Berberine is a natural substance with a wide assortment of medicinal properties, including the ability to alleviate the effects of some of the most common, chronic diseases. Here, we take a look at those four long-lasting health conditions and what berberine can potentially do to improve the quality of life for those afflicted with one or more of those diseases.
A Look at Berberine
Berberine is a natural chemical that is found in multiple plant species, including goldenseal, European barberry, and others. It has a distinctive yellow color, and, in its isolated form, berberine has a bitter taste.
Berberine has a well-established reputation as a natural medicine. In traditional Chinese medicine as well as Indian Ayurvedic medical practices, plants containing berberine were used for many purposes. The use of berberine-laced plants has continued into the practice of modern herbal medicine as well. Scientific research into the uses of berberine is well-established, and it is still ongoing.
Applications of Berberine: Disease Treatment
Berberine is known for its potential to assist with the treatment of short-term conditions such as those associated with desired weight loss and immediate treatment of infections. However, it has properties that could help treat chronic disease, as well. Here is a look at how berberine could help address four different types of chronic disease:
Diabetes: Research has shown that supplementing with a berberine supplement could help mitigate the complications of type II diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels. It accomplishes this in a few different ways. Berberine increases insulin sensitivity, bolsters glucose breakdown, reduces glucose production in the liver, and even regulates metabolism. Multiple studies have shown that supplementing with up to 2,700mg of berberine daily reduces both fasting blood sugar and long-term blood-sugar levels by meaningful margins. In fact, berberine can be as effective as some blood-sugar-lowering medications such as metformin. It is also helpful when taken alongside them.
Heart disease: It has been shown that taking berberine can help reduce the risk of heart disease. It does this by reducing specific markers which predispose an individual to heart disease. This namely applies to cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Studies show that berberine reduces levels of unhealthy low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood by inhibiting certain enzymes. Other studies show it reduces levels of apolipoprotein, which is another marker for heart disease risk. These, along with berberine’s reductive effect on blood sugar, make it a worthwhile natural supplement for potentially reducing the risk of heart disease.
Kidney disease: Research shows that chronic kidney disease, a serious condition which can necessitate treatment for many years, could be moderated by a natural remedy regimen that utilizes berberine. It can do so by positively altering the gut microbiome, which is a meaningful area of bodily health in relation to the kidneys and chronic kidney disease. Specifically, berberine can reduce the production of gut-derived uremic toxins and simultaneously increase production of butyric acid. Based on these chemical interactions, and others found in gut-kidney axis research centered on berberine, berberine is a potentially effective natural treatment for chronic kidney disease.
PCOS: Berberine could help women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in multiple ways. PCOS is a chronic condition wherein tiny cysts form on the ovaries, thus impairing fertility and causing other complications. Studies show that PCOS-afflicted women with impaired menstruation can experience ovulation improved by an average of 25% by taking berberine regularly over the course of four months. Other research shows berberine contributes to an increase in pregnancy rates among women with PCOS. Berberine could also help with other complications of PCOS: it could support weight loss, which is significant because PCOS is a condition that leads to weight gain. Berberine helps mitigate insulin resistance and blood-sugar issues, which are common in women with PCOS.
If you or someone in your family experiences any of the four chronic diseases discussed here, or is at risk for them, consider stocking your pantry or medicine cabinet with berberine. Also consider these meaningful benefits of berberine in the context of other treatments and lifestyle choices. It’s recommended that you consult your healthcare provider before taking any supplement for the first time, and that includes berberine.