Mung bean extract, a dietary supplement made from the bean's coat or protein, is used for blood sugar control, vessel health, and longevity. Small, short human studies of protein forms hint at better insulin levels, vessel function, and strength, with weak or borderline results versus comparison groups. Longevity claims for coat extracts rest on mice, roundworms, and cell studies. Risks appear modest at food-like amounts but are not systematically measured. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fasting insulin | About 2.6–24.9 μU/mL | Expected to change |
| HOMA-IR | No established target; track change from own baseline | Expected to change |
| Fasting glucose | 70–99 mg/dL | Low blood sugar check with glucose-lowering drugs |
| Triglycerides | Below 150 mg/dL | Expected to change |
| ALT | About 7–56 U/L | Expected to change |
| TSH | About 0.4–4.0 mIU/L | Safety check for antithyroid effect of vitexin |
| Ferritin | About 24–336 ng/mL (men), 11–307 ng/mL (women) | Safety check for reduced iron absorption |
| Tacrolimus or cyclosporine trough | Transplant team's individual target | Safety check (reductions were reported) |
| Mung bean or Vig r 1 specific IgE | No established target; a positive result indicates sensitization | Safety check for allergy before first use |
Cadence: Baseline before starting; metabolic markers at 8 weeks, then every 6–12 months; TSH at 8 weeks, then annually; ferritin at 8–12 weeks, then annually, with seed-coat extracts; tacrolimus or cyclosporine trough levels 1–2 weeks after starting or stopping; fasting samples drawn in the morning after 10–12 hours without food