Metabolic Matters

by Mike Straus | November 2, 2026

Natural Practitioner explores the natural remedies and lifestyle approaches practitioners can use to address blood sugar support and metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome and blood sugar problems are increasingly common in patients of all ages. One 2026 systematic review and modelling analysis published in Nature Communications found that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome rose by 16 percentage points among both women and men between 2000 and 2023.1 As blood sugar problems and metabolic syndrome proliferate, consumers are seeking out non-drug interventions they can use to reverse pathogenic changes in their blood sugar profiles and undo the damage caused by metabolic syndrome. Here are just some of the natural remedies and lifestyle approaches that natural health practitioners can use with patients facing these health challenges.

Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements for Blood Sugar Support

There’s a wide array of natural health products that practitioners can recommend to patients that will help balance blood sugar and maintain a healthy weight. Celine Torres-Moon, senior scientist at supplement manufacturer Protocol for Life Balance in Bloomingdale, IL, said that among minerals and vitamins, the most studied for blood sugar level management are chromium, magnesium, zinc, vitamin D, biotin and thiamin.

“Most B vitamins and manganese have a supportive, indirect role in glucose and energy metabolism,” she said. “Some non-vitamin nutrients also affect blood sugar regulation, including fiber, resistant starch, protein, inositol, carnitine and alpha-lipoic acid. Finally, many botanicals have been studied for their ability to regulate blood sugar levels. The most used are berberine, cinnamon, mulberry leaf, fenugreek and bitter melon.”

Kaitlin Hippley, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian in Cleveland, OH, agreed, noting that many of the compounds in berberine, chromium, fenugreek and cinnamon have been shown in research to improve insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism or insulin signaling. Hippley cautions, however, that results in clinical trials are inconsistent, and the evidence is not strong enough to recommend these supplements routinely.

“If someone chooses to use a supplement, it’s important to consider potential interactions with diabetes medications and other medications,” Hippley said. “I recommend discussing any supplement use with a qualified health care practitioner before starting one.”

Hippley noted that some of the more popular remedies for metabolic health include berberine and omega-3 fatty acids.

HealthAid America National Sales Manager Nitesh Khakhar in Sunnyvale, CA noted that when looking for supplements to recommend to patients, practitioners should seek out products with meaningful ingredient amounts, complementary ingredients and quality manufacturing standards. HealthAid America offers Blood Sugar Support, a product that combines cinnamon, bitter melon, jambolan and purple rice to support healthy blood sugar levels.

Nicole Avena, PhD, is a professor of neuroscience at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, NY and a visiting professor of health psychology at Princeton University in Princeton, NJ. She is the author of Sugarless: A 7 Step Plan to Uncover Hidden Sugar, Curb Your Cravings, and Conquer Your Addiction and is a Natural Practitioner Advisory Board member.

Dr. Avena noted that while the first-line approach to blood sugar support should be nutrition and lifestyle, certain foods, fibers and ingredients may have a useful adjunctive role.

“Soluble fiber is one of the most practical options,” she said. “Foods such as beans, lentils, oats, barley, chia and flax can slow carbohydrate digestion and absorption and help improve post-meal glucose responses. Psyllium husk is particularly interesting, because randomized-trial meta-analyses have found reductions in fasting glucose, HbA1c and measures of insulin resistance.”

For metabolic syndrome specifically, practitioners say it’s important to focus on five key cardiometabolic risk factors. Bradley Bush, ND, is the chief medical officer for supplement brand Endur Products in Tualatin, OR. Dr. Bush said that one of the most promising natural options for blood sugar support is berberine.

“Berberine has been studied for decades, and its results have been remarkably consistent. A recent meta-analysis2 that looked at 50 randomized controlled trials involving more than 4,100 participants offers good insight. Here, the researchers reaffirmed berberine’s significant impact on blood sugar balance as well as other markers of metabolic health. What’s particularly interesting is that berberine was shown to be effective both on its own and as an add-on to other interventions.”

However, Dr. Bush notes an important real-world limitation involving berberine. Namely, berberine is most commonly available as berberine HCl, a form with relatively poor bioavailability that often requires higher and more frequent dosing—sometimes as many as three doses per day. Gastrointestinal side effects are also common with berberine HCl, which can negatively affect patient adherence.

“Because tolerability can be a real barrier, we took a fresh look at how to deliver berberine’s benefits more effectively,” Dr. Bush noted. “We moved beyond standard berberine and chose dihydroberberine instead, which is absorbed much more efficiently—up to five times better. Once it’s absorbed, dihydroberberine converts into berberine in the body. We also use our proprietary SmartMatrix delivery system to create a controlled-release tablet that releases steadily over five to seven hours.”

Lifestyle Interventions Can Support Healthy Blood Sugar

In addition to various dietary supplements, practitioners can implement several lifestyle interventions with patients to maintain a healthy blood sugar balance and reduce incidence of metabolic syndrome.

EuroMedica Chief of Scientific Affairs and Education Cheryl Myers in Green Bay, WI said that recommending an anti-inflammatory diet that reduces empty calories, sugars and carbs is one of the best things to include in a treatment protocol for blood sugar issues and metabolic syndrome.

“Realistic expectations for the types of recommended exercise are helpful, as well,” Myers said. “In the case of reversing metabolic syndrome, it’s important to be mindful of any additional burden patients may face following cardio episodes or existing prescribed interventions for type 2 diabetes. It may require a slower, but equally determined, approach on behalf of the practitioner and patient alike, to ensure they keep moving forward.”

Shirin Pourafshar, PhD, MSCR, LDN, is a clinical research manager with Standard Process Inc. in Palmyra, WI. Dr. Pourafshar said that lifestyle is the foundation of treating blood sugar problems and metabolic syndrome, and the evidence for lifestyle interventions is strong.

The landmark Diabetes Prevention Program found that modest weight loss (about 7 percent of total body weight) accompanied by 150 minutes of weekly activity reduced progression to type 2 diabetes by 58 percent, which outperformed metformin.

“I recommend building meals around protein, fiber and healthy fat,” Dr. Pourafshar said. “Mediterranean-style eating patterns have the most consistent cardiometabolic evidence. Minimize refined carbohydrates and sugar-sweetened beverages. Furthermore, tools like continuous glucose monitors help patients see how their own bodies respond to specific foods, activity and sleep. That feedback often motivates change more than any handout can.”

Standard Process has a variety of products for blood sugar regulation, including Glucose Assist, a low-glycemic vegan shake made with slow-release carbohydrates and plant-based protein. This product helps support healthy blood sugar levels that are already within the normal range.

Standard Process also offers Metabol Complex, an ayurvedic-inspired botanical blend of fenugreek, black cumin, bitter melon and cinnamon that provides multi-action metabolic support.

Monique T. Class, MS, APRN-BC, IFMCP-M, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner and a brand friend of Calocurb, a supplement brand in Auckland, New Zealand. Class noted that lifestyle remains the foundation of treatment. She generally recommends a modified Mediterranean-style eating pattern to patients. This eating pattern is centered on lean protein, abundant non-starchy vegetables, healthy fats and high-fiber foods.

“For patients with insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome, I often reduce the amount and frequency of refined carbohydrates and grains,” she said. “A simple strategy can be limiting grain-based or starchy carbohydrate servings while emphasizing protein and vegetables, and individualizing carbohydrate intake to the patient’s metabolic response.”

Class also likes viscous fiber, such as psyllium husk, prior to meals when appropriate. Fiber, she said, can support satiety while helping with postprandial glucose and atherogenic cholesterol parameters.

“Another very practical intervention is walking for 10 to 15 minutes after meals,” she added. “Post-meal movement gives skeletal muscle an immediate opportunity to utilize glucose and can help blunt postprandial glucose excursions. Finally, resistance training is essential. Muscle is one of our largest sites of glucose disposal, so preserving and building skeletal muscle should be part of virtually every metabolic health program.”

Class uses Calocurb as part of a broader metabolic strategy because it targets a piece of the metabolic picture that is sometimes overlooked: endogenous satiety signaling.

“Calocurb contains Amarasate, a branded bitter hop extract that activates bitter taste receptors in the gastrointestinal tract,” she said. “This stimulates endogenous GLP-1, CCK and PYY signaling. These are physiological satiety signals involved in gut-brain communication that help regulate food intake.”

Class noted that in a recent 24-week trial funded by Calocurb, participants receiving the bitter hop extract in conjunction with lifestyle advice experienced greater reductions in body weight, fat mass, and visceral fat compared with placebo, while preserving skeletal muscle mass.3

Heather Shenkman, MD, is a board-certified interventional cardiologist in Los Angeles, CA and medical advisor to supplement brand 1MD Nutrition in Irvine, CA. Dr. Shenkman noted that a healthy diet and exercise are far more important for metabolic health than any supplement. Dr. Shenkman said she encourages her patients to focus on modifiable factors.

“Transitioning to a predominantly plant-based diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dietary polyphenols, while limiting added sugars and highly processed foods, is clinically proven to improve insulin sensitivity and body weight,” she said. “Additionally, prioritizing routine aerobic exercise physically conditions your blood vessels and helps the body utilize glucose more effectively. Even walking throughout the day in small increments helps regulate blood sugar.”

1MD Nutrition’s GlucoseMD product is a dietary supplement specifically formulated to support healthy blood sugar levels and overall metabolic function. Dr. Shenkman explained that the product relies on a multi-pathway approach to glucose management, using a vegan blend of seven key ingredients. The formula features the branded CinSulin, a patented, water-soluble cinnamon bark extract, along with berberine to support cellular energy metabolism, chromium for macronutrient metabolism, and Gymnema sylvestre to help reduce sugar cravings.

Conor Watters, ND, sales and marketing at Ayush Herbs in Redmond, WA, noted that the importance of cardiovascular exercise cannot be overstated. He explained that the standard guideline of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise five days per week is a good place to start, and it lines up with the American Diabetes Association’s 150 minutes per week.

“Patients always ask how hard they should be working during exercise,” he said. “Most of those minutes belong in what endurance coaches call Zone 2, roughly 60 to 70 percent of maximum heart rate. Use the talk test: if you can still speak in full sentences, you’re there. Zone 2 trains the mitochondria to burn fat and clear lactate. One or two harder sessions a week are worth adding, because intervals give the biggest insulin-sensitivity return for the time spent.”

How Practitioners Should Evaluate Products

David Kahana, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist and a physician formulator with 1MD Nutrition. Dr. Kahana said that when evaluating blood sugar support products, practitioners must look beyond basic symptom management and evaluate whether a product supports the body’s natural physiological processes. Furthermore, he said, bioavailability matters, as does whether the ingredients in the supplement support first-pass metabolism.

“Look for clinically studied, patented ingredients,” Dr. Kahana noted. “The absorption rates can vary wildly. Furthermore, practitioners should always check the inactive ingredients. Many supplements, particularly powders and gummies, use artificial sweeteners, preservatives or sugar alcohols that create an osmotic load in the gut, disrupting the microbiome and actively worsening the dysbiosis that drives metabolic syndrome in the first place.”

Blood Sugar Support Innovations

Dr. Watters said that there are three major innovations in the blood sugar support space, and they converge. First is GLP-1 drugs, which have changed what the category is for. Blood sugar support products, he said, now make up roughly 39 percent of the GLP-1 support supplement market. What has changed is the definition of “support”.

“A 2025 analysis in Frontiers in Nutrition found that people on GLP-1 drugs are under-consuming magnesium, calcium, choline and vitamins A, C, D, E and K,” Dr. Watters noted. “So the newer formulas are built around lean mass and micronutrients. At Vitafoods Europe 2026, the launches were mostly muscle-preservation products, as well as fiber and collagen peptides that raise the body’s own GLP-1s through short-chain fatty acids. Bitter compounds that trigger the cut’s own incretin release are getting attention for the first time.”

Another major trend in blood sugar support, Dr. Watters explained, is that patients can now see their own glucose. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared Dexcom’s Stelo in March 2024 and Abbott’s Lingo in June 2024 for adults not using insulin.

Finally, Dr. Watters said that verification is the third major trend driving the blood sugar and metabolic health support space. DNA barcoding, chromatographic fingerprinting and lot-level traceability are separating companies that can prove what’s in the bottle from those that can’t.

Metabolic Health Takes Center Stage

The blood sugar support and metabolic health niche is rapidly growing as more patients seek out natural and holistic approaches to maintaining healthy blood sugar levels and undoing metabolic syndrome. A variety of clinically validated VMS products are available to practitioners to help patients support healthy blood sugar levels, but lifestyle interventions like exercise and diet remain first-line treatments. As more patients come to seek out natural health solutions for metabolic syndrome and blood sugar issues, practitioners should be prepared to support them with evidence-backed interventions.

References:

1 Noubiap JJ et al. “Worldwide trends in metabolic syndrome from 2000 to 2023: A systematic review and modelling analysis.” Nature Communications, vol. 17 no. 573 (2026).

2 Wang J et al. “Effects of administering berberine alone or in combination on type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” Frontiers in Pharmacology, vol. 15 (2024): Published online November 21 2024.

3 Walker E et al. “Bitter hop nutraceutical stimulates fat mass loss while preserving muscle mass in a cohort of individuals with overweight or obesity receiving diet and exercise advice.” Obesity Pillars, vol. 19 (2026): 100299.

Healthy Take Aways

• Among minerals and vitamins, the most studied for blood sugar level management are chromium, magnesium, zinc, vitamin D, biotin and thiamin.
• Foods such as beans, lentils, oats, barley, chia and flax can slow carbohydrate digestion and absorption and help improve post-meal glucose responses.
• Post-meal movement gives skeletal muscle an immediate opportunity to utilize glucose and can help blunt postprandial glucose excursions.
• A 2025 analysis in Frontiers in Nutrition found that people on GLP-1 drugs are under-consuming magnesium, calcium, choline and vitamins A, C, D, E and K.