Coleus: A New Development in the Fight Against Metabolic Syndrome X

Metabolic Syndrome X is now a recognized medical condition. The clinical features of this disorder typically include abdominal obesity and visceral fat, fatty liver, elevated hepatic transaminases (liver enzymes), dysllpidemia, and, eventually, hypertension. Sufferers of Metabolic Syndrome have a much greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes and usually exhibit high insulin levels and insulin resistance.'In the US. the incidence of Metabolic Syndrome has reached epidemic proportions, with somewhere between 30% to 40% of adults said to suffer from this condition.-^'' Insulin resistance is probably the most significant underlying event in Metabolic Syndrome, and this, in turn, is thought to be closely linked to abdominal obesity and visceral fat.'̂ '' Hence, any agent capable of addressing this fundamental issue of excess body fat will be a useful tool in the management of Metabolic Syndrome (together with other treatments and appropriate dietary and lifestyle modification).