Berberine shown to be as effective as diabetes medication for T2D

The potential glucose-lowering effect of berberine was noted when it was used for diarrhea in diabetic patients. This yellow herb also lowers blood pressure, fights parasites, and more

Berberine is a powerful plant extract, which can effectively lower blood sugar.  Its benefits in addition to most diabetic medications are that it can also help with weight loss and improve heart health, is effective against diarrhea, is anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial, killing intestinal parasites, Candida albicans, and possibly Methicillin-resistant staph aureus. Lan J et al, 2015

Berberine actions are :   Pang B et al, 2015

• Decrease  insulin resistance, making the blood sugar lowering hormone insulin more effective.
• Increase glycolysis, the breakdown of glucose inside cells.
• Decrease glucose production in the liver.
• Slow the digestion of carbohydrates.
• Increase the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut.

Berberine is a bioactive plant extract that comes from several different types of plants:  including goldthread, Oregon grape root, barberry, tree turmeric and goldenseal. It has been used in both Ayruvedic and Chinese medicine for over 2500 years..

Several impressive studies show that berberine can lower blood glucose as effectively as the drug metformin – without the negative side effects!  One peer-reviewed study published in the journal Metabolism compared berberine in one group to metformin (Glucophage) in another group. The berberine group had very similar blood sugar-lowering effects as the metformin group.  Another peer-reviewed study in Journal of Clinical Endocrinology found that berberine had a similar glycemic-lowering effect to Metformin. Both studies found that berberine also effectively reduced the patients’ A1c, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and blood pressure – three things that metformin cannot do.   These are the results from the Metabolism study:

• Hemoglobin A1c decreased from 9.5% to 7.5% (about a 21% reduction)
• Fasting blood glucose (FBG) decreased from 190.8 to 124.2 mg/dl
• Postprandial blood glucose (PBG) decreased from 356.4 to 199.8 mg/dl
• Triglycerides from 100.5 to 79.2 mg/dl

Berberine works by stimulating uptake of glucose into the cells, improves insulin sensitivity, and reducing glucose production in the liver. This review published in the International Journal of Endocrinology further expanded on berberine’s role in treating type diabetes:  “BBR [berberine] is used to treat diabetic nephropathy (DPN), diabetic neuropathy (DN), and diabetic cardiomyopathy due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.”

How does berberine work?

Berberine works by activating a metabolism-regulating enzyme within the body’s cells – called AMPK (adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase).  AMPK regulates a variety of biological activities that normalize lipid, glucose, and energy imbalances – something you want working for you. Metabolic syndrome, a precursor to diabetes, occurs when these AMPK pathways are switched off., which triggers high blood sugar, high cholesterol, high triglycerides and energy issues. AMPK shifts energy to cellular repair and maintenance. Activating AMPK produces similar benefits for diabetes and metabolic syndrome as do exercise, dieting and weight loss.

Berberine and weight Loss

Easy average weight loss of 5 pounds. When overweight adults took 500mg of berberine 3 times daily for 12 weeks. The researchers note that, “…berberine has potential clinical application in reducing visceral fat and controlling obesity.” Hu Y et al, 2012.

Berberine has the ability to inhibit fat storage and also improves insulin function, leptin and adiponectin. Leptin is a very powerful hormone produced by fat cells. It tells your brain whether you should eat or not. Leptin is the way your fat cells speak to your brain. If Leptin signaling is working, when fat stores are full, they cause a surge in leptin which tells your brain to stop eating and storing fat. The problem is of course, when this signaling goes awry, it causes excessive eating and fat storage.

Adonipectin is a hormone secreted by fat cells that helps control glucose regulation and fatty acid oxidation. Obese people are often low in adonipectin, but berberine helps to increase adonipectin which helps to normalize metabolic function.

So, the bottom line here is that berberine could reduce the size of your fat cellsand cut down on the number of them as well.

Berberine is also thought to enhance brown fat, which is a heat-generating special type of fat that burns energy instead of storing it. It is loaded with active mitochondria cells that convert this fat into energy which produces heat. This animal study shows how berberine increases energy expenditure, helps burn fat, improves cold tolerance and enhances active brown adipose tissue.

Berberine for Memory and Cognitive Function

Blood sugar levels, insulin sensitivity and diabetes go hand in hand with memory and cognitive dysfunction. In fact, it is now thought that high blood sugar and diabetes are connected to an increased risk of Alzheimer’sdisease. Berberine has been found to enhance memory function in some animal studies, by preserving a brain chemical, acetylcholine, that is important for memory, focus and cognition. The result for berberine was improved learning and memory, along with lower oxidative stress.

How to take berberine

Take 500-600 mg berberine two to three times a day 20-30 minutes before a meal.  Most studies found 500 mg to be a safe dose, and it is probably a good idea to build  up slowly, starting at one dose / day. Take berberine 20-30 minutes before a meal with 8-12 ounces of water to avoid any stomach upset and to take advantage of the post meal glucose and lipid spike that occurs. Look for a berberine product with a standardized berberine extract so that the dosages and strength are consistent.

When taking berberine supplement, insulin may need to be cut back significantly, so blood sugar must be frequently monitored.  The ideal situation is that you will eventually be able to stop other pharmaceutical diabetes medications.

Berberine side effects

Pregnant and nursing women should not take berberine.

If you have a medical condition or are on any medications, including antibiotics:  it is recommended that your physician monitor your blood sugar and current medication levels. Diabetics who are using diabetic medications should use caution when using berberine to avoid dangerously low blood sugar levels. People with low blood pressure should also be careful, since it can naturally lower blood pressure.

Primary side effects of this natural extract are minor: possible cramping, diarrhea, flatulence, constipation or mild stomach pain. Use smaller dosages after meals to avoid most of these side effects.

In addition to its huge benefits for diabetes, berberine is helpful for other health issues, including:

• Anti-aging
• Gastrointestinal infections
• Heart disease
• High cholesterol
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Immune challenges
• Joint problems
• Low bone density