Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and excessive insulin production (hyperinsulinemia). Insulin resistance occurs when cells lose their sensitivity to insulin, the hormone responsible for lowering blood sugar levels. As a result, the body produces and stores excessive amounts of insulin in an attempt to compensate for its reduced effectiveness. This imbalance contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes, a growing health issue worldwide. It is estimated that in the next 20 years, the number of people affected by this condition may increase by up to 50%. Maintaining blood glucose levels within the normal range is crucial to preventing diabetes-related complications, such as ischemic heart disease and diabetic kidney disease.
Despite the availability of oral medications to lower blood sugar levels, many patients continue to struggle with chronic high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). This may be due to poor adherence to dietary recommendations or side effects from their medications. In such cases, nutritional supplements with anti-diabetic effects can be beneficial. One such supplement is silymarin, a natural compound found in milk thistle (Silybum marianum), which possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Supplementing with silymarin may support proper insulin function and improve blood sugar control.
In 2018, researchers from the Iranian Diabetes Society in East Azerbaijan and the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism at the University of Tabriz conducted a clinical trial to investigate the effect of silymarin supplementation on fasting blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity. The study involved 40 participants (20 women and 20 men) aged 25 to 50 years who had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at least six months prior to the study. Participants were randomly assigned to either a silymarin group or a placebo group. Those in the research group received 140 mg of silymarin three times a day for 45 days. Data regarding the health status of participants was collected both at the beginning and the end of the study.
The results revealed a significant decrease in fasting blood sugar levels in the group supplementing with silymarin. Furthermore, the insulin sensitivity index also increased significantly. These improvements are likely due to the antioxidant properties of silymarin, which reduce harmful oxidative stress in pancreatic cells that are responsible for insulin production. Additionally, silymarin may inhibit cellular processes that lead to insulin resistance, thereby enhancing sensitivity to this hormone. Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that supplementing with silymarin from milk thistle can help individuals with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels and prevent complications associated with the disease.
Based on:
Soraiya Ebrahimpour-koujan, Bahram Pourghassem Gargari, Majid Mobasseri, Hadi Valizadeh, Mohammad Asghari-Jafarabadi; Lower glycemic indices and lipid profile among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who received novel dose of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (silymarin) extract supplement: A Triple-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial; Phytomedicine, Volume 44, 2018, 39-44
