Berberine: what it's for, contraindications, and more

Berberine is a natural alkaloid extracted from plants of the Berberis family and has gained attention for its beneficial properties for various metabolic conditions, including fatty liver, glucose control, and cholesterol reduction.

Quick facts

It can reduce liver fat by up to 25%

WHAT IS BERBERINE FOR?

Improves insulin sensitivity

This is possible because it increases the number of insulin receptors in the cells and promotes the translocation of GLUT 4 transporters. These 2 key functions of Berberine will allow your cells to be more sensitive to insulin, meaning less of this hormone is needed for it to do its job: allowing glucose to enter your cells (where it should be), rather than staying in the blood, oxidizing and damaging tissues.

Increases fatty acid oxidation and decreases triglyceride synthesis

Since it inhibits the enzyme acetylCoA carboxylase at the hepatocyte level. This allows fatty acids to move into the mitochondria to be beta-oxidized, preventing the synthesis of triglycerides and toxic intermediate metabolites such as ceramides and DAG.

Decreases cholesterol synthesis

It inhibits PSCK9, increasing hepatic uptake of LDLc regardless of plasma cholesterol levels.

Anti-inflammatory effect

Reduces the expression of the inflammatory transcription factor NFkB.

OTHER RELATED BENEFITS:

Weight loss: Berberine may help reduce body weight and waist circumference, important factors in improving metabolic conditions.
Reduction of oxidative stress: Acts as an antioxidant, protecting against cellular damage that contributes to metabolic diseases.
Improvement in metabolic syndrome: Helps treat conditions such as obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, which are often associated with fatty liver, diabetes, and high cholesterol.

But not just any form of Berberine will do. The most recommended is Berberine in phytosome form Berbevis: the use of this patent allows for increased bioavailability (the amount of Berberine that is absorbed) since "traditional" berberine has less than 5% bioavailability. In other words, only 5% of what is ingested is absorbed. Thus, Berberine Berbevis is wrapped in a plant-based matrix called a phytosome, which allows the solubility and absorption of berberine to increase 10x compared with traditional berberine. This not only means more is absorbed, but also that it does not have the adverse effects (diarrhea and flatulence) of many other berberines.

DID YOU KNOW…

It has an ancient botanical origin: Berberine has been used for more than 3,000 years in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine to treat various ailments, including infections and digestive issues.

Exercise-like effect on metabolism: Berberine has been described as activating AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase), known as the "master switch of metabolism," a mechanism that is also activated by physical exercise.

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Should not be taken together with (at the same time as) metformin or gliclazide (as it may lead to excessively marked drops in blood glucose)
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Kidney transplant

Clinical Studies

The properties of Berberine

Berberine, a traditional alkaloid in medicine, has several health benefits, such as decreasing oxidative stress, reducing inflammation, regulating carbohydrate and fat metabolism, and improving mitochondrial function. Thus, a recent meta-analysis showed that berberine effectively improves lipid, glucose, liver enzymes, insulin resistance, and fat levels in the liver.

Berberine and Metabolism

The following study showed that Berberine improves metabolic syndrome by activating brown adipose tissue, increasing energy expenditure, and regulating insulin resistance and lipid levels, making it a promising therapeutic option.

Cardiovascular Function and Berberine

Berberine significantly reduces triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, fasting glucose, insulin, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, blood pressure, and weight, while increasing HDL, making it a promising option for improving cardiovascular risks.