Berberine: A Deep Dive Into This Powerful Supplement 

Berberine is a plant nutraceutical that has long been used in East Asian medicine systems. It is a naturally occurring, powerful chemical compound with a bitter taste and yellow color. Berberine is extracted from various plants, such as Barberry, Oregon grape, and Golden thread. The compound is yellow and belongs to a group of compounds called alkaloids.

According to research, Berberine has some antibiotic properties and positive effects on metabolism and energy utilization in the body. It is also used to treat metabolic conditions like obesity and improve gut health. Although it has many benefits, if you experience any side effects, you should contact your healthcare provider. Keep reading this article to know more about the properties and benefits of Berberine. 

Sources of Berberine

There are various sources of Berberine, however some of the plants that have high concentrations of Berberine are:

• Tree turmeric
• Goldenseal
• Barberry
• Golden thread
• Oregon grape

Benefits of Berberine

Over the years, plants and herbs like Berberine have been a vital part of medicine. Some individuals refer to Berberine as "nature's ozempic" due to its positive effect on weight loss. However, there is a need for more research to understand the long-term effects and mechanisms of Berberine's actions. Some research also suggests that it has a range of health benefits, such as:

Antioxidant Properties

Berberine has an antioxidant effect similar to that of Vitamin C. Its antioxidant property makes it one of the best supplements for protecting cells from free radical damage. 

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Inflammation is one of the vital precursors of several health conditions. It may lead to cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, and diabetes. Berberine is a bitter-tasting alkaloid with anti-inflammatory effects. Its anti-inflammatory properties help to improve several metabolic processes, which leads to the prevention of some inflammatory-related diseases. 

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a common hormone-related medical condition that affects the functions of a woman's ovaries. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), over 50% of women with PCOS tend to develop type 2 diabetes when they reach 40. Here, the woman has a high level of male hormones in the body. It will lead to infertility and abnormal menstruation due to the imbalance of the hormones.

Individuals with PCOS often have high cholesterol levels and blood pressure, which Berberine may help address. A  recent study shows that Berberine can be used as a form of treatment of PCOS due to its insulin resistance property, but further studies are still needed to confirm its effects. 

Support Weight Loss

Although Berberine may help reduce glucose and fat storage, it is not a magic weight loss supplement. It can help inhibit the growth of fat cells, which helps to promote weight loss. Berberine's impact on the gut microbiome is also a vital reason why it helps to support weight management. 

Helps with Cognitive Decline

Some studies show that Berberine has a therapeutic effect that helps with neurodegenerative diseases. Although there is need for more research, a study shows that Berberine has a wide range of positive influence that enhances neuroprotective pathways and counteract neurodegeneration. 

Lower Cholesterol Levels

High cholesterol levels are a major reason for an increase in an individual's risk of heart disease. An abnormal increase in LDL cholesterol and triglyceride can block the blood vessels due to fatty deposits, leading to a stroke. According to a study, Berberine has been found to reduce the level of LDL, thereby increasing high-density lipoprotein in the body. 

Improve Gut Health

Constant ingestion of Berberine can also help treat some digestive issues, such as heartburn. It is an alkaloid that improves the connection between the gut and the brain, improving overall health and digestion. Berberine's antibacterial effects help cleanse the gut and promote the growth of healthy bacteria. 

Lowers Blood Sugar Levels

Berberine has also been found to reduce the level of glucose in the bodies of diabetic individuals. This is because it improves insulin resistance and the production of insulin in the body. Insulin resistance is a medical condition in which the body cannot use the insulin the pancreas produces effectively. Research has shown that taking Berberine alongside blood-sugar-lowering drugs is more effective than taking the drugs alone. 

The compound also activates AMP-activated protein kinase, an enzyme that helps regulate the body's use of blood sugar. According to researchers, this activation can improve the treatment of diabetes and other related health conditions like high cholesterol and obesity. However, more studies are still needed to fully evaluate Berberine's safety and efficiency. 

Cancer Treatment

Due to the inhibitory properties of Berberine, it has been found to create changes in the molecules of cells. This aids in fighting cancers like lung cancer, prostate cancer, and cervical cancer. According to some animal studies, Berberine may help kill some of these cancer cells and also interfere with their life cycle. 

Treatment of Bacterial Infections

Berberine has an antimicrobial property that helps inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that tends to cause various skin conditions, pneumonia, and sepsis. It also has the ability to disrupt the protein of some bacteria, thereby inhibiting their effects and growth.  

Berberine and Other Drugs

There are substances and other supplements that may interact with Berberine. Combining Berberine with certain drugs might lead to some side effects. Some of the drugs berberine may interact adversely with are:

Interactions with Cyclosporine

It is not advisable to take Berberine with cyclosporine because it limits the rate at which the body metabolizes the drug. This may lead to a build-up of cyclosporine, which may cause the body to react adversely. 

Interactions with Cannabidiol (CBD)

Cannabidol is known to slow down heartbeats, leading to drowsiness. Taking Berberine and CBD together will cause irregular heartbeats. 

Interactions with Antihypertensive drugs

One of the benefits of Berberine is its ability to reduce blood pressure. Combining Berberine with other antihypertensive drugs can lead to abnormally low blood pressure. Some high blood pressure medications are enoxaparin and aspirin. It is best to reach out to a medical practitioner before taking Berberine with other medications. 

Interaction with Metformin

According to a study published in 2017, metformin and Berberine are similar versatile drugs used to treat some common metabolic diseases. However, it is not advisable for an individual taking metformin to combine it with Berberine or make Berberine an alternative without a professional description. 

When Berberine interacts with metformin, it can affect the blood sugar levels in the body. This may lead to some side effects like heart palpitation, anxiety, and constant feeling of tiredness. 

Interaction with Probiotics

Berberine is known to kill certain living organisms, and probiotics are essentially living organisms. Ingesting both Berberine and probiotics will reduce the effectiveness of the probiotic supplements. 

Interaction with Sedative Medications

Berberine may cause drowsiness like sedative medications. Combining the intake of Berberine and sedatives may lead to too much drowsiness and breathing problems. 

Side Effects

Although berberine has various health benefits, it also has some side effects. The supplement is available over-the-counter; however, it is best to contact your health practitioner before starting your berberine intake journey. Some of the common side effects of Berberine are:

• Constipation
• Gas
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Bloating

Dosage and Administration

There is no standard dosage of Berberine; however, the safe dosage often recommended is 2 g daily. Individuals should consult a health care professional to discuss an appropriate dosing. The dosage of Berberine often varies depending on the individual's age and respective health conditions or goals. 

The supplement should be taken at least 500 mg three times daily, shortly after or before a meal. To avoid some side effects, stick to the recommended dosage by your healthcare specialist. 

Conclusion

Berberine is often available as a supplement and in the form of a capsule. It has been in use medicinally over the years and more research is required to understand the long-term effects of the compound and its mechanism of action. According to some research studies, Berberine is effective in treating a range of health conditions such as obesity and heart disease. 

Before taking Berberine, reaching out to a healthcare provider is vital. Some individuals reported experiencing mild digestive issues, such as diarrhea, after consuming the substance. The healthcare provider can recommend a dosage that aligns with your health and body goals. Hypertensive and diabetes patients should also ensure to contact their healthcare provider, as some of their medications may react adversely with Berberine in the body. 

FAQs

Is Berberine Safe?

The main concern when taking Berberine is its ability to interact with other medications, such as cyclosporine. Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressive drug often used to manage some autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. It also interacts with other drugs, such as metformin.

Is Berberine Used for Weight Loss?

Some individuals also use berberine to lose weight. In 2020, a study showed that berberine intake can reduce body mass index, hip-to-waist ratio, and body weight. 

Does Berberine Interact with Foods?

Some individuals wonder if Berberine affects herbs and other supplements due to its interaction with certain drugs. However, there is no known research to support that it has an interaction with food.