Artichoke Extract May Help With Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Diabetes
Artichoke Extract has been used in Japan for the last three centuries. And yet, very little is known about this natural ingredient. Only recently have health authorities across Europe started to include it as a recommended dietary supplement, promoting its weight loss properties. Now, a clinical trial involving 150 overweight men was conducted to determine if it was really capable of reducing body weight and increasing fitness.
Researchers divided the men into two groups; one group took an herbal extract of artichoke, the other a cholesterol lowering medication. The study found that the herbal extract decreased the absorption of lipids in the liver, which in turn led to lower levels of cholesterol. The results of the clinical trial suggest that this ingredient may have potential as a natural alternative to statin drugs.
In addition to its potential as a natural treatment for hypercholesterolemia, Artichoke Extract has also been found to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease. It appears to improve the function and efficiency of the pancreas, liver, and kidneys, and boost the production of high sea. High see is a condition where fat deposits in the body become too abundant. It is believed that Artichoke Extract improves the functioning of these organs.
In a separate study involving children with irritable bowel syndrome, researchers examined the ability of artichoke leaf extract to alleviate symptoms. Both placebo and experimental artichoke extract were administered to the children with irritable bowel syndrome. Artichoke leaf extract significantly improved symptoms in all children. However, the improvement was most notable in those suffering from constipation and was not significant for those with diarrhea.
Artichoke Extract has also been found to be effective in treating hypoglycemia. Clinical trials have evaluated artichoke extracts for their ability to increase intestinal glucose absorption, reduce elevated plasma glucose levels after meals, and reduce hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. In addition, artichoke leaf extract has been found to reduce excessive insulin release from the pancreas and stimulate insulin uptake by stimulating the release of insulin from the liver. It appears to improve glucose utilization and minimizes hyperglycemia.
In a clinical trial evaluating the effect of artichoke extract on liver enzymes, artichoke extract was found to inhibit fatty liver protein (fatty liver) ogenesis and reduce expression of fatty liver enzyme bromodetain in human subjects. Bromodetain is an acetylcholine receptor. In previous studies, the extract has exhibited anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant properties. Clinical studies also suggest that artichoke extracts may reduce cholesterol and glucose levels and reduce blood pressure.
In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Associations, a clinical trial involving 4 sets of volunteers with coronary heart disease was conducted. Four different sets of participants received a supplement composed of different concentrations (up to four times the amount normally used in supplement formulations) of artichoke extract. At each study visit, fasting blood samples were collected for up to two weeks to determine the effects of the supplement on coronary heart disease. At study visits, investigators measured the concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) at various times during the two-week trial period.
Based on the results of the human studies and the most recent nutrition research, the highest recommended daily dosage of artichoke extract is fifty thousand milligrams, or about one teaspoon. Because there are no contraindications, safety of use is not guaranteed. If you are pregnant, nursing, or taking other medications, contact your health care provider before taking this supplement.
Artichoke is considered a food, and is a complex carbohydrate that absorbs slowly into the bloodstream and may be affected by gastric fluid, liver function, and calcium absorption. Therefore, while animal studies showed that artichoke extract is safe when used as a dietary supplement, it is not known if it is equally safe when used in clinical studies. In a clinical trial, healthy volunteers were given a combination of three of the plant's extracts (artichoke, red pepper, and chamomile). At least one of the three compounds was found to have an effect in human plasma phospholipid composition. This demonstrates the safety and efficacy of the plant in the context of human nutritional supplements.
The plant has been the subject of at least forty clinical trial reports since it was first marketed in Canada in 1981. At least seven of the studies have been pooled in a meta-analysis report released in 2021. The review team included nutrition experts from the University of Toronto, University of Beijing, the Beijing University School of Medicine, the University of Maryland, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The authors concluded that the results of these clinical trials support the use of the extract "as a nutritional supplement." However, the authors recommend that further testing be done on the plant to determine its safety for use as a nootropic and antidepressant.
In addition to using the plant in its traditional medicinal context, the researchers also recommended that extracts from the root should be used "as a dietary supplement" to improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and to prevent or counteract the adverse effects of diabetes. Both diabetes and irritable bowel syndrome are conditions that can be improved with the regular use of artichoke extracts. The reviewers stated that further research is needed to verify the ability of the extracts to treat or prevent a variety of diseases. Their recommendation, however, is to "use with caution."