Barliv Improves Insulin Sensitivity

According to a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind, parallel group trial published in Nutrition & Metabolism, 6 g/d of barley beta-glucan (BBG; as Barliv, from Cargill)  consumed in a beverage over 12 weeks may improve insulin sensitivity among hyperglycemic individuals with no prior diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, and who experience no change in body weight (2011;8:58).

The study evaluated 50 generally healthy subjects without prior diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (44 completers), who were administered beverages containing placebo (control), lower dose (3 g/d) or higher dose (6 g/d) reduced viscosity BBG extract. Subjects (68 percent women) mean age 56 years, body mass index (BMI) 32 kg/m2 and baseline fasting plasma glucose 102 mg/dl were instructed to follow a weight-maintaining Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) diet and consumed three 11-oz study beverages daily with meals for 12 weeks. The four primary study endpoint measures were plasma glucose and insulin [each fasting and post-Oral Glucose Tolerance Testing (OGTT)].

Compared to placebo, administration of 3 g/d of BBG over 12 weeks significantly reduced glucose iAUC (incremental Area Under the Curve) measures during OGTT; and 6 g/d of BBG over 12 weeks significantly reduced fasting insulin, as well as the related homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Beverages were generally well tolerated with no serious adverse experiences, and no significant differences between groups for adverse experiences. Per protocol instruction, subjects maintained body weight.