Table 1 Baseline characteristics placebo and supplement group (Median Q1-Q3, unless stated otherwise)

Age

51 (42–60)

52 (44–56)

0.964

Male: female (n)

18:32

23:27

0.312

Smoking (n)

2

6

Duration of diabetes (yrs)

2.0 (1–3)

3 (1–3)

0.258

Previous Hypertension (n)

34

28

0.219

Previous IHD (n)

8

7

0.781

High cholesterol (n)

36

38

0.650

Number of drugs/patient

2.2

2.3

0.849

Treatment of diabetes (n)

Diet

2

2

0.059

Tablet

36

28

Insulin

9

18

Both

3

2

Other treatments, n (%)

ACE inhibitors

13 (26)

12 (24)

0.863

Calcium channel blockers

1 (2)

2 (4)

0.548

B blockers

14 (28)

16 (32)

0.616

aspirin

36 (72)

40 (80)

0.259

Statins

38 (76)

36 (72)

0.773

Body mass index

32 (29–36)

31. (26–35))

0.278

Fat mass (kg)

36 (28–43)

35 (29–43)

0.683

Waist circumference (cm)

104 (95–115)

100 (95–110)

0.281

Systolic BP (mmHg)

135 (121–145)

136 (120–153)

0.490

Diastolic BP (mmHg)

79 (70–85)

80 (73–86)

0.304

HbAic (%)

7.8 (7.0-9.3)

7.7 (6.4-9.0)

0.780

Total cholesterol (mmol/L)

4.1 (4.0-5.0)

4.3 (3.8-4.9)

0.402

Triglycerides (mmol/L)

1.0 (0.83-1.44)

1.35 (0.75-1.7)

0.335