Beneficial Effects Of Aloe on Diabetes
by Matthew Constantin, PhD
The frequency of diabetes, a disease linked to obesity and physical inactivity, is increasing at an alarming pace in the western world. The Center of Disease Control has suggested that “we [Americans] are eating ourselves into a diabetes epidemic.” Diabetes occurrence increased 40% from 1990 to 1999, paralleling obesity rate, which increased 66% during the same period.
How can diabetes be treated? Of particular interest to those with diabetes is the recommendation by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute according to which: “Weight loss is recommended to lower elevated blood glucose levels in overweight and obese persons with type 2 diabetes”. Interestingly, during the past 20 years, a number of scientific reports have demonstrated that Aloe preparations have beneficial effects on diabetes.
Aloe Vera: A Medicinal Herb
The therapeutic properties of Aloe vera have been known for centuries. Although it is not certain when its medical applications where first discovered, Aloe vera has been long associated with the cosmetic and alternative medicine industries because of its soothing, moisturizing and healing properties. This succulent plant, that originated probably in Africa and then introduced to various parts of southern Europe, China, India and Pakistan, is being used in a wide range of medical conditions.
Aloe Vera has been mentioned in more than 400 scientific studies, many of which have focused on its cosmetic and therapeutic effectiveness. Although some of results have been contradictory, the cumulative evidence supports the use of Aloe vera in a number of medical conditions. These include relief from digestive issues (heartburn and irritable bowel syndrome), treatment of wounds, healing of first or second degree burns [1], improved blood glucose levels in diabetics [2], lowered blood lipids in patients with elevated serum lipid concentrations, treatment of genital herpes, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis and much more.
Anti-diabetic Effect of Aloe Vera – A Scientific Study
A recent study [3] published in the March 2009 edition of the peer-reviewed journal Phytomedicine examined the effect of a processed Aloe vera gel on the course of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). The NIDDM type of diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. It manifests itself in more than 90% of diabetes patients. Recent estimates bring the number of people affected by the disease by 2010 to approximately 220 million.
The study used a mouse of model of NIDDM, which has been shown to closely resemble the human form of the disease. The mice were fed with high-fat diet for 21 weeks, which resulted in a 30% increase in their body weight, and then separated randomly into two groups. One group was orally administered Aloe vera for 8 weeks while it continued its high-fat diet. The other group (control) continued its high-fat diet as well, but did not consume any Aloe vera.
Aloe Vera Lowers Glucose, Triglycerides and Insulin Levels in Diabetic Mice
Two weeks after the introduction of the Aloe vera to the diet of the first group of mice, the anti-hyperglycemic effects of Aloe vera were apparent. Fasting blood glucose concentration was reduced to a normal level despite the continued access to the high-fat diet. After 8 weeks of Aloe vera treatment, the levels of triglycerides in liver and blood decreased significantly, and so did plasma insulin concentrations.
Effects of Aloe Vera on Fat Mass
The 21-week period of high-fat diet increased the fat mass of mice as demonstrated by the increase in the size of fat-storing cells (adipocytes). However, the subsequent 8-week Aloe-vera-high-fat diet resulted in 30% decrease of the average size of adipocytes, making these fat-storing cells comparable in size to the ones in normal mice.
This is the first study to report anti-diabetic activity in a mouse model of diabetes that is broadly recognized to mimick the human non-insulin dependendt diabetes mellitus condition. The authors conclude that further studies are necessary to indentify the active component responsible for the anti-diabetic activity of Aloe vera.
Matthew Constantin is a scientist with a specific interest in obesity and related diseases. Matthew keeps abreast of all that is happening in the research filed of obesity and weight loss. Aloe vera is believed to be an important aid in the battle against many human diseases including obesity. Matthew enjoys writing articles about weight loss programs in his website where he also offers a promotional code for Medifast discount, a Nutrisystem savings code and a BistroMD coupon, three medically designed anti-obesity and anti-diabetic diet plans, available only in the US.
References
1. Maenthaisong R, Chaiyakunapruk N, Niruntraporn S et al. (2007). “The efficacy of aloe vera for burn wound healing: a systematic review.” Burns. 33:713-718.
2. Yongchaiyudha S et al (1996) Antidiabetic activity of Aloe vera L juice. I. Clinical trial in new cases of diabetes mellitus. Phytomedicine 3: 241–243.
3. Kwanghee Kim et al (2009). Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of processed Aloe vera gel in a mouse model of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
