Increasing the immunity of diabetics
Dhaka University and Bangladesh Institute of Research & Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (BIRDEM) General Hospital conducted a joint research that found that "Karkuma Immune Plus," a turmeric-based functional food, can increase the immunity of diabetic patients by 27%, says a press release.
The research highlighted that Type-2 diabetic patients are vulnerable to various diseases and take a long time to recover. The curcumin in turmeric, which is an active ingredient, reduces oxidative stress in the body and boosts antioxidant levels, contributing to the functional food's effectiveness.
The research shows that "Karkuma Immune Plus" can reduce oxidative stress in high-risk diabetic patients without any negative side effects. Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance of reactive oxygen species and antioxidants in the body. This condition can damage important cell components such as proteins, lipids, and DNA.
Professor Dr Khaleda Islam, Director of Institute of the Nutrition and Food Science, University of Dhaka was the principal investigator of this research. She emphasised the importance of disease resistance, especially in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The research on "Karkuma Immune Plus" was conducted as a means to increase disease resistance in patients with non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cancer. As lifestyle, longevity, and treatment have evolved, it is crucial to focus on preventing diseases through food and other natural methods, in addition to medicine. "Karkuma Immune Plus" is considered a functional food, which is more than just a complete meal or medicine, the study group claimed.
Dr Khaleda further added, "Karkuma Immune Plus" is a functional food made from several natural ingredients, including turmeric. These ingredients are sourced from outside the country and are much stronger than regular turmeric or other commonly used ingredients. The turmeric used in the product is a special type with much greater strength. The product is made into capsule form using ingredients like cloves, cinnamon, and black pepper.
The research on Karkuma Immune Plus was conducted on type 2 diabetic patients, as they have a weakened immune system. The study found that the functional food increased the immunity of diabetic patients by 27%, indicating that it could be effective for non-diabetic patients as well.
However, it works as a blood thinner, so those already taking blood thinners should consult their doctors before taking it. If any allergic reactions occur after consumption, the product should be stopped. This was stated by Dr Khaleda Islam.
The research was conducted on 94 diabetic patients between the ages of 18 and 60 years old. After 30 days of observation, it was found that consuming Karkuma Immune Plus resulted in a 23% decrease in the biomarker for oxidative stress (MDA) and a 45%, 63%, and 58% increase in the biomarkers for antioxidants (TAC, SOD, and GSTM1) respectively.