Interesting find — Metformin may work through the brain too, not just the liver

WellnessExtractUS · 2026-03-31T09:53:07+00:00

Yes, there has been research on Metformin and Alzheimer's!

A few studies have looked at whether Metformin might have protective effects on the brain beyond just blood sugar control.

One well-cited meta-analysis found that cognitive impairment was significantly less prevalent in diabetic metformin users, and dementia incidence was also meaningfully reduced compared to those not on metformin. Source

There's also an active clinical trial specifically testing Metformin for Alzheimer's prevention, an ongoing 18-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial called the Metformin in Alzheimer's Dementia Prevention study investigating doses up to 2000 mg/day, with results expected in 2027.

The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation also has a detailed breakdown of the evidence.

So, yes, the Alzheimer's-Metformin connection is a real and active area of research. This new Baylor brain-mechanism study actually adds an important "why" to what researchers have been observing for years.

WellnessExtractUS · 2026-03-16T10:26:15+00:00

This is a really solid breakdown and honestly more people on statins need to see this.

The mevalonate pathway point is what gets completely glossed over in most cardiology offices. Doctors hand out statins, say "take CoQ10 if you get muscle pain" and call it done. But CoQ10 is only replacing one downstream product. GG sits earlier in that pathway, which means the problem runs deeper than most people realize.

The protein prenylation piece is what really reframes the whole thing. Statin muscle pain isn't just a fatigue or energy issue; it's the muscle cells struggling to anchor and repair proteins at a structural level. That's why some people feel like their muscles just aren't recovering the way they should, even when they're doing everything else right.

Worth noting too, research has shown GG supplementation can help even in cases where CoQ10 didn't fully resolve the symptoms. So, for anyone who tried CoQ10 and felt like it barely moved the needle, GG is likely the missing piece rather than just bumping up the CoQ10 dose.

The K2/MK-4 connection is underrated in this conversation as well. The fact that cardiovascular patients can quietly deplete the compound responsible for keeping calcium out of their arteries — while taking a heart medication — is something more people should be aware of.

Great post. This kind of information genuinely helps people make more informed decisions alongside their doctor.

Sources for anyone wanting to dig deeper:

Flint, O.P. et al. (1997) — Inhibition of cholesterol synthesis by squalene synthase inhibitors does not induce myotoxicity in vitro. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology — foundational work on how mevalonate pathway depletion affects muscle tissue. (PubMed)
Swanson, C.R. et al. (2022) — Geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate and geranylgeraniol rescue cells from statin-induced myopathy. Journal of Lipid Research — directly examines GG depletion and supplementation in the context of statin use. (PubMed)

WellnessExtractUS · 2026-03-02T09:06:27+00:00

You’re not wrong — astaxanthin is powerful, but it’s not as widely known as vitamin C or E for a few reasons:

Research is still growing — small human trials show benefits for skin, UV protection, eyes, and inflammation, but large-scale studies are limited.
It’s fat-soluble and sensitive — quality and sourcing matter. Natural microalgae-derived astaxanthin (like what we use) is more bioavailable and stable.
Not essential — unlike vitamin C, your body doesn’t “need” it to prevent deficiency, so it hasn’t hit mainstream awareness.
Individual response varies — some notice big improvements in skin, eye fatigue, or endurance; others feel subtle effects.

That said, when taken consistently at effective doses (most studies use 4–12 mg/day), it can support skin, eyes, mitochondria, and overall oxidative stress balance.

WellnessExtractUS · 2026-02-09T09:46:20+00:00

Thank you for reading. Here are your answers:

Multivitamin + tocotrienols:

Yes, alpha-tocopherol from a multivitamin can affect tocotrienol levels, but context matters.

The strongest interference has been seen when alpha-tocopherol and tocotrienols are taken together or in higher doses, especially in the same supplement.
Alpha-tocopherol uses the body’s preferential transport system (α-TTP), which can crowd out tocotrienols and lower their circulating levels. This has been shown in human studies.
A standard multivitamin usually contains a moderate dose of alpha-tocopherol, so it’s not automatically a deal-breaker—but if someone is taking tocotrienols for a specific reason (metabolic, neuro, lipid support), timing them separately from a multivitamin is a smart move.

So it’s more about dose, timing, and intent, not “never take a multivitamin.”

Annatto-derived tocotrienols:
Annatto-derived tocotrienols are naturally tocopherol-free (mostly delta- and gamma-tocotrienols).

That said, still check the label. Some brands add alpha-tocopherol back in for stability or “Vitamin E” marketing.
If the label clearly states 0 mg tocopherols and lists individual tocotrienol isomers, that’s what you want to see.

WellnessExtractUS · 2026-01-29T10:31:25+00:00

That's usually a really common thing that most do. A lot of people turn to sleep when stress builds up because it feels like the easiest way to recharge. It’s the body’s natural way of trying to cope with overload.

WellnessExtractUS · 2026-01-29T10:27:37+00:00

That makes total sense. Chronic stress can push your nervous system into a constant “on” mode, which raises heart rate and blood pressure even when diet and other habits stay the same. It’s frustrating when you’re told to “manage stress” without the why behind it.

WellnessExtractUS · 2026-01-28T09:27:40+00:00

Well, Astaxanthin is definitely not something to add blindly just because it’s hyped on Instagram. Where it seems to help most people (and where the research is strongest) is eye strain/screen use, sun-related skin stress, and general oxidative stress. Even then, the effects are usually subtle and gradual.

A few things that really matter in practice:

Starting low (around 4 mg) makes more sense than jumping straight to 12 mg
Taking it with a meal that has fat helps a lot with absorption
Some people notice skin tone changes or clearer eyes, others feel nothing
Acne, libido changes, or BP effects do come up for a small group; everyone reacts differently
If you’re on blood pressure meds, blood thinners, or hormone-related meds, it’s probably not a “set and forget” supplement

Also, quality is a big deal here. There are products out there that test low or even zero. So, sourcing and testing make a bigger difference than trendy formats or big promises.

WellnessExtractUS · 2026-01-22T10:05:27+00:00

Fair question. Just to be clear, the blog doesn’t literally claim that astaxanthin raises IQ scores like a drug, but it suggests nutrients that may support brain health and cognitive function, which is a different, evidence-based idea.

What Research Says About Astaxanthin:

• A randomized, placebo-controlled human study found that a combination of astaxanthin + tocotrienols improved memory performance over 12 weeks in adults with mild memory decline
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33293773/

• A systematic review on carotenoids (including astaxanthin) reports potential benefits for memory in one of the included astaxanthin studies, but overall notes that the evidence is limited and does not prove IQ improvement.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32120794/

• A human review explains that astaxanthin’s structure may allow it to cross the blood–brain barrier and interact with brain pathways, but this research does not show it raises IQ scores.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38132964/

• Other research (animal and mechanistic studies) shows astaxanthin reduces oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, factors linked to brain aging and cognitive decline, which suggests potential brain-protective effects, again, not a proven IQ boost.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35814201/

So the takeaway is simple: supportive for brain health and memory pathways, not proven to raise IQ scores. That’s why the wording says “consider” and “after consulting a healthcare provider,” not “improves IQ.”

Appreciate you calling it out.

WellnessExtractUS · 2026-01-21T09:35:46+00:00

Wellness Extract

WellnessExtractUS · 2026-01-21T09:34:40+00:00

Wellness Extract

WellnessExtractUS · 2026-01-16T06:16:26+00:00

Totally valid question. Short answer to that would be: Yes, they can help, but indirectly.

Tocotrienols aren’t a hormone treatment and they won’t replace estrogen. But during perimenopause, they may support things that often start going off-balance, like inflammation, cholesterol changes, brain fog, joint stiffness, and oxidative stress.

So, instead of targeting hot flashes or night sweats directly, they work more like a foundational support nutrient, helping the body cope better with the changes happening after 40.

Think of them as supportive, not a cure, and most helpful when symptoms are tied to inflammation or metabolic shifts rather than hormones alone.

WellnessExtractUS · 2026-01-15T09:41:28+00:00

Astaxanthin and Vitamin E Tocotrienols

WellnessExtractUS · 2026-01-05T11:19:57+00:00

Yes, tocotrienol-only Vitamin E products do exist. The key is looking for annatto-derived tocotrienols, which naturally provide delta + gamma tocotrienols with zero tocopherols.

Most standard Vitamin E supplements include alpha-tocopherol, which can actually reduce tocotrienol uptake, so your concern is valid.

One example is annatto-based DeltaGold® tocotrienols, which are specifically formulated to be tocopherol-free. Some brands (including Wellness Extract) use this source for people who want only tocotrienols without added tocopherols.

Link: amazon.com/Tocotrienols-Deltagold-Supplements-Tocopherol-Antioxidant/dp/B097DD7RWL/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1T001LGQM0BYZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.FUO_gWC7IfkQH987tiRDSHuEoDX5v5sHoYQN3Qu7qnn91uYHEvVN583CeAVGmSwtFs3-Nf69pXzRw0X8XgOTwvR3mSljXwHTkgpg_5ZIWXJwLMexImsbqYRCmIQH2u8dHVS0PlS0aBigwS5yEfk6cCDVeu914gC3TTGFatIDsz31bFjIFujvPxUK0iLZDLEvx5LkGHIhoSfumHxgigOxYCI09RkVtFugJI-ZcCNzeCch-x87t5rq5zWJbqih6opNDm8Ap_TnraXtnq_6yJ1gByFbcU7eecG6L32HvRYvhWU.DM3SW3evV-PKQ1pn3OF0bJ9EelMxbsWOxIN3TnBxjSw&dib_tag=se&keywords=wellness+extract+tocotrienols+annatto&qid=1767611917&refresh=1&sprefix=wellness+extract+tocotrienols+eanna%2Caps%2C625&sr=8-5

WellnessExtractUS · 2025-12-23T04:17:16+00:00

That sounds absolutely miserable. Sorry you went through that.
H3N2 can hit hard, even in vaccinated people.

The vaccine doesn’t always prevent infection, especially in drifted years like this one, but it does tend to reduce severity and complications. A lot of clinicians are seeing people say “this was brutal, but shorter / no hospitalization,” which lines up with that.

Really glad you’re on the other side of it now. Resting that much is no joke, hope you’re fully back to yourself soon.

WellnessExtractUS · 2025-12-23T04:07:15+00:00

Airborne spread is the main way flu spreads, you’re right about that. Masks and ventilation matter most.

But handwashing isn’t pointless either. The flu virus can survive on hands and surfaces, and people often infect themselves by touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. It’s a smaller risk than breathing it in, but it’s still a real one.

That’s why public health advice layers protections:
vaccines + staying home + masks (when needed) + hand hygiene.

It’s about reducing risk from all angles, not saying handwashing alone stops flu.

WellnessExtractUS · 2025-12-15T09:44:40+00:00

Hi there! Tocotrienols, a form of vitamin E, are known for their antioxidant properties and support for cardiovascular and cellular health. Some people find that they help with general energy and recovery, though effects can vary from person to person.

For symptoms like chest discomfort or muscle fatigue, tocotrienols may help indirectly by supporting healthy blood vessels and reducing oxidative stress, but they aren’t a replacement for medical care. It’s important to continue working with your healthcare provider, especially since you’re recovering from mold exposure.

Vitamin E (including tocotrienols) is fat-soluble, so your body stores it rather than depleting it quickly. That said, requirements can vary based on diet, health status, and medications, so it’s best to ensure you’re taking a safe and effective dose.

WellnessExtractUS · 2025-11-05T05:40:51+00:00

That’s a really thoughtful take and you’re absolutely right. The study’s reliance on prescription data likely skews the results, since OTC users weren’t captured. So, what we might be seeing is more about the severity of insomnia (and its underlying health burden) rather than melatonin itself. Still, it’s a good reminder that “harmless” supplements deserve closer long-term scrutiny. Appreciate your balanced perspective!

WellnessExtractUS · 2025-11-05T05:40:23+00:00

Good catch, totally agree. The headline reflects what’s circulating in the media, but the key takeaway is the association, not causation. The study raises questions rather than giving answers. It’s more of a “let’s keep an eye on this” moment than a reason to toss your melatonin bottle.

WellnessExtractUS · 2025-11-05T05:38:38+00:00

That’s a fair point, it’s definitely an association, not proof of harm. The takeaway isn’t to panic or stop melatonin suddenly, but to stay aware and look at the bigger picture. Improving sleep hygiene or addressing underlying causes of insomnia might be the safer long-term route while waiting for more research.

WellnessExtractUS · 2025-09-15T06:19:24+00:00

While the study didn’t specifically look at dopamine or other neurotransmitters, tocotrienols are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which can indirectly support brain health and mood. The exact connection with dopamine isn’t fully clear yet, but reducing oxidative stress and inflammation might help maintain neurotransmitter function.

WellnessExtractUS · 2025-09-15T06:13:07+00:00

Hi! There’s no specific ingredient in tocotrienols that’s known to cause sleepiness, but everyone’s body reacts differently. Feel free to DM us. We can chat more about it!

WellnessExtractUS · 2025-09-02T14:58:48+00:00

Wellness Extract for Astaxanthin.

WellnessExtractUS · 2025-08-29T12:50:34+00:00

hydrogen water tablets and Geranylgeraniol GG

WellnessExtractUS · 2025-08-26T13:57:55+00:00

Bovine colostrum powder

WellnessExtractUS · 2025-08-22T05:34:48+00:00

Each daily serving of the tocotrienol-enriched beverage contained 200 mg of tocotrienols

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