Where to Find the Best Berberine Supplement?

The trick to age gracefully is to enjoy it to the fullest. So, how can one enjoy their 60s and 70s? Well, by living a healthy life, of course. With its anti-aging potential, the best berberine supplement can help you achieve this goal.

Naturally found in plants, berberine is a yellow-colored chemical that has been used in traditional medicines to treat oral ulcers and heart conditions.

Today, we will learn about the anti-aging potential of berberine supplements and explore where to find the best one.

How Does Berberine Work?

When you take the best berberine supplement, it crosses through your bloodstream to your cells. Once there, it attaches to different enzymes like AMP-protein kinases.

By acting on these enzymes, berberine targets many tissues simultaneously, helping with multiple diseases.

Health Benefits of the Best Berberine Supplement

Here, we will explore various health benefits of using the best berberine supplement:

Helps lower blood sugar levels

Insulin efficiently helps lower blood glucose levels after each meal. In people with diabetes, either insulin is not being appropriately produced, or there is insulin resistance in the cells, which means cells have reduced sensitivity to insulin.

A 2022 review published in the Molecule journal has found that taking the best berberine supplement can increase insulin production and improve insulin sensitivity, thus lowering blood sugar levels [1].

In 2008, a trial was conducted to elicit the effectiveness of berberine in treating type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia.

116 patients with diabetes and dyslipidemia were included in this trial. They were divided into two groups. One group was asked to take 1 gram of berberine per day for three months, while the other group was given a fake pill (placebo). It was found that the group that took berberine daily had a 20% reduction in blood sugar levels. Berberine also improves long-term blood sugar regulation and blood fats like cholesterol and triglycerides [2].

In a 2012 meta-analysis, berberine was compared with Metformin, an oral anti-diabetic drug. The analysis concluded that berberine supplements can work as efficiently as Metformin for regulating blood glucose levels [3].

Helps you lose extra pounds

Last year, in 2023, there was a TikTok trend, #WeightLossWithBerberine, which is how berberine became trending.

Berberine helps you lose extra weight by improving your body's ability to process fats and sugars.

Some studies suggest that taking the best berberine supplement can help you lose weight. For example, one study found that people who took 500 mg of berberine three times a day lost around 5 pounds in 12 weeks, on average [4]. 

Another review of 12 studies showed that berberine supplements could reduce body weight, body mass index (BMI), and belly fat [5].

A study from 2020 has also proved the appetite-suppressant role of berberine in rat models. It was concluded that berberine reduces appetite and prevents obesity [6].

Berberine also helps lower inflammation in the body. It acts at cellular levels and stops the growth of fat cells, which could also help with weight loss [7].

Keeps your heart healthy

Studies have found that berberine can lower levels of fats in your blood, like cholesterol and triglycerides, which are directly linked to heart disease [8].

Persistently high blood pressure can cause hardening of arteries and cause heart attack or stroke. Surprisingly, berberine can help lower blood pressure and protect your arteries from getting hard and damaged [8] [9].

Another essential benefit of berberine is that it helps improve how well your heart works and prevent heart failure by affecting specific pathways in your body.

A study in 2017 found that taking berberine for a few months was as helpful as taking a medication called Amiodarone to control heart rate in people with atrial fibrillation (A-Fib) [10]. A-fib is a condition in which your heart beats irregularly, which can cause severe problems like heart failure.

Treats canker sores

Canker sores are those small, painful sores you sometimes get inside your mouth. They usually go away by themselves, but it can be challenging to find good ways to treat them.

Berberine is an ancient method for treating mouth ulcers in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine.

A randomized controlled trial in 2012 was conducted with 84 participants. They were asked to put either the berberine gel or a fake gel (called a placebo) on their mouth sores four times a day for five days.

After the study, they found that the people who used the berberine gel felt better. Their mouth sores got smaller, looked less red, became less painful, and didn't ooze as much fluid. This study has shown the effectiveness of treating mouth ulcers efficiently [11].

Relieves symptoms of PCOS

PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is a common condition among females nowadays. It occurs because of hormonal imbalance that can lead to various health problems like infertility, weight gain, irregular periods, and extra hair growth.

In a study from 2022, researchers looked at how different treatments affected 136 women with PCOS. They tested 500 mg of berberine hydrochloride twice a day, 500 mg of metformin hydrochloride twice a day, and 1000 mg of myoinositol twice a day.

They found that while Metformin helped with many PCOS symptoms, berberine was even better at improving body composition, cholesterol levels, and hormone balance. This suggests that berberine might be more helpful than Metformin in reducing the risk of heart disease in females with PCOS [12].

Another review from 2023 found that taking berberine seems good for improving ovulation and increasing the chances of getting pregnant in women with PCOS. It may also help with insulin resistance and lower levels of male hormones, blood sugar, and insulin [13].

Protects cognitive health

Berberine is a natural compound that can protect your brain from harmful agents that can make it work less effectively. 

The world we live in is full of pollution – be it air pollution or polluted food. Humans nowadays are more prone to carcinogens and toxins than ever.

The antioxidant power of berberine can protect the brain from getting damaged. A 2015 study has discovered that berberine helps the brain fight against stress. It is also good at stopping harmful substances from damaging the brain [14]. 

A study in 2013 found that berberine improved memory and brain function in people with blood sugar problems. It seems berberine makes the brain more adaptable, which keeps your mind sharp [15].

Boosts your gut health

Experts believe berberine could be helpful for gut health because it's a natural antimicrobial, meaning it maintains the balance of healthy bacteria in your gut. 

Having a balanced and healthy gut can affect many other aspects of health, like reducing inflammation, improving mood, strengthening the immune system, and lowering the risk of chronic diseases.

Studies conducted in mice suggest that berberine changes the composition and function of gut bacteria [16].

Improves your mood

Taking berberine can make you feel happier and reduce depression.

Studies have discovered that taking berberine can help reduce feelings of sadness. A research paper published in the European Journal of Pharmacology found that mice who consumed berberine had more serotonin and dopamine (the happy hormones) in their brains. The study concluded that taking the best berberine supplement can produce the same effects as the antidepressant drugs in the brain [17].

How to Add Berberine To Your Diet?

Berberine isn't naturally found in foods we eat on a daily basis. You will need the best berberine supplement to incorporate berberine into your diet.

Berberine supplements can be in different forms, such as capsules, tablets, liquids, and powders, but you should always prefer an Ultra Pure Berberine capsule for better results.

There isn't a strict rule on how to take berberine, but most companies suggest splitting the daily dose into three smaller amounts and taking them before meals.

It might take a few weeks to a few months of using it regularly to notice any health benefits.

Where to Find the Best Berberine Supplement?

Conclusion

Berberine has gained attention due to its versatility and organic nature. Although you cannot call it a magic pill for all your health problems, it is still an evidence-based choice that plays a supporting role in your healthcare routine.

Remember, while berberine can be helpful, it's not a replacement for medical treatment. Before starting berberine or any other supplement, it's best to talk to your doctor first.

References

1. Och, A., Och, M., Nowak, R., Podgórska, D., & Podgórski, R. (2022). Berberine, a Herbal Metabolite in the Metabolic Syndrome: The Risk Factors, Course, and Consequences of the Disease. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 27(4), 1351.
2. Zhang, Y., Li, X., Zou, D., Liu, W., Yang, J., Zhu, N., Huo, L., Wang, M., Hong, J., Wu, P., Ren, G., & Ning, G. (2008). Treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia with the natural plant alkaloid berberine. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 93(7), 2559–2565.
3. Dong, H., Wang, N., Zhao, L., & Lu, F. (2012). Berberine in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systemic review and meta-analysis. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine: eCAM, 2012, 591654.
4. Hu, Y., Ehli, E. A., Kittelsrud, J., Ronan, P. J., Munger, K., Downey, T., Bohlen, K., Callahan, L., Munson, V., Jahnke, M., Marshall, L. L., Nelson, K., Huizenga, P., Hansen, R., Soundy, T. J., & Davies, G. E. (2012). Lipid-lowering effect of berberine in human subjects and rats. Phytomedicine, 19(10), 861–867.
5. Asbaghi, O., Ghanbari, N., Shekari, M., Reiner, Ž., Amirani, E., Hallajzadeh, J., Mirsafaei, L., & Asemi, Z. (2020). The effect of berberine supplementation on obesity parameters, inflammation, and liver function enzymes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clinical nutrition ESPEN, 38, 43–49.
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10. Zheng H, Zhu F, Miao P, Mao Z, Redfearn DP, Cao RY. (2017). Antimicrobial Natural Product Berberine Is Efficacious for the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation. Biomed Res Int. 2017:3146791.
11. Jiang, X. W., Zhang, Y., Zhu, Y. L., Zhang, H., Lu, K., Li, F. F., & Peng, H. Y. (2013). Effects of berberine gelatin on recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial in a Chinese cohort. Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology and oral radiology, 115(2), 212–217.
12. Mishra N, Verma R, Jadaun P. (2022). Study on the Effect of Berberine, Myoinositol, and Metformin in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Prospective Randomised Study. Cureus. 14(1), e21781.
13. Ionescu OM, Frincu F, Mehedintu A, et al. Berberine-A Promising Therapeutic Approach to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Infertile/Pregnant Women. Life (Basel).13(1), 125.
14. Patil, S., Tawari, S., Mundhada, D., & Nadeem, S. (2015). The protective effect of berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, ameliorates ethanol-induced oxidative stress and memory dysfunction in rats. Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior, 136, 13–20.
15. Kalalian-Moghaddam, H., Baluchnejadmojarad, T., Roghani, M., Goshadrou, F., & Ronaghi, A. (2013). Hippocampal synaptic plasticity restoration and anti-apoptotic effect underlie berberine improvement of learning and memory in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. European Journal of Pharmacology, 698(1-3), 259–266.
16. Tian, Y., Cai, J., Gui, W., Nichols, R. G., Koo, I., Zhang, J., Anitha, M., & Patterson, A. D. (2019). Berberine Directly Affects the Gut Microbiota to Promote Intestinal Farnesoid X Receptor Activation. Drug metabolism and disposition: the biological fate of chemicals, 47(2), 86–93.
17. Kulkarni, S. K., & Dhir, A. (2008). On the mechanism of antidepressant-like action of berberine chloride. European Journal of Pharmacology, 589(1-3), 163–172.