A study was published in Diabetelogica assessing whether enteric-coated pellets, releasing small amounts of lauric acid throughout the digestive tract, could reduce the body’s glucose responses to meals by stimulating the release of GLP-1.

When lauric acid is present in the body, it exhibits antiviral, antimicrobial, antiprotozoal and antifungal properties. It acts by disrupting the lipid membranes in organisms like fungus, bacteria and viruses, thus destroying them.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), may be stimulated by delivering small quantities of lauric acid to the gut. Enteric coating is a method used to deliver substances, orally, so it can travel to the gut before it is degraded by gastric acid.

In the study, 8 people with T2D, were each studied on two occasions. After an overnight fast, they consumed 5 g of these pellets or placebo with breakfast and lunch Neither the participants or the investigators knew whether they were given the active pellets or the placebo.

Throughout the trial period, participants blood glucose and hormonal levels were assessed. While there were no differences in insulin, glucagon concentrations were higher after breakfast and lunch for active pellets.

Delivering small amounts of active nutrient pellets can stimulate substantial endogenous GLP-1 release and control after meal blood glucose levels. This novel approach has therapeutic potential in T2D.  Enteric-coated  lauric acid bread stick to start your meal, perhaps?

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