Kratom Users Show Lower LDL, Triglycerides, and BMI in First Systematic Review of Metabolic Effects

Why it matters

The meta-analysis raises important questions about kratom's potential metabolic effects — whether beneficial or simply reflective of user demographics — with implications for how clinicians counsel patients who use kratom alongside metabolic medications.

The big picture

While much kratom research focuses on opioid-receptor pharmacology, addiction risk, and respiratory effects, surprisingly little attention has been paid to metabolic and cardiovascular markers. This first systematic review and meta-analysis begins to fill that gap, pooling data from five cross-sectional studies of over 1,400 adults.

Key findings

• Five cross-sectional studies involving 1,458 adults were included in the meta-analysis
• Kratom users had significantly lower LDL cholesterol (mean difference: -0.25 mmol/L) and lower triglycerides (MD: -0.17 mmol/L) compared to non-users
• BMI was significantly lower in kratom users (MD: -1.52 kg/m²)
• HDL ("good") cholesterol was significantly higher in kratom users (MD: +0.07 mmol/L)
• Total cholesterol and fasting blood sugar differences were not statistically significant; longitudinal confirmation is needed

What they say

"The findings suggest that kratom use may have a protective effect against certain metabolic risk factors," the authors wrote, while cautioning that the results are from cross-sectional data and may reflect confounding factors or selection bias. Further longitudinal studies with larger samples are required.

Bottom line

The first meta-analysis of kratom's metabolic effects found kratom users had lower LDL, triglycerides, and BMI than non-users — a potentially noteworthy finding that demands longitudinal follow-up before any clinical conclusions can be drawn.