Metabolism and the immune system are intimately linked to our daily vitality. When blood sugar fluctuates significantly, when the liver is overloaded, or when inflammation sets in, one can experience fatigue, mental fog, cravings, or slower digestion.
In this discussion, Pierre Haddad explains how certain plants, vitamins, and minerals can support metabolic balance, liver health, immunity, and inflammatory response.
Metabolism: act before imbalance sets in
Metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, often progress silently. Blood sugar can gradually increase for years before complications appear. Pierre reminds us that diabetes is not just about sugar: lipids, the liver, inflammation, and insulin sensitivity also play an important role.
It is with this in mind that the Metabzen formula was conceived: to support the management of sugar and fats, while also supporting the liver, a central organ of metabolism.
Key ingredients include American ginseng, black seed, chromium, milk thistle, turmeric, and vitamins D and E - the latter helping to protect lipids in body tissues from oxidation.
American ginseng is recognized for its role in energy and metabolism management. Some clinical studies have specifically looked at its effect on postprandial blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.
Black seed, for its part, is described by Pierre as a versatile plant, beneficial for glycemic balance, oxidative stress, and general metabolic health. Chromium acts as a cofactor in several metabolic reactions and helps support insulin action.
The liver: an essential metabolic factory
The liver is at the heart of digestion, detoxification, fat management, and the production of several essential proteins. When it is overloaded, especially by an excess of calories, sugar, or fat, lipid deposits can accumulate there. This is commonly known as "fatty liver" or hepatic steatosis.
Pierre points out that milk thistle is a well-known hepatoprotective plant. Health Canada recognizes milk thistle as an ingredient used in herbal medicine to support liver function.
Turmeric, also present in the formula, is recognized in herbal medicine for its digestive and antioxidant uses and for relieving joint pain.
Gluconig: supporting glycemic response after meals
The Gluconig formula is designed to accompany richer meals or times when one wants to better manage the rise in blood sugar after eating. This formula reduces what is called the "glycemic index" of foods, which is the impact that foods have on the increase in blood sugar after their consumption.
It notably contains brown algae, which can help slow down the digestion of complex sugars. The idea is to reduce blood sugar spikes, which can contribute to more stable energy after meals, less mental fog, and a better feeling of satiety.
Pierre recommends taking this type of formula approximately 30 minutes before the meal, ideally before the richest meals of the day.
Immunity: stimulate or modulate?
Pierre emphasizes an important nuance: we don't always seek to "stimulate" the immune system. In some cases, it is preferable to speak of modulation. A weak immune system needs support, but an overactive system, as in some allergies, can also benefit from better balance.
The Immunitaire formula, in tincture form, contains astragalus, cayenne, and echinacea.
Astragalus is an adaptogenic plant from Chinese tradition. It mainly supports the innate immune system, our first line of defense. Cayenne, for its part, promotes circulation and can help thin mucus. Echinacea is traditionally used to reduce the frequency and duration of respiratory infections.
The Défense formula, in powder, focuses on black elderberry, vitamin C, zinc, yeast extracts, and polysaccharides. Black elderberry has been studied for its effects on symptoms of viral respiratory infections, with results suggesting a possible benefit in reducing the duration or severity of symptoms.
The Complete: a complete base to support energy
The Complete formula combines vitamins, minerals, trace elements, and antioxidants. It aims for global support, both metabolically and immunologically.
B vitamins participate in energy production and carbohydrate metabolism. Vitamin A, vitamin C, and zinc contribute to the proper functioning of the immune system. Polyphenols, such as quercetin, grape seed extracts, resveratrol, and astaxanthin, provide antioxidant support.
Inflammation and joints
Pierre also discusses the Anti-inflammatory formula, which notably contains turmeric, boswellia, piperine, palmitoylethanolamide, and lysine.
Turmeric is recognized by Health Canada for helping to relieve joint pain. Piperine is added to promote better absorption of turmeric. Lysine, for its part, participates in collagen formation, an important component of connective tissues.
Important precautions
If you are taking medication for diabetes or to lower blood sugar, it is important to consult a healthcare professional before adding products that may influence blood sugar. The combination can sometimes amplify the hypoglycemic effect.
Pierre also reminds us that supplements are supporting tools. They do not replace healthy lifestyle habits: balanced diet, physical activity, sleep, stress management, and medical follow-up when necessary.
About Pierre Haddad
Pierre S. Haddad holds a Ph.D. in pharmacology from the University of Montreal. For over 40 years, he has conducted scientific research in Quebec and international university settings (Austria, United States, Morocco). For over 25 years, his work has focused on natural health products, traditional medicine, and the mechanisms of action of medicinal plants, particularly in the context of metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. He has received awards and distinctions from academia, research, and associations of practitioners in complementary approaches. He currently serves as interim scientific director at Maison Jacynthe.
References
Monograph on multivitamins and minerals from Health Canada - including chromium, zinc, vitamins C, D, E, and all B-complex vitamins - present in La Totale and several of the products concerned by this sheet, consulted on May 28, 2026
Metabzen
Saadati S, Naseri K, Asbaghi O, Abhari K, Zhang P, Li HB, Gan RY. Nigella sativa supplementation improves cardiometabolic indicators in population with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta- analysis of randomized controlled trials. Front Nutr. 2022 Aug 11;9:977756. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.977756. PMID: 36034891; PMCID: PMC9403837.
Vuksan V, Xu ZZ, Jovanovski E, Jenkins AL, Beljan-Zdravkovic U, Sievenpiper JL, Mark Stavro P, Zurbau A, Duvnjak L, Li MZC. Efficacy and safety of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) extract on glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a double-blind, randomized, cross-over clinical trial. Eur J Nutr. 2019 Apr;58(3):1237-1245. doi: 10.1007/s00394-018-1642-0. Epub 2018 Feb 24. PMID: 29478187.
Vuksan V, Sievenpiper JL, Koo VY, Francis T, Beljan-Zdravkovic U, Xu Z, Vidgen E. American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L) reduces postprandial glycemia in nondiabetic subjects and subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Arch Intern Med. 2000 Apr 10;160(7):1009-13. doi: 10.1001/archinte.160.7.1009. PMID: 10761967.
Health Canada monograph on American ginseng, consulted on May 28, 2026
Asbaghi O, Fatemeh N, Mahnaz RK, Ehsan G, Elham E, Behzad N, Damoon AL, Amirmansour AN. Effects of chromium supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Pharmacol Res. 2020 Nov;161:105098. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105098. Epub 2020 Jul 28. PMID: 32730903.
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Health Canada monograph on milk thistle, consulted on May 28, 2026)
Molani-Gol R, Dehghani A, Rafraf M. Effects of curcumin/turmeric supplementation on the liver enzymes, lipid profiles, glycemic index, and anthropometric indices in non-alcoholic fatty liver patients: An umbrella meta- analysis. Phytother Res. 2024 Feb;38(2):539-555. doi: 10.1002/ptr.8051. Epub 2023 Nov 2. PMID: 37918958.
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Pittas AG, Kawahara T, Jorde R, Dawson-Hughes B, Vickery EM, Angellotti E, Nelson J, Trikalinos TA, Balk EM. Vitamin D and Risk for Type 2 Diabetes in People With Prediabetes : A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Individual Participant Data From 3 Randomized Clinical Trials. Ann Intern Med. 2023 Mar;176(3):355-363. doi: 10.7326/M22-3018. Epub 2023 Feb 7. PMID: 36745886.
Gluconig
Paradis ME, Couture P, Lamarche B. A randomised crossover placebo-controlled trial investigating the effect of brown seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus) on postchallenge plasma glucose and insulin levels in men and women. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2011 Dec;36(6):913-9. doi: 10.1139/h11-115. Epub 2011 Nov 16. PMID: 22087795.
Immunitaire
Roxas M, Jurenka J. Colds and influenza: a review of diagnosis and conventional, botanical, and nutritional considerations. Altern Med Rev. 2007 Mar;12(1):25-48. PMID: 17397266.
Health Canada monograph on astragalus, consulted on May 28, 2026
Pham TP, Vu TM, Doan PM, Nguyen TT, Bui TT, Ha TH, Hoang TK, Taufani IP, Ha HA. Efficacy and safety of Echinacea purpurea in treating upper respiratory infections and complications of otitis media in children: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2025 Jun;67:702-713. doi: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2025.04.025. Epub 2025 Apr 29. PMID: 40311928.
Shah SA, Sander S, White CM, Rinaldi M, Coleman CI. Evaluation of echinacea for the prevention and treatment of the common cold: a meta-analysis. Lancet Infect Dis. 2007 Jul;7(7):473-80. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(07)70160-3. Erratum in: Lancet Infect Dis. 2007 Sep;7(9):580. PMID: 17597571; PMCID: PMC7106401.
Health Canada monograph on purple echinacea, consulted on May 28, 2026
Periferakis AT, Periferakis A, Periferakis K, Caruntu A, Badarau IA, Savulescu-Fiedler I, Scheau C, Caruntu C. Antimicrobial Properties of Capsaicin: Available Data and Future Research Perspectives. Nutrients. 2023 Sep 22;15(19):4097. doi: 10.3390/nu15194097. PMID: 37
Abdel-Salam OME, Mózsik G. Capsaicin, The Vanilloid Receptor TRPV1 Agonist in Neuroprotection: Mechanisms Involved and Significance. Neurochem Res. 2023 Nov;48(11):3296-3315. doi: 10.1007/s11064-023-03983-z. Epub 2023 Jul 26. PMID: 37493882; PMCID: PMC10514110.
Défense
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Health Canada monograph on elderberry, consulted on May 28, 2026
Anti-inflammatoire
Health Canada monograph on turmeric, consulted on May 28, 2026
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Yu G, Xiang W, Zhang T, Zeng L, Yang K, Li J. Effectiveness of Boswellia and Boswellia extract for osteoarthritis patients: a systematic review and meta- analysis. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2020 Jul 17;20(1):225. doi: 10.1186/s12906-020-02985-6. PMID: 32680575; PMCID: PMC7368679.
Shoba G, Joy D, Joseph T, Majeed M, Rajendran R, Srinivas PS. Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers. Planta Med. 1998 May;64(4):353-6. doi: 10.1055/s-2006-957450. PMID: 9619120.
Heidari H, Bagherniya M, Majeed M, Sathyapalan T, Jamialahmadi T, Sahebkar A. Curcumin-piperine co-supplementation and human health: A comprehensive review of preclinical and clinical studies. Phytother Res. 2023 Apr;37(4):1462-1487. doi: 10.1002/ptr.7737. Epub 2023 Jan 31. PMID: 36720711.
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