Exploring the Power of Berberine: Dosage, Benefits and More

Diabetes

Written by:SugarMDs LLC

Publish Date:Sep 06, 2024

Every individual faces health issues as time passes, regardless of their age. Diabetes, fatness, high cholesterol and high blood sugar are now becoming common among individuals in the United States. However, finding a side-effect-free way to manage these and other health conditions has been challenging. This is where Berberine comes in, making things easier for patients dealing with these issues. Here, we will uncover its secrets, like dosage, potential side effects, and benefits, so you can begin consuming it without any doubt. Let’s start uncovering the details.

What is Berberine and How Does it Work?

Berberine is a yellowish phytochemical isoquinoline alkaloid found in various plants like barberry (Berberis vulgaris), tree turmeric (Berberis aristata), goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) and Oregon grape(Berberis aquifolium). Berberine has been used in traditional Asian medicine for thousands of years, mostly to treat diarrhea, parasite infection, lower blood pressure and even malaria. Research has shown it may have anti-cancer, antioxidant, cholesterol lowering, antifungal, antibiotic and memory-enhancing effects in cell cultures and animal studies.

One of the earliest and most well-studied benefits of berberine is its ability to improve glucose and fat metabolism in the body, which helps decrease insulin resistance. A small study suggests that berberine may also support weight loss, but larger studies with more participants are needed to confirm this.

Researchers have shown that berberine can activate AMP-activated protein kinase and inhibit the activity of cyclin dependent kinases like cdk2 and cdk4. Berberine has been proven to suppress cancer cell proliferation, induce apoptosis, modulate the inflammatory response, inhibit angiogenesis and decrease radio- and chemo-sensitivity in several varieties of tumors in vitro and in vivo.

Berberine is a powerful supplement that should be taken with caution. It can interact with certain medications, including diabetes medication and antidepressants. Talk to your doctor before you start taking berberine, especially if you're on blood sugar-lowering medications or are pregnant or breastfeeding. In addition, be sure to read the labels on supplemental berberine capsules, as they can vary widely in terms of content and quality. It is best to buy a reputable product with third-party certification.

Benefits of Berberine

Studies show that berberine lowers blood sugar and improves insulin sensitivity, especially in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Below, you will find some of Berberine's main benefits:

Lowers Blood Sugar Levels

Berberine lowers blood sugar levels by improving the physiological stimulation of glucose and promoting activation of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signal pathway in the body. It also increases insulin secretion and improves the reaction of liver, muscle and fat cells to insulin.

May Help You Lose Weight

The weight loss effects of berberine depend on other factors, including diet and exercise. However, it is not a magic pill and shouldn’t be used as an excuse to neglect healthy habits. In fact, if not taken correctly, berberine can strip the good bacteria in your digestive tract and cause other gut-related health issues. That’s why it’s important to work with a nutritionist who can guide you on how much berberine is safe and effective for you.

Lowers Cholesterol

Berberine works to lower total cholesterol, "bad" LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in people with high levels of these substances. It does this by lowering inflammation and increasing immune function. It also binds to enzymes and parts of cells, changing how they work.

Berberine has been shown to mechanistically decrease dyslipidemia by inhibiting proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and enhancing the production of LDL receptor (LDLR) mRNA.

Alleviate Depression

Berberine is effective in treating depression. It has also been used to treat cancer, infections, fatty liver disease, and heart failure. It has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

However, it is important to discuss taking berberine with a naturopathic doctor or certified herbalist before adding it to your diet. This is because berberine can interact with some medications, including blood thinners and diabetes drugs.

The Dosage Guidelines

The usual dosage of berberine ranges between 900 to 2,000 mg daily, typically split into three or four doses throughout the day. Many people find that taking around 1,000 to 1,200 mg daily provides excellent benefits. Medical advice should always be sought to identify the best dosage for your individual needs.

Berberine should be taken at the right time.

The supplement works best when taken with meals or shortly after since digestion naturally spikes blood glucose and lipids. There is no established dosage for dihydroberberine, a more bioavailable form. It is generally five times more bioavailable than regular berberine, so you'll need to take a lower dose to achieve the same effects. For instance, SugarMd Super Berberine contains 250 mg of dihydroberberine, which is roughly equal to 1,250 mg of standard berberine.

Berberine Vs Metformin

Besides lowering blood sugar, berberine also helps people lose weight. Despite not being FDA-approved, berberine has been shown to allow people to shed moderate amounts of weight. Berberine decreases canker sore pain, redness, oozing, and size.

The combination of berberine and metformin plays an important role in lowering blood sugar levels. Combining berberine and metformin improves insulin sensitivity and lipid profiles in diabetics.

In one clinical study, a group of 36 people was given either berberine or metformin for three months. Researchers found that berberine was just as effective as metformin at reducing fasting and postprandial blood sugar levels and HbA1c levels.

Be sure to consult your doctor before using berberine to manage type 2 diabetes. Berberine dosage and frequency will be determined by your doctor.

Potential Side Effects of Berberine

Gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea, constipation, or stomach cramps
Low blood pressure due to its ability to dilate blood vessels
Possible interaction with medications, leading to increased effects or side effects
Hypoglycemia, especially when taken with other blood sugar-lowering drugs
May affect liver function with prolonged use

The Bottom Line!

Intaking Berberine supplements is more useful as they are formulated by certified doctors. The same is true at SugarMD; the super Berberine supplement you will buy is made under the supervision of Dr. Ahmet Ergin. Ingredients like Dihydroberberine and Ceylon Cinnamon are used in the formulation to enhance the effectiveness of the supplement. Dihydroberberine, being more bioavailable, ensures that the body absorbs it better, while Ceylon Cinnamon helps in further stabilizing blood sugar levels. This combination not only aids in managing diabetes but also provides additional health benefits.

If you still need clarification on how to use this supplement, visit www.sugarmds.com now!

Note: Get suggestions from your personal doctor before going to adopt any product.

Written By Dr. Ahmet Ergin

457 total articles

Meet Dr. Ahmet Ergin, a highly skilled and dedicated endocrinologist with a passion for diabetes care. Dr. Ergin earned his medical degree with honors from Marmara University in Istanbul. He completed internal medicine residency and endocrinology fellowship at Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Ergin is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism due to his vast medical expertise. He's a certified diabetes educator, author of “The Ultimate Diabetes Book,” and founder of “the SugarMD YouTube channel.” Dr. Ergin offers exceptional diabetes care to his patients in Port Saint Lucie, FL, helping them manage effectively. For a closer look into his insights and experiences, connect with Dr. Ahmet Ergin on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.”

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Information on this website isn't intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease. Discuss with your doctor and do not self-treat.