Berberine: Potential Health Benefits, Safety, & Usage

Berberine is a natural compound found in many plants. Research suggests that it may support healthy blood sugar levels and help with weight management.

In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at berberine, how it works, and how it can affect your health.

What is Berberine?

Berberine is a plant phytochemical that’s part of the alkaloid family of compounds. Berberine is bitter-tasting and has a bright yellow color.

It’s found in the bark, leaves, twigs, and roots of a variety of different plants, including Oregon Grape Root, Goldenseal, and Indian Barberry. These plants can be found growing throughout the world.

It is known for its various potential health benefits and has a history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Potential Health Benefits of Berberine:

Recent research indicates that berberine may provide the body with many different potential health benefits, especially for metabolic health. Listed below are the most well-supported health benefits of berberine. 

1. Blood Sugar Support

Berberine is well-loved for its potential ability to support healthy blood sugar levels.

Based oncurrent evidence, berberine may support healthy blood sugar levels based on its ability to stimulate beta-cells in the pancreas. 

In aclinical study, researchers discovered that taking 1,500mg of berberine daily helped to support healthy blood sugar levels within the normal range. The researchers also noted that the study participants experienced added heart health benefits as well.

2. Heart Health

Research indicates that berberine may also help to support healthy cholesterol levels.

Researchers believe that this is due to a few mechanisms. For example, berberine seems to be able to improve LDL receptor function and activity, especially in liver cells. 

Aclinical trial found that supplementing with 1,000mg of berberine (500mg 2x/day) helped to support healthy cholesterol levels.

3. Weight Management

Berberine may also be helpful for weight management.

A12-week study discovered that taking 500mg of berberine three times per day helped users maintain a healthy weight. 

Researchers also note that berberine appears to halt the growth of fat cells at the molecular level, which may help with weight management.

It should be noted that larger clinical trials are needed to confirm this potential health benefit.

4. Liver Health

Berberine may also help to support live health.

Aclinical trial found that taking 500mg of berberine daily helped to support liver function. It also seemed to help support healthy fatty tissue levels in the liver.

Again, larger clinical trials are needed to confirm these potential health benefits.

Berberine Dosage & Safety:

Berberine is typicallywell tolerated by most individuals.

Berberine is typically taken in a dose of 500–1,500 mg per day. When taking 1,500mg, it’s common to take 500mg three times per day before meals, for a total of 1,500mg per day.

Berberine can interact with some medications. It’s suggested that you not take berberine if you are on cyclosporine.

If you have a medical condition or are taking any medications, speak with a healthcare professional before taking berberine. This is especially important if you are currently taking blood sugar-lowering medication.

Overall, berberine has a solid safety profile. The main side effects are related to digestion, and there are somereports of diarrhea, constipation, and bloating.

How To Add Berberine To Your Diet:

Adding berberine to your diet is a great natural way to support metabolic health.

The easiest way to add berberine to your diet is through taking a berberine supplement, typically in capsule form.

Berberine has a strong bitter taste that is unpleasant. Taking a berberine supplement helps you to get all of the benefits of berberine without the bad taste.

At Utzy Naturals, our Berbercol formula contains 500mg of berberine in an easy-to-take daily formula. We also include Citrus bergamot, a key ingredient for supporting cholesterol health. Taken together, these two ingredients help to support overall metabolic health and function. 

Conclusion:

Berberine is a natural plant compound that has been associated with several potential health benefits.

As a supplement, it is typically well tolerated by most individuals, provided your healthcare provider approves.

If you are looking for a natural supplement for metabolic health, consider adding berberine to your routine.