Effect of a Food Supplement on Glycemic Parameters in Patients With Impaired Glucose Metabolism

Mild dysglycemias, such as impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), represent pre-diabetic conditions characterized by a subclinical impairment of insulin sensitivity and β-cell function. Early intervention in this phase can prevent or delay the progression to full-blown diabetes. In this context, the use of nutraceutical supplements with physiological activity on glucose metabolism represents a promising and well-tolerated approach, able to effectively modulate metabolic parameters, with a good safety profile. GlycoDual is a food supplement developed to control post-prandial glycemia and improve insulin sensitivity in subjects with impaired glucose metabolism. GlycoDual contains maqui berry, blueberry, cocoa (rich in anthocyanins and epicatechin), and chromium picolinate, aimed at modulating the immediate glycemic response through the inhibition of α-glucosidase, stimulation of glucose transport and insulin sensitization. It also contains Gymnema sylvestre and zinc bisglycinate, aimed at supporting insulin secretion and contributing to the long-term regulation of glycemia The primary objective will be to evaluate the efficacy of GlycoDual in reducing fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and post-prandial plasma glucose (PPG) levels compared to placebo after 90 days of treatment.

Secondary objectives are to estimate:

• the change of insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR)
• the change of uricemia after 90 days of supplementation compared to placebo.

Safety objectives: Collection of the adverse events not related, related or possibly related to the study products.

Inclusion criteria

• body mass index (BMI) 25.0-29.9 kg/m2
• FPG levels between 100 and 125 mg/dl [IFG diagnosed after Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)]
• HOMA-IR > 2.5
• subjects able to understand the informed consent and sign it before enrollment in the study

Exclusion criteria

• personal history of cardiovascular disease or equivalent risk factors
• obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²)
• taking hypoglycemic drugs or supplements that affect glycemic metabolism
• diabetes mellitus or IGT
• pregnancy or breastfeeding
• known thyroid, liver, kidney or muscle diseases
• any medical or surgical condition that makes patient compliance with the study protocol complex or inconsistent
• any known allergy or hypersensitivity to one or more components of the food supplement