Researchers at Northwestern University in 2006 found a link between magnesium and metabolic syndrome. In their report, published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, they discussed their study of over 5,000 people. It was found that dietary supplements of magnesium reduced the rate of development of metabolic syndrome, and that with increased amounts of magnesium, metabolic syndrome risk decreased even more. In 2008, a review of various studies about this subject concluded that the strongest benefit was from magnesium contained in food, rather than from supplements (http://ncp.sagepub.com/content/23/2/142.abstract). In addition to reducing the risk of metabolic syndrome, magnesium is also good “brain food” – some of the conditions associated with magnesium deficiency are anxiety, depression, attention deficit disorder and problems with cognitive function.

What Is Metabolic Syndrome?

In understanding the importance of magnesium, metabolic syndrome must be explained. It is a group of risk factors that …

Metabolic syndrome treatment mostly involves diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes. Sometimes these are not enough, so drugs may be given to control cholesterol levels, lipids, high blood pressure, and other conditions commonly connected to metabolic syndrome. According to Medicinenet.com, one class of blood pressure drugs, called ACE inhibitors, have been know to reduce insulin resistance to the point that they deter the development of type-2 diabetes.

Metabolic Syndrome Natural Treatment

Chinese herbs are starting to be seen as a potential treatment for metabolic syndrome, even by the medical community. Three herbs which have been suggested by the National Institute of Health are ginseng, rhizome coptidis, and bitter melon. Ginseng extracts have been proven effective for anti-hyperglycemia, insulin sensitization, islet protection, anti-obesity, and anti-oxidation. Energy expenditure has also been known to increase because of ginseng.

Rhizoma is helpful in the treatment of metabolic syndrome because it has anti-obesity and …