Berberine
A Compound That Has Many Uses and Benefits
Berberine has so many uses but with the corona virus going around, this compound is also known for its anti-microbial properties is a plus.
Have you heard of Berberine?
This wonderful compound is good for a multitude of health issues-everything from candida to high blood sugar to PCOS and depression. Thanks to recent research in the past 5 years, we are discovering the wonderful benefits of this botanical.
Even with new research it has been used for over 3000 years in traditional Chinese medicine and Indian medicine.
Berberine is a compound found in various plants in the root, stem, bark and leaves. It is found in highest concentrations in the root bark and smaller amounts in the above ground stem bark and just .4% in the woody portion of the root. Only traces are found in the leaves and none of this compound is found in the flowers, fruit pulp. Hence why it is important to buy quality products and know what part is being used.
It is often sourced from several different plant sources such as Indian barberry, Goldenseal, Chinese Goldthread and Oregon Grape. In Indian barberry, the berberine is primarily concentrated in the bark and the root and this has been shown to be the richest sources of berberine.
Goldenseal, which contains berberine, was used from 1830-1955 as an official drug in the U.S. Quite a few pharmaceutical companies manufactured it such as Parker-Davis, Eli Lilly, and Squibb.
How Berberine Works
Think of berberine as it is having the same effect as if you were to increase exercise while at the same time cut back on your caloric intake. This is because it activates AMPK (adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase) which is an enzyme that acts as the central regulatory switch regulating how much energy is produced in the body.
It is primarily known for lowering glucose naturally, yet it has many other uses and benefits
Berberine Uses and Benefits
It has been shown to have antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, antitumor, cytotoxic (toxic to cells, thus good for cancer cells) and hepatoprotective (liver protection) actions. It also acts as a bitter. (bitters aid in digestion).
- For BS/Diabetes, works like metformin
- Can close tight junctions (LGS)
- Has anti-inflammatory properties
- Has anti-microbial properties
- Can help to stimulate bile secretion
- Useful for gastritis
- Anti-cancer properties
- Can be used as anti-depressant, shown to increase neurotransmitter levels in mice, (serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine),
- Use to break down bio film
- Use for acute diarrhea/IBS
- High Blood Pressure
- SIBO (small bacterial overgrowth)
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Use for CHF, arrhythmia
- Use for MRSA
- Use for metabolic syndrome
- Suppresses proinflammatory cytokines
- Improves arterial endothelial
- Can increase nitric oxide levels
- Use for CHF (congestive heart failure)
- It is an alkaloid. Similar to PQQ for mitochondrial benefits. (supports energy production)
- It supports cognitive health, cellular health and brain function
Mood and Berberine
Animal studies suggest that berberine increases key neurotransmitters, serotonin and dopamine in the hippocampus and frontal cortex of the brain. In a rat study berberine was studied for use for depression and anxiety following morphine addiction. This study concluded that berberine has antidepressant and anxiolytic effects.
Dosing And How to Take
Berberine is yellow in color so look at your capsules to make sure they are yellow.
Research suggests that taking a total of 1500 mg per day in three divided doses of 500 mg is as effective as taking metformin at 1500 mg or 4 mg of glipalamide which is another diabetes drug. Berberine has been used successfully in experimental diabetes tests in animals and been used to address type 2 diabetes in human trials.
Other trials have shown lowering of total cholesterol and triglycerides in those who took 500 mg twice per day.
You may have heard that berberine is difficult to absorb but more recent studies show that this is not the case and it is well absorbed. The confusion is because berberine is quickly metabolized and blood clearance is so fast that it disappears from the blood faster than it can be measured.
Goldenseal has been overharvested and this whole herb is quite expensive and best not to purchase due to the overharvesting. Instead source berberine from one of the other plants mentioned in this post.
Berberine is best used in capsule form and not in a tea due to the bitterness of this compound.
You can also take this herb in tincture form or as a topical salve.
Side Effects and Warnings
The most common side effect may be mild gastrointestinal discomfort.
Berberine is metabolized by the cytochrome P450 enzymes and thus can slow or fasten the clearance of some medications so you should discuss the use of berberine with you doctor if taking any medications.
One study found that berberine interacted with the medication tetracycline and slowed the drug’s absorption. Another study did not yield the same results. For now, if on a tetracycline medication, avoid berberine use just to be safe.
If you are taking insulin or insulin lowering medications discuss use with your doctor and monitor your glucose since berberine is beneficial for type 2 diabetes.
Do not use during pregnancy
Bottom Line
Berberine is a compound that may be beneficial to add in if you have a chronic health issue mentioned in the list in this post. It is a safe compound for long term use but can also be used short term for therapeutic use such as for MRSA and candida. If on medications please discuss usage with your doctor first. Source from high quality reputable brands as many cheaper brands do not have what they claim to have on the label.
Sources
https://examine.com/supplements/berberine/
https://www.naturalmedicinejournal.com/journal/2012-12/clinical-applications-berberine
https://www.pharmaca.com/projectwellness/a-quick-guide-to-berberine/
https://selfhacked.com/blog/berberine-19-health-benefits-of-berberine-with-references/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3526741
https://nutritionfacts.org/2020/02/27/supplement-labeling-fraud-is-widespread/
Gaby, A. (2006) A-Z Guide to Drug-Herb-Vitamin Interactions NY: Three Rivers Press
Hoffman, D. (2003) Medical Herbalism. The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. VT: Healing Arts Press
Johnson, R. et. al. (2010) National Geographic Guide to Medicinal Herbs. D.C.: National Geographic.
Mars, B. (2007) The Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicine. CA: Basic Health Publications.
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