If you have diabetes or prediabetes and want to try a natural treatment or supplement, Berberine might be on the top of your list. It believed to cause a major reduction in blood sugar levels. However, that’s not that simple… if you take Berberine irresponsibly, you could experience all sorts of trouble and side effects. Here we explain how to be safe with Berberine and the Best Berberine Supplements for Diabetes.
Read on, if that is what you want to know more about…
Diabetes is a chronic disease that has become extremely common in recent years. It is appertaining to increased blood sugar levels, caused either by lack of insulin or insulin resistance. This elevated blood sugar level can cause damage to tissues and organs, resulting in various health issues and even death.
Diabetes is one of the conditions associated with metabolic syndrome, and it does not usually exist in isolation. Most people with diabetes suffer from high blood pressure, high cholesterol level, cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) problems and obesity.
Research has found that this plant extract, Berberine, can help to regulate insulin in the body by breaking down sugar faster and preventing elevated blood sugar levels. This is one of the supplements that is found to be powerful and effective as pharmaceutical drugs.
Some even say, it helps to manage diabetes even better than some common diabetes medications such as rosiglitazone (Avandia) and metformin (Glucophage). (However, we do not recommend you to stop your medication or replace it with Berberine without consulting your doctor).
Berberine does not damage the liver like other medications do and has little or no side effects.
Let’s find out more about Berberine…
What Is Berberine?
Berberine, an alkaloid compound found naturally in roots, rhizomes, barks of plants like goldenseal root, goldthread, European barberry, tree turmeric and Oregon grape. Berberine is yellow.
The plants containing Berberine often have been used as a dye, particularly for colouring wool.
Berberine has antimicrobial properties and been used for centuries in Chinese and Indian medicine for treating different ailments. It was used as an ancient Chinese medicine for indigestion and diarrhoea, until recently when research shows that taking this herbal extract orally can help to lower blood sugar level, lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol level by enhancing the AMPK proteins in the cells.
This extract is also believed to be effective in treating skin issues like burns and sores when applied topically on the affected part of the body.
Tip: Berberine is also known as Chinen Salt.
How Does Berberine Work In The Body?
In the body, Berberine works like most pharmaceutical drugs. When taken, it is transported through the bloodstream into the cells. Berberine binds to several molecules in the cells and alters how they function.
One of its primary activities of Berberine in the body is that it stimulates the activity of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). AMPK is an enzyme in the cells of the various organs, such as the heart, brain, kidney, liver and muscles. It is sometimes referred to as a “metabolic master switch” because it plays a major role in regulating metabolism.
When AMPK regulated pathways are turned off, it triggers metabolic syndrome, including diabetes, hyperglycemia, lipid abnormalities and energy imbalance.
Most of the recent treatments for metabolic syndromes requires 3 to 5 different medications to manage the comorbidities of hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and inflammation. It has been proposed that instead of using different medications to treat all these various aspects of metabolic syndrome, AMPK can be used as a single therapy to replace all these medications for metabolic syndromes. This enzyme also helps in regulating your blood glucose level by activating insulin receptors, thereby promoting insulin sensitivity.
How Does Berberine Help With Diabetes?
For patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, Berberine has been proven
to be a natural and effective way to reduce their blood sugar. Sometimes, that’s without any need for pharmaceutical drugs.
Berberine seems to regulate the way the body produces and uses the sugar in the bloodstream. Berberine works through different mechanisms to lower the blood sugar level:
- It slows down the speed at which carbohydrates in the gut are broken down into sugar.
- Decreases the production of sugar in the liver.
- Speeds up glycolysis, which effectively helps the body in breaking down the sugar in the cells.
- It also increases insulin sensitivity. This reduces the blood sugar
- Berberine functions as probiotics by increasing friendly bacteria in the gut.
According to another study, Berberine reduces the blood sugar level and improves blood cholesterol, triglyceride and blood pressure. According to a review of studies, Berberine is as effective as glipizide, rosiglitazone, and metformin in lowering blood glucose level. Berberine can be taken in conjunction with your sugar lowering medication (with acceptance of your diabetes doctor), dieting and exercise.
Health Benefits Of Berberine
- Because of its anti-diabetic properties, this compound has been proven to help diabetic patients to bring down their blood sugar level.
- It can help with bad cholesterol and triglyceride
- It can help lower blood pressure
- Help with the polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- It can help with skin issues like canker sores and burns
- Help in treating diarrhoea and cholera
- Aid in weight loss
- Help to reduce fat in the liver
Side Effects Of Berberine
The possible side effect of taking berberine includes
- Stomach upset,
- Headaches, and
- constipation
Precautions To Be Taken When Taking Berberine
- Berberine is not really safe for expectant and nursing mothers because it can cause harm to the fetus and kernicterus, a type of brain damage to newborn babies.
- Berberine can also cause kernicterus in children.
- In diabetes patients who are on insulin or other blood sugar reducing medication, Berberine can result in hypoglycemia.
- It can result in low blood pressure
Berberine Powder Vs Berberine Capsules
Although berberine powder and berberine capsule have the same health benefits, when it comes to taste, how it is handled and taken differs.
|
Berberine powder |
Berberine capsule | |
|
Colour |
Light yellow | |
|
Taste |
Extremely bitter |
Tasteless (not bitter) |
|
How take in? |
Mixed into juice, smoothie or any drink you prefer |
Swallow with water |
|
Ease of transportation |
You have to carry the whole container wherever you go or risk staining your hands and clothing while trying to transfer it into a smaller container. |
You can easily take it along by transferring some in a small airtight container. |
|
Powdered supplements, however, don’t have a barrier. The only barrier is your mouth. So just add water, drink it down, and your body begins absorbing it right away – which leads to quicker benefits. |
Once the capsule dissolves, the contents are released and are absorbed. It’s just a matter of time. | |
|
Chance of staining |
It can stain your mouth yellow |
No stain is left in your mouth |
Berberine Ideal Dose
Berberine should be taken with a meal or shortly after, to take advantage of the blood glucose and lipid spike associated with eating.
Dosage for adults as below
- For diabetes
0.9 to 1.5 grams daily for 2-4 months
- For high blood pressure
0.9 grams daily for 2 months
- For high cholesterol level
0.6 – 1.5gram for 6 to 24 months.
- For polycystic ovarian syndrome
1.5 gram daily for 3 – 6 months
- Topical application for burns and canker sores
A gel containing 5 mg of Berberine per gram to be applied 4 times daily for 5 days
Now, let’s review the best Berberine supplements for diabetes…
Review of the 7 Best Berberine Supplements for Diabetes
1. Dr Whitaker’s Berberine GlucoGold
Description and features
It was developed by Dr Julian Whitaker, a pioneer in the field of alternative medicine. Dr Whitaker’s Berberine+ GlucoGold contains the below.
- 500mg BerberPure, high-quality and triple-tested Berberine that helps maintain blood sugar and blood cholesterol levels, as well as support the liver and metabolic health.
- Cinnamon, which promotes normal insulin sensitivity.
- Chromium in the form of CROMINEX 3+ CHROMIUM for normal cholesterol and lipid metabolism increases the function of the insulin receptors on your cells and heightens their sensitivity.
- For more efficiency and superior bioavailability, the CROMINEX 3+ CHROMIUM is combined with Capros Amla extract, and PrimaVie purified Shilajit extract.
Clinical study shows that this supplement
- Support blood sugar health by boosting the beta cells in your pancreas, which helps to increase insulin sensitivity. It also helps to lower and maintain the right blood sugar level.
- It helps to reduce LDL or bad cholesterol levels and triglyceride in your blood and increases healthy total blood cholesterol.
- Supports liver health and metabolic health.
This product is made from natural ingredients and is gluten-free. It is made in the USA.
A pack contains 90 tablets, and the dosage for this supplement is 1500 mg (that is 3 tablet) daily, 1 tablet with every meal.
The summary of the content is below.
|
Ingredients |
Amount per serving |
|
Berberine Hydrochloride (BerberPure™) |
500mg |
|
Calcium (as dicalcium phosphate) |
20mg |
|
Cinnamon (as Cinnamomum cassia) |
333 |
|
Chromium (as Crominex 3+ chromium stabilized with Capros standardized Amla Extract (fruit) and PrimaVie purified and standardized Shilajit) |
133 |
|
Other ingredients include -, Magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, silica, croscarmellose sodium, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, maltodextrin, polydextrose, titanium dioxide, talc, medium-chain triglycerides, riboflavin. |
Pros
- This product is produced under strict quality control to meet the standards set by good manufacturing practice (GMP)
- It is gluten-free
- It contains only natural ingredients
- For quality assurance, it is tested by a third-party laboratory
Cons
- It contains talc, which some studies believe can cause cancer
- The cinnamon used is cassia instead of Ceylon
- Contains more binders than most other berberine products.
2. Berberine Complex by Integrative Therapeutics
This berberine supplement is made by Integrative Therapeutics in a collaboration with Vitaline Formulas, NF Formulas, Tyler Encapsulations, Phytopharmica, and Schwabe.
This berberine supplement is a combination of berberine extract from three different plants – goldenseal, barberry and Oregon grape. It helps to boost the immune system and gastrointestinal health by balancing intestinal flora.
The dosage for the supplement is 2 capsules 3 times a day or as directed by your doctor.
This product contains a natural ingredient with no added sugar, salt, soy, corn, preservatives, dairy product, and ingredients originating from animals.
Berberine complex is also free from gluten, artificial colouring and artificial flavours.
Here is the summary of the content.
|
Ingredient |
Amount per serving |
|
Total Carbohydrate |
<1g and <1% |
|
Oregon Grape (Berberis aquifolium) |
400mg |
|
Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) Root Extract |
400mg |
|
Goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis) Root and Stem Extract |
100mg |
|
Other ingredients include – cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide. |
Pros
Integrative Therapeutics Berberine Complex is
- All-natural
- Gluten-free
- Free from artificial colouring and artificial flavouring
- No preservatives
- No added salt or sugar
Cons
- It is not recommended for diabetic patients
3 Berberine HCL by Healths Harmony
Description and features
This berberine HCL supplement formulated by Healths Harmony in the USA to help maintain a healthy blood sugar level and activate AMPK. This vegetable supplement contains berberine HCL with banaba leaf and bitter melon.
It helps to boost immunity, support cardiovascular health and by boosting glucose metabolism. The ingredients used are 100 % natural, non-GMO, sourced from a GMP certified facility.
It contains 60 capsules. The suggested dosage is 2 capsules daily to be taken with meals or as directed by a doctor.
The summary of ingredients are below.
|
Ingredient |
Amount per serving of 2 capsules |
|
Berberine HCL |
1000mg |
|
Bitter melon (10:1 extract) |
200mg |
|
Banaba leaf (1% extract) |
50mg |
Pros
- 100% organic
Cons
- It is not for treating or preventing any medical condition.
4 Premium Berberine by Purely Optimal
Description and features
If you are looking for a supplement that can boost your immunity, balance your blood sugar level and support a healthy weight loss, then this supplement is for you!
Berberine by Purely Optimal contains 60 capsules of berberine HCL in a container, with a recommended dosage of 2 capsules (1200 mg of berberine HCL) daily.
It is specially formulated to;
- Enhance the metabolism of glucose and lipid
- Promote cardiovascular health.
- It also helps to protect the gastrointestinal system against leaky gut
- It promotes the growth of good bacteria in the gut
- It gets rid of toxins, and
- Help to reduce inflammation.
The summary of the content is below.
|
Ingredient |
Amount per serving (serving size of 2 capsules) |
|
Berberine HCL (from Berberis Aristata) |
1200mg |
|
Other ingredients: vegetable cellulose, rice flour, magnesium stearate |
Pros
- You can return this product within 10 days of delivery if you are not happy about your purchase decision
- Non-GMO
- Sourced from GMP-certified facility
- Third-party lab tested
Cons
- One needs to take more than 1 capsule daily
5 Nutri Essentials Berberine
Description and features
This easy to swallow berberine HCL supplement produced by Nutri Essentials.
It contains 120 capsules of 500mg berberine HCL formulated to help with the below.
- Regulate the blood sugar level
- Manage weight
- Support the healthy cardiovascular system
- Boost the immune system.
This product undergoes strict quality control, manufactured by Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and tested by a third-party laboratory to ensure that high-quality standards are maintained.
It is 100% natural, gelatin-free and free from milk, peanut, egg, shellfish, soy, fish and tree nut
It contains 120 capsules in a container. The recommended dosage is 1 capsule daily or as recommended by your doctor.
The summary of ingredients are below.
|
Ingredient |
Amount per serving |
|
Berberine HCL |
500 mg |
|
Other ingredients include: rice flour, gelatin, microcrystalline cellulose and magnesium stearate |
Pros
- It 100% natural
- One need to take only 1 capsule
Cons
- The product cannot be returned if they are opened damaged or not intact in their original packaging.
6. Nutrivein Premium Berberine HCL
NutriVein’s natural berberine supplement provides you with1200mg of berberine HCL per serving. That meant to help you;
- Boost your immunity
- Manage your weight
- Regulate your blood sugar
- Support your cardiovascular and gastrointestinal health.
This product is manufactured by Nutrivein at their FDA approved and GMP compliant facility, located in the USA.
It is 100% organic, non-GMO, gluten-free and third-party tested.
Each bottle contains 120 capsules, and each capsule contains 600 mg of berberine HCL.
The capsules are soft, easy to swallow and vegan friendly.
You are advised to take two capsules once daily, preferably with a meal and water, or as directed by a medical doctor.
|
Ingredient |
Amount per serving of 2 capsules |
|
Berberine HCL |
1200mg |
|
Ceylon cinnamon |
200mg |
|
Other ingredient – cellulose |
100% natural. No added filler, preservatives, binders, stearates, dioxides and lactose. It does not contain corn, peanut, soy, sugar, eggs and shellfish.
Pros
- Tasteless and easy to swallow
- No fillers
- It offers you a 60 days 100% money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the product.
- This brand also offers a discount if you buy the product in bulk which is an additional bonus.
Cons
- To get 1200mg you have to take 2 capsules
7. Berberine by Healthy Alternative
Enjoy the premium benefits of a 100% pure organic Berberine HCL, extracted from the root of Berberis Aristata. It is clinically proven to be more easily absorbed by the body.
This supplement contains 900mg of berberine HCL per serving (450mg per capsule).
The product is formulated to help
- Regulate the blood sugar level
- Boost metabolism and immune function
- Lower cholesterol levels
- Promote cardiovascular function
- Natural defence against infections and digestive disorders.
Healthy Alternative is manufactured at an FDA-registered facility operating under strict Good Manufacturing Practice standards in the USA. A third-party laboratory also tests it.
Each bottle contains 180 capsules which is a 3 month supply of berberine extract.
The recommended dosage is 2 capsules daily or directed by your doctor.
The contents in a serving as below.
|
Ingredient |
Amount per serving |
|
Berberine HCL |
900mg |
|
Other ingredients are rice flour and gelatine |
Pros
- It contains no artificial ingredients or preservatives
- It is gluten-free
- It is non-GMO
- No binders
Cons
- Have to take 2 capsules to get 900mg
- Contains rice flour
Conclusion
Berberine has powerful and effective anti-diabetic properties which rival that of most pharmaceutical drugs. Its potential for regulating blood sugar, blood cholesterol, and other indicators of the body’s metabolic health is very strong. This makes it one of the most exciting herbal supplements on the market right now.
If you are diabetic, overweight or have health issues associated with inflammations and need an organic supplement with minimal risk, berberine herbal extract is the way to go. It can impact positively on blood sugar level, cardiovascular health, cholesterol level and gut health.
Berberine is relatively safe, with mild side effects such as constipation and stomach pain. This supplement is more effective when taken at dosage levels of 900 to 1500 mg daily, divided into 2 to 3 equal doses.
More so, remember Berberine is a supplement and not a treatment for any health condition, so it should not overrule your doctor’s advice.
Also, make sure to consult your doctor if you have any medical condition or on any medication before taking this supplement.
