Dandelion Supports the Therapy of the Co-Existing Conditions of the Metabolic Syndrome

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9498421/#_ad93_

Currently an increasing number of people  in the U.S and worldwide  across developed countries are struggling with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and atherosclerosis. when they occur together they make up the components of what has become labeled “metabolic syndrome”. This syndrome’s components are central (abdominal) obesity, elevated blood pressure, and disorders of carbohydrate and fat metabolism. 

The first definition of metabolic syndrome was proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1998 [1]. The components of metabolic syndrome include type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, abnormal glucose tolerance or abnormal fasting glucose, and accompanying these were two of these three: reduced HDL (high-density lipoproteins cholesterol),  elevated triglycerides, or protein found in the urine ( microalbuminuria). Modified versions of these criteria include abdominal obesity as another criteria for the diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome. Abdominal obesity was assessed by waist measurement rather than waist/hip ratio (WHR) or body mass index (BMI), as per the WHO definition [2].  Central obesity was recognized as a risk factor underlying the development of metabolic syndrome [3]. The  authors noted that abdominal obesity is strongly associated with insulin resistance, and measuring abdominal circumference is easy and quick [4,5,6].  Specific criteria for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome are as follows: an increased waist circumference equal to or greater than 80 cm in women and equal to or greater than 94 cm in men, a triglyceride level equal to or greater than 150 mg/dL  or the use of medications to reduce it, a fasting glucose level equal to or greater than 100 mg/dL (5, 6 mmol/L) or the use of glucose controlling medication, and reduced HDL cholesterol less than 50 mg/dL  in women and less than 40 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L) in men or the use of drugs to increase its concentration, elevated systolic blood pressure equal to or higher than 130 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure equal to or higher than 85 mm Hg or the use of hypotensive drugs in patients with a positive history of hypertension.

Lifestyle has a major impact on the development of metabolic syndrome. An unbalanced diet, the lack of sufficient physical activity, and genetic factors result in the development of type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis, which significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular complications. An appropriate diet which can result in weight reduction, lowering of blood lipids and improvement in insulin resistance/ diabetes is the key factor in the treatment. Non drug therapies include Plant materials which contain compounds that regulate lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in the human body. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale.) is a plant, whose consumption can favorably affect the regulation of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. The potential of this plant for these health conditions has been the subject of a lot of scientific research.

Dandelion is an  herbal remedy that can be successfully used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. It has numerous pharmacological activities that are well documented in the scientific literature. These studies document the properties of dandelion, which can be successfully used in the treatment and prevention of metabolic syndrome. A review available of studies indicates that dandelion extracts can prevent diabetic complications, and improve lipid metabolism. These actions point to the efficacy of dandelion as an adjunctive treatment as part of the recommendations for treating metabolic syndrome, the primary aim of which is to prevent the development of diabetes, hypertension, and other cardiovascular diseases.

Each diagnosed component disorder of the metabolic syndrome is often treated separately by physicians who administer medications to control blood sugar, control blood pressure and control elevated blood lipids. However there is a growing awareness of the importance of proper diet and physical activity in the prevention and treatment of all of the components of the metabolic syndrome, and all may be simultaneously improved without the use of pharmacological medications. While not a replacement for proper diet and exercise, herbal compounds can play a role in treating this lifestyle related disorder. Herbs have accompanied man for years in medicine, cosmetology, as well as in the kitchen. There are a number of plant raw materials that affect lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and improve digestion. One such plant is the dandelion. Dandelion is used both as a medicinal agent and as food. The root is a substitute for cereal coffee, the leaves are eaten raw in salads, and syrups are made from the flowers. Dandelion has many chemical compounds that affect lipid metabolism, protect the liver, regulate blood sugar, and affect digestion and, indirectly, obesity. In addition, some compounds in dandelion regulate platelet aggregation and affect blood pressure regulation. It seems that all these properties recommend this plant for use in complementary therapy in the treatment of coexisting diseases in metabolic syndrome.

Dandelion vs. Obesity-the research

Preparations (extracts, syrups, etc.) made from different parts of the dandelion (root, leaves, and flowers) have shown health-promoting effects. They demonstrate the ability affect digestive enzymes, to regulate glucose levels and lipid levels and thus, indirectly reduce obesity. However, this has been observed mainly in in vitro studies or in animal models. There remains the need for high quality scientific studies done with both healthy subjects as well as with people with various cardiovascular diseases, obesity, or type 2 diabetes who would be given dandelion preparations.

Use Dandelion together with lifestyle changes for metabolic syndrome improvement

https://drsobo.com/exercise-calories-responsible-expanding-waistlines/

A study published in the  The American Journal of Medicine showed that over the past 20 plus years, a decrease in physical activity is more responsible than dietary habits for increasing obesity in the United States.  During the past two decades the caloric intake of the average American has remained steady, while physical activity of the average person has decreased significantly, especially among women. Since the average person’s caloric intake has not changed during that time, decreased physical activity seems to be the most important factor in  increasing  obesity.

https://drsobo.com/family-meal-day-obesity/

Researchers from the University of Minnesota and Columbia University collaborated in a 10-year study involving nearly 2,300 adolescents who answered lifestyle questions as a part of Project EAT (Eating and Activity among Teens). This study was done to evaluate if families eating together during the teen years might protect against teenage and subsequent adult obesity. Of teenagers who reported that their family never ate meals together, 60% were overweight and 29% were obese at the end of the 10 year study period. Greater family meal frequency significantly reduced the odds of being overweight or obese, compared with those who never ate with their families.

https://drsobo.com/keep-kids-active-to-prevent-obesity/

A study from Finland, published in Sports Medicine showed that the more time children spent doing physical activities, the lower their total body fat. Exchanging  sedentary behaviour -mainly sitting — for even low-intensity physical activity reduces body fat. And the greater the intensity of the physical activity the lower the  body fat. Children doing just 10 minutes of high-intensity physical activity every day had lowered their body fat by nearly 30% compared to children who did not engage in higher intensity physical activity.