A clinical trial at the University of Western Sydney will find out - wherein a modern Chinese herbal medicine is being investigated to target the early stages of pre-diabetes.

In my earlier post, it was already mentioned that cases of pre-diabetes is on the rise in Australia.

This trial is being conducted by the UWS Centre for Complementary Medicine Research.

The Chinese herbal medicine called Jiangtang Xiaozhi is a complex Chinese herbal formula that has the potential to stop the rise of blood sugar to levels that cause diabetes and serious complications, according to clinical and animal-based evidence from China.

According to principal researcher on the trial and UWS PhD candidate, Suzanne Grant:

"Currently, when it comes to preventing diabetes, the best advice has been to eat well and exercise, but for many of us changing our lifestyle for the better can be difficult to achieve and maintain.

Unlike 'prescriptions' for lifestyle changes, this Chinese herbal treatment - if proven to be effective - will mean that prediabetes can be treated by a daily dose of herbal tablets.

While nothing can substitute for a balanced diet and exercise for overall good health, Jiangtang Xiaozhi may provide a new, more convenient way for people to help avoid diabetes."

Jiangtang Xiaozhi is a mixture of six active herbs, including turmeric - found to be effective in the treatment of type 2 diabetes based on a Chinese clinical trial and in animal models to lower blood sugar and "sensitise" insulin.

Find more details from the full report.