In addition to improving insulin function and lowering blood sugar levels, recent research shows that these particular polyphenols also act as antioxidants, guarding the body from the damaging effects of free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive chemicals that may destroy healthy cells and play an active role in many illnesses, including cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Unique to these specific polyphenols, these compounds not only act as antioxidants but also concurrently improve insulin sensitivity, which is critical in the treatment of diabetes.
In a published study of type 2 diabetes patients, these cinnamon-derived polyphenolic compounds significantly reduced blood sugar levels by an average of 18% to 29%, triglycerides (fatty acids in blood) by 23% to 30%, LDL (or ‘bad’) cholesterol by 7% to 27%, and total cholesterol by 12% to 26%. Unlike currently available classes of drugs, there were no side effects reported in the study.
Diabetes pills sold in the US primarily fall into five traditional classes of drugs, and are individually associated with side effects ranging from nausea and gastrointestinal discomfort to liver damage. All five classes of drugs function differently, and no class is associated with antioxidant function.
Most diabetes pills work by stimulating the pancreas to make more insulin, others by decreasing the amount of glucose made by the liver, or by slowing the absorption of starches that are eaten.
Distinct from these conventional drug classes, PhytoMedical, through a collaborative research agreement, is developing a new generation of specific polyphenol compounds that could help restore the normal function of insulin, leading to increased insulin sensitivity and, ultimately, decreased levels of total circulating insulin due to the restoration of insulin efficiency.
Researchers believe these new polyphenol compounds have great potential due to the close link of insulin sensitivity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Classes of compounds to treat these conditions in combination are expected to be more effective than those currently on the market.