Seegurken, also known as Holothuria scabra, have been found to prevent the formation of glycation end products (AGEs) and potentially lower the risk of diabetes. Researchers from the University of South Australia have published a study in the International Journal of Food Science & Technology, stating that the popular Asian seafood can suppress the formation of a compound associated with the disease. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 422 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes, with the disease responsible for around 1.5 million deaths annually. The Australian National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) suggests that 60% of type 2 diabetes cases can be prevented or significantly delayed through dietary and lifestyle adjustments.
AGEs are formed when proteins and fats combine with sugars in the bloodstream. An excessive increase in their concentration can promote the occurrence of diabetes-related complications, such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, kidney disease, and cancer. The researchers found that dried and salt-extracted Seegurken can block this compound by reducing a series of sugar-related metabolites in the body. This, in turn, reduces the likelihood of disease development. Dr. Permal Deo suggests that understanding how the bioactive compounds in Seegurken inhibit AGEs can help develop new protective mechanisms against diabetes.
Seegurken have a variety of therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Therefore, the researchers wanted to investigate their bioactive compounds as AGE inhibitors. In the future, it is possible that a Seegurken-based dietary supplement could be used to prevent diabetes. Currently, there is no medication that can prevent the formation of AGEs. However, the study suggests that new biologically active compounds in medicinal plants and foods could be potential therapeutic agents for preventing diabetes complications.
