Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

4-Hydroxyisoleucine is a non-proteinogenic amino acid found primarily in fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum). Its use in supporting or treating metabolic syndrome is based primarily on scientific research, rather than tradition. Several preclinical studies (cell culture and animal models) and a limited number of small human trials have investigated its effects on glucose and lipid metabolism. The proposed mechanism of action is the stimulation of insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner, potentially helping to regulate blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity—two key aspects of metabolic syndrome.

A handful of randomized, controlled human studies have suggested that fenugreek seed extracts enriched in 4-hydroxyisoleucine may modestly improve glycemic control and lipid profiles in individuals with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. For example, published clinical trials have reported reductions in fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and triglycerides, though the study sizes are small and methodologies variable. Most direct evidence for 4-hydroxyisoleucine itself comes from animal and in vitro studies, which demonstrate improvements in insulin secretion, sensitivity, and lipid metabolism. However, robust, well-powered, long-term clinical trials specifically evaluating purified 4-hydroxyisoleucine in metabolic syndrome are lacking. While the results are promising and mechanistically plausible, the overall quality and quantity of evidence currently rates as low to moderate (2/5).

In summary, scientific evidence—not tradition—supports the potential use of 4-hydroxyisoleucine for metabolic syndrome, but further research is needed to confirm efficacy and safety in humans.

More about 4-hydroxyisoleucine
More about Metabolic Syndrome

Other ingredients used for Metabolic Syndrome

1-deoxynojirimycin
12-methylcarnosic acid
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
3-desoxy-7-KETO-DHEA
4-hydroxyisoleucine
5,7-Dimethoxyflavone
6-Paradol
7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)
7-Keto-DHEA
Acacetin
Acai berry
Akkermansia muciniphila
Algae
algal oil
Algal protein
Alpha Glucans
Alpha methyl tetradecylthioacetic acid
Alpha phytosterol
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-lipoic acid
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ampelopsin
anchovies
ankaflavin
anthocyanidins
anthocyanins
antirrhinin
Antrodia camphorata
apigenin
arabinoxylan
Arjunolic acid
Aronia melanocarpa
Ascophyllum nodosum
asparagus
astragaloside
Auricularia
avocado
bacillus subtilis
banaba
barley
bean
berberine
beta-glucan
beta-hydroxybutyrate
beta-sitosterol
betanin
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium longum
black garlic
Blakeslea trispora
blueberry
Brazil nut
Brussel sprouts
butyrate triglyceride
Calanus finmarchicus
California chia
campesterol
camu camu
capsiate
capsinoids
cardarine
carnosic acid
caterpillar mushroom
charantin
chia seed
Chitin-Glucan Complex
chlorogenic acid
chokeberry
chromium
cinnamon
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
corosolic acid
crocetin
Crypthecodinium
curcumin
cyanidin
cyanobacteria
cynaropicrin
Cystoseira canariensis
D-Pinitol
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
dihydrocapsiate
dihydrolipoic acid
diosgenin
docosahexaenoic Acid
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
dragon fruit
Dunaliella
Ecklonia
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
ergothioneine
evodiamine
fisetin
flavanols
flaxseed
Foxtail millet
fructan
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fucosterol
fucoxanthin
galactooligosaccharides
garbanzo bean
ginger
Ginsenosides
Glucan peptides
glucomannan
Glucoraphanin
Glucosinolates
guanidinopropionic acid (GPA )
guar gum
Guggulsterones
hydroxycitric acid
hydroxytyrosol
inulin
Irvingia gabonensis
Isoalantolactone
isomaltulose
Kamut
kidney beans
Konjac
krill oil
l-carnitine
Lactobacillus helveticus
Legume protein
Lentil
licorice root
lipstatin
lupin
maitake mushroom
mangiferin
maqui berry
Maslinic acid
Matcha
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
Momordicosides
Monacolin
Monounsaturated fat
Moringa
Mulberroside A
Naringenin
Naringin
Neoeriocitrin
nicotinamide riboside
Nobiletin
oleanolic acid
oleic acid
Oleoylethanolamide
Oligosaccharides
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-7 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
oolong tea
oyster mushroom
Palatinose
palmitoleic acid
peanut
Phaeophyceae
phlorizin
Phycocyanin
Phytoplankton
Pinitol
Pistachio
Pleurotus eryngii
polychitosamine
Polydatin
polysaccharides
polyunsaturated fat
pu-er tea
punicalagins
punicalin
punicic acid
pyrroloquinoline quinone
quinoa
Rebaudioside
red yeast rice
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rye
Salacia
Salidroside
Salmon Oil
Schizochytrium
Schizochytrium Oil
Sesamin
Sesamolin
Sinensetin
spirulina
Sulforaphane
Syringic acid
Tagatose
Tangeretin
Tanshinone
Tetradecylthioacetic acid
Theabrownin
Theaflavin
Thylakoid
tocotrienols
Trans-pterostilbene
turmeric
Tyrosol
Urolithin A
Vanadium
Vanadyl sulfate
vitamin C
vitamin D
wheat grass
Whey protein
Xanthohumol
xylooligosaccharides
Yacon
Zinc
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)

Other health conditions supported by 4-hydroxyisoleucine

Diabetes
Fatty Liver Disease
Metabolic Syndrome
Triglycerides (high)

Products containing 4-hydroxyisoleucine

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.