Ilex paraguariensis, white mulberry and chromium picolinate in patients with pre-diabetes

Aim: to evaluate if a nutraceutical compound containing Ilex paraguariensis, White Mulberry and Chromium Picolinate can ameliorate glycemic status in patients with pre-diabetes. Methods: we enrolled patients with IFG or IGT, not taking other hypoglycemic compounds. Patients were randomized to take placebo or the nutraceutical compound for 3 months, in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design. Both treatments were self-administered once a day, 1 tablet during the breakfast. Results: a reduction of FPG was observed with the nutraceutical combination (−7.8%). Furthermore, there was a decrease of HOMA-IR with the nutraceutical combination (−7.9%). M value was higher (p < 0.05 vs baseline and p < 0.05 vs placebo) at the end of the treatment. We obtained a reduction of Tg with the nutraceutical combination (−8.3%). About 16.6% of patients treated with nutraceutical returned to have a normal glycemia (< 100 mg/dL), and all patients had an improvement of insulin-resistance, in particular 67% of patients returned to have a M value inside range of normal insulin sensitivity. Conclusions: a nutraceutical containing Ilex paraguariensis, White Mulberry and Chromium Picolinate at 500 mg can be helpful in improving glycemia and Tg value, in patients with pre-diabetes.