Combination of Zinc and Curcumin May Help Improve Blood Sugar Parameters

Prediabetes is a health condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. According to a recent study, supplementation with zinc and curcumin may help improve blood sugar and insulin levels in pre-diabetics.

Eighty-two overweight or obese adults who were pre-diabetic participated in the study. They received 500 mg of curcumin, 30 mg of zinc, 500 mg of curcumin and 30 mg of zinc, or a placebo daily for 3 months. The researchers measured fasting plasma glucose, 2-hour postprandial glucose, insulin, insulin sensitivity, insulin resistance, and BMI at baseline and at the end of the study period.

Participants in all 3 supplement groups saw improvements in fasting plasma glucose, 2-hour postprandial glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance compared to the placebo group. The most significant improvements were seen in participants in the zinc and curcumin group. Participants in the zinc only and the zinc and curcumin groups also saw improvements in BMI compared to the placebo group.

The study was conducted by researchers from the Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. It was published online ahead of print on April 23, 2021 in the journal Phytotherapy Research.