Supplements are a great way to get important nutrients from your diet, but they aren’t right for everyone.
Patients with metabolic syndromePeople with a range of health conditions, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels, and excess body fat around the waist, should be especially careful about taking supplements.
for eat wellRegistered Dietitian Isabel Vazquez They identified five supplements that metabolic syndrome patients should avoid: chromium, niacin, green tea, bitter melon, and milk thistle.
chromium
Chromium is an essential trace mineral found in foods such as grape juice and broccoli. Some people take chromium to help regulate blood sugar and cholesterol, and to improve athletic performance. Evidence of effectiveness is limited.
“In some studies, [the supplement] Chromium picolinate may improve insulin sensitivity, but the evidence is inconclusive and inconsistent.” Michelle Roosensteinpreventive cardiac nutritionist at Entirely Nourished, told EatingWell:
Chromium may also interact with insulin and antidiabetic drugs, causing unwanted side effects.
“Overdose can cause side effects such as kidney damage and gastrointestinal problems,” Lusenstein explained.
Niacin
Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, helps the body turn food into energy and supports healthy nervous system, digestive system and skin. According to the Mayo Clinic.
People take the prescription drug niacin to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attack.
Vasquez warned that people with metabolic syndrome should not take niacin supplements.
“A recent study found that adding a niacin supplement raised HDL in participants taking cholesterol-lowering statin medications,” Vasquez wrote.
“This is usually a good thing – HDL is the ‘good’ cholesterol, after all,” she added, “but in this case, HDL levels spiked so high that they actually increased the risk of atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the arteries).”
Green Tea
Drinking six to eight cups of green tea a day is generally safe, but taking supplements could pose health risks, especially for people with metabolic syndrome, Vasquez warned.
Green tea extract is found in a variety of supplements that promote weight loss and metabolic health, but it’s important to know that green tea has been shown to interact with some medications used to treat cardiovascular problems.
In rare cases, some people who take green tea extract supplements for weight loss have developed liver problems. Report of the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
Bitter melon
Bitter melon is said to have the effect of lowering blood sugar levels. According to Healthline:
The fruit contains chemicals that mimic insulin. Vasquez said it’s OK to use bitter melon in cooking, but taking bitter melon supplements may not be safe or effective for treating diabetes, especially in the long term.
Vasquez mentioned the study Bitter melon was found to be effective in lowering blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes who consumed it for over 12 weeks, but the study was only tested for a short period of time.
Milk thistle
Milk thistle is another supplement promoted for people with diabetes and high blood sugar.
But there isn’t enough data to support the theory that it helps.
“There is absolutely no evidence that it treats metabolic syndrome or helps liver health,” says the registered dietitian. Lauren Maheshri He told EatingWell.
Additionally, people who are allergic to plants such as ragweed, marigolds, and daisies may also be allergic to milk thistle, as they are similar plants.
Health Recommendations
Experts recommend a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and healthy grains, exercise and regular medical check-ups.
“Monitoring your cardiometabolic risk factors through regular health checks and measuring your blood pressure at home will allow you to monitor your progress, adjust if necessary, and customize a plan to help you manage metabolic syndrome,” said Dr. Lusenstein.
