Goji: Medlineplus Supplements
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates) Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Goji might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking goji along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking goji, talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver. Some medications that are changed by the liver include amitriptyline (Elavil), diazepam (Valium), zileuton (Zyflo), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Voltaren), fluvastatin (Lescol), glipizide (Glucotrol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), irbesartan (Avapro), losartan (Cozaar), phenytoin (Dilantin), piroxicam (Feldene), tamoxifen (Nolvadex), tolbutamide (Tolinase), torsemide (Demadex), warfarin (Coumadin), and others. Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) Goji might decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking goji along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed. Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others. Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) Goji root bark seems to decrease blood pressure. Taking goji root bark along with medications for high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low. Goji fruit does not seem to affect blood pressure. Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enal Continue reading >>
Goji Berries | Diabetes Forum The Global Diabetes Community
Diabetes Forum The Global Diabetes Community Find support, ask questions and share your experiences. Join the community does anyone no if goji berries are anygood? just looking at a article and they state that they can regulate sugar level. anyone no the carb or sugar content. thinking of buying some to mix with some greek yogurt and nuts. blueberries are getting expensive They are supposed to be very good but I think you will find that the blueberries are cheaper. :shock: I'm not sure but I looked at the dried ones in Tesco the other week and decided not to buy them. At 57.8g carbs per 100g I thought they'd probably cause a spike in sugar levels. I decided to stick with the fresh blueberries (6.9g per 100g) and strawberries (6g per 100g) as a snack item. They are supposed to be very good but I think you will find that the blueberries are cheaper. :shock: Blueberries are very cheap in Iceland at the moment, just 1 for a tray of 125g. Find them in the chilled compartment of your local store. I've bought dried goji berries and added a few to my Lizi's granola whenever I eat that. Can't tell you whether they do any good though. This one makes me laugh! Gogi or Lycium barbarum L grows wild in the UK and is often culivated as an ornamental plant. Just check your gardening books. I believe it is also known as snowberry. "The Duke of Argyll introduced the plant into the United Kingdom in the 1730s where it is known as Duke of Argyll's Tea Tree. It was and still is used for hedging, especially in coastal districts. Its red berries are attractive to a wide variety of British birds.[18] The plant continues to grow wild in UK hedgerows. On 15 January 2003, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs launched a project to improve the regulations protecting traditional c Continue reading >>
Goji Berry Health Benefits For Diabetics
Posted by Chris - The Organic Diabetic 2 Comments Want to talk about a powerhouse super fruit, well, meet the goji berry! The goji berry, a sweet red fruit native to Asia, serves as both a botanical medicine and a food, and has a very pleasant taste somewhere between a cherry and a cranberry. It has been used as a medicinal food for thousands of years, and has been studied extensively in modern times to substantiate its health benefits. With over 4g protein, 21 essential minerals, and 18 amino acids, as well as lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP), the goji berry is a nutrient-dense superfood in a class all its own. I have a goji powder daily and heres why! As diabetics we all understand how important it is to stay on top of our eye health. High blood sugars can wreak havoc of the small blood vessels that supply the eye. Taurine, a compound in goji berries, may be helpful in protecting eyes from diabetes related vision loss. Its also rich in an antioxidant called zeaxanthin, which protects the retina by absorbing blue light. Antioxidants are key elements in preventing damage of our cells by free radicals, or polluting molecules in our bodies. The total antioxidant power of goji berries, according to ORAC (oxygen radical absorbency capacity) tests used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is about 10 times that of blueberries; one of the highest levels in the food world. I also found it interesting that in China for the treatment of adult-onset diabetes for many years, and its polysaccharides have been shown to help balance blood sugar and insulin response. It also contains betaine, which can prevent fatty liver disease and vascular damage often seen in diabetics. Another benefit that the antioxidants they provide is that they lower bad cholesterol levels and protect Continue reading >>
11 Amazing Benefits Of Goji Berry Or Wolfberry
11 Amazing Benefits of Goji Berry or Wolfberry 11 Amazing Benefits of Goji Berry or Wolfberry Goji Berry or Wolfberry has amazing health benefits that includes preventing diabetes, improving eye vision, reducing oxidative damage in the body, supporting weight loss, supporting the heart, relieving mood swings and reducing inflammation. Other benefits includes improving cognitive health, enhancing skin health and improving the body immunity. For centuries, Goji berries have been a popular part of Chinese medicine. These are commonly available in juice and dried forms. They are known to fight aging, various forms of cancer and also help in relieving many medical conditions such as arthritis. Goji berries (also referred to as wolfberries) are small edible components of the berry family. They have a distinctive red or orange color with a tangy taste. They are highly nutritious like the other members of their family and offer a multitude of miraculous health benefits. The berries also have tiny seeds that are loaded with fiber. Goji berries are one of the most crucial parts of traditional Chinese medicine, thanks to a slew of impressive health benefits. They have been effective in treating liver infertility, unexplainable fatigue, dry cough, abdominal pain and many liver diseases. Since they are an incredible source of many antioxidants; Goji berries serve as a natural remedy to cure free radical damage. In addition to that, they are also fat-free and low in calories. Hence, they are popular items in many weight loss recipes to help relieve common problems such as constipation. 11 Amazing Benefits of Goji Berry or Wolfberry Goji berries are abundant in several vitamins, minerals and other important nutrients. They are noted for supporting good immunity, strengthening bones, Continue reading >>
Goji Berries: Health Benefits And Side Effects
Goji Berries: Health Benefits and Side Effects Have you been wondering about the health benefits of goji berries and goji juice? Some claim that the goji berry is a fountain of youth. But does it really live up to those claims? And do dried goji berries have side effects? Here are answers to your questions. The goji berry, also called the wolfberry, is a bright orange-red berry that comes from a shrub that's native to China. In Asia, goji berries have been eaten for generations in the hope of living longer. Over time, people have used goji berries to try to treat many common health problems like diabetes , high blood pressure , fever, and age-related eye problems . Goji berries are eaten raw, cooked, or dried (like raisins) and are used in herbal teas, juices, wines, and medicines. Some studies using goji berry juice found possible benefits that included a feeling of well being and calmness, better athletic performance and quality of sleep , and weight loss . But those were preliminary studies that need to be repeated before drawing conclusions. Many berries are good for you. It's not clear if goji berries are better than other types of berries, or if goji berry supplements would have the same health benefits as the actual berries. Goji berries could interact with some drugs. If you take warfarin (a blood thinner ), you may want to avoid goji berries. Goji berries may also interact with diabetes drugs and blood pressure drugs , so talk with your doctor first. Otherwise, it's probably safe to eat goji berries in moderation. Before taking diet supplements , let your doctor know. WebMD Medical Reference Reviewed by Melinda Ratini, DO, MS on October 24, 2017 Continue reading >>
Goji Berries And Diabetes
Diabetes is caused due to defective insulin being produced, insufficient production of insulin or the inability of the body cells to utilize the insulin present in the body efficiently. The first condition is very uncommon. The last condition causes hyperglycemia that affects tissues and muscles and causes insulin resistance. This is type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, that is the lack of insulin, is the main type of diabetes that affects people. Diabetes is a chronic disorder that results in high levels of blood glucose. Insulin usually maintains the right levels of blood sugar. Insufficient production or lack of insulin causes both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. A test of blood glucose levels usually helps with diagnosing diabetes. Symptoms of diabetes excessive thirst, hunger, increased urine output, fatigue, weight loss despite increased hunger, vomiting, nausea, lethargy, blurred vision, vaginal, skin and bladder infections. If left untreated, diabetes can cause acute complications like dangerously high (hyperglycemia) or low (hypoglycemia) levels of blood sugar and chronic complications like damage to eyes, kidneys or nerves. A combination of diet, medication and exercise help with diabetes treatment. Goji berries belong to the Lycium chinense and Lycium barbarum specieis. These tiny berries grow on shrubs that can reach 1-3m in height. They are cultivated in the Himalayan regions of Tibet, Nepal, Mongolia and parts of China. The flowers are light purple and the berries are oblong and very tender. These orange-red berries need to be picked very carefully for otherwise they get destroyed. These fruits are dried and used just like raisins. A slow drying process at low temperatures is done to preserve the nutrition. While in most of the world, dried goji berries are used Continue reading >>
- American Diabetes Association® Releases 2018 Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes, with Notable New Recommendations for People with Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes
- Diabetes and Sleep Apnea: How Sleep Affects Blood Glucose and Diabetes
- Diabetes and eye disease: How diabetes affects vision and eye health
Goji Berries May Prevent Diabetic Retinopathy
Goji Berries May Prevent Diabetic Retinopathy Tasty and nutrient-packed, Goji berries might a have a role in preventing retinal damage associated with diabetes. Also known as Wolfberries, Goji berries are the fruits of the shrubs, Lycium barbarum and Lycium chinense. These two closely related species are native to both Asia and areas surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. For over two thousand years, the fruit and root bark of the plant have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The orange-red berries, which are oblong and shriveled like raisins, can be eaten fresh but are more commonly found in a dried form. Sweet but tangy, Goji berries contain protein, including all of the essential amino acids, iron, and Vitamins B1, B2 and C. They are also a good source of carotenoids, especially zeaxanthin, flavonoids and polysaccharides. It is the carotenoid content that gives the berries a potential role in preventing diabetic retinopathy, one of the most common and serious complications of both Type I and Type II diabetes. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage retinal blood vessels. As the disease progresses, vision can become impaired and the most severe cases can ultimately result in vision loss. Dr. Daniel Lin, Assistant Professor of nutritional science, and his fellow researchers at Oklahoma State University of Human Sciences looked to the humble Goji berry to ascertain whether it could play a role in preserving healthy retinal tissue. In a preliminary rodent study, Dr. Lin and his fellow researchers explored the impact of two of the carotenoids found in Gojis: zeaxanthin and lutein, both of which are highly concentrated in the macula of the eyes of humans as well as rodents. For eight weeks, the researchers fed one group of mice a diet including 1% Goji berries. Continue reading >>
Goji Berries: Antioxidant & Anti-inflammatory Superfruit - Dr. Axe
18 amino acids (11 of which are essential) 5 sources of healthy, unsaturated fatty acids, including alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid Phytochemicals, includingbeta-carotene, zeaxanthin, lycopene, cryptoxanthin, lutein andpolysaccharides How does this compare to some other popular fruits? According to Superfoodly, a small serving of dried goji beries has an oxygen radical absorbance capacity ( ORAC ) score which measures the antioxidant value of various foods of 4,310. By comparison, an apple has an ORAC score of 2,568; raisins a score of 3,406; blueberries a score of 4,633;and pomegranate seeds a score of 4,479. ( 3 ) All are good sources of various antioxidants, but what makes goji berries stand apart is their amino acids (protein), fatty acids and specific antioxidants. Its rare for a fruit to provide amino acids, especially 11 types considered essential that the body cant make. Also remember that each type of berry or fruit provides a different array and level of antioxidants, so the more types you consume the more benefits. Another goji berry benefit to consider is their convenience. They come in such a small package that for some people its often easier to eat them and obtain high levels of nutrients than it might be to eat a few whole pieces of fruit. For example, when you compare goji berries and oranges weight for weight as vitamin C foods , goji berries provide up to 500 times more vitamin C! ( 4 ) Wondering how goji berries tastecomparedto other fruits and how you can use them? Good news most people find their taste totally pleasant and easy to work with! They add a chewy texture to recipes, and in terms of their flavor, you can think of goji berries like a cross between cranberries and cherries. They look similar to raisins since theyre normally dried, Continue reading >>
Super Fruits: Can One A Day Keep The Doctor Away? (part 2)
Super Fruits: Can One A Day Keep the Doctor Away? (Part 2) Last week , we looked at pomegranates and aa as two of the leading members of the "super fruits" club. Remember that super fruits are touted as being a step above some of the "regular" fruits, such as oranges and apples, in terms of their antioxidant content. Lets look at a few more this week. Also known as wolfberries, goji berries are native to Tibet and China, where they grow on evergreen shrubs. While eaten fresh in China, they usually are found in dried form (they look like large red raisins) outside the country. Goji berries have been used in traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine for liver health, eyesight improvement, and enhanced circulation. Goji berries contain a large amount of antioxidants, and test-tube and animal studies have shown that the fruit extract can slow cancer growth and lower cholesterol and blood glucose levels. However, these results have not yet been confirmed in humans. Goji berries may interact with anticoagulant drugs like warfarin (brand name Coumadin and others) and increase the risk of bleeding. Dried berries can be found in natural-foods and Chinese markets. Goji berry juice, also found in health-food stores and on the Internet, can cost upwards of $35 for a one-liter bottle. No stranger to the Internet either, the noni fruit is another darling of marketers. Noni fruit is a green, lumpy-looking, pear-sized fruit that grows in Asia and the Pacific Islands (including Hawaii). People from Asia and the Pacific Islands have long used noni for many medicinal purposes, including treating constipation, asthma, dysentery, and lumbago. The fruit itself doesnt smell or taste too appealing: Some describe it as tasting like rotten cheese and smelling like vomit(!). Noni was introduced t Continue reading >>
10 Serious Side Effects Of Goji Berries
10 Serious Side Effects Of Goji Berries Renold Rajan In the wake of growing awareness regarding health and fitness, most people are now turning towards healthy and natural food. The stress is on eating organic products that are devoid of any chemicals and preservatives. Goji berry is one of the most touted natural super foods. These berries are known to maintain a good blood circulation and a healthy heart. It also boosts the immune system, increases longevity, protects against cancer and so on. However, a recent study by the British Dietetic Association has revealed that all such claims are weak and many are far from reality. This orange-red colored berry is mostly grown in the western and north-central parts of China and belongs to the nightshade family. Since the ripe berries are tender, they are dried and preserved before exporting. Even though goji berries have been used since ages in Chinese medicine to cure high blood pressure, diabetes, eye problems, fatigue and fever, the recent findings suggest that the benefits of these berries are limited. In depth research suggests that although goji berries provide antioxidants to the body and carry several health benefits, there are certain side effects associated with it too. The side effects of goji berry include the following: Goji berries can possibly cause drug-herb interactions, especially in patients who regularly take medications for blood thinning, such as warfarin. Warfarin is used to treat blood clots that are formed because of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolus condition. That is why if you are taking warfarin, you must avoid eating goji berries as it can adversely affect your health. 2. Interaction With Diabetes Medications: Diabetic patients have to take a daily dose of medication for keeping their b Continue reading >>
Goji Benefits For Diabetes Information Diabetes Action
Recently I had a patient with diabetes in my office complaining of arthritis pain in her and knees limiting her ability to be active and exercise - elements of a health lifestyle critical to long-term health in diabetes. We talked at great length about physical therapy, massage, and other possible treatments that may reduce her pain. However our focus for the appointment was improving her blood sugar. A month or so later she returned for a follow up appointment looking brighter, more energetic, and stating that all her pain was gone! She attributed the change to Goji Juice and had starting to sell the product. I was skeptical, but supportive because she was more active and feeling better. The next visit she brought me my very own bottle! I felt it my duty to look deeper into the product, so here is the summary of what I learned: There is currently an explosion of attention on Goji Juice and other Goji berry products in the marketplace. There are websites riddled with testimonials stating the miraculous health benefits people have gained from their trials with Goji juice ranging from reduced arthritis pain and improved sex drive to dramatic reductions in blood sugar. Is Goji truly a miracle product? Is Goji juice the panacea we have all been waiting for? Where did it come from and why did it take so long to find it? Goji juice is the juice of Lycium barbarum, a Himalyan species of a fruiting tree that produces small, red, semi-sweet berries. Berries from other Lycium species have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for hundreds of years. In Chinese, Lycium is known as Gou Qi Zi, or commonly as Wolfberry. Wolfberry is described in Chinese herbal texts as a Yin tonic, used for Yin/blood deficiency. Yin lies opposite of Yang in TCM. Generally, Yin suggests a mo Continue reading >>
Try This Goji Berry Recipe To Keep Blood Sugar Under Control
Try This Goji Berry Recipe To Keep Blood Sugar Under Control Published:Tuesday, April 4, 2017, 9:30 [IST] As we may already know, diabetes is a serious lifestyle related disorder in which the patient has to strive hard to keep the blood sugar levels under control. Learning how to manage the symptoms and lead a quality life is crucial. A disorder like diabetes is definitely not easy to live with, as it can create numerous health complications that a person has to deal with on a daily basis. Diabetes is a condition in which the body's production of insulin is abnormal and it is not utilised well by the body, leading to a cluster of undesirable symptoms. Another unfortunate fact is that diabetes has no cure and only its symptoms can be controlled. The symptoms include high blood sugar levels, weight loss, increased urine production, weakened immune system, blurred vision, constant hunger, numbness of the feet, etc. If the symptoms of diabetes are not treated right, it may lead to fatal consequences. So if you want to treat diabetes naturally by keeping the blood sugar levels under control, there check out this recipe. This kitchen remedy to reduce blood sugar levels and treat diabetes, has the ability to work very well, when used regularly. Along with this remedy, it is also important to consume diabetes-friendly foods and take the medications prescribed by your doctor. Goji berry is rich in fibre and potassium content which combine to work towards reducing the blood sugar levels and keeping the diabetes symptoms under control. Turmeric contains certain powerful enzymes that prevent the blood from absorbing excess sugar from the food, thus controlling blood sugar levels. Add the suggested amounts of ingredients in a glass. Consume this mixture, once every day, after a mea Continue reading >>
Do Goji Berries Help Lower Blood Sugar?
Janet Renee is a clinical dietitian with a special interest in weight management, sports dietetics, medical nutrition therapy and diet trends. She earned her Master of Science in nutrition from the University of Chicago and has contributed to health and wellness magazines, including Prevention, Self, Shape and Cooking Light. A small bowl of goji berries.Photo Credit: fpwing/iStock/Getty Images A number of fruits and their juices are marketed for proposed therapeutic benefits, with goji berry being among them. No one food is a magic bullet to vibrant health, however. The totality of your diet is what matters. There is experimental evidence that suggests the goji berry promotes healthy blood sugar. As long as you're not allergic, adding goji berries to your diet is a beneficial way to get a wider variety of fruits into your current rotation. Never change your diet or medication regimen without your doctor's permission if you have diabetes. Like other fruits, goji berry is nutrient-dense, containing minerals such as iron, zinc, potassium, selenium and calcium, as well as vitamin C and vitamin B-2. It's also rich in beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene and zeaxanthin -- vitamin A-like compounds called carotenoids. Carotenoids are responsible for the yellow, orange and red pigments of fruits and vegetables. While there is no specific recommended intake of carotenoids, these substances do contribute to health. You get about half your daily vitamin A requirement from beta-carotene and other carotenoids, for example. Human studies examining the blood sugar-lowering effect of goji are lacking. Scientists have experimented in animals and test tubes to evaluate hypoglycemic potential, however. One study found goji fruit extract significantly lowered not only blood sugar but also total Continue reading >>
5 Blood Sugar Friendly Diabetic Snacks
back to Overview Looking for some snacks that are blood sugar friendly? Health coach and mySugr blogger Markus Berndt shares some of his secrets for taming the snack monster. Diabetic Snack Attack Today is all about diabetic snacks, or snacks that are more blood sugar friendly than your typical carb bombs we often crave. Thankfully we have Markus here to help. He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in May of 2012 which catalyzed his devotion to healthy living through diet and exercise. He’s currently a management consultant for workplace health promotion and a health coach. He writes a popular blog (in German) at www.diabetesade.com and contributes regularly to the German side of our website. He has lots of great information to share, and from time to time I’ll do my best to bring a translation to you in English. Over to you, Markus! A Universal Feeling We all experience the urge to snack (if not outright binge) and reward ourselves with culinary delights. The monster is hungry! Finding snacks that are blood sugar friendly can help a lot. Of course, when the urge strikes, we’re not craving health food. Unfortunately, it’s usually the common snack foods, which, by the way, are designed to addict us. It’s a vicious cycle that can be really hard to break free from. So what to do? We don’t want to cave in completely, but constantly nibbling on naked celery isn’t fulfilling either. Finding blood sugar friendly snacks is often really hard. But thankfully there are a few goodies that we can turn to for some satisfaction without needing to feel terribly guilty. These small snacks that, in moderation, will increase your blood sugar a “tolerable” amount and are still really tasty! Some of them I even consider to be miracle products of nature! Walnuts These are cl Continue reading >>
Goji Berries Aid Diabetic Weight Loss
Deep in the sheltered valleys of the Himalayas, goji berries grow. These reddish-orange berries are called the happy fruit or longevity fruit. In fact, the people who live in the Himalayas are known to live very long lives. Goji berries have been used for centuries in Chinese medicine to treat: A recent study published in the Iranian Journal of Basic Medicine found that goji berries may treat type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is associated with circadian disruption that causes hypoglycemia, insulin resistance, and weight gain. Researchers in China wanted to see what impact goji berries would have on type 2 diabetes. So, the scientists gave rats with hypoglycemia and insulin resistance an extract made out of goji berries. The diabetic rats that were given goji berries lost weight. Not only that, but they also greatly improved their blood sugar and insulin levels. The researchers noted that, the body weight, epididymal fat tissue weight and leptin concentration were reduced significantly, whereas the concentration of melatonin was increased obviously. More study is needed to understand how goji berries may help with weight loss and improving blood sugar. But for now, goji berries are a great way to add antioxidants to your diet. Not sure where to start? Try goji berry juice in smoothies. Or, add goji berries to your favorite trail mix. Although goji berries are okay if consumed in moderation, dont get carried away. After all, too many may trigger such side effects as nausea and stomach upset. Not only that, but goji berries may interact with certain medicines, especially blood thinners, blood pressure drugs, and diabetes medications. So if youre currently taking medication or supplements, talk with your doctor first. Continue reading >>
