness, and creaminess) were evaluated.
The key findings of the study are as follows:
“Our results have practical implications considering the wide availability of golden flaxseed in many countries and represents a simple and affordable dietary strategy that could be adopted by diabetes patients for improving glycemic control,” the researchers wrote.
“For future studies we recommend, beta-cell function, glucose and insulin levels, incretin hormones, and insulin sensitivity should be assessed for better understanding of the flaxseed mechanism of action in reducing postprandial glycemic excursions,” they conclude.
Reference:
Moreira FD, Reis CEG, Welker AF, Gallassi AD. Acute Flaxseed Intake Reduces Postprandial Glycemia in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Crossover Clinical Trial. Nutrients. 2022; 14(18):3736. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14183736
Dr Kartikeya Kohli is an Internal Medicine Consultant at Sitaram Bhartia Hospital in Delhi with super speciality training in Nephrology. He has worked with various eminent hospitals like Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Sir Gangaram Hospital. He holds an MBBS from Kasturba Medical College Manipal, DNB Internal Medicine, Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Research and Business Development, Fellow DNB Nephrology, MRCP and ECFMG Certification. He has been closely associated with India Medical Association South Delhi Branch and Delhi Medical Association and has been organising continuing medical education programs on their behalf from time to time. Further he has been contributing medical articles for their newsletters as well. He is also associated with electronic media and TV for conduction and presentation of health programs. He has been associated with Medical Dialogues for last 3 years and contributing articles on regular basis.
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20/10/2022