top of page

Clinical Benefits

Clinical Benefits

+

Metibol Xcell combines scientifically-backed ingredients specifically formulated to support healthy glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in individuals with Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT). This targeted blend addresses the key mechanisms underlying poor glucose regulation through multiple pathways, offering comprehensive metabolic support.

Chromium, particularly in the picolinate form, plays a crucial role in glucose metabolism by binding to an oligopeptide to form chromodulin, which activates the insulin receptor to promote insulin action [42]. Clinical trials demonstrate significant benefits, with patients administered 400 mcg per day of chromium picolinate for 12 weeks showing substantial reductions in both fasting and post-meal serum glucose compared to placebo groups [17]. Another study found that participants receiving 1,000 mcg/day chromium had significantly lower fasting serum glucose concentrations than those receiving placebo, with mean levels dropping from 8.8 mmol/L to 7.1 mmol/L at 4 months [43]. Since dietary chromium is poorly absorbed at only 0.4% to 2.5%, supplementation provides an effective means of achieving therapeutic levels [44].

Cinnamon extract contributes to improved insulin sensitivity through multiple mechanisms, particularly by up-regulating PI3k/Akt pathways in skeletal muscle, which help cells respond better to insulin [17]. The active compounds methylhydroxychalcone polymer and procyanidin oligomers enhance insulin sensitivity while supporting pancreatic beta-cell health and function. Clinical evidence shows impressive results, with one study on type 2 diabetics demonstrating that cinnamon supplementation equivalent to 1g daily for 90 days lowered HbA1C by 0.83% [31]. Additionally, cinnamon compounds inhibit nuclear factor kappa B-cells (NFkB), reducing inflammatory cytokine production that interferes with insulin signaling pathways.

Gymnem sylvestre extract provides unique glucose-regulating benefits through its gymnemic acid content, which inhibits sodium-dependent glucose transporters in the small intestine, limiting glucose absorption from the gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream [17]. This helps lower post-meal blood sugar spikes while also directly stimulating insulin secretion and upregulating GLUT4 and PPARγ, all of which improve glucose transportation and metabolism. The herb's dual action of reducing glucose absorption while enhancing cellular glucose uptake makes it particularly valuable for managing IGT.

Alpha lipoic acid serves as a powerful metabolic enhancer, closely mimicking insulin action while upregulating glucose transporters GLUT1 and GLUT4 to allow more glucose into cells [46]. Research demonstrates remarkable results, with one study showing a 300% increase in glucose uptake into muscles of mice with severe insulin resistance when treated with alpha lipoic acid alone, while insulin treatment produced no changes [48]. In clinical trials involving 1,035 patients with type 2 diabetes, 500 mg per day of alpha lipoic acid supplementation resulted in reduced HbA1c levels and body weight [47]. The therapeutic amounts available in supplements, ranging from 200–600 milligrams, can be up to 1000 times greater than dietary sources [49].

Nigella sativa (Black seed) extract and biotin, while not extensively detailed in the referenced research, contribute additional metabolic support through their well-established roles in glucose regulation and cellular energy metabolism, complementing the primary active ingredients in this comprehensive formulation.

Ingredients

+

Chromium chloride hexahydrate

1.35mg

equiv. Chromium
Chromium picolinate

250 μg
400 μg

equiv. Chromium
Nigella sativa (Black seed) ext.

50 μg
37.5 mg

ext. equiv. dry (seed)
Cinnamomum cassia (Cinnamon) ext.

750 mg
75 mg

ext. equiv. dry (stem bark)
Gymnema sylvestre ext.

1.5 g
70 mg

equiv. Gymnemic acids
ext. equiv. dry (leaf)
Alpha lipoic acid

31.5 mg
1.4 g
300 mg

Biotin

1 mg

Instructions

Instructions

+

Dosage

1 level scoop (9.36 g) once daily in water; consume immediately


Duration

Suitable for long-term use, with dosing adjusted according to symptoms or blood results

Warnings

+

Not recommended for use during pregnancy or lactation
Always read the label
Dietary supplements should not replace a balanced diet
If symptoms persist, worsen or change unexpectedly, consult your healthcare professional

Contraindications

Contraindications

+

This supplement may interact with the following categories of medications, as well as specific active ingredients.

• Medications changed by the liver - refer list
• Medications for diabetes
• Tolbutamide
• Phenacetin
• Medications for cancer
• Medications that slow blood clotting
• Levothyroxine
• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
• Clopidogrel
• Cyclosporine
• Medications for high blood pressure
• Medications that decrease the immune system
• Medications that increase serotonin levels in the brain
• Phenytoin
• Sedative medications
• Sildenafil
• Warfarin
• Diuretics
• Prednisolone

Further details are provided below.

Please note that medications may be sold under different brand names, so check the listed active ingredients against your medication packaging.

Major Interactions

Moderate Interactions

Medications changed by the liver


• Glipizide

• Phenytoin

• Losartan


Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Gymnema might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. If you are taking medications metabolised by the liver, monitor for any changes in how your medication affects you.


Medications for diabetes


• Glyburide

• Glipizide

• Insulin

• Sitagliptin

• Empagliflozin

• Semaglutide

• Dapagliflozin


Gymnema might lower blood sugar levels. Taking gymnema along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.


Phenacetin


Gymnema might decrease how quickly the body breaks down phenacetin. This might increase the effects and side effects of phenacetin.


Tolbutamide


• Orinase


Gymnema might increase how quickly the body breaks down tolbutamide. This might decrease the effects of tolbutamide.


Medications for cancer


• Doxorubicin

• Bleomycin

• Daunorubicin

• Mitomycin

• Epirubicin


Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant. There is some concern that antioxidants might decrease the effects of medications used for cancer. If you are taking medications for cancer, check with your healthcare provider before taking alpha-lipoic acid.


Medications that slow blood clotting


• Heparin

• Rivaroxaban

• Apixaban

• Dabigatran

• Clopidogrel


Alpha-lipoic acid might slow blood clotting. Taking alpha-lipoic acid along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.


Thyroid hormone


Alpha-lipoic acid seems to decrease how well thyroid hormone works in the body. Taking alpha-lipoic acid with thyroid hormone might decrease the effects of the thyroid hormone.


Insulin


Chromium might increase how well insulin works. Taking chromium along with insulin might cause your blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your insulin might need to be changed.


Levothyroxine

• Synthroid, others


Taking chromium with levothyroxine might decrease how much levothyroxine the body absorbs. This might make levothyroxine less effective. To help avoid this interaction, levothyroxine should be taken 30 minutes before or 3-4 hours after taking chromium.


Chromium might lower blood sugar levels. Taking chromium along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.


Clopidogrel



Clopidogrel can slow blood clotting. Black seed might also slow blood clotting. Taking black seed along with clopidogrel might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.


Cyclosporine


• Restasis

• Used for: organ transplant, autoimmune conditions


Black seed might decrease levels of cyclosporine in the blood. This might reduce how well cyclosporine is able to work.


Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Black seed might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. If you are taking medications metabolised by the liver, monitor for any changes in how your medication affects you.


Black seed might lower blood sugar levels. Taking black seed along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.


Medications for high blood pressure


• Amlodipine

• Ramipril

• Perindopril

• Metoprolol

• Losartan

• Hydrochlorothiazide


Black seed might lower blood pressure. Taking black seed along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.


Medications that decrease the immune system


• Cyclosporine

• Tacrolimus

• Mycophenolate

• Prednisone

• Methotrexate

• Azathioprine


Black seed can increase the activity of the immune system. Some medications, such as those used after a transplant, decrease the activity of the immune system. Taking black seed along with these medications might decrease the effects of these medications.


Medications that increase serotonin levels in the brain


• Serotonergic Drugs


Black seed might increase a brain chemical called serotonin. Some medications also have this effect. Taking black seed along with these medications might increase serotonin too much. This might cause serious side effects including heart problems, seizures, and vomiting.


Black seed might slow blood clotting. Taking black seed along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.


Phenytoin



Phenytoin is used to control some types of seizures. Black seed may increase or decrease levels of phenytoin in the blood. Taking black seed with phenytoin might reduce the effects or increase the risk of having side effects to phenytoin.


Sedative medications


• Diazepam

• Alprazolam

• Temazepam

• Zolpidem

• Zopiclone

• Promethazine


Black seed might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Some medications, called sedatives, can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking black seed with sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness.


Sildenafil


Black seed might reduce levels of sildenafil in the body. Taking black seed with sildenafil might reduce the effects of sildenafil.



• Jantoven

• Used for: blood thinning, clot prevention


Warfarin is used to slow blood clotting. Black seed might increase the effects of warfarin, which could increase the risk of bleeding.


Diuretics

• Diuretic drugs


Black seed can decrease potassium levels. "Diuretics" can also decrease potassium levels. Taking black seed along with "Diuretics" might make potassium levels drop too low.

Minor Interactions

Medications changed by the liver


• Atorvastatin

• Simvastatin

• Amlodipine

• Diltiazem

• Cyclosporine

• Tacrolimus

• Midazolam

• Alprazolam

• Rivaroxaban

• Some HIV antiretrovirals


Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Gymnema might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. If you are taking medications metabolised by the liver, monitor for any changes in how your medication affects you.


Medications for diabetes


• Metformin

• Glyburide

• Glipizide

• Insulin

• Sitagliptin

• Empagliflozin

• Semaglutide

• Dapagliflozin


Alpha-lipoic acid might lower blood sugar levels. Taking alpha-lipoic acid along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.


NSAIDs


• Ibuprofen

• Naproxen

• Diclofenac

• Celecoxib

• Aspirin


NSAIDs might increase chromium levels in the body and increase the risk of adverse effects. Avoid taking chromium supplements and NSAIDs at the same time.


Prednisolone


Black seed might decrease levels of prednisolone in the blood. This might reduce the effects of prednisolone.

Designs for Health FloraMyces 60c.jpeg

$18.58

Members Save

• Chromium picolinate significantly reduces fasting blood glucose levels, with studies showing drops from 8.8 to 7.1 mmol/L over 4 months

• Cinnamon extract lowers HbA1c by 0.83% in 90 days while enhancing insulin sensitivity through PI3k/Akt pathways

• Alpha lipoic acid increases glucose uptake into muscle cells by 300% even in severe insulin resistance cases

Metibol Xcell

Orthoplex

bottom of page