Nutraceuticals is a broad umbrella term used to describe compounds derived from food sources that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. These substances have biological activity and are often used at doses higher than those typically obtained from food alone.
Research published in High Blood Pressure & Cardiovascular Prevention (June 2015; Volume 22, Issue 2, Pages 149–154; doi:10.1007/s40292-015-0087-2) examined the effects of nutraceutical combinations containing Morus alba on cholesterol, triglycerides, and glycated hemoglobin.
At the start of the study, participants received nutritional counseling and a placebo for two weeks. After this run-in period, they were randomly assigned to receive either a nutraceutical combination or a placebo for 12 weeks. The treatment group followed a crossover-style protocol. For the first four weeks, participants received Combination A, which included policosanol, red yeast rice (monacolin K 3 mg), berberine 500 mg, astaxanthin, folic acid, and coenzyme Q10. During the next four weeks, they received Combination B, consisting of red yeast rice (monacolin K 3.3 mg), berberine 531.25 mg, and Morus alba leaf extract. For the final four weeks, participants returned to Combination A.
Both Combination A and Combination B were associated with reductions in total cholesterol, with Combination B producing a greater effect. While taking Combination B, 56% of participants achieved total cholesterol levels below 130 mg/dL, compared with 21.7% while taking Combination A.
Combination B was also associated with reductions in LDL cholesterol, glycated hemoglobin, fasting glucose, insulin levels, and the HOMA index. (HOMA, or Homeostatic Model Assessment, is a method used to estimate insulin resistance and beta-cell function based on fasting glucose and insulin levels.)
The researchers concluded that increasing the amounts of berberine and monacolin K, along with the addition of Morus alba extract, enhanced the effects of the nutraceutical combination on plasma cholesterol and glucose metabolism. They suggested that these changes may be consistent with a more favorable cardiovascular risk profile.
