Learn more about berberine, a powerful plant-based supplement with many scientifically proven benefits that relieve symptoms and improve health outcomes.
Heart disease is the number one global killer, and taking the appropriate steps to prevent or reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke, especially as you get older, is essential. The good news is heart disease is preventable, and natural supplements can help.
Natural supplements are a safe and effective way to combat various symptoms and medical conditions. Unlike their pharmaceutical counterparts, which can be accompanied by unseemly side effects and risks, natural supplements and herbs battle more than just the symptoms. Plus, they have overarching benefits that make you feel better from the inside out.
There are many over-the-counter supplements to choose from. But one, in particular, stands out from the rest if you want to regulate your blood sugar, get rid of those few extra pounds, lower cholesterol naturally, and more. It has even been shown to reduce your risk of certain cancers!
We’re talking about Berberine. Read on to learn more about this plant-powered panacea and see if berberine supplements may be right for you.
What is Berberine?
Berberine is a yellow compound found in the roots and stem barks of many plant species, including goldenseal (Berberis vulgaris), Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium), and goldthread (Coptis chinensis).
While many are just beginning to learn about berberine or think it has just crashed onto the supplement scene, it is no secret it has been a longtime staple in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. It has anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a promising solution to many fungal, bacterial, and parasitic conditions.
How does Berberine work?
Berberine works by stimulating the enzyme adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which governs cellular energy homeostasis involved in a wide range of biological processes, including glucose regulation, lipid, and protein metabolism.
In simpler terms, our bodies are working around the clock to achieve balance among all the body systems needed for the body to survive and function optimally. Berberine is an extract typically taken as a powder or capsule. It stimulates a specific energy sensor that directs homeostasis, regulates several critical bodily functions, and reprograms your metabolism.
Sometimes berberine capsules are combined with other supplements, botanicals, and herbs to target a specific condition. For example, someone with heart disease or diabetes may take berberine with cinnamon which is linked to lowering blood sugar. But, as we know, natural medicine often has synergistic effects, so berberine can treat symptoms and conditions beyond what it is primarily prescribed for.
What are the benefits of berberine?
Berberine is in a class of isoquinoline alkaloids, a large family of phytochemicals found in several plants with incredible biological activities.
Some potential health benefits of berberine include:
It can lower cholesterol.
…which can prevent heart disease. In one study, obese participants were given berberine to lower cholesterol for 12 weeks. The results found that berberine reduced blood lipid levels and promoted weight loss in some individuals.
It can help lower blood sugar.
…which can help prevent type 2 diabetes and better manage other types of diabetes. One meta-analysis showed berberine is just as potent and effective at lowering blood sugar as prescription meds like Avandia and Glucotrol. In another study, berberine’s blood sugar-lowering effects were comparable to Metformin, a common pharmaceutical for lowering blood sugar.
It can help with weight management.
One review showed the ability of berberine to berberine in preventing obesity. Obesity is almost always linked to high levels of lipids, which, as shown above, berberine can reduce. When used with diet and lifestyle changes, berberine can help you lose those extra pounds.
It can help prevent certain types of cancer.
In a 2020 study published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, researchers found that berberine could be a safe and low-cost option to prevent colorectal cancer.
Other benefits of berberine
- Improve symptoms of digestive conditions such as ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and more.
- Support for metabolic disorders. Berberine may improve blood lipids and liver enzymes and reduce body weight and fat mass.
- Prevent recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs) and cystitis.
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