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Health supplements come and go yearly, but few stand the test of time, as Berberine has. This compound has been used in the traditional medicine practices of various cultures worldwide. It has now gained mainstream popularity as a health supplement.
Berberine is a natural compound that promotes overall well-being in cardiovascular health, blood glucose regulation, and even improved weight management. The compound is easy to source from many plants, making it widely available in pill, powder, and liquid forms. Regularly consuming this supplement is generally safe, though it’s best to consult your doctor first.
This in-depth guide will show you everything you need to know about Berberine. You’ll learn what it can do, how it works, where it comes from, and how much you can safely take.
Let’s get started!
What Is Berberine?
Berberine is a natural alkaloid compound derived from several different plants. The compound is said to have many health advantages, offering benefits for heart and metabolic conditions, among many others.
Many cultures continue to use Berberine in their traditional medicine. That’s why you can find a long history of Berberine used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ayurvedic medicine, and even among Native American tribes.
Berberine has recently gained mainstream attention as an over-the-counter (OTC) health supplement. That means you can purchase Berberine without a prescription in various forms like:
- Capsules with varying dosages can be taken one or more times a day.
- Blends like Harmonify’s 5-in-1 Berberine Complex that combines Berberine along with other complementary vitamins and minerals.
- Powder forms to be mixed with water or other beverages.
- Liquid form for easier consumption.
Berberine continues to grow in popularity as more people discover its health benefits. You can find countless anecdotal reports of how this supplement has helped people with many health issues online.
Another factor driving Berberine’s popularity is how easily you can access the supplement without a doctor’s prescription. You can purchase Berberine online or at your preferred supermarket, pharmacy, health food store, or other retailer.
As with any other supplement, it’s always best to consult your doctor first to see if it’s suitable and safe for you.
Is Berberine Safe?
Yes, Berberine is generally safe to use. Many studies have found no problems with consuming Berberine up to 1,500 mg per day in divided doses.
Still, you must always remember that the safety of taking supplements like Berberine is subjective and depends on your individual situation.
You should always consult with your doctor first to see if Berberine is safe for you, in particular. Your doctor can advise you if you have any allergies or are taking any medications that might cause an adverse reaction with the Berberine supplement.
Besides that, being pregnant, breastfeeding, or having certain medical conditions can also make taking Berberine or other supplements unsafe for you.
Where Does Berberine Come From?
One of the many reasons that Berberine is so widely available is that it can be found in many different plants worldwide. That’s excellent news for consumers as it means that they can get Berberine affordably no matter where they are.
More specifically, the Berberine compound is present in trees and plants like Barberry, Goldenseal, and the Amur Cork tree.
Some supplement manufacturers also get their Berberine from Tree Turmeric, the Oregon Grape plant, and many others.
Given that Berberine can come from so many different trees, it’s unsurprising that many cultures have relied on it for its medicinal properties.
Geographically, the plants that produce Berberine can be found worldwide from North America to further east in India and beyond.
What Are The Benefits Of Berberine?
The benefits that come with Berberine are broad, making this supplement helpful for many different people.
Here are 5 of the most notable benefits of supplementing with Berberine consistently:
1) Improved Metabolic Health
First and foremost, Berberine is known for its metabolic health benefits.
More specifically, studies have shown that the compound improves insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. Doing so helps the body improve the regulation of blood sugar levels, making it helpful for people who suffer from conditions like diabetes.
2) Strengthened Cardiovascular Health
Berberine is also good for the heart. The supplement could help lower cholesterol and reduce triglycerides, both of which are health markers when it comes to the heart.
Successfully lowering them helps to lower the risk of heart disease.
3) Better Weight Management
Berberine has also gained a lot of mainstream attention lately thanks to its benefits for weight management.
Part of those benefits comes from how it influences the body’s metabolism and its adipose tissue in a way that promotes fat loss.
However, Berberine’s earlier-mentioned ability to help with insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism also play important roles in helping people lose weight.
Naturally, it’s important to eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly to maximize any weight loss benefits of Berberine.
4) Anti-Inflammatory Benefits
Berberine can also affect general health through its anti-inflammatory benefits.
Inflammation is a known factor behind many diseases. So, reducing it through any means, like supplementing with Berberine, can help to improve a person’s overall health.
The reduced inflammation results from Berberine’s ability to inhibit pathways in the body that promote inflammation.
5) Antimicrobial Benefits
Last but certainly not least, Berberine is known for its antimicrobial benefits. It’s known to be effective against a wide variety of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and even parasites.
Berberine supplementation supports overall immune function by helping to rid the body of those microbes.
How Does Berberine Work?
The benefits that you can get from Berberine supplementation occurs through several mechanisms of action. In other words, it works in more than one way simultaneously to benefit your body and its cells.
Generally, the Berberine you consume binds to enzymes and parts of your cells to improve how they work.
More specifically, Berberine works by:
- Activating AMP-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK): AMPK is crucial for the body to generate energy. Activating it enhances the body’s uptake of glucose, makes it more sensitive to insulin, and helps it burn more fat. All of that causes the body to have more energy.
- Sensitizing the body to insulin: Increasing insulin sensitivity also helps the body regulate blood sugar more effectively as its cells respond to insulin more effectively.
- Regulating cholesterol: Berberine helps to regulate cholesterol by inhibiting the body’s synthesis of it while helping to clear LDL (the ‘bad’ cholesterol) simultaneously.
- Inhibiting inflammation: Berberine also inhibits the body’s inflammatory signaling pathways which helps to reduce overall inflammation and improve many kinds of health conditions.
As you can see, Berberine works unlike some other kinds of supplements that only benefit the body in one way. Instead, Berberine works to benefit the body through several mechanisms at the same time.
How Much Berberine Can You Take?
Many sources including WebMD point out that Berberine is safe to consume up to 1,500 mg daily for up to 2 years without problems.
Still, you must stick to the manufacturer’s dosage recommendations when consuming Berberine. Those will be printed on the packaging, advising you on how much to take and when to do so.
Remember: you must never exceed the recommended dose. If you miss a dose, skip it and wait until the next one. That way, you won’t have to worry about consuming too much Berberine at once.
As always, it’s best to consult with your doctor first before taking Berberine. They can advise you on whether or not it’s safe for you to take, and at what dosages.
Plus, they can tell you if the Berberine will work well with your current medications and medical conditions (if any).
You can err on the side of caution by starting your Berberine supplementation at the smallest dose available. That will help you determine whether you experience any negative side effects when consuming Berberine.
Does Berberine Have Any Side Effects?
Despite the general safety of consuming Berberine, some people have reported experiencing side effects.
Those side effects include:
- Upset stomach.
- Constipation.
- Gas.
- Diarrhea.
If you experience these side effects, stop consuming Berberine until they go away. You should consult your doctor if those symptoms persist.
What Supplements Work Well With Berberine?
At this point in the article, you have seen that taking Berberine by itself can be beneficial. Still, the compound works well with other supplements, creating a synergistic effect that increases the potential benefits.
You can choose to take Berberine alongside other individual supplements. However, you also have the more convenient and affordable option of taking Berberine complexes like the one from Harmonify, which combines several ingredients into one capsule.
Some of the ingredients that work well with Berberine include:
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is an ingredient that’s known for its ability to regulate blood sugar. That ability comes from how cinnamon consumption improves insulin sensitivity.
On top of that, cinnamon also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
You’ll notice that Berberine also has the same benefits, making both of these ingredients good to consume together.
Turmeric
Turmeric is another ingredient known for its anti-inflammatory benefits. It’s a good addition to Berberine for that reason, alongside its antioxidant properties.
Some people also take turmeric to support their joint health and for their overall well-being.
Milk Thistle
The liver is a crucial organ as it helps regulate blood sugar and filter toxins out from the blood. Milk thistle is a supplement that helps the liver function optimally, so it can play a part in maintaining your overall health.
Bitter Melon
Yet another ingredient beneficial for healthy blood sugar levels is bitter melon. It works similarly to Berberine by improving insulin sensitivity so the body can use glucose more efficiently, reducing blood sugar levels as a result.
Coenzyme Q10 (COQ10)
Suppose you’re taking Coenzyme Q10 as part of your daily supplementation regimen. In that case, taking Berberine could help you enjoy more benefits.
CoQ10 is often taken to support heart health and benefit the body with its antioxidant effects. Berberine also provides the same benefits, enabling them to work together synergistically.
Who Shouldn’t Take Berberine?
Berberine is generally safe to consume for most people. Still, there are a few groups of people who should never take this supplement because of the adverse effects it could cause.
The people who should never take Berberine are:
1) People Taking Certain Medications
Firstly, you should never take Berberine if you’re already taking medications that could cause an adverse drug interaction.
The best way to ensure that is to consult the doctor who prescribed you the medication. They can advise you on whether or not it’s safe to supplement with Berberine.
2) Children
Children below 18 years old should never consume Berberine. While the compound works well in adults, it could cause adverse reactions in underaged children.
3) Pregnant Women
Berberine could also be dangerous for consumption by pregnant women. Some studies have shown that Berberine can cross the placenta in animal studies. However, it’s unclear if that happens in humans.
Pregnant women should not consume Berberine unless instructed to do so by their doctor, who will monitor their progress.
4) Breastfeeding Mothers
Similarly, breastfeeding mothers should not take Berberine. That’s because the potential dangers to the mother and her child are unclear, potentially putting both at risk.
It’s best to avoid Berberine entirely if you’re breastfeeding.
5) People With Existing Conditions
Lastly, people with existing medical conditions that make it unsafe to take Berberine should not consume this supplement.
Despite the many health benefits and claims made by companies marketing this supplement, you must rely on a doctor’s advice before consuming Berberine.
Berberine holds a lot of promise as a general health supplement. The compound can be sourced from many different plants worldwide and has built a strong reputation in traditional medicine across several cultures. Berberine helps improve cardiovascular health, blood glucose levels, and general well-being.
Berberine is available in several forms, including capsules, liquids, and powders. For the best results, find complexes like that from Harmonify, which combines Berberine with other ingredients that work together synergistically.
