BERBERINE

Berberine is a bioactive compound that can be extracted from several different plants, including a group of shrubs called Berberis. Technically, it belongs to a class of compounds called alkaloids It has a yellow color and has often been used as a dye. Berberine has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine, where it was used to treat various ailments.

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 a pharmaceutical drug.

Modern science has confirmed that it has impressive benefits for several different health problems. Berberine has now been tested in hundreds of different studies. It has been shown to have powerful effects on many different biological systems.

Inside the cells, it binds to several different “molecular targets” and changes their function, and this is similar to how pharmaceutical drugs work.

However, one of the main actions of berberine is to activate an enzyme inside cells called AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) this enzyme is sometimes referred to as a “metabolic master switch”. It is found in the cells of various organs, including the brain, muscle, kidney, heart and liver. This enzyme plays a major role in regulating metabolism. Berberine also affects various other molecules inside cells and may even affect which genes are turned on or off.

Type 2 diabetes is a serious disease that has become incredibly common in recent decades, causing millions of deaths every year. It is characterized by elevated blood sugar (glucose) levels, either caused by insulin resistance or lack of insulin.

Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage the body’s tissues and organs, leading to various health problems and a shortened lifespan.

Many studies show that berberine can significantly reduce blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. It seems to work via multiple different mechanisms. Such as Increases glycolysis, helping the body break down sugars inside cells, decrease sugar production in the liver, decreases insulin resistance, thus making lowering blood sugar more effective, and finally it slows the breakdown of carbohydrates in the gut.

Berberine may also be effective as a weight loss supplement. So far, two studies have examined the effects on body weight. In a 12-week study in obese individuals, 500 mg taken three times per day caused about 5 pounds of weight loss, on average. The participants also lost 3.6% of their body fat.

Another impressive study was conducted in 37 men and women with metabolic syndrome. This study went on for 3 months, and the participants took 300 mg, 3 times per day. The participants dropped their body mass index (BMI) levels from 31.5 to 27.4, or from obese to overweight in only 3 months. They also lost belly fat and improved many health markers. The researchers believe that the weight loss is caused by improved function of fat-regulating hormones, such as insulin, adiponectin, and leptin.

Heart disease is currently the world’s most common cause of premature death. Many factors that can be measured in the blood are associated with an increased risk of heart disease. As it turns out, berberine has been shown to improve many of these factors. It has also been shown to lower apolipoprotein B by 13-15%, which is a very important risk factor.

According to some studies, berberine works by inhibiting an enzyme called PCSK9. This leads to more LDL being removed from the bloodstream. Keep in mind that diabetes, high blood sugar levels and obesity are also major risk factors for heart disease, all of which seem to be improved with this supplement. Given the beneficial effects on all these risk factors, it seems likely that berberine could drastically reduce the risk of heart disease.

Generally, berberine appears to be safe and well tolerated. In some situations, berberine may cause digestive side effects, such as diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, and stomach pain. If you’re taking any medication, it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider before taking berberine due to the risk of interactions.

References:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25498346/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25498346/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22842630/

https://diabetesjournals.org/diabetes/article/55/8/2256/12348/Berberine-a-Natural-Plant-Product-Activates-AMP

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10409121/

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/01.res.0000256090.42690.05

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25607236/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25861268/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3478874/