Cissus Quadrangularis: A Unique Bone-Building, Weight-Management Nutrient

The scientific evidence supporting the use of Cissus Quadrangularis (CQ) for bone and metabolic health continues to shine. CQ is a traditional Ayurvedic herb in use for over a thousand years. Its nickname is “bone setter.”  I have explained how CQ helps bones in two previous articles, Cissus Quadrangularis – A Potent Bone Builder and Cissus Quadrangularis: Linking Bones & Metabolic Health.  The newest study on CQ and bones shows that CQ works at the level of gene transcription to turn on osteoblasts and to specifically boost their production of osteocalcin Hormone secreted by osteoblasts for the bone formation process. It is also involved with pancreatic and insulin function and adiponectin secretion.¹.  This is a powerful finding as it means that the nutrient is a bone-building gene regulator – elevating it to a new status of usefulness. Additionally, osteocalcin Hormone secreted by osteoblasts for the bone formation process. It is also involved with pancreatic and insulin function and adiponectin secretion.² acts as a hormone elsewhere in your body by boosting adiponectin Protein hormone that modulates metabolism including glucose and fatty acid catabolism. High levels are associated with low body fat. ³ production in your white adipose tissue, in turn helping to protect against insulin resistance and inflammation in your cardiovascular system⁴.

Additional interest in CQ and metabolism centers around its historical use for hemorrhoids, ulcers, asthma, and constipation – all important issues that are associated with bacterial imbalance in the digestive tract. I have explained the additional adverse effect of these factors on metabolism in my recent article, How Digestive Problems Prevent Weight Loss.  New science supports the traditional use of CQ to help heal the lining of the digestive tract, reduce inflammation and enhance antioxidant defenses, and help control bacterial imbalance. CQ has previously been shown to have antibacterial properties⁵, including against the Staphylococcus family that is typically in excess in overweight people. One of the problems of metabolism caused by bacterial imbalance is the over-production of toxic LPS, which interferes with metabolism. CQ also helps lower LPS-induced free radical damage⁶ – demonstrating help in protecting against this common problem in overweight people. It did this by helping to lower inflammatory nitric oxide (iNOS Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase. This enzyme influences genes located in the neuro-immune and cardiovascular system and provides immune defense against pathogens and contributes to disease progression including neurogenic inflammation (iNOS2). ) and the core inflammatory gene signal NF-kappaB Protein complex that controls DNA transcription and is involved with cellular responses to stress, cytokines, free radicals, UV radiation, oxidized LDL, and infections. . Another recent study showed that CQ was highly protective to the liver⁷, offsetting the toxic effects of a TB drug by drastically reducing free radical damage in the liver. This is relevant to weight management as the liver is often subjected to inflammatory and free radical producing insults coming from both the digestive tract and white adipose tissue. Thus, by a variety of mechanism CQ helps offset the metabolic stress associated with gut imbalance.

The new science helps confirm the value of CQ as a helpful bone support nutrient. It expands on its role for metabolic support. Not only does CQ help improve metabolism via osteocalcin Hormone secreted by osteoblasts for the bone formation process. It is also involved with pancreatic and insulin function and adiponectin secretion. boosting adiponectin Protein hormone that modulates metabolism including glucose and fatty acid catabolism. High levels are associated with low body fat. production, it can also help with toxic stress from digestive tract imbalance – a common problem faced by many who are struggling with their weight.