A new study from Iran has revealed that turmeric and vitamin D might help people with type 2 diabetes keep their blood pressure under control.
This research comes from Urmia University of Medical Sciences and adds to growing interest in using natural supplements to support traditional treatments for chronic diseases like diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the body struggles to use insulin properly, leading to high blood sugar. It’s very common around the world, especially among older adults, and can lead to serious health problems like heart disease, kidney damage, and vision loss.
One major risk for people with type 2 diabetes is high blood pressure, which can make these complications even worse. That’s why managing blood pressure is just as important as controlling blood sugar for people with diabetes.
This study focused on two natural substances: turmeric and vitamin D. Turmeric is a yellow spice often used in Indian and Asian cooking. It contains a compound called curcumin, which has been studied for its ability to reduce inflammation and improve health in various ways.
Vitamin D, on the other hand, is known for helping the body absorb calcium and keep bones strong. People get it from sunlight, some foods like fish and eggs, or from supplements. Vitamin D also has anti-inflammatory effects and helps the immune system.
In the study, 80 adults with type 2 diabetes and low levels of vitamin D took part. The researchers divided them into four groups.
Over a period of 12 weeks, each group received a different treatment: one group took only turmeric, another took only vitamin D, a third group took both, and the last group received a placebo (a pill with no active ingredient). This setup helped scientists figure out exactly how each supplement affected blood pressure.
The results were interesting. People who took vitamin D alone saw a clear drop in both the top and bottom numbers of their blood pressure (known as systolic and diastolic pressure). Those who took turmeric saw a strong improvement in their diastolic pressure—the lower number.
When both supplements were taken together, the benefits focused more on diastolic pressure. However, the positive effect of vitamin D on systolic pressure was not as strong when taken with turmeric.
These findings suggest that turmeric and vitamin D may offer extra help for people trying to manage their blood pressure alongside diabetes. Still, the researchers caution that more studies are needed. Also, people should not try these supplements without first talking to a doctor, especially since the right dose can vary from person to person.
Eating a healthy diet is also key in managing diabetes. Foods like olive oil can help lower cholesterol, and honey in small amounts may help control blood sugar. People can also add turmeric and vitamin D to their diet naturally. Turmeric can be found in curry dishes, and vitamin D is in fatty fish, eggs, and foods like milk or cereal that have been fortified.
In the end, this study gives hope that natural supplements like turmeric and vitamin D might become helpful tools in the fight against diabetes. They are not a cure, but they might support the body in staying healthy and keeping blood pressure under control.
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