Background: Korean red ginseng is one of the most popular herbs worldwide due to the belief that it contains ingredients that possess a variety of health enhancing effects including anti-diabetic effects. The objective of this study was to determine whether Korean red ginseng supplement has an effect on insulin sensitivity in healthy overweight or obese adults without overt diabetes and hypertension.
Methods: In a double-blinded, placebo controlled, randomized trial, a total of 68 participants (BMI >=23 kg/m2) received either 6 g of Korean red ginseng rootlets (n=34) or a placebo each day over a 12 week period.
Results: Similar insulin levels and insulin sensitivity index were observed at baseline in the Korean red ginseng and control groups. Korean red ginseng had no significant effect on improving the insulin sensitivity over time. Korean red ginseng does not improve the insulin sensitivity of overweight and obese subjects who do not have diabetes or hypertension.
韓國紅蔘是全球知名的中草藥之一，被認為具有多種促進健康的效益，其中包 括糖尿病的預防及改善。本研究目的，為評估韓國紅蔘補充劑，是否影響無糖 尿病及高血壓病史之過重及肥胖成人的胰島素敏感性。研究設計為隨機雙盲對 照試驗，共68 位(BMI >=23 kg/m2)參與者。介入組34 位，每日給予含有500 毫 克紅蔘粉的膠囊12 顆；控制組則給予安慰劑，共為期12 週。介入前，兩組的 胰島素濃度及胰島素敏感性指標，無顯著差異。研究結果顯示，韓國紅蔘並無 助於提昇無糖尿病及高血壓病史之過重及肥胖成人的胰島素敏感性。