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Saffron Combined with Aerobic Exercise to address Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Rajabi et al. conducted extensive research on type-2 diabetes patients to investigate the effect of aerobic training and Saffron supplementation for two months.
Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin production and secretion or insulin resistance. Type 1 DM is induced by an autoimmune reaction in which the body's immune system attacks insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. Type 2 DM (T2DM) is caused by the inability of beta cells to completely react to insulin, a condition called ‘insulin resistance’, which could be an outcome of obesity. However, according to the World Health Organization, T2DM is the most prevalent form, accounting for approximately 90% of all diabetes cases. It also increases inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha.
Physical inactivity is one factor that contributes to T2DM. If left untreated in the long term, T2DM may harm many organs, contributing to debilitating and life-threatening health problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetic neuropathy, nephrology, and retinopathy. Until now, there has been no cure for T2DM, but aerobic training (AT), eating well, and some supplements have been suggested to help control the disease. Therefore, Rajabi et al. conducted extensive research on T2DM patients to investigate the effect of AT and Saffron supplementation for two months.
In a quasi-experimental study conducted in Kermanshah, Iran, 32 middle-aged obese women having T2DM were randomly divided into four groups:
- Saffron + training (ST) (n = 8)
- Placebo + training (PT) (n = 8)
- Saffron supplementation (SS) (n = 8)
- Placebo (P) (n = 8)
For eight weeks, Saffron was supplemented once a day as capsules of 400 mg in both the ST and SS groups. The PT and ST groups were subjected to three AT weekly sessions at 60–75% Heart Rate max (HRmax). It is important to note that the nutritional data of all participants were recorded. The participant's body weight, body mass index (BMI), and body fat percentage were measured. Blood samples were collected after 12 h of fasting, 48 h before the first AT session (pre-test), 48 h after the last AT session (post-test), and two weeks after the last AT session (follow-up). Serum levels of adiponectin, resistin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), glucose, insulin, and irisin were assessed by ELISA. While lipid profile–cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) were enzymatically measured.
Researchers found a significant decrease in BMI, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, and serum levels of insulin, adiponectin, IL-6, and HDL-C in the AT, SS, and ST groups (p-value < 0.05). However, significant changes were evident only in body weight, body fat percentage, and serum levels of glucose, resistin, TNF-α, irisin, and LDL-C in the ST group. In addition, a significant difference was observed between all factors post-training and at follow-up in the ST group.
In conclusion, AT and saffron supplementation at 400mg/day could reduce inflammation, improve metabolism and lipid profile, and alleviate insulin resistance and body composition in T2DM patients.
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Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin production and secretion or insulin resistance. Type 1 DM is induced by an autoimmune reaction in which the body's immune system attacks insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. Type 2 DM (T2DM) is caused by the inability of beta cells to completely react to insulin, a condition called ‘insulin resistance’, which could be an outcome of obesity. However, according to the World Health Organization, T2DM is the most prevalent form, accounting for approximately 90% of all diabetes cases. It also increases inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha.
Physical inactivity is one factor that contributes to T2DM. If left untreated in the long term, T2DM may harm many organs, contributing to debilitating and life-threatening health problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetic neuropathy, nephrology, and retinopathy. Until now, there has been no cure for T2DM, but aerobic training (AT), eating well, and some supplements have been suggested to help control the disease. Therefore, Rajabi et al. conducted extensive research on T2DM patients to investigate the effect of AT and Saffron supplementation for two months.
In a quasi-experimental study conducted in Kermanshah, Iran, 32 middle-aged obese women having T2DM were randomly divided into four groups:
- Saffron + training (ST) (n = 8)
- Placebo + training (PT) (n = 8)
- Saffron supplementation (SS) (n = 8)
- Placebo (P) (n = 8)
For eight weeks, Saffron was supplemented once a day as capsules of 400 mg in both the ST and SS groups. The PT and ST groups were subjected to three AT weekly sessions at 60–75% Heart Rate max (HRmax). It is important to note that the nutritional data of all participants were recorded. The participant's body weight, body mass index (BMI), and body fat percentage were measured. Blood samples were collected after 12 h of fasting, 48 h before the first AT session (pre-test), 48 h after the last AT session (post-test), and two weeks after the last AT session (follow-up). Serum levels of adiponectin, resistin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), glucose, insulin, and irisin were assessed by ELISA. While lipid profile–cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) were enzymatically measured.
Researchers found a significant decrease in BMI, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, and serum levels of insulin, adiponectin, IL-6, and HDL-C in the AT, SS, and ST groups (p-value < 0.05). However, significant changes were evident only in body weight, body fat percentage, and serum levels of glucose, resistin, TNF-α, irisin, and LDL-C in the ST group. In addition, a significant difference was observed between all factors post-training and at follow-up in the ST group.
In conclusion, AT and saffron supplementation at 400mg/day could reduce inflammation, improve metabolism and lipid profile, and alleviate insulin resistance and body composition in T2DM patients.
Article reviewed by
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Dr. Ana Baroni MD. Ph.D.
Scientific & Medical Advisor
Quality Garant
Ana has over 20 years of consultancy experience in longevity, regenerative and precision medicine. She has a multifaceted understanding of genomics, molecular biology, clinical biochemistry, nutrition, aging markers, hormones and physical training. This background allows her to bridge the gap between longevity basic sciences and evidence-based real interventions, putting them into the clinic, to enhance the healthy aging of people. She is co-founder of Origen.life, and Longevityzone. Board member at Breath of Health, BioOx and American Board of Clinical Nutrition. She is Director of International Medical Education of the American College of Integrative Medicine, Professor in IL3 Master of Longevity at Barcelona University and Professor of Nutrigenomics in Nutrition Grade in UNIR University.
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