Ginseng and melatonin improve lipid profiles and other health measures
Ginseng improves cholesterol in type 2 diabetes
Ginseng is an adaptogen—a substance that helps the body respond to stress, that has been used in Asia for centuries. American ginseng, native to North America and cultivated in China, is in such high demand that some U.S. states have declared it an endangered species.
In this study, 24 men and women with type 2 diabetes, overweight with elevated long-term average blood sugar levels (HbA1C), took a placebo or 1,000 mg of American ginseng per day, in alternating eight-week phases. While the placebo group did not improve, during the ginseng phase, LDL, the “bad” cholesterol, decreased an average of 12.3 percent, and the ratio of LDL to HDL, the “good” cholesterol, decreased 13.9 percent. Long-term and fasting blood sugar levels also declined, by 0.29 percent and 12.78 milligrams per deciliter of blood, respectively. Systolic blood pressure also declined by an average of 5.6 mmHg for ginseng.
Melatonin lowers cholesterol
Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone in the body best known for regulating the natural sleep-wake cycle. Recent research has expanded to include cognitive, musculoskeletal, and metabolic health. In this review, doctors analyzed findings from eight placebo- controlled trials of melatonin and lipids covering people aged 16 to 74. Overall, those taking melatonin saw an average reduction in total cholesterol of 18.48 milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL), and 32.54 mg/dL lower triglycerides. The best results occurred in studies lasting at least eight weeks that used doses of melatonin of at least 8 mg per day.
Reference: European Journal of Nutrition; February, 2018, Published Online
Natural Insights for Well Being June 2018
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