All Systems Go: Supporting Metabolic Health

by Lisa Schofield | November 1, 2024

Aiding optimal metabolic function helps customers extend healthy aging.

Metabolic health is, perhaps, the primary key to robust and sustained homeostasis. In a sense, it all begins with the food we eat and beverages we drink. Ingested foods and beverages reflect the adage, “You are what you eat,” as they set a chain of events that create a metabolic profile. Metabolic profile impacts disease risk that can lead to early mortality.

“Metabolic health is essential to survival,” stated Dayna Dye, education content writer, Life Extension, Florida.

Remy Reinstein, vice president of sales, Curalife, Texas, agreed, adding, “Metabolic health is critical to overall well-being, affecting everything from blood sugar and weight to heart health. Being proactive about it can help prevent serious conditions like diabetes and heart disease.”

Metabolism is the set of cellular mechanisms that generate energy from our food and environment to power every single cell in the body. When these energy-producing pathways run smoothly, we have optimal metabolic health. Since all cells in the body require energy to function, metabolic health is foundational for overall health and well-being.

To review, all your adult customers should focus on five critical numbers, all easily assessed by a blood test administered by one’s physician. They do not want to exceed the following, which paints a picture of metabolic status:

1. Waist circumference: a waist that is 40 inches or more for men, and 35 inches or more for women

2. Triglycerides: high triglyceride levels of at least 150 mg/dL

3. Low HDL: high density lipoprotein (the good cholesterol) levels of 40 mg/dL or less for men, and 50 mg/dL or less for women

4. High blood pressure: at least 130/85 mmHg or higher

5. High fasting blood sugar: at least 100 mg/dL or higher

Unattended, these five factors, when present, can get worse, and lead to entrenched health problems. “Diseases of disordered metabolism, including diabetes, obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hyperlipidemia and gout, have become major public health issues in North America and worldwide,” warned Jolie Root, senior nutritionist and educator, Carlson Labs, Illinois.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 74 percent of American adults are overweight, which includes nearly 43 percent who are obese. People who have a BMI (body mass index) that characterizes them as either overweight or obese are at elevated risk of potential adverse health issues including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, breast cancer, colon cancer and leukemia.

In the viewpoint of David Winston, RH(AHG), Herbalist & Alchemist, Inc., New Jersey, most people tend to ignore their metabolic health until they develop a health-related condition, one of the most common being metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome can instigate a wide range of secondary results including increased inflammation, impaired sleep, impaired immune and digestive functions, increased cell growth and risk of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disease.

Consumer Awareness

“Many customers connect metabolic health with weight, first and foremost,” said Rosanne Reinartz, general manager and co-owner, Wayne & Mary’s Nutrition Centers. “But when we talk about metabolic health from the perspective of blood sugar, cholesterol, cellular health, etc., our customers see a broader connection very quickly.”

She added that products such as berberine, green tea and chromium have helped customers make this connection, especially with the media and social media more frequently discussing broad metabolic health issues.

Weight loss tends to be the prime factor consumers are seeking to address, and this can prove to be strong opportunities for discussing broader metabolic health.

Retailer Travis Lemon, owner/operator and certified herbalist, Tulsi at the Market in Huntington, WV, explained that brings the focus to healthy diet and lifestyle changes that may complement a new supplement regimen. “I feel like those topics are often overlooked and also help the customer to start thinking of other ways that they can support their metabolic health. Thinking of reframing a customer question as a conversation starter can really help broaden the interaction into a few complementary products or dietary suggestions that may open up the way the customer thinks about metabolic health in general,” he said.

When a customer comes into Wayne & Mary’s Nutrition Centers to discuss weight loss, Reinartz noted that staff talk about the customer’s stress level, diet and if blood work was done indicating any other metabolic factors, such as blood sugar issues, etc.

At Mastel’s Health Foods (St. Paul, MN), co-owner Alina Hornfeldt noted that the blood sugar support section is “designated as our ‘weight-loss’ section, and it is located nearby the blood pressure and cholesterol structure/function sets, so the conversation can naturally flow. Additionally, we here at Mastel’s have been big fans of Enzymedica’s Fasting Today lately. It tastes great and was thoughtfully developed for folks practicing intermittent fasting or using a keto diet for metabolic balance. It’s a very unique product I really hope takes off!”

How are retailers faring in serving the metabolic support customer base? According to Kristin Chapman, MSc., category manager, Florida-based Life Extension, retailers “are making strides in conveying the importance of metabolic health, but there is still room for improvement in how they present the whole picture to consumers. Many retailers still focus on individual aspects rather than linking them together to emphasize overall metabolic health.”

She said that currently, the approach often involves marketing products that target one specific component, such as weight loss, glucose control or cholesterol levels. However, she emphasized, “While this can be beneficial, it can also lead to a fragmented understanding of how these factors interrelate. Consumers might not fully appreciate that managing one aspect, like blood glucose, is part of a broader strategy that includes addressing healthy blood pressure, cholesterol and weight. Offering products that address multiple aspects of metabolic health together could make it easier for consumers to manage their overall well-being.”

While awareness of metabolic health is growing, said Reinstein, many retailers “still have room to improve in effectively conveying its importance.” He observed that some retailers are beginning to highlight the benefits of metabolic support products, but more education is needed to help consumers understand how critical metabolic balance is for long-term health.

Winston advised retailers to learn about metabolic syndrome (MetS) as well as insulin resistance and elevated cortisol levels. He explained, “Diet is foundational, as is adequate good quality sleep, exercise, stress reduction, gut health and weight loss. There are no herbal/supplement magic bullets. Just taking cinnamon, berberine or chromium is unlikely to achieve clinically significant results without addressing the foundation of health.”

At Tulsi, said Lemon, consumers will be hard pressed to find weight loss formulas that focus on stimulants. He noted that instead, they carry more of longer-term metabolic health formulas that contain ingredients that support overall metabolism, healthy blood sugar and maybe even a few ingredients to help support a healthy mood, “because unfortunately many folks considering this type of supplement may motivated by negative societal pressure and could probably use a little mood support as well,” he commented. “I love it when we run across a new formula on this category that we can tell that the formulator thought about sneaking in a little mood support too. LifeSeasons’ Metabolism formula is a great example of this as they have also included uplifting ingredients like theobromine and L-theanine.”

When discussing metabolic health with customers, Reinartz noted that protein and fiber are often great places to start for many customers, as these macronutrients are often in sub-optimal levels in the diet; and it’s easy to find good quality protein and fiber supplements.

She added that impaired metabolic function often is linked to heightened stress response from cortisol, and this state impacts sleep and energy. Therefore, she believes that supplements supporting sleep, stress, and energy levels can be relevant for metabolic health. As such, adaptogens like rhodiola, ashwagandha, and ginseng “are wonderful to support the body’s ability to adapt for our customers,” she commented.

Other supplements she likes in this area are magnesium, which supports healthy blood pressure and blood sugar, and both omega-3 EFAs and berberine, both of which have many clinical studies focusing on metabolic health.

The Berberine Factor

Berberine has been having an extended moment in the spotlight. GLP1-activating drugs are surging in sales and prescriptions as they do help people to lose weight and only those who are obese with BMI over 30 can get a prescription. They are also expensive, and with the high costs of daily living, they are out of reach for many.

Berberine, said Root, is a safe alternative. She explained that berberine has been shown to support healthy glucose and lipid levels already within the normal range and promotes healthy cardiovascular and immune function. It works, essentially, by activating AMPK (adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase), an enzyme that regulates how the body uses energy.

Carlson has introduced Berberine vegetarian capsules in a 500 mg daily dose. Carlson Berberine comes from the barberry bush, an environmentally sustainable source, according to Root. “Due to its high therapeutic potential, berberine is compared to metformin,” she said. “Not only does berberine appear to produce significantly better results than metformin in blood glucose regulation, it also supersedes the benefits of rosiglitazone by improving fasting blood glucose levels.”

According to Vanessa Pavey, ND, education scientist, Life Extension, AMPK promotes the uptake of glucose and fatty acids to generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP). “Simply put,” she explained, “increasing AMPK activity tells the cells to stop storing fat and to use it for energy making instead.”

Aging causes AMPK activity to subside, often resulting in expanding waistlines for men and women. Visceral fat accumulation and the associated inflammation can further impair metabolic function, making AMPK activation a target for belly fat.

“Berberine has become a standout in metabolic health due to its proven ability to support healthy blood sugar levels and weight management,” said Reinstein. “Its natural origin and strong clinical backing have made it a popular choice for plant-based solutions.”

But is touting the herb as a “natural Ozempic” a good thing for retailers?

Winston doesn’t think so. He said, “While berberine has become very popular, its benefits have been oversold.” Pure berberine is poorly absorbed and quickly excreted, he said, so a viable berberine supplement needs additional ingredients such as phospholipids, to promote enhanced, desired absorption.

Second, he noted, while berberine has shown activity in human research, clinical results in practice have been relatively modest “and people thinking it is going to help them lose weight like GLP-1 agonists or help dramatically reduce unhealthy blood lipids are likely to be disappointed.”

However, both Reinartz and Lemon have seen berberine as a strong seller. “Berberine has been quite popular at our stores for a long time, though increasingly over the last year or two,” Reinartz reported. While some of the high demand has slowed down over the past few months, berberine products remain in Wayne & Mary’s Nutrition Centers’ top 10 to 15 items within its stores of 3,000-plus items.

At Tulsi, said Lemon, “Berberine has been a steady product for us. We tend to not rush into the ‘hot new product’ and our customers mostly know this and appreciate it. Berberine can be a great supplement for many customers, but it’s not a miracle product. We try to be pretty honest with our customers about those type of expectations.”

Hornfeldt said that at Mastel’s, they “saw a bump in sales as the ‘nature’s Ozempic’ headlines came out, and offerings from vendors increased.” However, she added, demand tapered down.

But there are berberine alternatives, according to Pavey. Customers can choose other AMPK-activating supplements. Hesperidin, a flavonoid from citrus fruit, has also been shown in preclinical studies to activate AMPK. In a clinical trial, 24 participants with metabolic syndrome were given 500 mg of hesperidin or placebo daily and after three weeks significant improvements in markers of inflammation, vascular function and metabolism were seen in the hesperidin group compared to placebo.

Gynostemma pentaphyllum is also known to activate AMPK as shown in preclinical studies. In a human study, 80 overweight volunteers supplemented with either 450 mg of G. pentaphyllum extract or placebo. At the end of 12-weeks, the G. pentaphyllum group demonstrated a reduction in total fat by 6.3 percent (compared to 1 percent for placebo) and a reduction in abdominal fat by 11 percent (compared to 3 percent for the placebo).

She commented, “Hesperidin and G. pentaphyllum have excellent safety profiles for long-term use. Berberine has also been studied in clinical trials, however, preclinical studies have raised some concern for long-term use due to potential impairment of cellular metabolism, especially at high doses. If a customer decides to use berberine to support metabolic health, Life Extension currently recommends short-term use only,” she emphasized.

The Blood Sugar Factor

As discussed, metabolic health is comprised of five major areas, and all customers who are focused on improving their metabolic profile always have one factor that stands out as priority over the others.

Blood sugar regulation is often the top concern and is most closely tied to poor diet and excess weight. Besides carrying around extra pounds especially around the middle, high blood sugar levels pose more physical discomfort than high cholesterol and high blood sugar.

CoffeeGenic Green Coffee Extract from Life Extension is standardized to 50 percent chlorogenic acid to maintain metabolic health. Pavey explained that chlorogenic acid works by inhibiting the activity of two key enzymes. The first is glucose-6-phosphatase, a liver enzyme that triggers the formation of new glucose and promotes glycogen release, resulting in excess glucose in the blood. The second target is alpha-glucosidase, a digestive enzyme that breaks down complex carbohydrates into sugar.

Curalin is Curalife’s flagship product formulated to support healthy blood sugar levels using a synergistic blend of nine natural ingredients, according to Reinstein. “It works by enhancing glucose metabolism and improving insulin sensitivity,” he said.

Herbalist & Alchemist has two formulas that support pancreatic function, thereby supporting blood sugar regulation. Metabolic Support formula features herbs that support healthy pancreatic function and help maintain normal blood sugar levels, according to Winston. The herbs include bitter melon fruit, cinnamon bark, fenugreek seed, olive leaf, artichoke leaf, holy basil and lycium fruit.

“Pancreaid is a formula that enhances pancreatic function, supporting the beta cells’ ability to maintain healthy blood sugar levels,” he stated. “It can also be used as a pancreatic tonic or bitter tonic to support digestion and assimilation.” Pancreaid contains hydroalcoholic extracts of bitter melon (Mormordica charantia), gymnema herb (Gymnema slyvestre), cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum cassia), fenugreek seed (Trigonella foenum-graecum), gentian root (Gentiana lutea), kudzu (Pueraria montana lobata, P. montana), yellow root (Xanthoriza simplicissima) and vegetable glycerin.

Of course, there is an abundance of products not only aimed at supporting healthy blood sugar and weight, but also for blood pressure support and for healthy cholesterol levels. Optimal metabolic health should be a quest for everyone—because unlike degraded joints, for example, lifestyle renovation (diet and exercise) can reverse a poor metabolic state. And when optimal metabolic function is achieved, its’ truly all systems go!VR