Comparing the Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Diosgenin and Formononetin) and Low-Carbohydrate Diets on Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a worldwide health issue. Its especially prevalent in China, where swift lifestyle changes have increased the diseases prevalence. Extensive evidence also supports their use for improvement of glycemic control (lowered targeted HbA1c plus reduction of fasting blood glucose levels), such as by low-carbohydrate diets and other conventional approaches. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) provides an alternative approach with agents like Diosgenin and Formononetin. Various compounds of the aforementioned medicinal plants are found to mediate insulin sensitivity, ameliorate oxidative stress, and normalize glycolipid metabolism. Higher TGF- serum levels are associated with greater responsiveness to exercise and diet-induced weight loss in young T2D patients, and TGF- blockade studies suggest the potential for modification of early glycemic control in young T2D patients by moderate changes in lifestyle. The progressive and multi-target characteristics of TCM treatment address the metabolic and inflammatory mechanisms that underlie type 2 diabetes, while the low-carb diet rapidly reduces blood glucose. Both are promising approaches, and further exploration is needed to understand how they may complement each other in delivering the optimal long-term care for T2D.