Berberine is a bioactive compound present in various plants like goldenseal, barberry, and Oregon grape. Its vibrant yellow color and bitter taste are characteristic. With a history spanning thousands of years in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, berberine has been used for various ailments. Today, it's being investigated for its potential in treating conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Historical and Traditional Uses
The medicinal use of berberine dates back over 3,000 years. In ancient China and South Asia, plants containing berberine, such as the barberry plant, were cultivated for their therapeutic properties. Stems, leaves, and bark were used to address a wide range of conditions, from infections to sores. Evidence suggests that berberine-containing plants were also used in South America, the Middle East, and Europe.
How Berberine Works
Berberine works on a molecular level within the body, affecting various enzymes and even DNA and RNA. One key mechanism involves activating an enzyme often called a “metabolic master switch.” This enzyme plays a crucial role in regulating how the body uses energy. By stimulating this enzyme, berberine may improve metabolic functions, including glucose uptake, fat oxidation, and insulin sensitivity. Berberine has been shown to protect the gut barrier from inflammation, kill harmful gut bacteria, and encourage the growth of healthy bacteria.
Potential Health Benefits
Research indicates that berberine may offer a range of health benefits:
Blood Sugar Control
Berberine may lower glucose levels in people with diabetes. It can help the body respond better to insulin and prevent the liver from creating more glucose. Studies show that taking berberine supplements regularly appears to lower total cholesterol, “bad” cholesterol, and triglycerides in people with high cholesterol. Some studies suggest that berberine can reduce body mass index (BMI) and help with weight loss.
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Cholesterol and Heart Health
Berberine appears to lower total cholesterol, LDL ("bad") cholesterol, and triglycerides in those with high cholesterol. It may also raise HDL ("good") cholesterol. Studies show that taking a berberine supplement combined with standard heart disease treatments eases symptoms like fatigue and irregular heartbeats, lowering the chance of death without apparent side effects.
Gut Health and Inflammation
Berberine has been shown to protect the gut barrier from inflammation. It also kills harmful gut bacteria and encourages the growth of healthy bacteria, which may help treat conditions like diabetes and high cholesterol.Berberine lowers inflammation in many ways. For example, it reduces oxidative stress, lowers production of inflammatory proteins, and promotes immune regulation. Its anti-inflammatory activity may mean it can treat inflammatory conditions like arthritis.
Brain Health
Research suggests that berberine might help prevent dementia by protecting against brain damage and improving mental skills. Early studies also suggest that it may one day be able to treat conditions like cognitive dysfunction and Alzheimer’s disease.
Blood Pressure
Taking berberine may help lower diastolic and systolic blood pressure.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
In some studies, berberine helped women with PCOS control their cholesterol, lower their waist-to-hip ratio, and increase their insulin response.
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Other Potential Benefits
Berberine is being studied to see if it may help with various conditions. People most commonly use berberine for diabetes, high levels of cholesterol or other fats in the blood, and high blood pressure. It is also used for burns, canker sores, liver disease, and many other conditions.
Berberine vs. Conventional Medications
Berberine vs. Ozempic
Although some call berberine “nature’s Ozempic,” the comparison may be exaggerated. While Ozempic slows down digestion, berberine helps control how the body breaks down and uses energy. Unlike Ozempic, berberine is a dietary supplement that has not gone through the FDA approval processes for weight loss.
Berberine vs. Metformin
Doctors commonly prescribe metformin to lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. As berberine can also reduce blood sugar levels, some ask if it can be used instead of metformin. Compared to metformin, research is limited on how well berberine can lower blood sugar levels. Research suggests that metformin may help manage diabetes better than berberine.
Forms and Dosage
Berberine is available over the counter as a dietary supplement, either alone or combined with other herbs and nutritional substances. The suggested dose of berberine is 250 milligrams or 500 milligrams two or three times a day.
Side Effects and Safety
Berberine supplements may be helpful and safe for many people, but they can have occasional side effects, including digestive complications such as constipation, diarrhea, and flatulence. Berberine’s blood pressure-lowering effects are helpful if you have high blood pressure. But for some people, this effect could cause blood pressure to drop too low, which can be dangerous.
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Liver and Kidney Health
Studies suggest that berberine does not damage the liver. Some research suggests that berberine may enhance liver health, lower inflammation in the liver, and potentially treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. A recent study found that berberine could have a positive effect on people with kidney problems.
Precautions
Research is limited on the effects of taking berberine while pregnant. Early evidence suggests that it may cause uterine contractions and miscarriage, and increase the risk of brain damage and other issues in offspring. It’s likely unsafe to take berberine while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. It’s generally recommended to stop taking herbal supplements like berberine 2 to 3 weeks before surgery to avoid negative reactions to anesthesia and side effects like excessive bleeding.
Interactions
Berberine has many drug interactions, so it’s best to check with your doctor before using it. For example, as berberine may slow blood clotting, taking it alongside blood-clotting medications may increase the risk of bruising and bleeding. Also, as berberine lowers blood sugar, taking berberine alongside antidiabetic drugs may cause blood sugar levels to drop too low. Berberine can interact with multiple medications such as metformin, cyclosporine, omeprazole, losartan and others.
Foods Containing Berberine
You'll find berberine in high concentrations in plants, including:
- Hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal)
- Coptis chinensis (coptis or goldenthread)
- Berberis aquifolium (Oregon grape)
- Berberis vulgaris (barberry)
- Berberis aristata (tree turmeric)