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A berry, some juice and other foods containing the natural chemical anthocynin could one day become treatment for diabetes.
Human nutrition researcher Marie Camire and graduate student Amy Henderson are studying the effects that fruits containing anthocynins have on the body. Two types of diabetes occur in Maine, and under the nutrition department, and with the assistance of a $61,700 grant from Gustavus & Louis Research Foundation, Henderson will work to discover which foods help fight off the Type 2 diabetes.
Participants in the study have been screened and have insulin levels that qualify as pre-diabetic.
“When we screened, we had 56 respond to the advertisements. Only 19 met the criteria of pre-diabetic,” said Henderson.
Subjects are incorporating two servings of cranberries, blueberries, juices and other items from a prescribed list of foods with anthocyanin into their diets.
The hypothesis is that anthocyanin will work directly on fat cells to increase the body’s insulin sensitivity and keep blood sugar down. Studies on lab mice in Japan have shown these results, and UMaine is pioneering the research on humans.
“We hope to see the same change in glucose levels,” said Camire. “The research will provide information about the disease, potential treatments and prevention.”
Along with insulin, Henderson uses a machine that tests for high-density lipoproteins, low-density lipoproteins, total cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose levels. Henderson also observes weight, waist and blood pressure and notes any changes. Another hypothesis of the study is that there are potential benefits for losing weight.
Henderson compiled 11 females and eight males, all of which come in for lab work. Lab work consists of blood samples in order for Henderson to separate out the bulk of the ingredients. She then compiles the information into spreadsheets for comparison and analysis.
The grant covers three months of the study, at which point Henderson will present her data to the Society for Nutrition at its annual meeting in San Francisco this April.
Henderson and Camire will also attempt to gain federal grant money for expansion of the research. If the project succeeds, there will be at least 125 participants in the next group of subjects.
“It’s easy to diet for one month,” said Camire, “but the study needs long-term data.”
Bangor Daily News