The active polyphenol in turmeric known as curcumin may provide an ideal intervention for type 2 diabetes, capable of mitigating characteristic pathophysiological hallmarks of the disease such as elevated blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and insulin resistance. Turmeric curcumin will lower blood sugar and cholesterol in diabetes.

“Turmeric (Curcuma longa), a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant of the ginger family, has been used for the treatment of diabetes in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine. The active component of turmeric, curcumin, has caught attention as a potential treatment for diabetes and its complications primarily because it is a relatively safe and inexpensive drug that reduces glycemia and hyperlipidemia in rodent models of diabetes.”

“Amazingly, the animal and cell research literature review concluded curcumin could improve the type 2 diabetic state through 10 distinctly different mechanisms, such as:

  • Reduction in liver glucose production
  • Reduction in liver glycogen production
  • Stimulation of increased glucose uptake (by increasing GLUT4, GLUT2, and GLUT3 gene expressions)
  • Increasing the activation of AMP kinase
  • Promoting PPAR γ ligand-binding activity
  • Suppressing hyperglycemia-induced inflammatory state
  • Stimulating insulin secretion from pancreatic tissues
  • Improvement in pancreatic cell function
  • Increasing phosphorylation of AKT
  • Increasing insulin receptor β and reduction of insulin resistance

The human clinical research conducted on diabetic and pre-diabetic patients revealed curcumin had the following beneficial effects:

  • Glucose lowering effect
  • Improved beta cell function
  • Improved fatty acid oxidation and utilization”

One more cautious researcher stated, “Turmeric in diet is absolutely safe. Turmeric supplements should be taken with care.” Yet, that same researcher is touting the combination of black pepper with turmeric curcumin. “Piperine is the key chemical in black pepper. It is similar to capsaicin, a chemical in chili, and offers many health benefits. Curcumin, which is a polyphenol, plays the same role in turmeric. Both these compounds have been studied to examine the potential health benefits they can offer individually or together.” In short, black pepper enhances the bioavailability of turmeric curcumin. For diabetics, curcumin is an anti-inflammatory.

When I started taking turmeric curcumin with black pepper extract [Puritan’s Pride brand], there was a noticeable difference in the stiffness and pain levels of the osteoarthritis in my hands!

References

Axe, Dr. Josh, DC, DMN, CNS. “Turmeric and Curcumin Benefits: Can This Herb Really Combat Disease?” Dr. Axe (March 15, 2019). https://draxe.com/nutrition/turmeric-curcumin-benefits/ (accessed on 8/3/2020)

Zhang, Dong-wei, et. al. “Curcumin and Diabetes: A Systematic Review,” Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013; 2013: 636053. Published online 2013 Nov 24. doi: 10.1155/2013/636053. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3857752/ (accessed on 8/3/2020).

Oberst, Lindsay. “Why All Diabetics Should Know About Turmeric,” Food Revolution Network (November 19, 2015). https://foodrevolution.org/blog/turmeric-diabetes/ (accessed on 8/3/2020).

Shruti, BE Biotech & PGD Clinical Research. “Turmeric Dosage For Diabetes,” Turmeric for Health, n.d. https://www.turmericforhealth.com/turmeric-dosage/turmeric-dosage-for-diabetes

Shruti, BE Biotech & PGD Clinical Research. “6 Amazing Health Benefits of Black Pepper and Turmeric,” Turmeric for Health, n.d. https://www.turmericforhealth.com/turmeric-benefits/health-benefits-of-black-pepper-and-turmeric (accessed on 10/14/2020).

Health Benefits of Black Pepper and Turmeric
https://www.turmericforhealth.com/turmeric-benefits/health-benefits-of-black-pepper-and-turmeric

Turmeric and Diabetes: 10 Ways Turmeric Can Help
https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/blog/turmeric-diabetes/

Turmeric Dosage For Diabetes
https://www.turmericforhealth.com/turmeric-dosage/turmeric-dosage-for-diabetes