Berberine: Plant Alkaloid Helps Treat Diabetes and Digestive Problems

 

Berberine comes from China and India, where it was first used in traditional Chinese medicine  and  Ayurvedic medicine thousands of years ago .

Why use berberine today? Studies have shown that it has various pharmacological effects, including antibacterial, antitumor , anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic abilities.

Extracts and supplements made from this compound, such as berberine hydrochloride, are generally inexpensive, safe and known for their broad antimicrobial activity. They can even help treat diseases naturally without the use of antibiotics.

What is Berberine?

Berberine (also known as berberine hydrochloride) is a natural isoquinoline alkaloid found in many herbs , including crabapple , barberry , golden thread, Oregon grape, and tree turmeric .

Among these plants, berberine alkaloids can be found in the plant's stems, bark, roots, and rhizomes (rhizomes). It has a deep yellow color - so much so that it has been used as a natural dye.

Berberine is found in a group of shrubs known as the Berberis genus. It is also the main active ingredient in two herbs that are popular in natural medicine: Coptis chinensis and Phellodendron phellodendri.

In traditional Chinese medicine, these herbs have been used for centuries to naturally treat diabetes. The compound also has a long history of use in the treatment of bacterial gastroenteritis, diarrhea and other digestive disorders.

Alkaloids are defined as a class of organic compounds of plant origin containing predominantly basic nitrogen atoms. Consumption of them can have significant physiological effects in humans, particularly related to cardiovascular and metabolic health.

A growing body of research has found evidence that berberine benefits can include preventing:

Metabolic syndrome

diabetes

gastrointestinal infection

heart disease

high cholesterol

high blood pressure (hypertension)

immune challenge

joint problems

low bone density

Weight control

May be depression and cognitive decline

may form cancer cells

why is it like this? This is due to the molecular structure that berberine has .

Its molecular formula is C20H18NO4, and like other proberberine alkaloids such as jatrorrhizine, it can do wonders for health.

health benefits

1. Potential diabetes treatments

In one study, berberine was found to help lower blood sugar. This can help prevent and treat type 2 diabetes and its complications, including diabetic cardiovascular disease and diabetic neuropathy.

It has also been shown to have positive effects on glucose and lipid metabolism, inflammatory factors, and insulin resistance in patients with metabolic syndrome .

One of the most impressive studies compared taking 500 milligrams of the compound two to three times a day for three months to taking metformin, a common diabetes drug. Berberine was able to control blood sugar and lipid metabolism as effectively as metformin , and the researchers described it as a "potent oral hypoglycemic agent." 

Other studies have also shown that berberine can improve glucose uptake and lipid metabolism disorders. For example, a study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine  showed that berberine may improve insulin sensitivity by regulating adipokines secretion.

The compound may also help prevent kidney damage due to its effects on insulin sensitivity, according to some studies.

2. May Help Lower High Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure

There is some evidence that berberine may help reduce high LDL, total cholesterol, and high blood pressure levels. 

A study published in the journal Metabolism showed that berberine reduced serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It appears to work by inhibiting PCSK9, which, as Harvard Medical School research notes , helps lower cholesterol. 

Another study found that a combination of red yeast rice  (known for its ability to naturally lower cholesterol) and berberine provided broader cholesterol protection with fewer serious adverse effects than prescription statin therapy  risks of.

 In animal studies, berberine has been shown to reduce abnormally high levels of fats and lipids in the blood  by promoting the excretion of cholesterol by the liver and inhibiting the absorption of cholesterol by the intestine.

Because it lowers blood sugar, improves LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, lowers testosterone levels, and lowers waist-to-hip ratio, it also offers benefits to women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

When taken with a healthy diet rich in antioxidants or supplements such as folate, coenzyme Q10, and astaxanthin , it may also improve blood pressure levels and circulation in people with metabolic syndrome.

3. May Help Support Weight Loss 

Berberine is one of the few compounds that activates adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (or AMPK ). AMPK is an enzyme in human cells that is often referred to as the "metabolic master switch" because of its crucial role in regulating metabolism.

AMPK activation promotes fat burning in the mitochondria, which is why research suggests that berberine may help stop fat accumulation in the body and prevent metabolic syndrome .

In a study published in Phytomedicine, obese adults were given 500 mg of berberine orally three times daily for a total of 12 weeks. The efficacy and safety of the treatment were determined by measuring body weight, comprehensive metabolome, blood lipid and hormone levels, expression levels of inflammatory factors, complete blood count, and electrocardiogram.

Overall, this study demonstrates that berberine is a potent lipid-lowering compound with modest weight loss effects. 

4. Potential protection against cognitive decline

Studies have evaluated the therapeutic potential of berberine for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and trauma-induced neurodegenerative diseases. While more research is needed, one study showed that berberine has multiple positive effects - some of which may enhance neuroprotective factors/pathways, while others may counteract neurodegeneration. 

Animal studies also suggest that it may help fight depression. There is evidence that berberine has protective central nervous system activity, specifically its ability to inhibit monoamine oxidase A, an enzyme involved in the degradation of norepinephrine and serotonin, which has mood-elevating effects.

5. Can help manage SIBO 

People with symptoms of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) have  too many bacteria in their small intestines. Current conventional treatment for SIBO is limited to oral antibiotics, with mixed results.

The purpose of a study published in Advances in Global Health and Medicine was to determine the remission rate of SIBO treated with antibiotics and herbal remedies. It found herbal treatments, including berberine, were as effective as antibiotic treatments and were just as safe. 

6. Supports Heart Health 

Part of berberine's positive effects on heart health may stem from the compound's ability to help control blood sugar levels and obesity, both of which increase the risk of coronary heart disease. 

It also stimulates the release of nitric oxide, a signaling molecule that relaxes arteries, increases blood flow, lowers blood pressure and prevents hardening of the arteries.

Research published in the World Journal of Cardiology showed that people who took berberine had better heart function and greater exercise capacity than those who took a placebo.

The cardiovascular effects of berberine also suggest possible clinical utility in the treatment of arrhythmias and heart failure. 

7. May Improve Lung Health 

Research shows that berberine benefits lung function due to its anti-inflammatory effects. This alkaloid has even been shown to reduce the effects of acute lung inflammation caused by cigarette smoke.

In a study published in the journal Inflammation, mice exposed to cigarette smoke causing acute lung injury were then given 50 mg/kg berberine by gavage. When lung tissue was examined, it was found that cigarette smoke caused inflammation of the alveoli and cellular edema, or abnormal fluid retention.

However, pretreatment with berberine significantly attenuated lung inflammation and improved cigarette smoke-induced acute lung injury through its anti-inflammatory activity. 

8. May Protect the Liver

Is berberine good for the liver? While more research is needed to confirm that it protects against liver disease, early research suggests that berberine supports the liver by reducing blood sugar, insulin resistance, and triglycerides, which are markers of liver damage in people with viruses like diabetes and hepatitis things.

It may also provide support for people with fatty liver disease. Studies have found that berberine has anti-hyperglycemic and anti-dyslipidemia effects , which means that it can improve glucose and lipid metabolism, thereby helping to solve the root cause of fatty liver.

9. May Have Anticancer Effects

The regulation of cancer cell metabolism by berberine hydrochloride is increasingly studied. That's because berberine may help induce cancer cell death.

Its anticancer activity, especially the inhibition of growth and proliferation of cancer cells, makes it a potential natural component of nanoparticle delivery systems for cancer berberine therapy. For example, in a study conducted at China Medical University, berberine induced apoptosis in human tongue cancer cells.

how to use it (dosage plus)

Berberine can be found in supplement form, most commonly as berberine hydrochloride, available online or at most health food stores.

Be careful not to confuse berberine with piperine (black pepper extract), berbererythrine (a metabolite), or berberol (a brand-name blend of tree turmeric and milk thistle).

Due to berberine's short half-life, you will usually need to take this supplement in divided doses (eg 3 times per day) to maintain steady levels in your blood.

Many studies have used doses of 900 to 1,500 mg per day. The most common recommendation is to take 500 mg three times daily for a total of 1,500 mg per day.

It should be taken with or shortly after a meal to take advantage of the spike in blood sugar and blood lipids during a meal. Taking high doses acutely may cause stomach upset, cramping, and/or diarrhea, which is another good reason to take berberine several times throughout the day.

You can work with your natural health practitioner to determine the best dosage for you.

Some people also apply berberine directly to the skin to treat burns, and apply berberine to the eyes to treat bacterial infections, such as trachoma, that often cause blindness. It has been shown to be effective against a wide variety of bacteria, protozoa and fungi that can affect the skin.

Risks, Side Effects, and Interactions

What are the side effects of berberine? If you have a medical condition or are taking any medications, including antibiotics, then it is recommended that you consult your physician before taking.

This is especially important if you are currently taking blood sugar-lowering medications.

Because it can lower blood sugar, diabetics who use insulin or other medications to control their blood sugar must use this supplement with caution to avoid dangerously low blood sugar levels. People with low blood pressure should also use it with caution, as it can lower blood pressure naturally.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take berberine.

Is berberine safe for long-term use? It is best to speak with your doctor if you plan to supplement for longer than 12 weeks.

Overall, this alkaloid has an excellent safety profile. The main side effects were related to digestion and were mild, as there were some reports of cramping, diarrhea, gas, constipation and stomach pain.

Again, by sticking to the smaller recommended doses -- spread out throughout your day and after meals -- these possible mild negative berberine side effects can be avoided all together.

in conclusion

Popular in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medical treatments, berberine is a natural alkaloid found in a variety of herbal remedies.

It has been shown to have antibacterial, antimicrobial, antitumor, anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic effects.

Berberine benefits include potentially treating diabetes, lowering high cholesterol, fighting obesity, preventing neurological disorders, treating SIBO, supporting heart health, and promoting lung health.

It has also shown potential to inhibit cancer, digestive problems, osteoporosis, burns, bacterial infections and even depression, although further research is needed.

Side effects of berberine are rare at moderate doses, but it can lower blood sugar and blood pressure, so people who take medication must use caution when using this supplement.

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