Although most supplements do not work or, at least, have not been proven to work, there are some exceptions. In fact, some supplements are so effective that they are comparable to drugs.

Next, we present you with 4 food supplements equal or even more effective than medicines that will improve your health.

1. Berberine drastically reduces blood sugar levels and improves the health of the metabolism

Berberine is a bioactive substance that is extracted from certain plants. It is not well known but it may be the most effective supplement on the planet.

Berberine provides all kinds of health benefits, but stands out for its effectiveness in reducing blood sugar levels

monton-Berberine

It is believed to lower blood sugar by numerous mechanisms, such as reduced production of glucose in the liver and improved insulin sensitivity

Several studies have shown that consumption of berberine can reduce blood sugar levels to the same extent as metformin, the most popular drug against diabetes

In a study of 116 patients with type 2 diabetes, berberine reduced fasting blood sugar levels by 20% and HbA1c (a long-term indicator of blood sugar levels) by 12%

it causes a significant reduction of total cholesterol and LDL and reduces triglycerides in blood and blood pressure levels. Therefore, the risk of heart disease decreases

It has also been shown that berberine has antibacterial effects and can protect against heart failure, cancer and Alzheimer's

Remember that berberine is a very effective supplement with a wide variety of biological effects, so you should use it with caution.

In short, berberine is an effective supplement that can cause significant reductions in blood sugar levels and improvements in most of the key risk factors for heart disease, to name a few.

2. Curcumin (from turmeric) is an effective anti-inflammatory agent

Turmeric is a popular spice, known for giving curry yellow color, which has been used as a medicinal herb in India for thousands of years.

Turmeric contains a potent biologically active substance called curcumin that fights inflammation at the molecular level by blocking an inflammatory signaling molecule called NF-kB

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It is so effective that in some studies it has been compared with anti-inflammatory drugs without serious side effects

For example, it has been shown to be very effective in the treatment of arthritis. In a study of 45 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, a dose of 500 mg of curcumin a day had more effect than diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory drug.

In addition, curcumin has many other health benefits. It is a powerful antioxidant that can improve heart health and help prevent cancer and Alzheimer's disease

curcumin can also help fight depression. In this study, conducted on 60 patients with depression, curcumin was as effective as prozac, an antidepressant medication

Since the body does not absorb curcumin well, it is better to acquire a supplement that also contains piperine / bioperine, which has been shown to increase absorption to 2000%

In summary: curcumin is a biologically active agent from turmeric. It is a very effective anti-inflammatory substance that can help fight many diseases.

3. Red yeast rice contains a natural statin that can lower cholesterol and help prevent heart disease

Statin medications are among the most prescribed medications in the world. They prevent the production of cholesterol in the liver and, therefore, significantly reduce blood cholesterol levels.

Interestingly, it is believed that an extract from a type of fermented rice, called red yeast rice, can have similar effects.

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Red yeast rice contains a substance called monacolin K, identical to Lovastatin, a statin drug.

According to an analysis with 93 controlled trials, red yeast rice can, on average,

Reduce total cholesterol by 34 mg / dl

Reduce LDL cholesterol by 28 mg / dL

Reduce triglycerides by 35 mg / dl

Increase HDL cholesterol by 6 mg / dl ("good" cholesterol).

In a large study of 5000 patients with heart attacks, red yeast rice decreased the risk of future heart attacks by 45% and the risk of death during the study period by 33%.

Unfortunately, the amount of active ingredient can vary up to 100 times, depending on the brand of rice that you acquire

In addition, there is no guarantee that you are taking a pharmacologically active dose and it is likely that it will not work as well as in the studies performed.

Remember that although red yeast rice is "natural", it works like a statin drug and can have similar side effects.

In short: red yeast rice contains a substance identical to Lovastatin, a statin drug. It can greatly reduce cholesterol levels and decrease the risk of heart attacks and death in people suffering from heart disease.

4. Garlic can significantly reduce blood pressure

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It could be said that garlic is one of the tastiest ingredients in the world. It has been used as a medicinal plant for a long time, even by the Greeks and Romans

The main effects of garlic are due to allicin, an active compound that is very beneficial for cardiovascular health (20).

Several studies have shown that garlic can reduce total cholesterol and LDL by 10-15% on average.

And most importantly, it can significantly reduce blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart attacks, kidney disease and premature death.

In those with high blood pressure, garlic can, on average, reduce systolic blood pressure by 8.4 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 7.3 mm Hg,

In a study of 210 people with high blood pressure, aged garlic extract was even more effective than atenolol, a medication for blood pressure reduction

It also seems that garlic is effective in improving immune function and helping fight the common cold, the most common contagious disease in the world.

In one study, garlic reduced the number of colds by 63% and reduced the duration of cold symptoms by 70%: from an average of 5 days to an average of 1 and a half days