The Effect of a Botanical Plant Extract on Gut Health, Immunity and Metabolic Disorders in Healthy Adults

Double Blind Randomised Placebo Controlled Investigation Into the Effect of Supplementing Plant Extracts on Gut Health, Immunity and Metabolic Disorders in Healthy Adults

There is an enormous increase in diabetes mellitus worldwide, especially in developed countries. Ninety percent of diabetes cases worldwide are of Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) as a result of greater prevalence of sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet and rise of obesity, as well as an increasing number of elderly populations. T2DM can be attributed to relative deficiency of insulin involving insulin resistance, aberrant synthesis of hepatic glucose and progressive deterioration of pancreatic beta-cell functions resulting in chronic hyperglycaemia. A growing amount of evidence has emerged in the last several years linking various nutrients and food sources with a positive management of T2DM. In in vitro studies, various botanical extracts have been found to significantly inhibit the activity of alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase. The inhibition of these enzymes' activity is a rational approach in managing glucose level for borderline and T2DM sufferers as inhibition of both alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase activity can profoundly reduce post-prandial increase in blood plasma glucose concentration following a mixed carbohydrate intake. Excessive levels of blood plasma glucose and free fatty acids impose a stressful condition for pancreatic beta-cells and other insulin sensitive cells resulting in the local secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines causing a continuous low levels of abnormal inflammation that alter insulin's action. As the body becomes less sensitive to insulin, the resulting insulin resistance leads to further inflammation, with more inflammation causing more insulin resistance, causing blood plasma sugar levels to continuously increase, eventually resulting in T2DM. In in vitro animal models, various compounds of botanical origin have also been shown to possess anti-inflammatory activities which can be beneficial in managing T2DM.

The aim of this human intervention study is to evaluate the impact of a botanical-based extract on gut health, immunity and metabolic disorders in healthy adults.

Inclusion criteria

• Females and males, aged 18 years to 65 years
• Body Mass Index (BMI) 27-35 kg/m2
• Not dieting within the last month and not having lost >5% body weight in the previous year
• Not increased physical activity levels in the past 2-4 weeks or intending to modify them during the study
• Understands and is willing, able and likely to comply with all study procedures and restriction including being willing to follow the nutritional advice
• Able to eat most everyday foods
• Habitually consumes three standard meals a day (i.e. breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Exclusion criteria

• Significant health problems (e.g. hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes, GI disorders)
• Taking any medication or supplements known to affect mineral or glucose metabolism within the past month and/or during the study
• Pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding
• History of anaphylaxis to food
• Known allergies or intolerance to foods and/or to the study materials (or closely related compounds) or any of their stated ingredients
• BMI <27 kg/m2 or >35 kg/m2
• Volunteers self-reporting currently dieting or having lost >5% body weight in the previous year
• Participants with abnormal eating behaviour
• Participation in another experimental study or receipt of an investigational drug/product within 30 days of the screening visit
• Volunteers who have significantly changed their physical activity in the past 2-4 weeks or who intend to change them during the study
• Participants receiving systemic or local treatment likely to interfere with the evaluation of the study parameters
• Participants on specific food avoidance diets
• Participants who work in appetite or feeding related areas