Penn Herb Wellness Guide
Metabolic Syndrome
- Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
- Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
- For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.
Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by some in the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.
For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.
| Supplement | Amount | Why |
|---|---|---|
Anthocyanins | > 400 mg daily |  [3 stars] Taking anthocyanins may help people with metabolic syndrome achieve better blood glucose control and normalize triglyceride and cholesterol levels. |
Berberine | 500 mg three times daily | [3 stars] Clinical trials have shown berberine can benefit all aspects of metabolic syndrome. |
Cinnamon | 1 to 3 grams daily | [3 stars] Cinnamon has been shown to improve all aspects of metabolic syndrome. |
Glucomannan | 3 to 10 grams daily | [3 stars] Taking a glucomannan fiber supplement may improve metabolic syndrome. |
Green Tea | 600 to 900 mg of tea catechins daily | [3 stars] Strong evidence indicates green tea and black tea extracts can help individuals with metabolic syndrome reduce body weight, lower blood glucose levels, and raise HDL-cholesterol levels. |
Guar Gum | 3 to 10 grams daily | [3 stars] Taking a guar gum fiber supplement may improve metabolic syndrome. |
Acai | 200 grams of berry pulp daily |  [2 stars] Preliminary evidence suggests acai berry may improve metabolic health. |
Chromium | 200 to 500 mcg daily, or more under doctor supervision | [2 stars] Supplementing with chromium may be beneficial in people with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. |
Coenzyme Q10 | 30 to 200 mg daily | [2 stars] A small body of clinical evidence suggests coenzyme Q10 may improve insulin sensitivity, glucose and lipid metabolism, and blood pressure in those with metabolic syndrome. |
L-Carnitine | 2 to 3 grams daily | [2 stars] L-carnitine supplementation may reduce cardiovascular risk by improving metabolic parameters such as body weight, blood glucose control, insulin sensitivity, and lipid levels. |
Magnesium | 300 mg daily | [2 stars] People with metabolic syndrome often have low magnesium status and benefit from magnesium supplementation. |
Myoinositol | 1.1 to 4 grams daily; in combination supplements, the ratio of myoinositol to d-chiro-inositol is generally 40:1 | [2 stars] Myoinositol, alone or in combination with d-chiro-inositol, may improve some aspects of metabolic syndrome in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. |
Omega-3 Fatty Acids | 1 to 2 grams of fish oil, or ~300 mg of combined EPA plus DHA, daily | [2 stars] Fish oil and its omega-3 fatty acids have positive metabolic effects and are especially effective for lowering high triglyceride levels in people with metabolic syndrome. |
Probiotics | = 6.5 billion colony forming units (CFUs) daily | [2 stars] Early research indicates probiotics have likely, though small, benefits on metabolic and cardiovascular health. |
Vitamin D | 3 to 4,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily | [2 stars] Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of metabolic disorders. |
Calcium | Refer to label instructions |  [1 star] One study found that supplementing with calcium improved insulin sensitivity in people with hypertension. |
Vitamin E | Refer to label instructions | [1 star] Vitamin E supplements, particularly tocotrienols, have been found to be beneficial in treating the conditions that make up metabolic syndrome. |
Zinc | 15 to 50 mg daily | [1 star] Zinc is important for metabolic health, but there are risks associated with both too little and too much zinc. |
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The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2025.