The Effect of Pyramid Aerobic Training and Karela Herbal Supplement on Glycemic Control in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Introduction: Exercise and the use of herbal supplements are among the therapeutic interventions in controlling type 2 diabetes. This study aimed to compare the effect of exercise and karela supplement on glycemic control and metabolic complications in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: In the present quasi-experimental study, 120 patients with type 2 diabetes were selected by purposive sampling and were randomly divided into 4 groups of exercise, karela supplement, combined, and control. Exercises included 8-week pyramid aerobic training, 3 sessions per week. Karela was consumed in a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight daily in form of karela powder. Results: There was a significant decrease in fasting blood sugar (FBS), 2-hour postprandial glucose (2hPP), insulin resistance, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in the intervention groups compared to the control group (P 0.001). Further, there was no significant difference between changes in FBS in the intervention groups (P 0.05), but 2hPP, insulin resistance, and HbA1c were higher in the training and combined groups compared to supplement group (P 0.001); however, there was no difference between the two groups (P 0.05). Conclusion: According to the results, it can be said that both methods of exercise and karela consumption have a positive effect on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes, but interventions and the combination of exercise and the supplement are more effective in glycemic control than karela alone.