Introduction
Berberine is an alkaloid found in many plants, with the most well-known being Hydrastis canadensis, Berberis vulgaris, Berberis equifolium, and Coptis chinensis. These plants have been used for various diseases for a long time. Many double-blind clinical studies have shown that berberine has achieved remarkable success in the treatment of acute diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, Alzheimer's disease and cancer.
1. Berberine is used for acute diarrhea:
Berberine supplement has been proven to effectively resist diarrhea caused by various types of microorganisms, including Escherichia coli (travelers diarrhea), Shigella dysentery (Shigellosis), Salmonella paratyphi (food poisoning), Klebsiella pneumoniae, Giardia (Giardiosis), Entamoeba histolyticus (amoebiasis), and Vibrio cholerae (cholera).
These research results indicate that berberine hcl appears to be effective in treating most common gastrointestinal infections; In most cases, the effect is equivalent to that of standard antibiotics. In fact, several studies have shown that its effectiveness is better than antibiotics. The advantage of berberine over conventional antibiotics is that it can selectively exert antibacterial effects against a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms (including Candida albicans), while promoting healthy bacterial strains (such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium) are not affected.
2. Berberine is used for acute diarrhea:
Best berberine has been proven to effectively resist diarrhea caused by various types of microorganisms, including Escherichia coli (travelers diarrhea), Shigella dysentery (Shigellosis), Salmonella paratyphi (food poisoning), Klebsiella pneumoniae, Giardia (Giardiosis), Entamoeba histolyticus (amoebiasis), and Vibrio cholerae (cholera).
These research results indicate that berberine appears to be effective in treating most common gastrointestinal infections; In most cases, the effect is equivalent to that of standard antibiotics. In fact, several studies have shown that its effectiveness is better than antibiotics. The advantage of berberine over conventional antibiotics is that it can selectively exert antibacterial effects against a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms (including Candida albicans), while promoting healthy bacterial strains (such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium) are not affected.
3. Berberine is used for SIBO and IBS:
Pure berberine has been shown to be effective against irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and some preliminary studies have also shown that berberine may be effective against intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
IBS symptoms include one or more of the following:
Abdominal pain or bloating
Changes in intestinal function, constipation or diarrhea
Excessive secretion of colonic mucus
Symptoms of indigestion (bloating, nausea, anorexia)
Different degrees of anxiety or depression
SIBO often presents with other related symptoms, including:
Brain "fog"
fatigue
Joint pain
Skin problems: acne, eczema, rash or erythematous acne
Weight loss
In a double-blind study conducted in 2015, 196 IBS patients with diarrhea as the main symptom were randomly assigned to receive high quality berberine (200 mg) or placebo (200 mg vitamin C) twice daily for 8 weeks. The berberine group reported significant improvement in diarrhea, decreased urgency and frequency of bowel movements, while the placebo group did not. At the final score, the abdominal pain in the berberine group decreased by 64.6% compared to the initial score. Berberine extract significantly reduced overall IBS symptom score, anxiety score, and depression score. Finally, it is natural that the quality of life score of patients in the berberine group improved, while the placebo group did not show this change.
4. The effects of berberine on blood sugar, blood lipids, and hypertension:
The role of nature made berberine in reducing blood sugar, blood lipids, and hypertension has been widely studied and has undergone multiple clinical trials. Recently, the Journal of Ethnopharmacology published a detailed review of 27 clinical studies on the use of berberine in these diseases, providing clear answers to its safety and efficacy.
The research results show that in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, the intake of berberine tablets (500 mg each time, 2-3 times a day) in combination with lifestyle intervention, compared with lifestyle intervention or placebo alone, significantly reduced the fasting blood glucose level, postprandial blood glucose level and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). When berberine is compared with metformin, glipizide, rosiglitazone and other oral hypoglycemic drugs for type 2 diabetes, there is no statistically significant difference between berberine and these drugs. In other words, the clinical outcomes of berberine vitamin are consistent with those of the drug, but there are no significant side effects.
In the treatment of hyperlipidemia (cholesterol and triglycerides) and hypertension, there are also similar comparative results of type 2 diabetes. Best berberine's effect on blood lipids is not limited to lowering total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol like statins. It can also lower triglycerides in the blood and increase beneficial high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. High quality berberine has also been shown to reduce apolipoprotein B by 13 to 15%, which is another important risk factor for heart disease. The use of berberine in combination with conventional drugs for these diseases is safe and can bring better results than using drugs alone, which is also supported by research. The best berberine is milder than prescription drugs and has a much lower incidence of side effects. Side effects include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and abdominal pain, mainly occurring when using higher doses (such as taking 500 milligrams three times a day).
Natural berberine produces metabolic effects through various physiological mechanisms. Most of the effects involve adenylate activated protein kinase (AMPK), an enzyme involved in regulating human energy levels. Berberine induces glucose to enter cells and convert it into energy by targeting this pathway. Activating AMPK is also crucial for berberine to regulate the function of blood lipids, such as low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. This enzyme is the main switch that regulates energy production, storage, and lipid metabolism. Berberine foods helps to burn intracellular fatty acids, stabilize receptors for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and inhibit lipid production in the liver.
It will also increase the number and activity of insulin receptors, thereby promoting insulin sensitivity. This can enable insulin of the same concentration to more effectively transfer glucose to the bloodstream. More efficient use of insulin is the successful foundation for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.
Several studies have shown that berberine dose may be effective against SIBO. In addition to the aforementioned effects on IBS, berberine can also significantly inhibit the excessive growth of small intestinal bacteria and yeast. In animal models, berberine can promote intestinal peristalsis. This role is another key goal for SIBO (and IBS) patients.
5. Berberine is used for weight loss:
In two double-blind clinical trials, the effect of berberine on weight loss was also studied. In one study, 37 men and women with metabolic syndrome consumed berberine three times a day, 300 milligrams each time, for three months. The body mass index (BMI) decreased from 31.5 to 27.4. Another study involved consuming 500 milligrams of hcl berberine three times a day for 12 weeks; The average weight loss is 5 pounds. Insulin sensitivity and hormone regulation of fat have also been improved.
Adult recommended dosage:
Take a 500mg capsule with a glass of water before meals and take it two to three times a day.
Side effects:
If the recommended dosage is ingested, taking berberine generally has good tolerance. In clinical studies where 500 milligrams are consumed two to three times a day, side effects are usually mild and may include nausea, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and/or abdominal pain.
It is not recommended to use berberine and plants containing berberine during pregnancy.
Interaction:
Berberine may interfere with the absorption of tetracycline and related antibiotics. Good taste berberine has a significant CYP3A enzyme inhibitory effect in the human body. Due to the fact that most drugs are metabolized by these enzymes, berberine may reduce the loss of many drugs, thereby enhancing their efficacy.
Plants containing berberine in turmeric have a variety of anti diabetes effects, or can enhance the effect of oral hypoglycemic drugs. People who take oral hypoglycemic drugs and take berberine need to monitor their blood sugar levels, and may need to adjust the dosage of the medication.
