In 1918, the United States was struggling to feed its population as World War I raged overseas. The domestic threat wasn’t an invading army, but a tiny fungus called black-stem rust. The fungus was devastating domestic wheat, which at the time was the backbone of the American diet. Experts feared famine and societal collapse.
Agronomists discovered that the common barberry bush (aka Berberis vulgaris) was a secondary host to black-stem rust. This conduit enabled the fungus to spread from one wheat field to another across the Upper Midwest of the US.
To protect the food supply, the US Department of Agriculture launched what’s now known as the Barberry War, the largest plant-eradication campaign in the nation’s history. Posters went up that accused the bush of being an enemy agent. The Boy Scouts awarded merit badges for yanking up barberry shrubs. While WWI ended in November 1918, the Barberry War didn’t wind down until 1979, by which time over a million plants had been pulled out.
Today, far from being a botanical outlaw, barberry is celebrated for its berberine — a powerful compound that supports blood sugar metabolism, cholesterol levels, and gut health.
Historical Context and Traditional Uses
Berberine has been used in traditional medicine for centuries.
Traditional Chinese Medicine has utilized berberine for over 2,000 years. Chinese herbalists source it from several plants and use it to treat digestive issues, infections, and inflammation. Before the mass production of antibiotics in the mid-20th century, berberine was prized for its antimicrobial properties.
In Ayurveda, the traditional medicine system of India, berberine is used to treat various ailments, including digestive disorders, skin conditions, pain, and inflammation. It’s also prescribed to help wounds heal quicker, to combat liver toxicity, and as a general tonic.
Many indigenous peoples in North America, including the Cherokee, Catawba, and Kickapoo tribes, have also utilized plants containing berberine, such as goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), to treat gastric and digestive disorders, peptic ulcers, colitis, eye ailments, and even certain types of cancer.
In recent years, scientific studies have begun to confirm some of the traditional uses of berberine, particularly its effects on blood sugar regulation and cholesterol management.
We now understand that the compound works in part by activating an enzyme called AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase), which helps your body manage how it uses energy. Because of this, it may be helpful for people with type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), or metabolic syndrome.
Importance of Berberine in Modern Health and Wellness Practice
Over the past decade, researchers and health enthusiasts have come to see berberine as a versatile supplement with many potential therapeutic benefits. As consumers increasingly look for natural remedies, scientists are studying berberine as an alternative to pharmaceuticals for a number of debilitating health conditions.
Blood Sugar Control
Berberine helps regulate blood sugar levels. Research suggests that it can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce glucose production in the liver, which may help people with type 2 diabetes or those at risk of developing the condition.
Berberine may be a potential alternative for metformin in treating metabolic diseases, as demonstrated in animal studies. (Our view on the use of animals in medical research is here.)
Lipid Metabolism
Research has shown that berberine can lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels, which can improve metabolic health in people whose levels of those lipids are above normal. A 2017 meta-analysis of 12 clinical trials found that berberine significantly reduced total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels in participants with metabolic syndrome.
Protein and Enzyme Activation
Berberine activates three important pathways in the body: AMPK, SIRT1/FOXO1/SREBP2, and Nrf2/HO-1. No, those aren’t secret additions to the NATO phonetic alphabet; rather, they’re protein and enzyme pathways and transcription factors that work together to control how cells respond to energy, stress, and damage.
AMPK is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism. Active AMPK helps improve insulin sensitivity, enhances glucose uptake in cells, and promotes fat burning.
The SIRT1/FOXO1/SREBP2 pathway helps control the body’s response to stress and regulates fat and cholesterol levels. (Fun fact: “FOXO” is short for “forkhead box,” so named when researchers discovered that the protein’s tip is shaped like a fork.)
And the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway protects cells from damage by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
Through these actions, berberine helps lower blood sugar, regulate cholesterol and fats, reduce inflammation, and boost antioxidant defenses. It may also help in fighting premature aging, cancer, kidney disease, nervous system problems, and other chronic conditions.
Weight Management
By enhancing metabolic function and promoting fat loss, berberine may aid in weight loss. It’s associated with improved body composition and reduced fat accumulation, which is good news for people seeking to manage their weight.
In a 2015 study, patients with non alcoholic fatty liver disease who took berberine significantly reduced their liver fat and body weight, and improved their lipid and glucose metabolism.
Berberine is sometimes called “nature’s Ozempic” because it may help with blood sugar and weight management. But they work in different ways. Ozempic mimics a hormone called GLP-1, which helps control appetite and insulin, while berberine, as we’ve seen, activates AMPK to affect metabolism and energy use.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Chronic inflammation is linked to various health issues, including heart disease, intestinal disorders, and metabolic syndrome. Berberine has been shown to suppress inflammation, which may help reduce the risk of developing these conditions. A 2024 study found that berberine’s anti-inflammatory properties helped heal nerve damage in mice.
Digestive Health
Berberine’s antimicrobial properties can support gut health by inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria and promoting a balanced microbiome. This can be beneficial for digestive health and may help with various gut-related conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and gut dysbiosis.
Berberine is “smarter” than broad-spectrum antibiotics, targeting just the harmful bacteria, and leaving the beneficial ones alone — thereby maintaining microbiome balance. In fact, berberine promotes the growth of beneficial, butyrate-producing bacteria. This enhances gut health by improving the gut barrier function and further reducing inflammation.
Potential Anti-Cancer Properties
Recent studies have shown that berberine can inhibit the growth of certain cancer cells in laboratory settings, suggesting that the compound may have anti-cancer effects. It does so by slowing the growth and spread of cancer cells, triggering their self-destruction, regulating the immune system, and reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the body. It may also enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs.
Neuroprotective Effects
Berberine promotes nerve regeneration and protects against oxidative brain damage, benefits that may help prevent cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.
PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) Support
Berberine has been found to improve insulin sensitivity and hormonal balance.
PCOS is a common health problem in women that causes hormone imbalances, leading to issues like irregular periods, acne, and trouble getting pregnant. Up to 70% of PCOS sufferers also have insulin resistance. By improving hormonal balance and insulin sensitivity, berberine may help with PCOS.
Berberine Supplements
Berberine can be formulated (isolated and concentrated), and also consumed in its less processed herbal form. Berberine comes in several common formulations. Here’s a handy summary, including intended benefits and recommended dosage for each formulation, along with any cautions or other considerations.
Berberine Hydrochloride (HCl)
- Description: The most common and widely studied form of berberine.
- Benefits: Cost-effective, and has been shown to support metabolic health.
- Dosage: The general dose is 500 mg taken 2–3 times daily. It is typically taken with meals to improve absorption and minimize gastrointestinal side effects.
- Considerations: Berberine HCl may have limited bioavailability compared to some more enhanced formulations.
Berberine Phytosome
- Description: A formulation where berberine is bound to phospholipids to enhance absorption.
- Benefits: Improved bioavailability: studies suggest up to 9.6 times higher absorption than berberine HCl.
- Dosage: Berberine phytosome requires a lower dosage than berberine HCl. Recommended dosages typically range from 250 mg to 500 mg per day, divided into 2 to 3 smaller doses. Healthcare professionals suggest starting with 250 mg, taken twice daily. The dosage can be increased to 500 mg if well-tolerated, taken in 2 doses.
- Considerations: Berberine phytosome should be taken with food to enhance absorption.
Liposomal Berberine
- Description: Berberine encapsulated in liposomes to facilitate better cellular uptake.
- Benefits: Enhanced absorption and bioavailability.
- Dosage: The common regimen is 100–300 mg twice daily with meals, up to 600 mg per day, unless under practitioner supervision.
Berberine-Ursodeoxycholic Acid Complex
- Description: A new formulation combining berberine with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA).
- Benefits: Improved glycemic control and lipid profiles in clinical trials.
- Dosage: About 500 mg berberine plus about 100mg of UDCA once or twice a day.
Whole Herb Extracts
These may contain other beneficial compounds, like flavonoids and alkaloids, but are typically less standardized than lab-made berberine supplements. Ayurvedic and other traditional berberine preparations rely on these extracts.
Because there’s so much less berberine in these natural formulations, the dosages are significantly higher than in standardized extracts. Some examples include:
- Barberry root powder, 1–3 grams per day, powdered root or bark
- Indian barberry or Daruharidra, 1–3 grams per day, powder, capsules
- Goldenseal root, 1–2 grams per day (or 500 mg extract twice daily), capsules, tincture
- Coptis chinensis / Huang Lian, 0.5–2 grams per day, granules, powder, decoction
- Oregon grape root, 1–2 grams per day, root powder or tincture
Berberine Side Effects
Like most substances with healing properties, berberine can produce unintended side effects. For example, some people may experience gastrointestinal symptoms.
Berberine can interact with medications used to treat diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, along with blood thinners like warfarin and various sedatives. If you’re currently taking any of these medications, it’s recommended to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before adding berberine into the mix.
One more important caution: Berberine has been linked to a harmful buildup of bilirubin in infants, which can cause brain damage. For this reason, it’s been deemed unsafe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding because of possible effects on the fetus or infant.
Conclusion
Berberine can be a valuable supplement for weight loss, metabolic health, and managing blood sugar levels. Its ability to activate AMPK, improve insulin sensitivity, regulate appetite, and influence fat storage makes it a promising candidate for people who would like some help managing their weight and enhancing their metabolic function.
As with any supplement, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting berberine, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medications.
And of course, berberine isn’t a cure-all. If you use berberine, include it as a part of an overall healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and adequate sleep.
We’ve partnered with BerbElite to bring you a special discount, and a portion of every purchase made through the link below supports Food Revolution Network’s mission to create a healthier, more sustainable world. Click here to learn more and take advantage of your special discount.
Tell us in the comments:
- Have you ever taken berberine supplements?
- If so, what did you experience?
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Featured Image: iStock.com/Gaston Ernesto Gonzalez Avila
