American Ginseng & Fiber for Diabetes: Does it Help?

clinical-trial PMID: 28687934

Quick Summary: A study found that taking American ginseng and a konjac fiber blend together helped people with type 2 diabetes lower their blood sugar and "bad" cholesterol. This was in addition to their regular diabetes treatment.

What The Research Found

Researchers looked at how American ginseng and a special fiber blend affected people with type 2 diabetes. They found that taking both together:

Lowered HbA1c: This is a measure of average blood sugar over time. The combination lowered it by a noticeable amount.

Improved Cholesterol: "Bad" cholesterol (LDL) also went down.

Safe to Use: No serious side effects were reported.

Study Details

Who was studied: 30 adults with type 2 diabetes.

How long: The study lasted 12 weeks.

What they took: Participants took a daily dose of:

Konjac fiber blend (6 grams)
American ginseng (3 grams)

What This Means For You

If you have type 2 diabetes, this research suggests that adding American ginseng and a konjac fiber blend to your routine might help:

Better Blood Sugar Control: This could mean fewer blood sugar spikes and a lower average blood sugar level.

Healthier Cholesterol: Lowering LDL cholesterol is good for your heart health.

Talk to Your Doctor: Always discuss any new supplements with your doctor, especially if you're already taking diabetes medication. They can help you decide if this is right for you and monitor your progress.

Study Limitations

It's important to keep these things in mind:

Small Study: The study only included a small number of people, so the results might not apply to everyone.

Short Timeframe: The study lasted only 12 weeks. We don't know if the benefits would last longer.

More Research Needed: While promising, more research is needed to confirm these findings and understand the best way to use these supplements.

Key Findings

The study found that co-administration of konjac-glucomannan-based fiber blend (KGB) and American ginseng (AG) significantly reduced HbA1c levels by 0.5% (from 7.1% to 6.7%) compared to baseline and a wheat bran-based control. LDL cholesterol decreased by 0.3 mmol/L (p=0.01), while HDL and triglycerides remained unchanged. No serious adverse effects were reported, indicating safety and tolerability.

Study Design

This was a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial conducted at St. Michael’s Hospital (Toronto) from 2002–2003. Thirty-nine adults with type 2 diabetes (HbA1c 6.5–8.4%) were enrolled, and 30 completed both 12-week intervention phases. Participants maintained stable medications, diet, and lifestyle. Interventions included daily KGB (6g fiber) + AG (3g) versus a wheat bran-based, fiber-matched control.

Dosage & Administration

Participants received 6g/day of KGB fiber (as a blend of konjac-glucomannan and other fibers) and 3g/day of American ginseng (AG) in capsule form, administered alongside meals. The crossover design ensured each participant received both interventions (KGB+AG and control) in randomized order, separated by a washout period (duration unspecified).

Results & Efficacy

HbA1c: KGB+AG reduced HbA1c by 0.5% (95% CI not provided, p=0.002) compared to control.
LDL Cholesterol: Decreased by 0.3 mmol/L with KGB+AG (p=0.01).
Other Lipids: No significant changes in HDL or triglycerides.
Safety: No serious adverse events; mild gastrointestinal symptoms reported in both groups.
The combination demonstrated moderate but statistically significant improvements in glycemic control and LDL levels.

Limitations

Sample Size: Only 30 participants completed the trial (18 men, 12 women; mean age 64±7 years), limiting generalizability.
Duration: 12-week intervention may be insufficient to assess long-term efficacy or sustainability.
Control Group: Wheat bran fiber could have independent metabolic effects, potentially underestimating the true benefit of KGB+AG.
Publication Delay: Conducted in 2002–2003 but published in 2018, raising questions about timeliness and reproducibility.
Mechanistic Clarity: Synergistic mechanisms of KGB and AG were not explored.

Clinical Relevance

For individuals with type 2 diabetes on conventional therapy, adding KGB fiber (6g/day) and American ginseng (3g/day) may offer incremental benefits in lowering HbA1c and LDL cholesterol. The 0.5% HbA1c reduction is clinically meaningful, as a 1% decrease is linked to reduced diabetes complications. However, the modest sample size and short duration suggest further research is needed before broad recommendations. Supplements should be used cautiously under medical supervision, as they may interact with medications or require dietary adjustments.

Note: This analysis is specific to the referenced trial (NCT02806349). Results may not apply to other formulations, dosages, or populations.