Innovative supplements complement dietary changes to manage metabolic syndrome effectively
| Supplement | Key ingredients | Potential benefits | Mechanisms of action | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Probiotics | Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Saccharomyces | Improves gut microbiome health, enhances insulin sensitivity, reduces inflammation, aids weight management | Probiotics restore GM balance, enhance SCFA production, and reduce systemic inflammation, which improves metabolic markers like blood sugar and lipid profiles. | Dugoua et al. [103], 2009; Igbafe et al. [104], 2020; Yang et al. [105], 2022 |
| Berberine | Berberine extract (from Berberis species) | Improves insulin sensitivity, reduces blood sugar and lipids, supports weight loss | Berberine activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), improving insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism, and lipid regulation. | Pirillo and Catapano [106], 2015; Xu et al. [107], 2021 |
| Curcumin | Curcumin (from turmeric) | Reduces inflammation, improves insulin sensitivity, supports liver health | Curcumin has potent anti-inflammatory effects, reduces oxidative stress, and modulates metabolic pathways linked to insulin resistance and fat metabolism. | Shao et al. [108], 2012; Navekar et al. [109], 2017 |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | Fish oil (EPA, DHA), algal oil | Reduces inflammation, improves blood lipids, supports cardiovascular health | Omega-3 fatty acids reduce systemic inflammation, lower triglycerides, improve HDL cholesterol, and enhance insulin sensitivity. | Ellulu et al. [110], 2015; Santos et al. [111], 2020 |
| Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) | ALA | Improves insulin sensitivity, reduces oxidative stress, supports weight management | ALA acts as an antioxidant, reduces oxidative damage, enhances glucose uptake, and improves lipid metabolism, helping to reduce risk factors of metabolic syndrome. | Najafi et al. [112], 2022 |
| Cinnamon extract | Cinnamon polyphenols (Cinnamomum cassia) | Lowers blood sugar, improves insulin sensitivity, reduces inflammation | Cinnamon increases insulin receptor sensitivity and enhances glucose uptake in cells, contributing to better blood sugar control. | Tangvarasittichai et al. [113], 2015; Mollazadeh and Hosseinzadeh [114], 2016; Shang et al. [115], 2021 |
| Chromium picolinate | Chromium (elemental form) | Improves blood glucose regulation, enhances insulin sensitivity | Chromium plays a role in enhancing insulin action, improving glucose uptake, and stabilizing blood sugar levels. | Zhao et al. [116], 2022 |
| Magnesium | Magnesium citrate, magnesium glycinate | Improves insulin sensitivity, supports blood pressure regulation, aids sleep | Magnesium helps regulate glucose metabolism, supports endothelial function, and improves insulin sensitivity, which is crucial for metabolic syndrome management. | Cloyd [117], 2023; Fatima et al. [118], 2024 |
| Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) | CoQ10 (ubiquinone) | Supports mitochondrial function, reduces oxidative stress, improves heart health | CoQ10 boosts cellular energy production, reduces inflammation, and protects against oxidative damage, improving overall metabolic function and cardiovascular health. | Gutierrez-Mariscal et al. [119], 2020; Ochoa et al. [120], 2005 |
| Vitamin D | Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) | Improves insulin sensitivity, supports immune function, regulates blood pressure | Vitamin D plays a role in calcium metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and immune function, while deficiencies are linked to metabolic dysfunction and increased risk of diabetes. | Garbossa and Folli [121], 2017; Szymczak-Pajor et al. [122], 2020 |
| L-Carnitine | L-Carnitine (from animal or plant sources) | Supports fat metabolism, improves exercise performance, aids in weight loss | L-Carnitine transports fatty acids into mitochondria for energy production, aiding fat oxidation and helping with weight management. | Prakash et al. [123], 2023 |
| Fiber supplements | Psyllium husk, inulin, glucomannan | Reduces blood sugar, improves gut health, supports weight loss | Fiber supplements improve gut motility, help regulate blood sugar levels, and promote satiety, which aids in weight loss and reduces risk factors for metabolic syndrome. | Pokushalov et al. [124], 2024; Gamage et al. [125], 2018 |
| Green tea extract | EGCG | Increases fat oxidation, improves insulin sensitivity, supports weight loss | EGCG in green tea enhances thermogenesis and fat oxidation while also increasing insulin sensitivity, which aids in reducing body fat and improving metabolic health. | Most et al. [126], 2016; Kapoor et al. [127], 2017 |
| Resveratrol | Resveratrol (from grapes, red wine) | Reduces inflammation, improves insulin sensitivity, supports cardiovascular health | Resveratrol acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, improving endothelial function, reducing oxidative stress, and enhancing insulin sensitivity. | Castaldo et al. [128], 2019; Barber et al. [129], 2022 |
| Garlic extract | Allicin, sulfur compounds | Reduces blood pressure, improves cholesterol levels, supports weight loss | Garlic extract possesses anti-inflammatory properties, reduces blood pressure, and enhances lipid profiles, thereby contributing to improved metabolic health. | Salehi et al. [130], 2019; Piragine et al. [131], 2022 |
| Ashwagandha | Withanolides (from Withania somnifera) | Reduces stress, improves insulin sensitivity, supports weight management | Ashwagandha modulates cortisol levels, reducing stress-related fat accumulation and inflammation while improving glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. | Quinones et al. [132], 2025; Rakha et al. [133], 2023 |
EGCG: epigallocatechin gallate; GM: gut microbiota; SCFA: short-chain fatty acid
