This article is a sequel to a previous discussion of berberine, one of the leading herbal supplements available. Berberine has a variety of potent benefits to human health, which is what makes it so valuable. Here are five more potential benefits that can be gleaned from berberine.
What Is Berberine?
Berberine is a naturally occurring compound which is classified as an alkaloid. It has a distinctive yellow color, and is found in multiple species of plants. Berberine has a staunch reputation in the field of herbal medicine form its myriad properties.
The science supporting berberine’s medicinal properties is sound. Hundreds of studies have been conducted studying the applications of berberine. However, the widespread use of berberine for medicinal purposes is not new, as it was long used in traditional Chinese medicine prior to modern medicine.
Berberine can effectively help to reduce inflammation, contribute to bodily conditions that support heart health, and more. The study of berberine has revealed more than one mechanism of action inside the body. The primary one is berberine’s activation of an intracellular enzyme called AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). AMPK regulates metabolism, energy levels, and more. Berberine also affects other molecules, and could even influence certain genetic functions in the body in positive ways.
Five More Benefits of Berberine
Berberine is a highly valued herbal supplement because it has so many potential benefits. Here, we take a look at five specific benefits you could get from supplementing with berberine. To see a discussion of five other benefits of berberine, check out our most recent previous blog on berberine.
Mitigating inflammation: Berberine has anti-inflammatory properties, which make it a useful supplement for a variety of health conditions. One of these is diabetes. Studies have shown that the consumption of berberine can lead to a reduction in the chronic low-grade inflammation which causes insulin resistance. Other research has shown that berberine could reduce bladder inflammation (cystitis), which often coincides with bladder infections, especially in women. If you or a loved one have a medical condition characterized by inflammation, then you should consider taking berberine, but discuss with a healthcare professional first.
Supporting heart health: Berberine contributes to heart health and longevity in multiple ways. Heart disease is a leading cause of disease and death, and its risk can be evaluated based on factors in the blood and body. Berberine could improve these heart-health factors, contributing to a reduction in the risk of heart disease as well as the potential for heart events that could lead to death. This includes reducing negative cholesterol, raising positive cholesterol, and reducing blood triglyceride levels.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is another heart-health factor which should be considered separate from the others when it comes to targeted treatment. Supplementing with berberine has been shown to have potential to contribute to a reduction in blood pressure that is too high. Hypertension often leads to a hardening of the arteries, which increases the chance of stroke and heart attack; Berberine could reduce these negative bodily conditions as well. These benefits make berberine a worthwhile herbal supplement for heart health.
A healthy gut: Berberine has antimicrobial properties that could both reduce the presence of negative bacteria in the gut and increase the flourishing of healthy bacteria.
Depression: Studies suggest that berberine has the potential to mitigate depression. Most of the studies supporting this benefit are animal studies, but the scientific discussion on this matter is supportive of berberine’s use for reducing depression in humans.
Berberine is an herbal supplement that is rich with the potential to improve your health. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking berberine or any other supplement for the first time.