Long-term effects of guar gum and microcrystalline cellulose on glycaemic control and serum lipids in Type 2 diabetes

Abstract

The effects of guar gum (GG) and microcrystalline cellulose (MC) on metabolic control and serum lipids were compared in a double-blind, cross-over trial in 18 poorly controlled Type 2 diabetic patients. There were two 12 week treatment periods separated by a 4 week wash-out period. A significant reduction in fasting BG was found after 6 weeks treatment with GG, but the initial level was regained after further 6 weeks, at the end of the treatment period. No statistically significant change in fasting BG was observed with MC. Serum cholesterol was lowered by 10% during GG treatment. Microcrystalline cellulose had no effect on serum lipids. The results suggest, that during 12 weeks supplementation with guar gum, the improvement in glycemic control was not sustained, but that it might reduce the risk of macrovascular disease in diabetic patients.

Fiber intake and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…One study report was included as three independent reports because data were described according to the type of diabetes treatment (i.e., diet only, insulin, or oral antidiabetic drugs); thus, a total of 13 comparisons were included in the analyses (Figure ). All of the included studies evaluated HbA1c changes and eight also reported fasting plasma glucose as an outcome …”

“…Six studies described the weight of patients at the beginning of the trial (range, 74.0–88.4 kg). Regarding weight change during follow‐up, in six studies the weight of the patients was not modified and in three studies these data were not described. In another two studies weight loss was greater in the intervention group than in the control group .…”

“…A substantial number of clinical trials have investigated the effects of fiber intake on the glycemic profile of patients with diabetes, but the results have not been consistent . This lack of consistency may be due to variations in the trials' sample size and intervention duration, in addition to the type of intervention and composition of the control diet.…”

Ayurvedic treatments for diabetes mellitus

“…We identified seven other studies (Crawford 2009; Dubey 1993; Faizal 2009; Maji 1995; Mohan 1998; Poongothai 2002; Yadav 2001) through additional searches, out of which four (Crawford 2009, Dubey 1993; Mohan 1998; Poongothai 2002) were found eligible for inclusion. After feed back from peer reviewers, it was decided to exclude 16 studies of single herbs (Altschuler 2007; Anderson 1999; Aro 1981; Blevins 2007; Cohen 1980; Crawford 2009; Gupta 2001; Holman 1987; ICMR Study Group 2005; Kuriyan 2008; Lalor 1990; Mang 2006; Niemi 1988; Uusitupa 1984; Uusitupa 1989;Ziai 2005) and hence only seven studies were ultimately included in the final analysis (Agrawal 2002; Dubey 1993, Elder 2006; Hsia 2004; Mohan 1998; Poongothai 2002; Shekhar 2002). An adapted PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) flow-chart of study selection is attached Figure 1…”

“…Eleven studies were of short duration ranging from one to six weeks (Agrawal 1996; Akhtar 2010; Bandara 2009; Fuessl 1987; Khan 1980; Khan 2003; Krarup 1980; Serraclara 1998; Stokholm 1981; Vuorinen-Markkola 1992; Yadav 2001), three were non-randomised (Faizal 2009, Maji 1995, Upadhyay 2004), one was a biochemical study (Sadhukhan 1994) and another study of Mormodia charantia (John 2003) was already evaluated in another Cochrane review (Ooi 2010). We also excluded 16 other studies of single herbs (Altschuler 2007; Anderson 1999; Aro 1981; Blevins 2007; Cohen 1980; Crawford 2009; Gupta 2001; Holman 1987; ICMR Study Group 2005; Kuriyan 2008; Lalor 1990; Mang 2006; Niemi 1988; Uusitupa 1984; Uusitupa 1989; Ziai 2005) since the use of single herbs is not considered the usual practice in Ayurveda. Moreover, a Cochrane protocol on Cinnamon (Leach 2008) and a Cochrane review on Momordica charantia (Ooi 2010) have been published in The Cochrane Library .…”