Dahlia Extract Was Discovered To Stabilize Blood Sugar Levels
Clinical trials led by the University of Otago have discovered that dahlia flower petal extract can help stabilize the blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes.
Under the guidance of Associate Professor Alexander Tups, a neuroendocrinologist at the Centre for Neuroendocrinology, the team found that inhibition of brain inflammation—often exacerbated by a Western diet—significantly improves blood sugar regulation.
Discovery of an Anti-Inflammatory Plant Molecule
His team then went on to discover an anti-inflammatory plant molecule that acts in the brain and potently improves the ability of the body to process blood sugar.
“We then found that the dahlia plant is a cultivatable source of this molecule and that it contains two additional plant molecules that enhanced the effect of the original one. This specifically blocked brain inflammation and improved blood sugar regulation in preclinical trials,” Associate Professor Tups says.
About 25 percent of the adult population in Aotearoa have prediabetes – a condition where blood glucose levels are slightly elevated, indicating that a person is at risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes. Without intervention, about 70 percent of people go on to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.
Dahlia Extract Blocks Brain Inflammation and Enhances Insulin Sensitivity
In a randomized controlled cross-over clinical trial on participants with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, researchers were able to show that the dahlia extract considerably improved blood sugar regulation.
In preclinical animal studies, researchers were able to reverse brain inflammation, improve sensitivity to the hormone insulin in the brain, and improve blood sugar regulation.
The project started with a grant in 2015 in collaboration with Plant and Food Research and eight years on he considers it a career high, he says.
“As scientists, often our work finishes when we find the mechanism of how something works. So in this case finding three compounds that occur in a flower that in combination improved blood sugar regulation was a dream come true.
“Impaired blood sugar regulation is a debilitating condition affecting millions of people around the world. I hope and I really believe that the outcome of our intensive research will benefit people suffering from this condition.”
The technology has been patented and the research team has worked with Otago Innovation Limited (OIL) and external stakeholders to bring a natural dahlia-extract supplement to the market, aiming to support normal blood sugar and insulin levels.
OIL project lead Dr Graham Strong says the collaboration brings together diverse perspectives, knowledge, and expertise, leading to an innovative and science-based nutraceutical product.
A Science-Backed Supplement for Diabetes Management
“This diversity, along with our and other stakeholder investment, resulted in the launch of a product we are very proud to be associated with.
“The product provides a unique blend of nutritional compounds to support normal blood sugar and insulin levels. The trials showed that this will be useful for those diagnosed with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes to help stop the progression of the condition,” he says.
Reference: “A dahlia flower extract has anti-diabetic properties by improving insulin function in the brain” by Dominik Pretz, Philip M Heyward, Jeremy Krebs, Joel Gruchot, Charles Barter, Pat Silcock, Nerida Downes, Mohammed Zubair Rizwan, Alisa Boucsein, Julia Bender, Elaine J Burgess, Geke Aline Boer, Pramuk Keerthisinghe, Nigel B Perry and Alexander Tups, 18 June 2023, Life Metabolism.
DOI: 10.1093/lifemeta/load026
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4 Comments
This sounds goood, will anyone be able to afford it????😁
If you truly want to completely reverse Type 2 Diabetes as well as reduce insulin requirements in Type 1 Diabetes (rather than wasting your time on half measures that never address the underlying root cause) , the former of which has unequivocally been shown to be due to saturated fats from oils and animal products leading to underlying insulin resistance, then simply adopt a 100% whole food plant based no oil diet as has been shown by Dr John Mcdougall, Dr Neal Barnard and colleagues repeatedly for the last 40 years. They have shown that many of those with years of T2D, whose pancreas is still functional, can reverse T2D in a matter of a few weeks on this diet.
Google “dahlia flower edible?” and you’ll have your answer about affordability.
We’re too dependent on commercial, industrialized food with extended shelf lives that are limiting the diversity of our nutrients.
Can diabetics 2 be reversed after 15 years on metformin ?