What are berberine supplements for?
Berberine is an alkaloid found in many plants, especially in Oregon grapes (Berberis aquifolium), goldthread (Coptis chinensis), goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), and barberry (Berberis vulgaris). This herb has a long history of use (around 3000 years) for several health conditions.
There are several studies and clinical studies with isolated berberine that have shown significant success in the treatment of acute diarrhea, type 2 diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, high blood pressure, high blood lipids, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer. The following are some of the uses of berberine that have gone through several studies:
1. Berberine to relieve acute diarrhea.
Berberine is believed to be effective against diarrhea caused by a number of organisms. Results comparable to standard antibiotics in most cases suggest that berberine appears to be effective in treating most of the common gastrointestinal infections. In fact, the results have been better in several studies. Berberine has been shown to selectively target organisms causing acute diarrhea such as Candida albicans, and does not provide any action against healthy bacterial species such as Lactobacilli and Bifidobacter species. This is why berberine is better than conventional antibiotics.
2. Berberine for SIBO and IBS.
In some early studies, berberine has been shown to be effective in treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) which includes some symptom relief such as:
a. Stomach pain or distension
b. Changes in bowel function, constipation, or diarrhea
c. Hypersecretion of colonic mucus
d. Dyspepsia symptoms (flatulence, nausea, anorexia)
e. Various levels of anxiety or depression
and some preliminary studies suggest berberine may also be effective in treating small intestine overgrowth (SIBO), by reducing associated symptoms such as:
a. Brain “fuzzy”
b. Fatigue
c. Joint pain
d. Skin problems such as acne, eczema, rash or rosacea
3. Weight loss
The results of the study on 37 men and women with metabolic syndrome showed weight loss assistance. They took 300 mg of berberine three times a day for three months. In addition to body mass index (BMI), it decreased by about 13 percent, and there were also those who lost about 5 pounds over a 12 week period by taking 500 mg of berberine three times daily.
4. Effects of Berberine on blood sugar, lipids, and hypertension
The benefits of Berberine have been studied extensively in clinical trials for lowering blood sugar, lipids, high cholesterol, and hypertension.
The results showed quite convincingly that in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, berberine (with dose 500 mg 2-3 times daily) together with lifestyle interventions reduced fasting blood sugar levels, post-meal blood sugar levels and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c).
When compared with drugs used in type 2 diabetes such as rosiglitazone, metformin, and glipizide, there was no statistical significance between the effects of berberine and these drugs. In other words, the clinical results seen were equivalent to prescription drugs, but without significant side effects.
The same comparative results seen in type 2 diabetes were found in the treatment of high blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) and high blood pressure. With regard to their effect on blood lipids, it not only lowers LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol, unlike statins, it also lowers blood triglycerides and raises beneficial HDL cholesterol.