Dietary Supplements for Metabolism Support - Celebrate

The relationship between adipose (fat) tissue and metabolic processes within the body contribute to the complexity of obesity. Adipose (fat) cells are active and can cause dysregulation in insulin, lipid and hormone signaling. Furthermore, these signals can also impact the way that adipose tissues behave. Weight loss has shown to improve obesity-related comorbidities associated with these signals, including diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. 

In addition to surgical, medical, or lifestyle-based weight loss interventions, individuals may also seek additional support to enhance health outcomes. Integrative and alternative medicine is a growing interest among patients. In 2012, over one third of the U.S. population was using some type of complementary health care.¹ Integrative and alternative therapies often utilize herbs, spices, or nutrients from traditional medicines that have since shown to have mechanisms that affect genetic expression, insulin signaling, and hormone regulation. In many cases, these ingredients are highly concentrated as part of dietary supplements. Of the U.S. population utilizing complementary care, 18% were incorporating dietary supplements.² There are many different ingredients that have shown to have properties with metabolic benefit. Below is a summary of some of these ingredients and their effects:

Chromium. This mineral plays an important role in insulin sensitivity. It supports the movement of glucose across the membrane by improving gene function, and has important antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.³ Meta-analyses of randomized-controlled trials found have seen chromium supplementation resulted in a statistically significant reduction in HbA1C (0.55 to 0.71%) and fasting blood glucose (19-20 mg/dL).^4,5 Improvements in triglycerides, and HDL levels have also been observed.^4,5

Berberine. Berberine is thought to lower blood glucose in many ways, including increasing secretion of GLP-1 hormone, improving insulin receptor activity, and activating transcription factors like AMPK.^5–7 AMPK regulates the metabolism of lipids, glucose, and other metabolic substrates. These and other properties may explain the improvement in metabolic outcomes seen with berberine supplements. Meta-analyses have shown fasting blood glucose decline by 10-16 mg/dL while HbA1C has reduced by 0.4 - 2.0% in individuals with diabetes.^5,7 In fact, one small study found improvements in HbA1C were similar to that of Metformin.⁵  

Veldt Grape (Cissus Quandrangularis). This cactus-like plant is thought to inhibit enzymes involved in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, including pancreatic lipase and alpha-amylase.^8,9 It has also shown to influence genetic expression that may influence utilization of fat tissue.¹⁰ With these mechanisms in mind, C. quandrangularis has shown statistically and clinically significant reductions in total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, and weight. One systematic review of randomized controlled trials found that C. Quandrangularis combination products resulted in an average total cholesterol reduction of 50.5 mg/dL, decreased fasting blood glucose by 10.4 mg/dL and average weight loss of 5.2 kg.¹¹

Cinnamon. Cinnamon has insulin-mimetic effects. It has polyphenolic properties thought to increase insulin receptor activity, glucose uptake, and glycogen synthesis.¹² It is difficult to know the true effect of cinnamon on glycemic homeostasis, as studies are short or small and have mixed results. However, many have shown possible benefit for blood glucose support for individuals who have prediabetes, diabetes, or healthy glucose control. For example, one meta-analysis found that women with PCOS had an average 5.3 mg/dL reduction in fasting blood glucose with cinnamon supplementation.¹³ 

References

1.    National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. The use and cost of complementary health approaches in the United States. National Institute of Health. Accessed April 16, 2024. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/about/the-use-and-cost-of-complementary-health-approaches-in-the-united-states

2.    National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Use of complementary and integrative health approaches in the United States, 2012. National Institute of Health. Accessed April 16, 2024. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/about/use-of-complementary-and-integrative-health-approaches-in-the-united-states-2012

3.    Chromium. NatMed Database. Published November 16, 2023. Accessed April 18, 2024. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=932

4.    Suksomboon N, Poolsup N, Yuwanakorn A. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of chromium supplementation in diabetes [Abstract]. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2014;39(3):292-306. doi:10.1111/jcpt.12147

5.    McKennon SA. Non-Pharmaceutical Intervention Options for Type 2 Diabetes: Complementary Health Approaches and Integrative Health (Including Natural Products and Mind/Body Practices). In: Feingold K, Anawalt B, Blackman M, et al., eds. Endotext [Internet]. MDText.com; 2000. Accessed August 1, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279062/

6.    Han J, Lin H, Huanga W. Modulating gut microbiota as an anti-diabetic mechanism of berberine. Med Sci Monit. 2011;17(7):164-167. http://www.medscimonit.com/fulltxt.php?ICID=881842

7.    Berberine. NatMed Database. Published January 31, 2024. Accessed April 18, 2024. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=1126

8.    Sharp H, Hollinshead J, Bartholomew BB, Oben J, Watson A, Nash R. Inhibitory Effects of Cissus Quadrangularis L. Derived Components on Lipase, Amylase, and alpha-Glucosidase Activity in vitro. Natural Product Communication. 2007;2(8):817-822. http://www.naturalproduct.us.

9.    Cissus Quandrangularis. NatMed Database. Published June 29, 2023. Accessed April 17, 2024. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=1166

10.    Chatree S, Sitticharoon C, Maikaew P, et al. Cissus Quadrangularis enhances UCP1 mRNA, indicative of white adipocyte browning and decreases central obesity in humans in a randomized trial. Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):2008. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-81606-9

11.    Sawangjit R, Puttarak P, Saokaew S, Chaiyakunapruk N. Efficacy and Safety of Cissus quadrangularis L. in Clinical Use: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Phytotherapy Research. 2017;31(4):555-567. doi:10.1002/ptr.5783

12.    Cassia Cinnamon. NatMed Database. Published November 16, 2023. Accessed April 16, 2024. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=1002

13.    Heydarpour F, Hemati N, Hadi A, Moradi S, Mohammadi E, Farzaei MH. Effects of cinnamon on controlling metabolic parameters of polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis [Abstract]. J Ethnopharmacol. 2020;254:112741. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2020.112741

META GC Metabolic Health Supplement

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META GC is a supplement that helps to balance blood sugar levels, improve metabolic health, and support weight management when combined with a healthy lifestyle. It contains clinically studied ingredients that regulate glucose, increase metabolism, and promote weight loss by… read more

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