Are you one of those individuals who constantly fear of being sick? If so, then you should consider Berberine being at the top of your list when in search of vitamins/supplement for overall good health.
If you have high blood sugar or diabetes, poor cardiovascular health, a weak immune system, intestinal infections, bacterial infections, etc., then Berberine is right for you!
Thе following articles bеlоw have bееn соmріlеd frоm ѕеvеrаl ѕоurсеѕ.
What is Berberine? What is Berberine HCL?
Berberine adds the most astonishing benefits to life because it’s the most natural supplement available. Berberine is a yellow bitter compound of the alkaloid class that is found in a variety of traditional herbs including goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis), barberry (Berberis vulgaris), goldthread (Coptis chinensis), Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium), tree turmeric (Berberis aristata), and phellodendron (Phellodendron amurse). Berberine hydrochloride is the most popular form of Berberine. Modern research shows that Berberine HCl is an isolated phytochemical from these plants because it has its own potent therapeutic benefits. Berberines rich natural color made it valuable as a natural dye. The compound can be found in the roots, rhizomes, stem, and bark of these plants. Scientist has corroborated that Berberine has four major benefits in the areas of human physiology which include glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, gastrointestinal health, and cellular health. Berberine was first used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine to treat different maladies such as IBS, intestinal problems, bacterial infections, and inflammations. Berberine is still used today as a pharmaceutical drug in the United States because it has been proven to be the cure to a lot of diseases.
Benefits of Berberine
The major clinical uses of Berberine is that it works as an anti-bacterial to show great effectiveness against a handful of microbes that are included in bacterial diarrhea, parasite infections, and eye infections (Trachoma). Berberine may also be used to cure Chlamydia, Fungi, viruses, protozoans, and worms. Type 2 diabetes is a health threat to everyone in the USA and treatment for the disease is limited by availability of effective medications. 29.1 million people in the USA have diabetes, but 8.1 million are and unaware of their condition, that’s why it’s a good thing to always keep a bottle of Berberine in your home just because. The chemical structure of Berberine and related isoquinoline alkaloids are different from the commonly used hypoglycemic agents (anti-diabetic medications), which are sulphonylureas, biguanides, thiazolidinediones, acarbose, and etc.
Berberine Lowers Blood Sugar
Berberine has been proven to lower and regulate blood glucose and Hemoglobin levels in people with diabetes by delaying the breakdown of carbohydrates into simple sugars, and mimicking insulin action by increasing the ability to take up glucose. High insulin levels lead to increased body weight, and underlying health disease. When taking Berberine to treat diabetes, it also triggers weight loss because high insulin levels lead to obesity. When Berberine activates a protein called Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK), it activates fat burning enzymes in your body to reduce the fat that the body stores. In correspondence to diabetes, Berberine also protects the pancreas from cell death due to the fact when the pancreas is exposed to excessive fat, it detects the rise in blood glucose and secretes the insulin.
Berberine Prevents Heart Disease
To prevent heart disease, many people use Berberine because it has been proved to reduce the formation of plaque in the arteries by reducing foam cell formation and preventing plaque from breaking off. Individuals with poor cardiovascular health depend on Berberine supplements to improve cardiovascular health because it was proven to cause stronger heart beats in those with heart failure. Berberine also reduces the oxidative stress and inflammation of the blood vessels to support cardiovascular health. Arrhythmia, cardiomegaly, heart attacks, and atherosclerosis are all maladies of the cardiovascular system and can be massively improved with Berberine supplements if followed with the proper treatment. Although Cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar are all factors for heart disease, Berberine will increase life cycle and decrease the death rate of patients with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF).
Weight Loss
Losing weight is a top priority for many people today. Namely, most of us try and find new ways to lose fat, while maintaining or improving strength. Berberine has established a name for itself by enhancing sensitivity to insulin; therefore, preventing the storage of excess fat.
In a recent clinical trial, human subjects took “’500 mg berberine orally three times a day for twelve weeks,’ then experienced a ‘weight loss (of) 5lb/subject’, conclusive of that, ‘this study demonstrates that berberine is a potent lipid-lowering compound with a moderate weight loss effect’”.Knowing that berberine can reduce weight be decreasing the body’s ability to store lipids for the long-term is powerful information. Taking a simple berberine supplement can be the secret elixir in one’s weight loss journey.
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
The reduction of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth is what can be expected from a good intake of berberine.This vital part of the digestive system is known to accumulate issues over anyone’s life. With the persistence application of berberine in mind, a road to recovery begins. Similar to the anti-inflammatory section, the reduced swelling of the SIBO condition can be coped with berberine.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Treating polycystic ovary syndrome, PCOS, is a sensitive matter for the female body. When the ovaries are distended from the buildup of cysts, acne is notorious to invade many sebaceous glands – most noticeably, the face.Through care and safe quantities, berberine helps aid in the recovery of clean skin in an effort to counter PCOS. Furthermore, an article form PCOS Diva uncovers that berberine, “research shows it reduces blood glucose levels in several ways including reducing production in the liver, (and) regulating insulin without many of the gastrointestinal side effects that come with (other pharmaceutical) drug(s)”. For women dealing with this chronic ovarian condition, berberine stands to be a genuine turning point for treating these tough symptoms.
How To Take Berberine
Even though after reading this article many may want to dive right into Berberine to take advantage of the many benefits, it is recommended to follow the general guidelines for dosing in order to achieve the maximum effect safely.
It is recommended that Berberine be taken multiple times a day because it has a slow uptake rate in the body and therefore needs time for it to work and stabilize in the bloodstream. Common dosing is 500 mg 2-3 times a day along with food due to the spike in blood sugar upon eating, so 500 mg with every meal would be a good way to ensure proper dosing and the best results.
How does Berberine lower blood sugar
Diabetes by lowering blood glucose levels.The cause of Diabetes and high blood glucose levels can be attributed to how the body handles consumed sugars. Once the sugars are broken down, the pancreas releases insulin that attaches to the cells which allows absorption of the sugar from the bloodstream for energy. Without the insulin, the sugar could not be absorbed properly and the result would be hyperglycemia, or too much sugar in the blood. This is where the issue for those who are Diabetic begins, as their body is unable to effectively use the insulin to regulate their blood sugar levels.
Berberine works to reduce blood sugar levels by increasing the efficacy and expression of insulin receptors in cells. If someone has a high insulin resistance, the cells are not able to effectively interact with the insulin to allow for glucose absorption. Berberine’s effect helps to regulate the cell’s sensitivities to insulin, which allows for the insulin to work more effectively and therefore requiring less to be produced.
There is also evidence showing that the antimicrobial attributes of Berberine help to regulate blood sugar by reducing specific bacteria in the intestines that cause higher levels of insulin resistance in the body. As stated earlier, lower insulin resistance means that the insulin can work more effectively to allow for better absorption and storage of the glucose for energy for cells.
How exactly does a single herbal remedy help to solve a disorder like Diabetes? The answer is in the biology. There are many natural processes occurring in the body at a variable rate: fat burning, protein synthesis, and more. Though these processes operate at a near maintenance level on their own, there are ways to catalyze the processes in order to see greater effects such as caffeine orcreatine, and Berberine is no exception.
Berberine acts as an activator of Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK). AMPK is an enzyme that works as a regulator for cellular energy and offers a multitude of benefits for overall health including blood sugar, weight loss, and more. It does this by detecting and monitoring the energy availability in cells and signaling responses when the levels are not in homeostasis. These responses can be triggering autophagy, increasing energy production, or converting sugar to energy.
In the body, the activation of AMPK can be greatly beneficial to regulating blood sugar levels. Because glucose is a form of energy, AMPK can help to increase insulin sensitivity in the cells so that they are able to more effectively use insulin in order to convert the glucose to energy for the cell. This conversion leaves the blood sugar levels at a balanced amount and helps to remedy hyperglycemia. Even better, AMPK only effects blood sugar levels when the levels are too high and will not reduce a healthy blood sugar to hypoglycemic levels on its own. However, users should keep an eye out for possible drug interactions between other blood sugar regulators, as the combination may lead to lowering blood sugar levels too far.
The benefits of taking Berberine for AMPK activation don’t stop at glucose level management though, as there are a wide array of benefits to the enzyme. AMPK has been linked to increased blood flow to the brain and reduced inflammation resulting in increased memory and focus. It has also been shown to aid in weight loss by increasing metabolisms through increased energy production as well as burning fat by inhibiting the production of cholesterol, triglycerides, and other fatty acids. Perhaps most incredibly, it is believed that through the process of autophagy, or cellular recycling and renewal, AMPK can actually help to increase lifespans by 10% or more. While there are many believed benefits of AMPK activation, further testing is required to truly determine just what the herbal remedy is capable of.
As this article has made clear, when it comes to treating Diabetes and high blood sugar, Berberine offers a cheaper, safer, and more natural remedy than commercial medicines. Through the activation of AMPK you not only are able to improve your body’s ability to regulate glucose levels, but you also receive numerous benefits including better blood flow, weight loss benefits, and perhaps even a longer lifespan. While it is no fountain of youth or cure-all, Berberine is a great option to consider for a healthier you.
Can Berberine lower high blood sugar for Type 1 diabetes?
If you are someone who has Type 1 diabetes, you understand what it means to live with this struggle day in and day out. There are medications to take and strict diets to follow. Some days are better than others, but in the end, you take one day at a time and hope your body reacts positively. But, do you still ever wonder if there are other options to help manage your Type 1 diabetes? Know that you are not alone. With diabetes more than doubling in the United States of America since the 1980s, (1) the medical community has tried to understand the increase of this phenomenon, while finding ways to lower high blood sugar in individuals with different types of diabetes. The increase of individuals with diabetes has resulted in 1.25 million Americans, both adults and children, born with diabetes,or considered to be type 1. This type means that people can’t product insulin on their own and need assistance through varying medical procedures. Because of this immune disease, type 1 diabetes has caused issues like inflammation and beta cell destruction furthering problems within the human body. (3) To help combat type 1 diabetes, Berberine has been thought to lower high blood sugar over time.
Berberine Research
Western medicine was not the first to consider using Berberine when treating diabetes. The Chinese have used alkaloids for almost 1,500 years. Research was done for the first time by Ni Yanxi to see how Berberine affected diabetes issues primarily. Diabetes problems, or what the Chinese call “Wasting-Thirst Syndrome,” give connection to the symptoms of diabetes which include “excessive thirst, hunger, and urination.” The hope was that Berberine would lower the blood levels of glucose in people who were diabetic. Berberine was given to patients 3x per day for an average of 2 months. The results were astounding with benefits such as blood pressure that was lowered and strength improvement among other things. Another research was conducted on diabetic rats. Berberine was found to increase the levels of insulin inside these rodents’ bodies.
The effect Berberine has on sugar absorption is a monumental positive as well. Prevention of sugars in the body is spurred on by Berberine, and in the process, is able to increase insulin production. Further findings proved that over 2 grams of Berberine could be given to patients and there would be no ill side effects on the body, making this a fantastic product to try for people with type 1 diabetes.
What Berberine Does to Help Diabetes
From the research on Berberine, there have been four classified benefits to the body when it was clinically practiced to work against type 1 diabetes: (1)
• Protection for serum lipids
• Protection for islets in the pancreas
• Increased Berberine levels
• Increased levels of insulin in the body
Berberine vs metformin for Type 2 diabetes
What is Metformin?
For years, those suffering from type 2 diabetes have been put on the popular medication metformin. While metformin does work to lower blood glucose, it also comes with some risky side-effects such as kidney and liver damage, hormone imbalances, muscle pain, flu-like symptoms, and heart palpitations. Despite the unpleasant risks associated with metformin, individuals with type 2 diabetes often felt like they had no alternatives. Thanks to new research, we have discovered that the natural supplement berberine may work just as well as this dangerous drug.
Does Berberine Really Lower Blood Glucose?
Berberine has been receiving a lot of attention – and with good reason! Recent studies are proving that this natural supplement truly does help to lower blood glucose. In a 2008 study, researchers took a group of people who had recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and gave them berberine. The results? Berberine proved to be a tremendous aid in lowering blood glucose. Before eating, patients saw their blood glucose levels down by 35% and, after eating, their blood glucose levels dropped as much as 44%! The study also revealed that berberine lowered both patients’ hemoglobin A1c and fasting triglycerides by 21%.
Does Berberine Work as Well as Metformin?
While the results of the berberine tests alone were astonishing, researchers decided to take things a step farther and conducted a study that compared the blood glucose lowering power of berberine with that of metformin. During the research, 36 patients who had recently been diagnosed with types 2 diabetes were divided and given doses of either berberine or metformin. After taking one of the substances for three months, researchers compared the results of patients taking berberine against those who took metformin. The study ultimately revealed that both berberine and metformin worked to keep blood sugar levels under control. Both forms of treatment worked equally well to lower fasting blood sugar, blood sugar after eating and HbA1c. When compared with other diabetic medications such as Avandia, berberine was shown to, once again, be just as effective at lowering blood glucose levels.
Extra Benefits of Berberine
Not only did Berberine do just as well in controlling blood sugar as metformin, but it also presented some additional benefits. Berberine worked to keep total cholesterol and triglycerides at a good level, giving users the opportunity to enjoy even greater health benefits. Some people use berberine to treat skin burns and bacterial eye infections such as trachoma.
Side Effects of Berberine vs. Metformin
Taking any kind of medication comes with a risk of side effects and metformin is no exception. While metformin does not always negatively affect users, common side-effects include irregular stools, painful muscles, breathing problems, dizziness, fever, chills, weakness, increased thirst, and heart palpitations. In more serious cases, metformin caused dangerous allergic reactions, lactic acidosis, poor absorption of Vitamin B12, hormonal changes, and kidney and liver damage.
On the other hand, berberine is relatively harmless. Berberine should not be given to newborns, pregnant women, or women who are breastfeeding. Since berberine works to lower blood sugar, diabetics should carefully monitor their blood glucose when taking berberine. In some cases, diabetics who take berberine in addition to other medications can experience blood sugar that is too low. Berberine also lowers blood pressure, so those who suffer from low blood pressure should use it with caution.
How does Berberine lower cholesterol
It has been said that the most effective natural supplement to lower cholesterol in the body system presently is BERBERINE. Other supplements such as fish-oil, niacin and red yeast rice are also often effective too but they can’t work on their own, they needed an additional supplement to optimize lipid levels.
In two recent surveys, people who has high cholesterol in their body system and took BERBERINE supplements, experienced significantly and effective lower cholesterol levels without any side effects. Researchers were really amazed and surprised by the ability of BERBERINE to lower Cholesterol and at the same time helped with weight loss also.
Some Italian researchers in the University of Genoa in Italy, studied some subjects with high cholesterol and those subjects were being treated with 500mg of BERBERINE for some months and it was concluded that those taking the BERBERINE to reduce Cholesterol level in their body system were able to lower their LDL Cholesterol by 31%. They concluded that the most effective and safest treatment to lower Cholesterol was BERBERINE.
How Berberine Works to Reduce Cholesterol in the Body System
BERBERINE increases the production of a receptor protein in the liver that binds LDL cholesterol, after which it is excreted.After you ingest berberine, it gets taken in by the body system and being transferred into the bloodstream. When BERBERINE gets to the cells, it joins together different “molecular target” and changes their functions in the body. However, one of the primary actions of berberine is to activate an enzyme inside the cells called AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), this enzyme is also called “metabolic master switch”.
Natural Ways to Reduce LDL Cholesterol
- DIET: High in take of fires and low in take of saturated fat can help reduce LDL Cholesterol.
- WEIGHT MANAGEMENT: Losing weight and reducing waist can help reduce LDL Cholesterol in the body system.
- EXERCISE: Regular exercise can help reduce LDL Cholesterol and increase HDL Cholesterol. In the body system.
- STOP SMOKING: Smoking is an independent major risk factor for coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and total atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in the body system.
- TAKING OTHER SUPPLEMENTS: Omega oils, soy, sterol-enriched margarines, fibre, garlic, nuts, green tea and calcium have effectively proven to have a small LDL-lowering effect, especially when combined with specific diets and the use of statin to speed the rate of effect up.
Berberine vs Bitter melon
Berberine: Various tests have been carried on the substance to establish how it functions. The tests have led to the findings that it has great results on several diverse systems of the body.
Once somebody consumes Berberine, it is absorbed into the body system and then conveyed via the blood system until it reaches the cells of the body. Once in the body cells, it attaches itself to a number of diverse molecular objects, this tends to alternate the function of them. The same way prescription drug function once taken.
The supplement main function is to trigger the activities of an enzyme which is found in the cells of the body known as an AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) or metabolic master switch. The enzyme is placed in cells of several body parts, such as the brain, muscle, kidney, heart, and liver. It helps in the regulation of metabolism.
While Bitter lemon has a chemical that has the same effects as insulin which assists in reducing blood sugar levels. The scientific studies carried out so far have yielded differing results and are incomplete. Some show that eating bitter lemon can decrease the levels of the blood sugar while minimizing the levels of lower HbA1c.
The Benefits of Bitter Lemon
It’s a good substitute therapy for minimizing blood sugar levels in people suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus.
It helps in enhancing immunity of a person, by assisting one to heal from normal ailments in a fast way while reducing the chances of being attacked by the same ailments at all. This is due to the fact that it is full of antioxidants. The fruit has a great capacity of Vitamin C, which is a known antioxidant.
Contains anti-inflammatory components which benefit patients who suffer from piles or hemorrhoids. The hemorrhoid relief ability of the fruit helps in stopping the pain and bleeding when applied. Wounds and any ailments of the skin can be treated using this too.
Improves a person’s eye vision, since the fruit contains an eye well-being boosting components known as flavonoids, that is a-carotene, b-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. The combination of these components promotes good eyesight.
Bitter lemon can assist to minimize signs brought about by some breathing diseases like asthma, bronchitis and Hay fever. The anti-histaminic, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral components helps in ensuring perfect respiratory wellness.
Helps to check on ailments that affect the skin and treat the same when they occur, such as scabies. It also assists in alleviating guanylate cyclase process that can be attributed to the acceleration of psoriasis.
Can a Berberine supplement replace Metformin to treat PCOS?
Both metformin and berberine have been shown to help the body regain insulin sensitivity. Metformin is a drug commonly prescribed for type 2 diabetes, a disease characterized by insulin resistance. Since women with PCOS suffer from insulin resistance, metformin is also commonly used to help reduce the symptoms of PCOS. Berberine is a compound extracted from several plants and has been used in Chinese medicine for hundreds of years to treat insulin resistance. Berberine has been shown to decrease blood glucose, total cholesterol, and insulin as well as metformin. A 2013 study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology (1) examined the effects of berberine and metformin. The participants in the study were 150 women suffering from infertility from PCOS who were planning on undergoing in vitro fertilization. The women were given either berberine, metformin, or a placebo for three months before their treatment. Women who received metformin or berberine showed reduced testosterone, fasting insulin, and fasting glucose. After three months the women given either metformin or berberine had higher rates of pregnancy and decreased rates of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. While both metformin and berberine performed equally well in many measures, berberine outperformed metformin in reducing BMI, lowering blood lipids, and increased the number of live births. Another 2012 study published in the European Journal of Endocrinology (2) found that berberine decreased waist circumference and hip to waist ratio significantly more than metformin or placebo. Berberine increased sex hormone binding globulin, a compound that binds to testosterone and renders it inert, more than metformin. Finally, berberine improved the blood lipid profiles of the subjects significantly more than metformin. If increased effectiveness isn’t enough for you, the side effects of berberine are stomach pain, cramping, and diarrhea. The side effects of metformin can include lactic acidosis, a rare but extremely dangerous buildup of lactic acid in the blood, low blood sugar, and stomach upset. Berberine is both more effective and has fewer side effects.
When to Take Berberine over Metformin
While Berberine has shown promise for its ability to manage the symptoms of PCOS better than metformin, there are still some concerns to keep in mind when choosing between the two.
Berberine has been found to downregulate several liver enzymes that are important for drug elimination, this can cause problems if you’re taking berberine in combination with other drugs. Going into every interaction with every drug is beyond the scope of this article so it is crucial that you take the time to research thoroughly before you begin taking berberine or metformin. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been enough research into how berberine interacts with many drugs. Because it is classified as a drug, not a supplement, metformin is both regulated by the FDA and has had more research done on its interactions with other drugs. If you are currently taking drugs that haven’t studied with berberine, you should play it safe and stick with metformin. If you are not taking other drugs then berberine is likely a more effective choice than metformin for reducing the symptoms of PCOS.
Berberine FAQs:
Are berberine and goldenseal the same?
A: No, they are not the same thing. Goldenseal is a palm-shaped plant that contains 10 seeds per plant. Goldenseal was once a cure-all during the early 1620’s for native Americans, specifically the Cherokee tribes. It was used as a lotion, lip balm, anti-fungal, and has even been said to cure cancer. Goldenseal can be found growing in the shady soil of the Northern United States and tends to have two jagged lobe leaves. Goldenseal contains a large amount of berberine, which is often used to kill multiple types of bacteria. Berberine, on the other hand, is the natural chemical found within this specific plant. Berberine has been known to have anti-inflammatory properties as well as an anti-diabetic effect. It can also help lower cholesterol and help maintain healthy intestines when taken daily.
Berberine has been proven to kill bacteria, treat eye infections, alleviate urinary based symptoms, and reduce diarrhea. When consumed, berberine can help lower cholesterol, control insulin levels, help with urinary function, and aid in digestion.
When is the best time to take Berberine?
A: Take Berberine 500 mg 3 times daily with breakfast, lunch, and dinner to reach a total of 1,500 mg daily. This is the max recommended dosage as the intestines should not be overworked by ingesting a higher dosage.
How long do I need to take Berberine for to see an effect?
A: It usually takes around 4 weeks to truly see all the benefits of berberine take place.
Can I take Berberine with my Statin medication?
A: Berberine should be used cautiously when taking a Statin. Berberine, however, can prove to be beneficial by lowering cholesterol levels.
A: While metformin is an effective drug for those with type II diabetes, berberine has been used in multiple clinical trials that showed extended benefits past the control of diabetes. It showed a better decrease in BMI, cholesterol, and a reduction in fasting glucose levels. During these studies, a 500 mg dosage of berberine two to three times a day for 12 weeks showed significant results compared to metformin. Berberine was able to provide blood sugar control and metabolism equal to or in some cases better than metformin.
Multiple studies have also shown that berberine can help with obesity. Currently, there is no pharmaceutical drug to treat obesity, but research has found a solution in natural treatments for anti-obesity. Berberine is one of the few compounds that can activate AMP-Kinase effectively to increase a person’s metabolism. This activates components of fat burning in the mitochondria. Additionally, berberine can prevent the accumulation of body fat.
Berberine provides many additional benefits compared to metformin. It can help with lung and heart health during day to day consumption. Berberine stimulates the release of NO, or Nitric Oxide, which is a molecule that helps relax arteries, increase blood flow, and help protect against arteriosclerosis. Research conducted by a Maryland medical center showed that people who took Berberine for 8 weeks saw an increase in heart function over those who took other medications. The anti-inflammatory aspect of berberine also helps with lung health. One study conducted showed that it helped with smoke-induced lung inflammation. When the lungs were examined, it showed that pretreatment with berberine lessens the inflammation within the lungs and ameliorated cigarette smoke-related lung injuries.
Is Berberine safe? Does it has long-term data to prove it’s safety?
A: Yes. Berberine is very safe. It is a well known substance and has been researched for its various benefits. Multiple systematic reviews have been conducted into researching the safety of Berberine and its side effects. Research conducted through over 27 clinical trials showed no notable health concerns. Another study indicated that the only negative effect of berberine was its reaction to other medications. On top of the systematic reviews, a meta-analysis has been completed to evaluate berberine effects and the benefits it provides.
How is Berberine metabolized?
A: To understand berberine’s metabolization it helps to know exactly what berberine is. Berberine is a bioactive plant alkaloid that is extracted from the roots and bark of plants such as goldenseal and grape roots. Alkaloids are nitrogenous organic plant compounds which exhibit physiological effects on the human body.Berberine has a high bioavailability, which is the percentage of a drug that is able to enter into the blood stream. Because of this,berberineis easy to absorb. It is metabolizedin the liver via phase I demethylation and phase II glucondrination essential in digesting plant compounds.
What role does berberine play in helping prevent pancreatic cancer and/or pancreatitis?
A: In your own research of berberine’s healthy benefits, you may have seen it listed as being an anti-carcinogen. One of the things berberine is able to do in the body, is block dipeptidyl peptidase IV which is commonly abbreviated: DPP-IV. The inhibition ofDPP-IV is known to prolong and enhance the activity of the body’s insulin secretion, which is known as incretin (GLP-1). Incretin is crucial to the overall pancreatic function andbecause any changes in the body’s pancreatic function can potentially lead to damage, pancreatitis, and even pancreatic cancer;the inhibition of DPP-IV by berberine could have potential cancer fighting effects.
Does berberine have any known drug interactions?
A: Berberine inhibits various Cytochromes P450,because of this it may have interactions with some prescription medications as well as with some antibiotics.Cytochromes are electron transfer agents used in metabolic pathways, especially cellular respiration;theyplay a role in enzyme reactions, and indrug and toxin metabolization. Because of Berberine’s potential to interact with these CYP450s,to be safe, you should consult with your physician prior to including it into your daily supplement routine if you are currently taking any medications.
Why does Berberine cause diarrhea?
A: Berberine taken on an empty stomach can have adverse side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, and stomach cramping or discomfort.Take your berberine dose with food, or soon after eating, in order to make the most of the blood glucose and lipid increasewhich is associated with eating; this will help reduce the gastrointestinal side effects.
Most of berberine’s side effects are minimal and despite these side effects, berberineis generally considered to be a safe supplement with a low risk for toxicity. When compared to many other drug treatments for type 2 diabetes, there were fewer side effects and people taking berberine responded very well to it.
Why does Berberine cause constipation?
A: While berberine is easily absorbed, it has a short half-life and in order to keep stable levels in the blood stream splitting the dosage throughout the day is beneficial.
When a single dosage of berberine is too high it can be difficult for the body to absorb it all at once and therefore it will have the gastrointestinal side effect of constipation. This is easily remedied by reducing the dosage taken at one time and is another reason it is suggested to split doses of berberine throughout the day.
Since berberine isn’t for taking on an empty stomach, it is easy to ensure the dosage isn’t high enough to cause constipation by taking it with your meals.