INS and metabolic syndrome: Houschyar et al. (2012) reported that reduction of body iron stores through phlebotomy had therapeutic effects in metabolic syndrome patients, including lowered blood pressure and improvement in glycemic control and cardiovascular risks. Fernandez-Real et al. (2002) found that bloodletting in high ferritin type 2 diabetes patients resulted in decrease in glycated hemoglobin and also improved insulin secretion and sensitivity.