Article courtesy of https://terrytalksnutrition.com
What is metabolic syndrome?
Metabolic syndrome significantly increases risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Almost 1/3 of U.S. adults have metabolic syndrome.
These 5 indications make up metabolic syndrome:
- High Blood Pressure
- High LDL Cholesterol & Triglycerides
- Low HDL Cholesterol
- Abdominal Obesity “Spare Tire” primarily in Men
- Pre-Diabetes/Diabetes (Insulin Resistance)
Berberine from Indian barberry
Berberine is a compound found in bark, leaves, roots/rhizomes, twigs, and stems of several plants, including:
–Indian barberry (Berberis aristata)
–Goldenseal (Hydrastiscanadensis)
–Oregon Grape (Mahonia spp.)
It has been used medicinally for over 2,000 years. Modern research focus on:
–Inflammation
–Metabolic syndrome
Berberine: A Treatment for Metabolic Syndrome
24 people with metabolic syndrome received 500 mg berberine, three times daily, or a placebo, for 3 months.
Results: statistically significant reductions in BMI, waist size and glucose levels, plus
–42% reduction in triglycerides
–6% reduction in blood pressure
–20% reduction in insulin resistance
More Clinical Research on Berberine
Lowered blood sugar as effectively as prescription drug treatment
–Patients with T2D: fasting blood glucose down 26% with berberine versus 30% with metformin
–HbA1c down 18% for berberine versus 23% for metformin
Reduces triglycerides
–18% reduction in T2D for berberine versus 6% in metformin group
When combined with diet and exercise, berberine was shown to lower blood pressure more effectively than lifestyle alone or placebo.
Berberine supplement is available at Green's Nutrition.