Diabetics often have excess glucose in their blood. This excess glucose can cause chemical reactions that initiate damage to blood vessels (angiopathy), particularly the endothelia of smaller vessels (micro-angiopathy). In an Italian trial, Curcuma Flow was tested in 50 diabetics suffering from peripheral micro- angiopathy. Patients had diabetes for at least five years and were using oral anti-diabetic drugs and following a Diabetic control diet. All patients had edema in both feet. Patient’s blood flow was evaluated by laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) and transcutaneous oxygen analysis (TCO). Half the patients received Curcuma Flow 1,000 mg. per day with standard medical approaches, whereas the control group received standard approaches only. Four weeks after starting the trial, edema was not significantly improved in the control group, but was 31 percent improved in the Curcuma Flow group. Other benefits included increased oxygen delivery into the skin of the feet, improvement in the Karnofsky overall health index, vaenoarteriolar response was increased 70 percent in the Curcuma Flow group.
Due to clinical efficacy, a second trial with diabetic micro-angiopathy of the eye was initiated, as diabetics are particularly vulnerable retinopathy caused by blood vessel damage of eye. Retinal flow was measured by ultrasound (high resolution duplex screening), and found to be 9 percent better after 31 days. In addition, visual acuity was measured by an eye chart and all subjects taking the herbal formula showed improved vision.