Black seed oil, rich in the plant compound thymoquinone, modestly improves blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure, and body-wide inflammation, with weaker evidence for weight, breathing, and fatty liver. It is low-cost and generally well tolerated, but trial quality is low and product strength varies widely. Its clearest cautions are added blood-sugar and blood-pressure lowering alongside medication. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fasting glucose | 75–90 mg/dL | Tracks the core blood-sugar benefit |
| HbA1c | < 5.4% | Three-month average blood sugar |
| LDL-C | < 100 mg/dL (functional often < 80) | Main cholesterol benefit target |
| HDL-C | > 50 (women) / > 45 (men) mg/dL | Detects the smaller "good" cholesterol rise |
| Triglycerides | < 80 mg/dL | Sensitive to metabolic change |
| hs-CRP | < 1.0 mg/L (functional < 0.5) | Captures the anti-inflammatory effect |
| ALT / AST | ALT < 25 (men) / < 20 (women) U/L | Liver safety and fatty-liver benefit |
| Blood pressure | < 120/80 mmHg | Tracks the blood-pressure effect |
Cadence: Recheck at 8–12 weeks, then every 3–6 months; if on diabetes or blood-pressure medication, self-monitor glucose and blood pressure during the first 4–8 weeks