In order for carbohydrates to be absorbed from food, they first must be broken down into
smaller sugar particles such as glucose. Enzymes in the small intestine are responsible for
breaking down these carbohydrates. Alpha-glucosidase is one of these enzymes. Inhibiting
this enzyme cuts down on the absorption of sugar calories from food. Some herbs such as
Phaseolus Vulgaris and Salacia oblonga have the ability to attach to alpha-glucosidase and
decrease the absorption of starch calories.
Thirty-nine healthy nondiabetic adults in their mid-twenties fasted for 12 hours. They then
consumed 4 liquid meals containing 14 grams of fat, 82 grams of carbohydrate, and 20 grams
of protein. They were placed on various dosages of an herb (Salacia oblonga) that inhibits
the enzyme alpha-glucosidase (none, 500mg, 700mg, and 1,000mg) with each meal. Compared with
none, the 1,000mg serving reduced blood sugar and serum insulin as measured over the first
2 hours. Blood sugar was reduced by 23% and serum insulin was reduced by 29%. The herb
reduced postprandial blood sugar and significantly reduced the insulin response. The study
is published in the January 2005 issue of the journal of the American Dietetic
Association.
Soy Isoflavones Protect Bone in Japanese Women
67 women were randomly placed on soy isoflavones 40mg, vitamin C at 25mg, or a placebo
daily for 4 weeks in a double-blind study. The soy isoflavones significantly decreased
levels of deoxypyridinoline in the urine of both premenopausal and postmenopausal women.
Deoxypyridinoline is a marker of bone break down, and a decreased amount in the urine
indicates that there is a decreased risk of osteoporosis. The study is published in a
supplement to the December 2004 issue of the journal Clinical and Experimental
Pharmacology and Physiology.
