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Written and Sponsored by Naturex SA (Avignon, France)
Background
The purpose of this commentary is to review a recent clinical study sponsored by Naturex and the Spanish Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology demonstrating that the herbal extract Glucevia effectively balances blood sugar levels in overweight and obese older adults when combined with a healthy, balanced diet.1
The study, titled "A Fraxinus excelsior L. Seeds/Fruits Extract Benefits Glucose Homeostasis and Adiposity Related Markers in Elderly Overweight/Obese subjects: A Longitudinal, Randomized, Crossover, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Nutritional Intervention Study," was completed in late 2013 and published in Phytomedicine in April 2014. The research team, based at the University of Navarra (UNAV) in Pamplona, Spain, focuses on nutrition and health issues in relation to obesity and related metabolic disorders, along with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) pathology.
Integrative practitioners rely on nutritional supplements in their practice to promote a more natural, preventive approach to health, and evidenced-based findings-such as those revealed in the F excelsior studyconfirm the efficacy of supplements in promoting wellness. Glucevia (Naturex, Avignon, France), administered in the study, is the only available extract derived exclusively from the seeds and fruit of the tree, F excelsior, also known as the "ash," "common ash," or "European ash." These large, deciduous trees are native to most of Europe and are found in southwestern Asia. Historically, the trees' seeds and fruit have been used for food, condiments, and medicine for ailments ranging from arthritis, to carpal tunnel syndrome, to obesity.2
A Focus on Older, Overweight Subjects
In previous clinical studies, the acute intake of patented F excelsior seed extract has already been found to be effective in reducing the mean plasma timeconcentration area under curve (AUC) for glucose levels immediately after eating in healthy subjects aged 18 to 55 years.3 This development is noteworthy, because impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glycemia are risk factors for the onset of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.4,5,6
The aim of the Glucevia study was to investigate the effectiveness of the product on postprandial glycemia and the metabolic disturbances associated with high levels of blood glucose with a focus on nondiabetic, overweight, or obese subjects aged between 50 and 80 years.
High Glucose Levels and Aging
Even for those who...