Berberine comes from a plant that is known in our country as Berberis vulgaris, and is a fairly common plant. The medicinal properties of barberry have been known for thousands of years, it was and is used in Indian, Chinese and Egyptian medicine as a remedy for gastrointestinal disorders and indigestion. In addition, its properties were also known in the Middle Ages. The famous herbalist Saint Hildegard recommended the use of herbal mixtures containing berberine. In this article you will find out what are the therapeutic properties of berberine, what can be the side effects, what are the contraindications – and everything else you should know about it!
Berberine is an alkaloid, an organic chemical compound that is extracted from barberry. The shrub of this plant is characterized by its small leaves and red, tart-tasting berries. Berberis is found in Europe, Asia, America and Africa, growing wild, but is also cultivated in home gardens and allotments. Medicinally, the fruit and leaves are used, most often in dried form to prepare infusions, while the berberine obtained from the plant is usually available in tablet and capsule form. Pure berberine, a stand-alone ingredient, contains low bioavailability and therefore low absorption in the human body, so it is recommended to take it in large doses in the form of root extract or preparations with berberine and its derivatives. The largest amounts of berberine are found in such plant parts as roots, rhizomes, stems and bark. Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid, included in the same group of compounds as morphine or codeine. It is yellow in color and is also used as a dye for wool, wood and leather. It exhibits fluorescent properties, emitting an intense green-yellow light when exposed to UV light. Berberine exhibits strong medicinal properties including: antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-diarrheal, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, cholesterol-lowering and blood pressure-lowering properties.
The health-promoting effects of berberine and its effectiveness are confirmed by numerous scientific studies. It has also been used in Chinese medicine for centuries. What can berberine be used for? What are its medicinal properties? For which diseases can it help us?
One of the properties of berberine, is its effectiveness against high cholesterol and triglycerides, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. The results of some animal and human studies, indicate that berberine has blood cholesterol- and triglyceride-lowering activities. However, analyses indicate that berberine, when combined with a healthy lifestyle, has more effective LDL cholesterol-lowering effects. Researchers also say that berberine helps move excess cholesterol to the liver, where the body can process and remove it.
Studies on berberine show that it reduces insulin resistance and affects biomarkers of type II diabetes – such as fasting glucose and glycated hemoglobin. Type 2 diabetes is a serious disease, referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus – NIDDM (Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus). It is a metabolic disease and is characterized by tissue resistance to the action of insulin. The result is that fatty tissue does not allow insulin produced by the body to work properly, and consequently blood glucose levels rise regularly. High blood sugar levels sustained over a long period of time can damage tissues and organs leading to a number of health problems. Therefore, the effectiveness of berberine shows similar effects to the anti-diabetic drug metformin. Berberine works by: reducing insulin resistance, thus lowering blood sugar levels, increasing glycosis and helping the body break down sugar in cells, reducing sugar production in the liver, slowing the breakdown of carbohydrates in the intestines, and increasing the amount of good bacteria in the intestines.
High blood pressure is one of the most serious causes of heart disease – so berberine can help protect the body from the harmful effects of high blood pressure. When combined with a blood pressure-lowering drug, it is more effective than the drug alone.
Berberine can also be taken as a supplement for weight loss. Obesity and overweight can be caused by diabetes, insulin resistance and high LDL cholesterol. Berberine can be taken for weight loss, thanks to its actions that increase the activity of the hormone adinopectin, which is secreted in the body by adipose tissue. Adinopectin sensitizes tissues to insulin, affects glucose and fatty acid metabolism in muscle and liver, so it contributes to the balance of sugar metabolism in the body reducing insulin spikes and hunger attacks. Berberine interacts with the protein SIRT-1, an enzyme responsible for regulating appetite. By regulating appetite and the body’s sugar and lipid metabolism, berberine can be used by people struggling with excess weight, as well as by patients struggling with diabetes, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
In addition to the properties mentioned above, berberine also affects the body by:
Berberine, like any health ingredient and dietary supplement, can cause unwanted side effects on the body. In this case, they most often involve the digestive system, causing: abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, nausea and vomiting. In addition, too high doses of this supplement can damage the liver, lead to excessive lowering of blood sugar levels and blood pressure, as well as cause bleeding of the digestive system. However, side effects are noted quite rarely, as berberine is a naturally derived ingredient. However, when deciding on berberine supplementation, it is important to consult a doctor. It is also worth remembering that it is not a specific for weight loss, but a medicinal ingredient.
Taking berberine is not recommended for pregnant women, as berberine can cause uterine contractions and have a teratogenic effect on the fetus. It is also not recommended to take during breastfeeding. It should not be given to children. Also be cautious if you have a known liver condition and when taking blood pressure-lowering drugs. In case you are not sure whether you can take berberine dietary supplements – you should go to your doctor for consultation.
Berberine – where to buy? The substance extracted from barberry, or berberine, as supplements are available in pharmacies and herbal stores. We can purchase it without a prescription. However, since it has a wide spectrum of action, it is worth making sure that we are not in the group of people for whom it is not recommended to take preparations with this substance. In many cases, it is effective in combination with other medications – but it is worth discussing this issue with your doctor or pharmacist. In stores, we can find berberine in single-ingredient or multi-ingredient form, for example, containing cinnamon and turmeric, as well as products referred to as dietary supplements: available in the form of tablets and capsules (such as Berberine 400mg 60 capsules), but also teas and extracts in the form of drops. Berberine also comes in the form of skin cleansing cosmetics, as berberine extract.
The recommended daily dose of berberine is 200 to 1000 mg- while the maximum dose is 1500 mg. It is not recommended to use a higher dose like 1200-1500 mg per day. Since it does not last long in the bloodstream, it can be taken in equal doses three times a day with a meal. People with elevated sugar levels, may notice the first effects of taking supplements after 3 months at a dosage of 500 mg – 2 to 3 times a day. Check with your doctor before starting treatment.
Berberine is a plant-derived substance that is considered safe for use. It shows similar effects to metformin in patients with type II diabetes. In addition, it improves blood lipid levels, such as cholesterol and triglycerides. It shows strong effects on inflammation, bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic infections, as well as on high blood pressure – it relieves depressive conditions and aids in the treatment of liver steatosis.
Berberine can, however, have negative effects on the body in the case of side effects or by being taken by a person who is in the group of patients with contraindications to its use.