Modified Ling-Gui-Zhu-Gan decoction combined with short-term fasting improves therapeutic response in type 2 diabetic patients

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of a Traditional Chinese Medicine herbal decoction (modified Ling-Gui-Zhu-Gan decoction) combined with short-term fasting/very-low-calorie-diet (VLCD) on the therapeutic response in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.Materials and methodsA randomized controlled pilot-study was conducted with 60 T2DM patients (age 52.1 ± 13.4 y, BMI 25.7 ± 3.7 kg/m2) with a lack of glycemic control. Patients were randomly allocated to the intervention group (n = 30) or the control group (n = 30). All patients received in-hospital treatment for one week followed by lifestyle recommendation. Patients in the intervention group participated in a 5-day modified fasting/VLCD combined with an intake of Ling-Gui-Zhu-Gan decoction. Patients in the control group received standard treatment only. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and at 3-months.ResultsFasting plasma-glucose, 2-h plasma-glucose after oral glucose tolerance-test, HbA1C, and the use of anti-diabetic medication decreased significantly in the intervention group compared to the control group after three months. Body weight also decreased significantly.ConclusionsA combined integrative treatment approach including fasting/VLCD and a Traditional Chinese Medicine decoction might be superior to standard treatment in T2DM patients. This therapeutic concept should be further evaluated.