Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Korean Ginseng Helps to Lower Blood Glucose level and Elicit Cognitive performance

Korean Ginseng (Panax Ginseng) is an adaptogenic herb that has been used as potent energy tonic for thousands of years in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Although we do not yet fully understand the mechanism for many of Ginseng’s medicinal benefits, modern science using controlled clinical trials began to unravel scientific evidence on the health benefits of Ginseng supplementation. Single doses of the traditional herbal treatment Panax ginseng have recently been shown to lower blood glucose levels and elicit cognitive improvements in healthy, overnight-fasted volunteers.

These young adults then consumed capsules containing either a Panax ginseng extract or a placebo, and 30 minutes later a drink containing glucose or placebo. A further 30 minutes later (i.e. 60 minutes post-baseline/capsules) they completed the "cognitive demand" battery six times in immediate succession. The participants were divided into four groups: Placebo (0mg Ginseng/0 mg glucose); Ginseng (200mg Ginseng/0 mg glucose); Glucose (0 mg Ginseng/25 g glucose); or Ginseng/Glucose (200 mg Ginseng/25 g glucose). Blood glucose levels were measured prior to the day's treatment, and before and after the post-dose completions of the battery.

These results confirm that Panax Ginseng may possess glucoregulatory properties and can enhance cognitive performance. The author further hypothesized that the cognitive improvements may be related to the glycemic properties of Panax Ginseng.

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