NIA study seeks way to prevent diabetes

Strawberries, raspberries and nuts are delicious. Can they also prevent diabetes?

The National Institute on Aging needs your help to determine whether a nutritional supplement can help regulate blood sugar — and perhaps stave off type 2 diabetes.

When we eat foods like pomegranates, berries, walnuts and pecans, our bodies produce something called urolithin A. It’s also sold in pill form.

“The purpose of this study is to see if the supplement urolithin A (UA) will improve how our body handles glucose (sugar). This may help us better understand why people are at risk for type 2 diabetes as they get older,” according to the study organizers.

“We also want to look at the effect of Urolithin A on brain and muscle function and immune response (how the body responds when you get sick), which may be altered as we age.”

Volunteers sought

You may be eligible for the study if you’re 55 or older, overweight (BMI of 27+) and don’t have diabetes. Volunteers will go to the National Institute on Aging’s office at MedStar Harbor Hospital for a screening visit. (You’ll have to fast before the visit but will receive a meal coupon afterwards.)

Those who are accepted into the study will be sent home with a blood glucose monitor and a bottle of pills. Participants will take four pills each morning.

Individuals will be randomly assigned to a group: Some will take four urolithin A gelcaps, and others will take similar-looking but inactive pills known as a placebo.

“In the study we are delivering a placebo, which does not contain urolithin A, [or] urolithin A itself to investigate if urolithin A will improve insulin secretion. We are doing this by looking at the insulin response to an oral glucose tolerance test,” explained Dr. Josephine Egan Earley, principal investigator of the clinical trial.

Multiple visits, compensation

The study lasts about two months and requires five in-person visits. During each visit, after researchers collect blood, urine and stool samples, participants will hop on a treadmill and take an oral glucose tolerance test.

In addition, researchers will ask participants to wear a continuous glucose monitor on their arm between visits and keep a food diary.

Participants will receive compensation. They will also get free electrocardiograms (ECG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs), and researchers will share those results and give referrals if needed.

In addition, volunteers should know they will be helping other older adults. “As people age, they have an increased risk for type 2 diabetes and loss of muscle strength,” NIA study organizers note.

“In the future, other people might benefit from this study. It will help us learn if taking the supplement urolithin A will help blood glucose levels and improve muscle function.”

For more information or to volunteer for the study, email NIAStudiesRecruitment@mail.nih.gov or call (410) 350-3941.