[OBJECTIVE]:To observe the protective effects of modified Linggui Zhugan Decoction combined with short-term very low calorie diets (VLCDs) on cardiovascular risk factors in obese patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).[METHODS]:Eighty-five obese patients with IGT of spleen hypofunction and dampness accumulation type were randomly divided into treated group (n=45)and control group (n=40).The treated group was given Linggui Zhugan Decoction combined short-term VLCDs.The control group was given basic weight-reduction treatment.The total course was 6 months.Changes of fasting plasma glucose (FPG),2-hour postprandial blood glucose (2hPG),glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c),fasting insulin(FINS),lipid metabolism,blood pressure,body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC)were observed,and the outcomes were reviewed after the treatment.[RESULTS]:Compared with the control group,the levels of FPG,2hPG,HbA1c,FINS,HOMA-IR decreased significantly (P＜0.05),and the indexes of total cholesterol (TC),triglyceride (TG),low-density lipoprotein (LDL),systolic blood pressure (SBP),diastolic blood pressure (DBP),BMI and WC were improved significantly (P＜0.05) in the treated group.The transformation rate of normal glucose tolerance (NGT) was higher in treatment group than control group (P＜0.01).No severe adverse reaction was found in the therapeutic course.[CONCLUSION]:The modified Linggui Zhugan Decoction combined with short-term VLCDs has good protective effects on cardiovascular risk factors as a treatment intervention for IGT with obesity,as it could improve glycometabolism,significantly decrease the levels of blood pressure,blood lipids,BMI,WC and effectively cut-off and reverse the development of diabetes mellitus.