Nutr Res Pract.  2008 Jun;2(2):62-67.

Effects of seaweed supplementation on blood glucose concentration, lipid profile, and antioxidant enzyme activities in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

• Kim MS
• Kim JY
• Choi WH
• Lee SS

Abstract

The present study was carried out to evaluate the physiological effects of seaweed supplementation on blood glucose levels, lipid profile, and antioxidant enzyme activities in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Subjects were randomized into either a control group or a seaweed supplementation group. Pills with equal parts of dry powdered sea tangle and sea mustard were provided to the seaweed supplementation group three times a day for 4 weeks. Total daily consumption of seaweed was 48 g. We found that total dietary fiber intake was 2.5 times higher in subjects receiving seaweed supplementation than in the control group. Accordingly, fasting blood glucose levels (p<0.01) and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose measurements (p<0.05) were decreased significantly in those ingesting seaweed. Furthermore, the serum concentrations of triglycerides were decreased and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was increased significantly in seaweed supplement group (p<0.05). However, the concentrations of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were not affected by seaweed supplementation. The level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in erythrocytes was significantly lower with seaweed supplementation compared to controls (p<0.05). Catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities with seaweed supplementation were higher than the controls (p<0.05), but superoxide dismutase activity was not affected. We, therefore, conclude that ingestion of seaweed influences glycemic control, lowers blood lipids, and increases antioxidant enzyme activities.

Keyword

Seaweed; glycemic control; blood lipid levels; antioxidant enzyme activities

MeSH Terms

Blood Glucose
Catalase
Cholesterol
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
Dietary Fiber
Eating
Erythrocytes
Fasting
Glutathione Peroxidase
Humans
Lipoproteins
Mustard Plant
Seaweed
Superoxide Dismutase
Thiobarbiturates
Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
Triglycerides
Blood Glucose
Catalase
Cholesterol
Glutathione Peroxidase
Lipoproteins
Superoxide Dismutase
Thiobarbiturates
Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
Triglycerides

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