Addressing the risk factors for metabolic syndrome is important: people with metabolic syndrome are 3 times more likely to suffer and die from cardiovascular disease.

Metabolic Syndrome is the increasingly common constellation of any three of abdominal obesity, elevated triglycerides, low HDL-cholesterol, high blood pressure and elevated blood sugar. It now affects a whopping 25% of all adults in the world. Treating it is important in the prevention of diabetes and heart disease. There may be a simple way to help do that.

Addressing the risk factors for metabolic syndrome is important: people with metabolic syndrome are 3 times more likely to suffer and die from cardiovascular disease.

Metabolic Syndrome Aided by Pine Bark Extract

Taking pine bark extract has been shown in the past to help prevent metabolic syndrome. A 2019 meta-analysis found significant improvement in fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, and both LDL and HDL cholesterol (Pharmacol Res. 2019 Dec:150:104472).

A new systematic review and meta-analysis has now put together the data from 27 controlled studies.

When it comes to obesity, pine bark extract significantly and substantially lowered body weight. Overall, it did not significantly lower body mass index (BMI), waist circumference or waist to hip ratio (WHR), but it did significantly lower BMI and WHR in studies that used doses between 101 and 199mg.

When it comes to blood pressure, pine bark extract significantly reduced both diastolic and systolic blood pressure.

When it comes to blood sugar, pine bark extract caused a significant and “remarkable” reduction in fasting blood sugar. It also significantly and “remarkably” improved HbA1c, which is important because HbA1c is the most important marker of long-term blood sugar and diabetes control.

And, finally, when it comes to cholesterol, pine bark extract significantly lowered the dangerous LDL cholesterol. It did not improve triglycerides or the heart healthy HDL cholesterol, but it did significantly improve HDL cholesterol when given in small doses for short periods of time. Previous meta-analyses, have suggested that pine bark extract does improve HDL cholesterol (Pharmacol Res. 2019 Dec:150:104472; Phytother Res. 2019 Feb;33(2):276-287).

This study adds to the evidence that pine bark extract can safely help fight the risk factors for diabetes, cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome by addressing weight, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol.

BMC Complement Med Ther. 2025 Feb 22;25:71.