| Abstract
The present study was aimed to evaluate the effects of Zingiber officinale on some biochemical
parameters in type 2 diabetic (DM2) patients. In a randomized double-blind placebo controlled
trial, 64 patients with DM2 were assigned to ginger or placebo groups (receiving 2 g/d of each).
A 3 d diet record, anthropometric measurements and concentrations of fasting blood glucose
(FPG), HbA1c, lipid profile (including total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein and
high density lipoprotein) and also the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) and quantitative
insulin-sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were determined before and after 2 months of
intervention. Ginger supplementation significantly lowered the levels of insulin (11.02.3
versus 12.13.3; p¼0.001), LDL-C (67.827.2 versus 89.224.9; p¼0.04), TG (127.743.7
versus 128.237.7; p¼0.03) and the HOMA index (3.91.09 versus 4.51.8; p¼0.002) and
increased the QUICKI index (0.3130.012 versus 0.3080.012; p¼0.005) in comparison to the
control group; while, there were no significant changes in FPG, TC, HDL-C and HbA1c (p40.05).
In summary, ginger supplementation improved insulin sensitivity and some fractions of lipid
profile in DM2 patients. Therefore it may be considered as a useful remedy to reduce the
secondary complications of DM2. |