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There are very few supplements that have a list of potential benefits as impressive as berberine. Despite the fact that berberine is not all that well known compared to many other supplements, it is extremely well researched. While not all of these benefits are guaranteed to occur for every single user, berberine has been found to
- Reduce inflammation
- Improve gastrointestinal health
- Reduce glucose production in the liver
- Improve markers of insulin resistance
- Lower cholesterol
- Lower oxidative stress
- Help in losing body fat
- Slow down aging
- Suppress chemical-induced carcinogenesis, clastogenesis, tumor promotion and tumor invasion
- Exert antiarrhythmic effects
- Exert anti-microbial activity against a wide range of microorganisms.
- Exert minor antidepressant effects, as well as work in a synergistic fashion with existing antidepressants
While this list of touted benefits is certainly impressive, berberine also carries with it a number medication interactions, which must be noted with caution (more on this later).
What is Berberine?
Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid and ammonium salt of a bright yellow color that is found in and extracted from a variety of plants from the genus berberis, as well as Coptis chinensis, Phellodendron amurense, and Hydrastis canadensis (Goldenseal) and many others. These plants have a history of being used in both traditional Chinese Medicine and Indian Ayurveda as an anti-microbial agent. Berberine appears to be effective in fighting bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. [1] However, these traditional uses of berberine barely scratch the surface of its full capability.
When berberine is ingested orally, it has a relatively low bioavailability of 5% or less. [2] Berberine increases the action of P-Glycoprotein, a substance which actually makes berberine more difficult for the intestines to absorb. Because of this, taking a P-Glycoprotein inhibitor (such as Milk Thistle) can possibly make smaller doses of berberine more effective.[3] Another option is to take Berberine with Coconut oil that contains a fatty acid known as Sodium Caprate which significantly increases the absorption and the efficacy of Berberine.[4][5]
AMPK Modulation
One of berberine’s main mechanisms of action is its ability to activate an enzyme called Adenosine Monophosphate Kinase (AMPK). AMPK is crucial for maintaining energy homeostasis in cells. It is responsible for regulating glucose and other nutrients by sensing their concentrations within cells. [6] The activation of AMPK caused by berberine has multiple different effects. First, the AMPK activation causes an increased uptake of glucose into adipocytes (fat cells). This is one of the major methods through which berberine reduces glucose levels in the blood.[7] In fact, berberine’s antidiabetic effect is so effective that it is regarded as one of the few supplements to be as strong as a pharmaceutical drug. When taken correctly, berberine can be as effective (or even more effective[8] as the popular type II diabetes drug metformin.[9]
Berberine also appears to have various positive effects on the heart and the cardiovascular system as a whole. Activated AMPK located in liver cells causes an inhibition of cholesterol and triglyceride synthesis.[10] This change is also linked to a lowering of low-density lipoproteins (“bad” cholesterol) and raising of high-density lipoproteins (“good” cholesterol). Additionally, berberine can lower the levels of LDL by stimulating the synthesis of LDL receptors, which are responsible for removing LDL from the blood.[11] The activation of AMPK induced by berberine also appears to inhibit the synthesis of lipids and lower triglyceride levels, which is useful for individuals who are attempting to lose weight.[12]
In one study, reperfusion (oxidative stress) was induced in rats who had been pre-treated with berberine. The rats treated with berberine displayed significantly less heart damage than those who had not been treated.[13] One study conducted on 24 overweight or obese subjects concluded that berberine was able to reduce blood pressure significantly more than placebo. [14] These effects of berberine—the inhibition of LDL cholesterol and triglyceride synthesis, increase in HDL cholesterol, decrease in lipid production, protection from oxidative stress, and the decrease in blood pressure—all work together to contribute to berberine’s overall positive effect on heart health and weight loss. But that’s not all…
Anti-aging & Anti-cancer
There is some early research evidence that seems to suggest berberine’s efficacy as telomerase inhibitor.[15] Telomerase is a protein that is intricately linked with cell proliferation and the life cycle of cells. Telomeres (the region that telomerase acts upon) are a portion of DNA sequences located at the ends of chromosomes that keep them from deteriorating.
Essentially, the inhibition of telomerase by berberine has potential applications in the area of life extension & longevity as well as a chemopreventive supplement or in conjunction with existing cancer treatments to increase their efficacy.[16]
Besides telomerase inhibition, berberine has also been found to suppress the growth of a wide variety of tumor cells[17][18], including breast cancer,[19] leukemia[20], melanoma,[21] epidermoid carcinoma, hepatoma[22], pancreatic cancer[23], oral carcinoma, tongue carcinoma[24], glioblastoma, neuroblastoma[25], prostate[26][27][28] and gastric carcinoma.
Mental Health
Berberine also exhibits minor to moderate antidepressant effects. One study conducted on mice discovered that berberine administration reduced the immobility time of mice in a swim test, which is indicative of antidepressant effects. The same study also concluded that berberine caused significant increases in the levels of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine in the whole brain. It was also discovered that berberine works synergistically with certain antidepressant medications, such as fluoxetine, imipramine, tranylcypromine, and venlafaxine.[29]
New studies suggest berberine may have a potential for inhibition and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease through inhibition of β-amyloids pathways and cholinesterase[30] and through antioxidant capacities. Berberine derivatives are currently being developed as potent acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors.[31]
As a PCOS treatment
In a 2012 human study[32], 89 Chinese women of reproductive age who met the diagnostic criteria for polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and insulin resistance, were recruited and prescribed the anti-androgen compound cyproterone acetate (2.0 mg/day) in a combined oral contraceptive pill with 35 mcg ethinyl estradiol, taken in a cyclic fashion. They also received advice from a nutritionist to limit dietary fat and carbohydrates without restricting calories.
They were then assigned to one out of three treatment groups:
- Berberine hydrochloride, 500 mg 3 times/day (n=31)
- Metformin, 500 mg 2 times/day for the first week, then 3 times/day for the remainder of the study (n=30)
- Placebo tablet 2 times/day (n=28)
Results of the study were:[33]
- After 3 months, all the treatment groups showed a significant reduction in body weight and BMI.
- Waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio were reduced in all 3 groups. However, the berberine group showed a significantly greater reduction in these measures.
- All 3 treatment groups showed a significant reduction in fasting insulin. However, in the placebo group, fasting plasma glucose and fasting glucose/insulin ratio remained unchanged.
- Fasting plasma glucose decreased and fasting glucose/insulin ratio increased in the berberine and metformin groups. There was no significant difference between them.
- The berberine and metformin groups showed comparable changes in total testosterone and free androgen index, which were significantly greater than placebo. However, sex hormone–binding globulin increased significantly in the berberine group when compared with both metformin and placebo.
- All 3 groups had reductions in total cholesterol and triglycerides. The berberine group had a significantly greater decrease in triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL (“bad” cholesterol”), and a significantly greater increase in HDL (“good” cholesterol) when compared to metformin.
- Adverse effects were minimal and fewer compared to metformin. Nine subjects who received metformin complained of transient abdominal discomfort including nausea, vomiting, mild diarrhea, and flatulence, while 3 who received berberine complained of a bitter taste in the mouth.
As a result of this study, the researchers conclude that berberine may prove a viable alternative to metformin in optimizing the health outcomes of women with PCOS.
Another study[34] on 102 anovulatory Chinese women was published in 2015 found that administration of berberine alone may improve the menstrual pattern and ovulation rate in anovulatory Chinese women with polycystic ovary syndrome, as well as decrease sex hormone binding globulin, insulin resistance, total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in normal weight polycystic ovary syndrome women.
Side Effects & Interactions
Berberine is absorbed slowly by the intestine, meaning that high doses can cause diarrhea and cramping. For this reason, berberine is typically taken in various smaller doses throughout the day.
In terms of interactions, the most noteworthy is the potential interaction with macrolide antibiotics like azithromycin (Zithromax) and clarithromycin (Biaxin). The interaction between the two has the possibility of causing cardiotoxicity. Berberine also inhibits enzymes CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 which has the potential to affect how many other drugs are metabolized by the body.[35] For this reason, it is very important to discuss berberine supplementation with a healthcare professional to ensure no dangerous interactions will take place.
Goldenseal vs Berberine Hcl
The two most common ways to supplement Berberine are to take either Berberine hydrochloride (hcl) or Goldenseal root powder. This is extremely important and I’ll explain why.
Goldenseal, – which contains a number of other compounds besides berberine – has been shown to cause DNA damage in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms[36] as well as promote liver cancer in rats.[37]
Therefore, I strongly advise against using goldenseal root and to take Berberine Hcl instead, the same way it was used in the PCOS studies. If you’re taking goldenseal supplements, stop taking them as soon as possible!
Conclusion
Berberine is certainly unique among supplements in the fact that it is equally as effective as some prescription medications. It also boasts a myriad of benefits that impact a variety of systems throughout the body. This article has only scratched the surface of the researched benefits of berberine. A collation of the large body of evidence concerning berberine can be found here for anyone who wants to learn more about this fascinating supplement. While there are some potential side effects and medication interactions, berberine is still well worth checking out. Berberine stands as a hidden gem among supplements – one that has the potential to greatly improve one’s quality of life.
Berberine Hcl can be bought relatively cheap at PowderCity and other supplement and vitamins shop.
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