5 Natural Supplements as

Powerful as Drugs
If you are looking for a healthy way to keep up with the natural rhythm of
your metabolism, you should try these supplements that really work. They
have history way back in time when the pharmaceutical industry wasnt
developed and they gave remarkable results. These supplements can be
effective as some drugs are nowadays, so, you should include them in your
daily routine.

1 Curcumin (Turmeric) As Effective

Anti-Inflammatory Drug
Turmeric is a popular spice which gives the curry that yellow color by whom
is famous. It originates from India and has a lot of effects on the body.
Curcumin is an active substance of turmeric which is studied in medicine for
a long time. It has been proven to have several roles in the body: antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiseptic, etc. (1)
Curcumin has a particular role in an immune system where it fights with
infection to a level where it blocks a signal molecule which is called NFkappaB. This way it can help with cancer cell death where it was found in one
study that it causes melanoma cells apoptosis. (2, 3)
Some studies have shown that curcumin has an effect better than Prozac,
which is being used for depression therapy. In this study, the search has
been done in 60 patients diagnosed with the major depressive disorder
(MDD). The study shows that the Fluoxetine can be switched in some
treatments in MDD patients. (4)
A study has been done on an effect of curcumin on rheumatoid arthritis
patients. 45 patients were divided into three groups and received curcumin
and diclofenac sodium or their combination in the third group. The group that
took curcumin had the highest improvement in results where it proves it can
be used as a treatment in active rheumatoid arthritis and opens a new
segment for the use of this powerful substance. (5)
Other studies conducted a research on curcumin effect on cardiovascular
system, cancer cells, and Alzheimers disease. It proved it had a potential to

act as a powerful drug with its anti-inflammatory effect and it can even slow
down dementia with a clearance of the amyloidosis in the brain. (6, 7, 8, 9)

2 Berberine Can Affect Your General

Health And Regulate Sugar Levels
Berberine is an active chemical found in many plants like turmeric,
goldthread, European barberry, Oregon tree, etc.
It can control sugar levels as effective as Metformin or Rosiglitazone. A study
has shown that berberine can lower the levels of glucose and lipids. It has a
potential to be an effective hypoglycemic drug. (10)
Berberine can increase insulin receptors sensitivity and affect diabetes type
2 disease. It has different mechanisms of affecting the sugar levels, but it
doesnt have side effects like diabetes drugs, so it could be recommended as
a good substitute. (11)
Berberine also affects the liver by slowing down the metabolism that liver
uses to create glucose. It is called gluconeogenesis. It uses other substances
like proteins and lipids to compensate for the low level of sugar in the cells.
Scientists in China have shown mitochondrial inhibition in one study with
type 2 diabetes patients. (12)
It also lowers down the lipids in the blood, especially LDH cholesterol and
reduces the heart attack incidence. (13, 14, 15)

3 Red Yeast Can Lower Cholesterol

Levels And Prevent Heart Disease
Red yeast is a type of fermented rice which have similar effects as a statin, a
drug used in high levels of lipids, or more precise, cholesterol.
A study has shown that a red yeast has the same ingredient as Mevinolin or
Lovastatin, which is called Monacolin K. This ingredient is an active
substance which lowers the cholesterol. (16)
There was a randomized controlled trial which stated that the red yeast rice
or Monascus purpureus contains statin active ingredients which affect the
lipids levels. The study showed a significant decrease in cholesterol levels (0.73 mmol/L, -1.02 to -0.043) and an increase of HDL-cholesterol levels (0.15

mmol/L, 0.09 to 0.22) compared to placebo. It could be recommended as

hyperlipidemia drug. (17)
China scientists showed with this study that with lowering the cholesterol
levels, it could reduce the heart attack mortality by 33% as well as death in
tumor patients. (18)
It is important to consult your doctor first, even with the consumption of this
supplement because it has the same active ingredients as statin medicines,
so it can have also some side effects.

4 Garlic, A Powerful
Pressure Medicine

High

Blood

Garlic is related to central Asia where it was spread to Europe, Africa and
other parts of the world. It has a history of use around 7,000 years. It has
been documented that human used garlic as a medicine for many diseases
and treatments. It was also found in Egyptian pyramids and Greek temples.
In this study, we see that even Hippocrates prescribed garlic as a medicine
for a variety of conditions. It has a lot of Biblical references and it goes from
Rome to Egypt, Greece, and China. It was believed that it affected the
performance of the Olympic athletes in Greece. (19)
A garlic has an active substance called allicin which induces the cancer cell
death and lowers the cholesterol and blood pressure, resulting in protecting
the cardiovascular system. (20)
An allicin can affect the systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with
essential hypertension. 210 patients have participated in this study that
showed a significant drop in both systolic and diastolic pressure. (21)
A garlic is a powerful flu supplement which attacks some common viruses. A
study has shown that taking an allicin-containing garlic supplement once a
day can prevent a cold. A volunteers group of 146 were divided into 3 groups
where the ones taking allicin ingredient had a good effect on a virus
protection. (22)

5 Fish Oil Prevents Heart Attack And

Reduces Levels Of Triglycerides

Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). They can act protective to your cardiovascular
system and also be effective for pregnant women to prevent miscarriages.
A study has shown that the fish oil can help with reduction of triglyceride
levels in the blood. It can improve oxylipin in young and elderly and improve
cardiovascular protection. An active ingredient EPA and DHA results with
about 30% reduction in lipids. (23)
Active ingredients like EPA and DHA can act like an anti-inflammatory drug,
antioxidant and affect some processes in the brain. This study has concluded
that implementation of these supplements can have a positive effect on the
treatment of major depression and Alzheimer's disease. (24)
A scientists from Australia conducted a research on depression in children
and adolescents, where an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplement
can deal with depression that affects 2% to 8% of children. Many of them,
about 4% die from suicide. (25)
Hypertriglyceridemia is considered a high-risk factor for cardiovascular
disease. A study has proven that an omega-3 fatty acid supplement, such as
fish oil contains, can reduce the level of triglycerides, and contribute to the
reduction of the risk factors for heart attacks. (26)