A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Study to Evaluate Postprandial Glucometabolic Effects of Mulberry Leaf Extract, Vitamin D, Chromium, and Fiber in People with Type 2 Diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: Reducing postprandial (PP) hyperglycemia and PP glucose excursions is important for overall glycemic management. Although most therapeutic lifestyle interventions that reduce caloric intake would affect this, there is no particular nutritional intervention favored. METHODS: We evaluated the effects of a novel natural food adjuvant combining mulberry leaf extract (MLE) with other bioactive ingredients, in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) originating from Asia, on improving PP glucometabolic response in a randomized controlled exploratory crossover, two-center study (USA, Singapore). A 2-g blend of 250 mg MLE [containing 12.5 mg of 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ)], fiber (1.75 g), vitamin D3 (0.75 µg), and chromium (75 µg), compared with a similar blend without the MLE, was sprinkled over a 350-kcal breakfast meal (55.4 g carbs) and PP blood glucose (primary exploratory endpoint), insulin, and incretin hormones (GLP-1, GIP) were evaluated in blood samples over 3 h. Changes in incremental areas under the concentration curve (iAUC) and maximum concentrations (Cmax) were compared. RESULTS: Thirty individuals (12 women, mean age 59 years, HbA1c 7.1%, BMI 26.5 kg/m2) were enrolled and the MLE-based blend relative to the blend without MLE significantly reduced glucose iAUC at 1 h (- 20%, p < 0.0001), 2 h (- 17%, p = 0.0001), and 3 h (- 15%, p = 0.0032) and Cmax [mean (95% CI) difference - 0.8 (- 1.2, - 0.3) mmol/L, p = 0.0006]. A statistically significant reduction in 1 h insulin iAUC (- 24%, p = 0.0236) was observed, but this reduction was no longer present at either 2 h or 3 h. No difference in GLP-1 was seen, but GIP response (iAUC and Cmax) was less with the MLE-based blend. CONCLUSIONS: The observation of a significant glucose reduction paralleled with a significant lower insulin response supports a reduced gastrointestinal glucose absorption. These results support the use of a 2-g natural blend of MLE, fiber, vitamin D, and chromium in T2D as a convenient dietary adjuvant to improve PP glucometabolic response. CLINICALTRIALS: gov identifier NCT04877366.

It is generally accepted that addressing lifestyle factors represents the initial step for treatment of type 2 diabetes. This includes an evaluation of how to optimize physical exercise and diet. However, although most diets that reduce caloric intake would affect sugar levels, there is no particular nutritional intervention favored, and choices depend on factors such as cost, preference, availabilities, and scientific evidence. A multiingredient food adjuvant blend for support of blood sugar levels combined mulberry leaf extract with fiber, vitamin D, and chromium, and was developed with the intended use to be sprinkled on and consumed with a meal. In this study involving 30 people with type 2 diabetes (mean age 59 years, glycated hemoglobin 7.1%, body mass index 26.5 kg/m²) originating from Asia, a 2-g blend of these ingredients was sprinkled over a 350-kcal breakfast meal rich in carbohydrates (55.4 g) and compared to a similar blend without the MLE. Blood sugar spikes following the meal were reduced by 15­20% over an observation period of 3 h. Thus, such a mulberry leaf extract-based blend, which also is a source of fiber, vitamin D, and chromium, may represent a convenient dietary support to improve sugar levels after a meal.

Impact of Carbohydrate Counting Method during Pregnancy in Women with Pregestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Controlled Clinical Trial / Impacto do método de contagem de carboidratos em gestantes com diabetes mellitus prévio: Um ensaio clínico controlado

Abstract Objective To evaluate the effect of the carbohydrate counting method (CCM) on glycemic control,maternal, and perinatal outcomes of pregnant women with pregestational diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods Nonrandomized controlled clinical trial performed with 89 pregnant women who had pregestational DMand received prenatal care in a public hospital in Rio de Janeiro, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between 2009 and 2014, subdivided into historic control group and intervention group, not simultaneous. The intervention group (n=51) received nutritional guidance from the carbohydrate counting method (CCM), and the historical control group (n=38), was guided by the traditionalmethod (TM). The Mann-Whitney test or the Wilcoxon test were used to compare intra- and intergroup outcomes andanalysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures, corrected by the Bonferroni post-hoc test,was used to assess postprandial blood glucose. Results Only the CCM group showed a reduction in fasting blood glucose. Postprandial blood glucose decreased in the 2nd (p=0.00) and 3rd (p=0.00) gestational trimester in the CCM group, while in the TM group the reduction occurred only in the 2nd trimester (p=0.015). For perinatal outcomes and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, there were no differences between groups. Cesarean delivery was performed in 82% of the pregnant women and was associated with hypertensive disorders (gestational hypertension or pre-eclampsia; p=0.047). Conclusion Both methods of nutritional guidance contributed to the reduction of postprandial glycemia of women and no differences were observed for maternal and perinatal outcomes. However, CCM had a better effect on postprandial glycemia and only this method contributed to reducing fasting blood glucose throughout the intervention. ReBEC Clinical Trials Database The present study was registered in the ReBEC Clinical Trials Database (Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos, number RBR-524z9n).

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar o efeito do método de contagem de carboidratos no controle glicêmico, desfechos maternos e perinatais de gestantes com diabetes mellitus (DM) pré-gestacional. Métodos Ensaio clínico controlado não randomizado realizado com 89 gestantes com DM pré-gestacional atendidas em hospital público do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil, entre 2009 e 2014, divididas emgrupo controle histórico e grupo intervenção. O grupo intervenção (n=51) recebeu orientação nutricional combase nométodo de contagem de carboidratos (CCM) e o grupo controle histórico (n=38) foi orientado pelo método tradicional (MT). Os testes de Mann-Whitney ou de Wilcoxon foram usados para comparar os desfechos intra- e intergrupos e, para avaliar a glicemia pós-prandial, análise de variância (ANOVA, na sigla em inglês) para medidas repetidas foi usada. Resultados Somente o grupo com método CCM apresentou redução da glicemia de jejum. A glicemia pós-prandial diminuiu no 2° (p=0,00) e 3° (p=0,00) trimestres gestacionais no grupo com método CCM, e no grupo com método tradicional, a redução ocorreu apenas no 2° trimestre (p=0,015). Para os resultados perinatais e distúrbios hipertensivos da gravidez, não houve diferenças entre os grupos. O parto cirúrgico foi realizado em 82% das gestantes e esteve associado a distúrbios hipertensivos gestacionais (p=0,047). Conclusão Ambos osmétodos de orientação nutricional contribuírampara a redução da glicemia pós-prandial e não foram observadas diferenças para os resultados maternos e perinatais. No entanto, o método CCM apresentou melhor efeito sobre a glicemia pós-prandial e foi o único que induziu redução da glicemia de jejum.