Aloe vera is three materials from one leaf. The clear inner gel carries the useful findings: faster burn closure, less severe mouth ulceration during cancer treatment, eased reflux and bowel symptoms, better blood sugar and blood fats where values start out of range. The bitter yellow latex causes nearly every reported harm. Filtered preparations, time-limited courses. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fasting glucose | 75–86 mg/dL | Primary target where aloe is used metabolically |
| HbA1c | 4.8–5.3% | Average glucose over about three months; the endpoint that moved in aloe trials |
| Fasting insulin | 2–5 µIU/mL | Detects compensation before glucose rises |
| LDL cholesterol | Below 100 mg/dL, or below 70 mg/dL with cardiovascular risk | Secondary aloe target |
| Triglycerides | Below 90 mg/dL | The lipid fraction that moved most readily in aloe trials |
| Potassium | 4.0–4.5 mmol/L | Safety marker for latex-containing preparations |
| ALT | 10–26 U/L (men), 8–22 U/L (women) | Earliest signal of herb-induced liver injury |
| Estimated glomerular filtration rate | Above 90 mL/min/1.73 m² | Kidney reserve before any latex exposure |
| Red blood cell magnesium | 4.2–6.8 mg/dL | Depleted alongside potassium by stimulant laxatives |
| High-sensitivity C-reactive protein | Below 0.5 mg/L | Tracks the anti-inflammatory claim made for aloe |
Cadence: Baseline, then 4 weeks, 12 weeks, and every 6–12 months beyond a single course; potassium rechecked at 2 weeks for latex users