Ayurvedic Compound Supports Blood Vessel Health
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Posted on Aug 22, 2014, 6 a.m.
Daily supplementation with ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) may improve endothelial dysfunction, among type-2 diabetics.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an herb used in Ayurvedic medicine. Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences (India) researchers investigated the effects of daily supplementation with ashwagandha, on parameters of type-2 diabetes. Sixty-six men and women with type-2 diabetes were randomly assigned to receive either 250 or 500 mg of an ashwagandha extract twice daily, or placebo. Twelve weeks of supplementation with 500 or 1,000 mg daily of the extract were found to improve endothelial dysfunction. As well, the team observed a significant reduction in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) – a marker of long-term presence of excess glucose in the blood. Markers of oxidative stress were also significantly reduced in the supplemented group.
Usharani P, et al. “Evaluation of a highly standardized Withania sommnifera extract on endothelial dysfunction and biomarkers of oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study.” Intl J Ayurveda Research, 2014(2)3; 22-32.
