what are the health benefits of berberine

How does berberine help to lower blood sugar?

• increasing insulin sensitivity
• promoting insulin production
• regulating metabolism
• increasing glycolysis, or the breakdown of glucose
• reducing glucose production in the liver
• increasing nitric oxide (NO) production, which helps widen arteries
• slowing carbohydrate absorption from the gut

Does berberine lower A1c?

“This study of berberine against metformin at equal doses was very impressive, with berberine lowering A1C by 2%, which is higher than any conventional oral hypoglycemics have been shown to lower A1C in the same time,” says Dr. Morstein.

Are there side effects of berberine?

The potential side effects of berberine include: Digestive complications. One study done with berberine found that it can lead to digestion problems—such as constipation, diarrhea, and flatulence—in some people. However, these symptoms typically clear up within four weeks.

What does berberine do for the body?

Berberine has been shown to lower blood sugar, cause weight loss and improve heart health, to name a few. It is one of the few supplements shown to be as effective as a pharmaceutical drug.

Is berberine hard on the liver?

Sub-chronic toxicity of berberine has reported to damages lung and liver by increasing alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), significantly (Ning et al., 2015).

Who should take berberine?

The people who stand to benefit the most are individuals with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. However, it may also be useful as a general protection against chronic disease, as well as an anti-aging supplement. If you use supplements, then berberine may be one of the top ones to include in your arsenal.

Does berberine reduce belly fat?

Two studies have shown that taking a berberine supplement over the course of three months results in significant weight loss. This may be due to how berberine helps control insulin and other hormones that regulate your fat cells.

What is the side effect of berberine?

Berberine vs Metmorfin:BerberineMetmorfinSome of the common and major side effects of Berberine are: Diarrhea Constipation Gas Stomach UpsetMost common side effects of Metformin are: Nausea Vomiting Stomach pain Diarrhea2 more rows

Is turmeric and berberine the same thing?

Overview. Tree turmeric (Berberis aristate) is a shrub found in India and Nepal. It contains high amounts of a chemical called berberine. The chemicals in tree turmeric might reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

What foods are high in berberine?

Overview. Berberine is a chemical found in some plants like European barberry, goldenseal, goldthread, Oregon grape, phellodendron, and tree turmeric.

Does berberine make you poop more?

Berberine (BBR) is a non-prescription drug to treat various bacteria-associated diarrheas. However, BBR has also been reported to cause diarrhea in clinic, with underlying mechanisms poorly understood.

Which is better metformin or berberine?

In the regulation of lipid metabolism, berberine activity is better than metformin. By week 13, triglycerides and total cholesterol in the berberine group had decreased and were significantly lower than in the metformin group (P<0.05).

Can you take berberine long term?

For decades it has been a well-researched herbal treatment for intestinal infections, like Giardia, but it came with the warning to avoid long-term use due to the potential undesirable and antimicrobial effect in the gut. Significant gastrointestinal side effects are well documented with berberine extract studies.

Does berberine affect sleep?

Berberine might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking berberine along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.

Can berberine cause weight gain?

Berberine inhibits gluconeogenesis in the liver, can modulate bacteria in the gut associated with obesity, and has been shown to decrease lipid (cholesterol) levels (5). Berberine has also been shown to assist weight and body fat loss by inhibiting the enzyme lipoprotein lipase, which increases fat storage (6).

Does berberine lower blood pressure?

Taking berberine when you are on medications that reduce blood sugar can push your blood glucose levels too low. Berberine can lower blood pressure, so it should be used with caution by anyone who already has low blood pressure.

What are the benefits of Berberine?

Its benefits include aiding weight loss, promoting normal blood sugar levels, and balancing cholesterol. Native Americans also used berberine as a mouthwash and topical ointment, mostly for oral health issues such as canker sores.

What is Berberine supplement?

Berberine is an "alkaloid," a compound made from carbon and nitrogen with important physiological impacts on the body. [ 1] . Its incredible benefits have stood the test of time.

What is Berberine used for?

For centuries, traditional Chinese healers have used berberine for a variety of health conditions, mainly inflammation and digestive woes. Berberine has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. It may help with weight loss, diabetes, infections, canker sores, and PCOS.

How much weight did I lose on Berberine?

Obese individuals who took berberine three times a day for 12 weeks lost weight — about five pounds each. While that’s not a huge amount of weight, it was also accompanied by a reduction in their body mass index (BMI).

Does Berberine help with inflammation?

6. Soothes Inflammation. Berberine has anti- inflammatory properties, which means it reduces redness and swelling throughout the body.

Is Berberine a natural supplement?

Its antioxidant and antibacterial properties make it a popular — and effective — health supplement. [ 1] . Berberine supplements are found as capsules, liquid extract, or topical gel.

Does Berberine help with fatty liver?

By promoting normal fat levels in the blood, berberine keeps fat from accumulating in the liver. [ 2] . It appears to help people with both alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, known causes of fat buildup in the liver. [ 2, 15]

What is the function of berberine?

One of the main functions is activating an important enzyme called AMPK, which regulates metabolism.

How long does berberine last?

Berberine has a half-life of several hours, so it is necessary to spread your dosage to several times per day to achieve stable blood levels. If you have a medical condition or are on any medications, then it is recommended that you speak to your doctor before taking it.

What is the best supplement for weight loss?

A compound called berberine is one of the most effective natural supplements available. It has very impressive health benefits, and affects your body at the molecular level. Berberine has been shown to lower blood sugar, cause weight loss and improve heart health, to name a few. It is one of the few supplements shown to be as effective as ...

Does Berberine lower blood sugar?

This stuff really works, in both the studies and the real world. Bottom Line: Berberine is very effective at lowering blood sugar and HbA1c, which are elevated in people with diabetes. It works as well as some pharmaceutical drugs.

Is berberine good for health?

Now, modern science has confirmed that it has impressive benefits for several different health problems ( 2. Trusted Source. ). Bottom Line: Berberine is a compound that can be extracted from several different plants. It has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine.

Does Berberine cause stomach pain?

This is especially important if you are currently taking blood sugar lowering medications. Overall, berberine has an outstanding safety profile. The main side effects are related to digestion, and there are some reports of cramping, diarrhea, flatulence, constipation and stomach pain ( 10. Trusted Source.

What Is Berberine, Exactly?

Berberine is a compound found in a variety of plants, including European barberry, goldenseal (yellow root), goldthread, Oregon grape, phellodendron (not be confused with the house plant philodendron) and tree turmeric, according to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Potential Benefits

Dr. Fratellone says he has used berberine plants to treat urinary tract infections and that it is also commonly used for GI problems, circulatory issues, liver diseases and bronchial ailments. "I recommend berberine to most of my patients with diabetes, arthritis and even heart disease," he notes.

Recommended Dosage

How much berberine you should take depends on what you want it to do for you. Williamson says the following recommended dosages have been based off various studies:

Side Effects and Risks

The side effects that can occur with berberine are overall pretty mild, but can include:

Is This an Emergency?

If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911. If you think you may have COVID-19, use the CDC’s Coronavirus Self-Checker .

What Is Berberine?

Berberine is a "bioactive compound" found in various plants belonging to the Berberine genus, which include goldenseal, tree turmeric, European barberry, and others. More specifically, berberine is an alkaloid compound made up of carbon and nitrogen. The compound is extracted from the roots, stems, or leaves of these plants. Check out our Berberine

Top 10 Benefits of Berberine

All of the benefits listed below are worthwhile potential benefits of berberine. These rankings, in descending order, are roughly based (in our view) on the combined significance of the listed benefit, and berberine?s likelihood to help treat it effectively.

Why is Berberine good for diabetes?

That’s the main reason it’s helpful for people with type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome. The AMPK pathway also reduces cell proliferation and cell growth, which helps explain berberine’s weight loss, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory effects

• ]. Berberine also affects DNA transcription (turning genes on or off), ...

How does Berberine help with insulin resistance?

How Berberine Lowers Insulin Resistance 1 It allows the blood sugar-lowering hormone insulin to work better

• ] 2 Increases insulin sensitivity
  • ] 3 Boosts glycolysis (sugar metabolism), which helps your body utilize sugar properly
    • ] 4 Decreases gluconeogenesis (sugar production in your liver)
      • ] 5 Reduces absorption of sugar during digestion
        • ] 6 Raises the number of beneficial gut bacteria
          • ]

What is the bitter taste of Berberine?

Berberine has a bitter taste and is found in many systems of traditional botanical medicine. Asian traditional medicine systems tout berberine for its properties of clearing damp-heat, quenching fire, and counteracting poison

• ].

When was Berberine first used?

Therapeutic use of berberine by humans date back to 3000 B.C.E or earlier

• ]. The first recorded mention of berberine as a medicinal herbal compound was in the ancient Chinese book “The Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica”
  • ]. Berberine has a bitter taste and is found in many systems of traditional botanical medicine.

Is Berberine good for high blood pressure?

Because type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure often occur together, some scientists have suggested that berberine could be an ideal first-line therapy to help with these issues, especially in patients who have difficulty affording expensive prescription drugs

• ].

Does Berberine help with heart disease?

As with cancer, inflammation and insulin resistance increase the risk of heart attack and other serious cardiovascular problems

• ]
  • ]. Berberine may help protect your heart by reducing inflammation, as well as in cardiac tissues
    • ].

Does Berberine help with cancer?

Inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance are all linked to an increased risk of cancer, so it’s not surprising that berberine may help prevent the growth of cancerous cells

• ]. Along with reducing cancer risk factors, berberine has specific activity against cancer cells
  • ].

What are the benefits of Berberine?

10 Powerful Benefits of Berberine. 1. Helps Lower Blood Glucose. In one particular study, berberine was found to help lower blood glucose, which can help in the prevention and treatment of type II diabetes and its complications — including diabetic cardiovascular disease and diabetic neuropathy.

Why is Berberine good for you?

Why should you be interested in the plant-based alkaloid compound known as berberine? Because berberine, in study after study, proves to be effective in helping with a number of the so-called lifestyle health issues such as diabetes, gastrointestinal infections, cardiovascular health, high cholesterol, hypertension, NAFLD, joint pain, low bone density, and even anti-aging and weight management. In a nutshell, berberine can do wonders for your health. I encourage you to work on your health every day. Be positive and be kind. Prevention is always the best natural medicine, but if health issues should arise, remember that there is still a solution to every situation. Be well.

How much Berberine should I take a day?

Because it has a short life, berberine is best taken in divided doses to keep stable levels in your blood. Most studies use dosages of 900 to 1,500 milligrams per day. Most practitioners recommend a dose of 500 milligrams three times per day for a total of 1,500 milligrams every day.

Does berberine lower cholesterol?

Another study showed that combining red yeast rice, which is known for its ability to lower cholesterol naturally, and berberine may give a larger range of cholesterol protection along with a lower risk of serious adverse effects when compared to a prescription statin therapy.

Does Berberine help with metabolic disease?

More and more studies have uncovered evidence that some of the most powerful benefits of berberine can include protection against: Metabolic syndrome. Diabetes.

Can fluconazole and berberine be used together?

When Fluconazole, a standard prescription medication treatment for Candida overgrowth, is used together with Berberine for Candida albicans , both provide a synergistic effect in the lab, meaning both are extremely powerful when used together instead of individually.

Is berberine good for your liver?

Is berberine good for your liver? If you guessed yes, you are correct! Berberine has numerous mechanisms by which it may help protect the liver, particularly against NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease).

Dosing

I typically use between 500 mg and 2000 mg per day on my patients (1-4 caps), depending on the level of need. One cap per day for general wellness and prevention. Two caps 2x per day for advanced cholesterol and blood sugar control. Short term infection protocols may go up to 3 caps 3x per day.

Where to Buy

Make sure you are using a reputable source for berberine. How do you know that the product meets label claims and there are 500 mg of berberine in your capsule and not a filler? How do know that the product is not contaminated with toxic metals such as lead or arsenic?

What is berberine used for?

Berberine is most commonly taken for diabetes, high levels of cholesterol or other fats ( lipids) in the blood ( hyperlipidemia ), and high blood pressure.

Does berberine help with blood pressure?

It also seems to improve insulin sensitivity. Other early research suggests that taking a combination product containing berberine, policosanol, red yeast rice, folic acid, coenzyme Q10, and astaxanthin improves blood pressure and blood flow in people with metabolic syndrome.

Does Berberine cause triglycerides?

Early research shows that berberine decreases blood sugar, blood fats called triglycerides, and markers of liver damage in people with diabetes and hepatitis C. A long-term disorder of the large intestines that causes stomach pain ( irritable bowel syndrome or IBS).

Does Berberine lower cholesterol?

Berberine might help lower cholesterol levels in people with high cholesterol. Taking berberine for up to 2 years seems to reduce total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein ( LDL or "bad") cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in people with high cholesterol.

Does berberine break down medications?

Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Berberine might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking berberine along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications.

Is berberine safe for short term use?

When taken by mouth: Berberine is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults for short-term use. Side effects include diarrhea, constipation, gas, stomach upset, and headache. When applied to the skin: Berberine is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when used short-term. Special Precautions and Warnings.

Does Berberine help ulcerative colitis?

A type of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis). Early research shows that taking berberine does not seem to improve symptoms in people with ulcerative colitis who take the drug mesalamine. Other conditions. More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of berberine for these uses. Side Effects.

What is the color of berberine?

It has a deep yellow color — so much so that it has been used as a natural dye. Berberine is found in a group of shrub plants called Berberis. It is also the main active component of two herbs that are popular in natural medicine: Coptidis Rhizoma and Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex.

Where does berberine come from?

Risks, Side Effects and Interactions. Berberine comes from China and India, where it was first utilized thousands of years ago in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic medicine.

What is berberine adenosine?

Berberine is one of few compounds that is capable of activating adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (or AMPK ). AMPK is an enzyme inside the human body’s cells, which is often called a “metabolic master switch” since it plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism.

Is Berberine good for the liver?

Is berberine good for the liver? Although more research is needed to confirm it can defend against liver diseases, early research suggests that berberine supports the liver by decreasing blood sugar, insulin resistance and triglycerides, which are markers of liver damage in people with diabetes and viruses like hepatitis.

Is Berberine HCL safe?

Extracts and supplements made from this compound, such as berberine HCL, are generally inexpensive, safe and well-known for their broad antibacterial activities. They may even be able to help naturally treat conditions without the use of antibiotics.

Does Berberine help with depression?

Animal studies have also shown that it may help fight depression. There’s evidence that berberine possesses protective central nervous system activities, particularly the ability to inhibit monoamine oxidase-A, an enzyme involved in the degradation of norepinephrine and serotonin, that has mood-lifting effects. 5.

Does Berberine help with fatty liver?

It may also offer support for people with fatty liver disease. Studies have found that berberine exerts anti-hyperglycemic and anti-dyslipidemic effects, meaning it improves glucolipid metabolism, which can help address root causes of fatty liver disease. 9. Potentially Has Anti-Cancer Effects.