Researchers from Southern Cross University are conducting a ground-breaking clinical trial investigating Olive Leaf Extract as a treatment option for people living with type 2 diabetes.
Researchers are looking for locals to take part in the trial – seeking adults living in the Northern Rivers with a diagnosis of type-2 diabetes, who have lived with diabetes for more than 12 months and are not receiving insulin therapy.
Participants will be required to take OLE or placebo capsules once a day for 24 weeks, and to attend Southern Cross University’s Lismore campus on three separate occasions.
Diabetes is a chronic condition characterised by poor blood glucose control which, left unchecked, can contribute to serious complications. However, it is estimated that only one-half of people with diabetes are able to maintain their target blood glucose ranges.
Lead researcher Associate Professor Matthew Leach from Southern Cross University’s National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine said that Olive Leaf Extract presented a relatively safe and low-cost treatment option for those who cannot maintain good blood glucose control.
‘There are a significant number of people who do not maintain good blood glucose control. This can be for many reasons such as limited access to suitable treatments and services, cost and complexity of treatment, and inadequate diabetes education,’ said Associate Professor Leach.
‘Medications typically prescribed for diabetes aim to improve blood glucose control. Although these medicines are effective in doing so, they are not always well tolerated due to frequent adverse effects.
‘In order to reduce the burden of diabetes on these individuals, it is important that safer and equally effective treatments are identified and tested, such as Olive Leaf Extract,” he said.
Laboratory studies have found that Olive Leaf Extract may act on multiple metabolic pathways to improve blood glucose control, however robust clinical research is needed to support its use in clinical practice.
‘This clinical trial hopes to enable people living with diabetes, and health care providers, to make informed decisions about using this treatment to complement their diabetes care,” Associate Professor Leach said.
‘Ultimately leading to better outcomes for people with diabetes in their self-management capabilities.’
Hi am interested in joining the trials for olive leaf for diabetes I have type two diabetes and don’t use insulin theraphy
Carina…
For more information about the clinical trial or to check if you are eligible to participate, please email below. The patient information sheet can be obtained by contacting the lead researcher, Associate Professor Matthew Leach.
Email:
[email protected],
or call 0407 111 561 or 02 6626 9255
I don’t see the point in putting energy into new ways to manage Type 2 diabetes, when a team at the University of Newcastle in the UK has pioneered a simple and effective intervention that can reverse most cases of Type 2 diabetes using a temporary calorie-restricted diet.
It is revealing that 17 years after this successful intervention was devised, it is yet to be used or seriously discussed, to the best of my knowledge, by any medical body in Australia.