Zeus Hygia’s Metaberine demonstrates metabolic benefits at lower dose in new clinical trial

Zeus Hygia Lifesciences has published a clinical study showing its bio-optimised berberine ingredient, Metaberine, improves glucose and lipid markers at just 200 mg daily, potentially transforming supplement approaches for prediabetes management.

Zeus Hygia Lifesciences says a clinical study of its Metaberine ingredient has been published in the International Journal of Clinical Trials, adding fresh evidence to the case for lower-dose berberine formulations in metabolic health. The company says the research, conducted with 36 adults whose fasting glucose levels fell within the prediabetes range, found measurable improvements in glucose handling, GLP-1 response and lipid markers after 14 days of supplementation.

According to the published paper, the randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial compared 200 mg of Metaberine once a day with placebo, with a seven-day washout in between. The study reported a drop in fasting glucose of 9.08 mg/dL with Metaberine, compared with 1.36 mg/dL for placebo, alongside reductions in post-meal glucose exposure and peak glucose levels.

The paper also found a 29% rise in fasting GLP-1 and a 22% increase in postprandial GLP-1, pointing to a stronger incretin response. Total cholesterol and LDL-C fell, while HDL-C rose. The authors said the results warrant more research into bio-optimised berberine for metabolic health, and reported full participant retention with no supplement-related adverse effects during the trial.

Zeus Hygia has positioned Metaberine as a more efficient version of conventional berberine, which has long been studied for its effects on glucose and lipid metabolism but is often used at much higher doses because of poor bioavailability. The company says its BioSOLVE technology is designed to improve solubility and absorption, allowing the ingredient to work at 200 mg a day for use in supplements, functional foods, beverages and other health products.