Avocado for Type 2 Diabetes

(AVOCADO-T2D Trial)

Overseen by John W Apolzan, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: Pennington Biomedical Research Center

Must not be taking: Thiazolidinediones, High-dose diuretics

Disqualifiers: Type 1 diabetes, Renal insufficiency, Unstable heart disease, Cancer, others

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial is testing if eating Hass Avocados can help lower blood sugar levels. The study focuses on people who need to manage their blood sugar. Researchers think that Hass Avocados might be better at reducing blood sugar than other fruits with the same number of calories. Avocado oil has been shown to improve glucose tolerance and reduce insulin resistance in animal studies.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify that you need to stop taking your current medications. However, you must be on a stable regimen of all medications, including diabetes medications, for at least 3 months before joining the study.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Avocado, Hass Avocado, Avocatin B, AvoB, Other Fruit(s), Various Fruits, Non-Specified Fruits for type 2 diabetes?

Research suggests that diets high in fruits and plant-based foods, which include essential nutrients and compounds like flavonoids, can help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity and glucose absorption. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the avocado treatment for type 2 diabetes differ from other treatments?

The avocado treatment for type 2 diabetes is unique because it uses natural components from the avocado plant, such as leaf extracts and seed glycosides, which have shown potential in reducing blood sugar levels and improving vascular health in diabetic conditions. Unlike standard medications, this treatment focuses on the nutraceutical benefits of avocado, which may offer a more holistic approach to managing diabetes. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Research Team

John W Apolzan, PhD

Principal Investigator

Pennington Biomedical Research Center

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults aged 18-65 with Type 2 diabetes, a BMI of 27-50, and stable blood sugar control medication. Participants must not be pregnant or trying to conceive, have recent major surgery, unstable heart disease, severe kidney issues, or be on weight loss drugs. They should agree to consume avocados and follow the study protocol.

Inclusion Criteria

Your body mass index (BMI) is between 27 and 50.

Your HbA1c level is between 5.7% and 11%, or your fasting blood glucose is 100 mg/dL or higher.

My medication, including for diabetes, has been stable for 3 months.

Exclusion Criteria

My blood pressure is higher than 180/100 mm Hg.

You have a mental illness, memory problems, or drug/alcohol problems that might make it hard for you to follow the study instructions.

You drink more than 14 alcoholic drinks per week and don't want to stop drinking during the study.

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants consume 1 Hass avocado a day or other fruits for glycemic control

5 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Avocado (Other)
• Other Fruit(s) (Other)

Trial Overview The study aims to see if eating Hass Avocados can improve blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes compared to consuming an equal calorie amount of other fruits during controlled feeding conditions.

Participant Groups

Group I: Avocado Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will consume 1 Hass avocado a day.

Group II: Other Fruit(s) Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants in the other fruit arm will receive other fruits.

Avocado is already approved in Canada for the following indications:

Approved in Canada as Avocado for:

• None specifically approved; however, components like Avocatin B are under investigation for diabetes management

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Pennington Biomedical Research Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

314

Recruited

183,000+

Dr. Frank Greenway

Pennington Biomedical Research Center

Chief Medical Officer since 2024

MD from an accredited institution

Dr. John Kirwan

Pennington Biomedical Research Center

Chief Executive Officer since 2023

PhD in Molecular Medicine from Cleveland Clinic

Prachi Singh

Collaborator

Trials

2

Recruited

70+

Frank L. Greenway

Collaborator

Trials

4

Recruited

110+

Robbie A. Beyl

Collaborator

Trials

3

Recruited

100+

Findings from Research

A 3-month produce prescription program for 303 predominantly Hispanic/Latino adults with or at risk of type 2 diabetes led to significant reductions in weight, waist circumference, and systolic blood pressure, indicating improved cardio-metabolic health.

Participants with higher baseline HbA1c levels experienced a notable decrease in HbA1c, alongside improvements in food security and mental health measures, suggesting that access to fresh produce can positively impact both physical and psychological well-being.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Temporal changes in bio-behavioral and glycemic outcomes following a produce prescription program among predominantly Hispanic/Latino adults with or at risk of type 2 diabetes. Sato Imuro, SE., Sabharwal, A., Conneely, C., et al.[2023]

A review of current research indicates that diets high in plant foods, particularly those rich in flavonoids like anthocyanins and flavan-3-ols, can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Flavonoids may help lower T2DM risk by improving glucose absorption and enhancing insulin sensitivity and secretion, highlighting the importance of dietary choices in managing diabetes risk.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Selective Role of Dietary Anthocyanins and Flavan-3-ols in Reducing the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Review of Recent Evidence. Burton-Freeman, B., Brzeziński, M., Park, E., et al.[2023]

A high-fiber, low-fat diet primarily from plant sources, combined with support, significantly reduced A1C levels in Latinos with type 2 diabetes, showing a mean decrease from 8.53 to 7.31 in the experimental group over 6 months.

The study involved 32 participants from medically underserved areas, and the experimental group had a statistically significant improvement in diabetes management compared to the control group, indicating the effectiveness of dietary intervention and support in self-management of diabetes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of a Plant-Based Diet and Support on Mitigating Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Latinos Living in Medically Underserved Areas. Ramal, E., Champlin, A., Bahjri, K.[2022]

A 28-day treatment with aqueous, ethanolic, and methanolic leaf extracts of avocado significantly reduced blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetic rats, with the methanolic extract showing the most pronounced effect.

The methanolic extract not only improved glucose homeostasis but also promoted regeneration of pancreatic islets and was well tolerated, indicating its potential as a natural treatment for diabetes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparative Antidiabetic Activity of Aqueous, Ethanol, and Methanol Leaf Extracts of Persea americana and Their Effectiveness in Type 2 Diabetic Rats. Kouamé, NM., Koffi, C., N'Zoué, KS., et al.[2020]

Avocado Seed Glycosides (ASG) demonstrated significant vasoprotective properties in rats with Diabetes-Induced Vascular Damage (DIVD), normalizing levels of harmful substances like VCAM-1 and LDL-c after 28 days of treatment.

While ASG did not significantly impact glucose homeostasis compared to standard anti-diabetic drugs, it effectively normalized other vascular damage markers, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits beyond blood sugar control.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Vascular Effects of Avocado Seed Glycosides during Diabetes-induced Endothelial Damage. Amadi, PU., Agomuo, EN., Adumekwe, C.[2021]

In a study involving 12,403 cases of type 2 diabetes (T2D) from a cohort of 340,234 people across eight European countries, the consumption of cakes and cookies was found to be inversely related to T2D risk, suggesting that moderate intake may not be harmful.

Overall, fatty foods like vegetable oil, butter, and nuts and seeds showed no significant association with T2D risk, while higher margarine consumption was weakly linked to increased risk after adjusting for body mass index (BMI).

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Consumption of fatty foods and incident type 2 diabetes in populations from eight European countries. Buijsse, B., Boeing, H., Drogan, D., et al.[2022]

References

1. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Potential effects of Alliaceae and Brassicaceae edible plants on blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. [2022]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Temporal changes in bio-behavioral and glycemic outcomes following a produce prescription program among predominantly Hispanic/Latino adults with or at risk of type 2 diabetes. [2023]

3. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Selective Role of Dietary Anthocyanins and Flavan-3-ols in Reducing the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Review of Recent Evidence. [2023]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of a Plant-Based Diet and Support on Mitigating Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Latinos Living in Medically Underserved Areas. [2022]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A diet rich in fruit and whole grains is associated with a low risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: findings from a case-control study in South China. [2023]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparative Antidiabetic Activity of Aqueous, Ethanol, and Methanol Leaf Extracts of Persea americana and Their Effectiveness in Type 2 Diabetic Rats. [2020]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Consumption of soy foods and isoflavones and risk of type 2 diabetes: a pooled analysis of three US cohorts. [2022]

8. United Arab Emirates pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Vascular Effects of Avocado Seed Glycosides during Diabetes-induced Endothelial Damage. [2021]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Consumption of fatty foods and incident type 2 diabetes in populations from eight European countries. [2022]