Diabetes deterrent

A marine delicacy, loved across Asia, is also proving to be a key ingredient in preventing diabetes, according to new research from an Australian university.

In New Zealand, it is currently estimated that the number of people diagnosed with diabetes (predominantly type 2 diabetes) exceeds 250,000 people. Experts says that almost 60% of all cases of type 2 diabetes may be delayed, or prevented, with changes to diet and lifestyle.
Researchers at the University of South Australia, exploring the medicinal properties of sea cucumbers (Holothuria scabra), found that processed dried sea cucumber with salt extracts can inhibit a compound that is associated with increased risk of diabetes, thereby reducing the likelihood of the disease.
To date, there is no commercially available therapeutic agent to inhibit the formation of this compound, called Advanced Glycation End product (AGE). AGEs form when proteins and/or fats combine with sugars in the bloodstream. When accumulated in high levels, they increase diabetic complications, including heart disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, kidney disease, and cancer.
Lead researcher, UniSA’s Dr Permal Deo says understanding how the bioactive compounds in sea cucumbers (pictured above) can inhibit AGEs could protect against these diseases.
“Biologically active novel compounds in medicinal plants and foods are potential therapeutic agents to prevent diabetic complications,” he says. “Sea cucumbers are known to have a range of therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, so we wanted to explore their bioactive compounds as AGE inhibitors.
“We found that processed dried sea cucumber with salt
extracts and collagen can significantly inhibit AGEs by lowering a range of sugar related metabolites in the body and reducing the risk of diabetes.”
“These results provide sound evidence that sea cucumbers could be developed as a functional food product to help battle the onset of diabetes and diabetic-complications.”