What Is Berberine?
Berberine is a compound found in many plants, including European barberry, phellodendron, Oregon grape, goldenseal, and goldthread. These plants have historically served as treatments for a wide range of ailments, from infections to sores.
The earliest records of the medicinal use of berberine date back more than 3,000 years, when people in China and South Asia cultivated the barberry plant and its relatives. People used the plant’s stems, leaves, and bark in various ways.
Evidence also shows the use of berberine-containing plants in South America, the Middle East, and Europe to treat different conditions. Today, researchers are investigating the compound as a treatment for diabetes, high cholesterol, and even polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Barberry is one of many plants that contain the compound berberine. People have been using it for thousands of years to treat various conditions.
Berberine Benefits
Berberine’s possible health benefits stem from its effect on enzymes in the body. It binds to enzymes and parts of cells and changes how they work. It seems to affect several enzymes and even DNA and RNA.
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 and inflammation
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.
Berberine brain benefits
Research shows 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.
Berberine for lowering cholesterol
Taking berberine supplements regularly appears to lower total cholesterol, “bad” cholesterol, and triglycerides in people with high cholesterol. It works differently from today’s standard cholesterol medications, so it may help treat people who are resistant to other cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Berberine for blood sugar control
Berberine may also lower glucose levels in people with diabetes. Studies show that it helps your body respond better to insulin and prevents your liver from creating more glucose. As a result, people with diabetes may find that berberine helps lower their blood sugar levels.
Berberine for lowering blood pressure
High blood pressure is linked to heart disease and strokes. Taking berberine may help lower your diastolic and systolic blood pressure (the bottom and top numbers of your blood pressure reading).
Berberine and PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, can cause problems such as high cholesterol, insulin resistance, and trouble losing weight. In some studies, berberine helped women with PCOS control their cholesterol, lower their waist-to-hip ratio, and increase their insulin response.
Berberine and Weight Loss
Some studies suggest that berberine can reduce body mass index (BMI) and help with weight loss. But many of these studies are of low quality and have a high risk of bias. This means that there is currently no medical agreement on how well berberine can help people lose weight and that new, high-quality research on the topic is needed.
Berberine vs. Ozempic
Although some call berberine “nature’s Ozempic,” the comparison may be exaggerated. The two also work in different ways. 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. This means that there is less evidence that berberine can help people lose weight than there is for Ozempic.
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.
Berberine Side Effects
Berberine supplements may be helpful and safe for many people, but they can have occasional side effects. They 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. But these symptoms typically clear up within 4 weeks.
Low blood pressure. 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.
But other research shows that berberine hinders certain liver enzymes involved in metabolizing drugs. This could impact how the body breaks down drugs and make them less effective or cause negative side effects.
As with any health supplement, it’s best to consult your doctor before you start taking berberine.
Is berberine bad for your kidneys?
A recent study found that berberine could have a positive effect on people with kidney problems. It works by affecting the bacteria in your gut and stopping the production of harmful gut substances that can worsen kidney disease.
