Ashitaba for Weight Loss & Heart Health? Research Says...
Quick Summary: Research suggests that Ashitaba, a plant used in traditional medicine, may help reduce a protein linked to blood clots and improve weight management in obese mice. This could potentially benefit people at risk for heart problems.
Ashitaba's Potential Benefits: What the Research Shows
This study looked at how Ashitaba's yellow sap (called "exudate") affects mice with obesity and diabetes. The researchers found that Ashitaba:
- Reduced a protein called PAI-1: High levels of PAI-1 in the blood can increase the risk of blood clots, which can lead to heart problems. Ashitaba helped lower these levels.
- Improved weight management: The mice taking Ashitaba gained less weight and had less fat.
- Lowered other markers: Ashitaba also helped reduce levels of glucose (sugar), insulin, and inflammation markers in the blood.
Study Details
- Who was studied: Mice with obesity and diabetes (TSOD mice) and lean, healthy mice (TSNO mice).
- How long: The study doesn't specify the exact duration, but it was long enough to observe changes in weight and blood markers.
- What they took: The obese mice were given Ashitaba yellow exudate.
What This Means For You
While this research was done on mice, it suggests that Ashitaba could have some promising benefits for people:
- Heart Health: By potentially lowering PAI-1, Ashitaba might help reduce the risk of blood clots and heart disease.
- Weight Management: The study indicates Ashitaba could help with weight loss and fat reduction.
- Blood Sugar Control: Ashitaba may help improve blood sugar control, which is important for people with diabetes or pre-diabetes.
Important Note: More research is needed to confirm these benefits in humans. Always talk to your doctor before starting any new supplements or making significant changes to your diet.
Study Limitations
- Animal Study: This research was done on mice, so the results may not be exactly the same for humans.
- Specific Extract: The study used a specific extract of Ashitaba (the yellow exudate). Other forms of Ashitaba might not have the same effects.
- More Research Needed: Further studies are needed to determine the optimal dosage and long-term effects of Ashitaba in humans.
Technical Analysis Details
Key Findings
The study demonstrated that Ashitaba yellow exudate (AE) significantly reduced plasma PAI-1 levels in Tsumura Suzuki obese diabetic (TSOD) mice, a model for obesity and diabetes. AE also decreased food efficiency (weight gain per food intake), body weight, subcutaneous and mesenteric fat weights, and plasma biomarkers including glucose, insulin, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in TSOD mice. In contrast, AE had minimal effects on lean Tsumura Suzuki nonobese (TSNO) mice. Adipose tissue PAI-1 levels were markedly higher in TSOD mice compared to TSNO mice, and AE suppressed PAI-1 protein expression in the liver of both groups.
Original Study Reference
Ashitaba (Angelica Keiskei) Exudate Prevents Increases in Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Induced by Obesity in Tsumura Suzuki Obese Diabetic Mice.
Source: PubMed
Published: 2019-01-01
📄 Read Full Study (PMID: 29708806)