Clinical Nutrition

Biography

Biography: Ayesha Salem Al Dhaheri

Abstract

Recently 42% of the population in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was diagnosed with metabolic syndrome (MetS), while the prevalence of the MetS in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (GCC) is 10-15% higher than in the most developed countries, with generally higher prevalence rates for women. Recent studies proved that ginger may have an effect in reducing the metabolic syndrome factors as well as the cardiovascular diseases risk factors. More studies proved the anti-lipidemic, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects of ginger; therefore it could be used for the management and prevention of the MetS problems. Objectives were to measure the effect of ginger powder on fasting blood glucose (FBG), hemoglobin (Hb), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), blood pressure (BP), waist circumference (WC) and body composition in participants at risk for cardiovascular diseases. The study is a controlled, randomized, single blind and parallel-design study. 60 participants who are at risk for cardiovascular diseases were randomly distributed into 2 treatment groups, the first group was the ginger powder group while the second group was a placebo-control (corn starch) group. 3 grams per day of each treatment was ingested by the participants for 12 weeks. 42 participants continued the study from both groups (22 Ginger, 22 Placebo); there was a significant improvement in Hb levels and WC (P-value<0.05). While it showed an improvement in HbA1c levels and diastolic blood pressure levels for the ginger group compared to the placebo group. Ginger powder has a significant effect on improving Hb and WC and it showed an improvement in HbA1c levels and diastolic blood pressure levels for individuals at risk for CVD