Berberine: what it is, what it’s for, and what contraindications it has

Berberine has established itself as one of the most powerful natural supplements today. Although its use in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine dates back over 3,000 years, Western science has focused on it for its amazing ability to act as a “metabolic switch.”

In this complete guide, we cover everything from its benefits for glucose control to the precautions and contraindications you should know before adding it to your routine.

What is berberine and where does it come from?

Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid, an organic compound with strong biological activity. It naturally occurs in various plants, but the most common sources for making high-purity supplements are:

• Berberis aristata: Known as Indian barberry, it’s the most used species in supplementation due to its safety and effectiveness.
• Berberis vulgaris: The common barberry.
• Hydrastis canadensis: Goldenseal, valued for its high purity but more complex harvesting.

Unlike other herbal remedies, berberine stands out for its ability to be absorbed and transported through the bloodstream to bind to its cellular targets.

What are its main functions for the body?

The big secret of berberine lies in its ability to activate AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase). This enzyme is crucial because it regulates the body’s energy balance: it senses how much energy we have and how it should be used.

1 Glucose control and insulin sensitivity

This is probably its most studied use. Berberine helps to:

? Key fact: Studies suggest that 1,5 g daily divided into three doses can be as effective as some conventional drugs for type II diabetes.

2 Cardiovascular health and cholesterol

It positively affects lipid metabolism:

3 Arterial health and hypertension

It promotes vasorelaxation of arteries, helping to dilate blood vessels and improve circulation, which benefits people with hypertension.

How to take berberine and recommended dosage

To maximize absorption and avoid discomfort, follow these guidelines:

Where to buy Berberine?

At HSN, of course!

The Berberine supplement contains the purest alkaloid from plants of the Berberis genus, extracted from the aristata species (Berberis aristata L.) which is currently the only one not listed in the European food safety authority’s “high toxicity risk plants” evaluation group, while still providing all the beneficial effects attributed to berberine.

? You can enjoy all the amazing positive effects of berberine by using our Berberine Complex 500 mg from EssentialSeries.

At HSN you’ll find berberine of the highest quality and safety, with all the beneficial effects of the compound without the toxicity reports linked to other species of the genus.

Berberine contraindications

Although it’s a safe substance endorsed by the FDA, its high biological potency requires caution in certain cases. Ignoring these guidelines can lead to unwanted effects.

Common side effects

They are usually mild and gastrointestinal in nature, mostly appearing if taken on an empty stomach:

• Nausea or burning sensation.
• Constipation or diarrhea.
• Abdominal bloating.

Critical drug interactions

Berberine can enhance or cancel the effect of certain medications:

• Anticoagulants: (Sintrom, Heparin, Aspirin). It may increase bleeding risk.
• Antibiotics (Macrolides): There is a report of severe cardiac toxicity when combined with antibiotics like azithromycin.
• Metformin and Insulin: Since it has a similar effect, it could cause excessive blood sugar drops if not monitored.
• Ciclosporin: Berberine can raise levels of this drug in the body.

Who should avoid taking it?

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: It can cross the placenta and affect the fetus, or pass to the baby through milk.
• Children: Its toxicity in minors hasn’t been sufficiently evaluated; it could interfere with liver metabolism of bilirubin.
• People with low blood pressure: Due to its ability to lower blood pressure, it could cause dizziness or shock in extreme cases.

References:

• Karina G. Pérez-Rubio, Manuel González-Ortiz, Esperanza Martínez-Abundis, José A. Robles-Cervantes, María C. Espinel-Bermúdez. Effect of Berberine Administration on Metabolic Syndrome, Insulin Sensitivity, and Insulin Secretion. Metabolic Syndrome and Related DisordersVol. 11, No. 5.
• Esperanza Martínez-Abundis, Miriam Méndez-del Villar, Karina G Pérez-Rubio, Laura Y Zuñiga, Marisol Cortez-Navarrete, Alejandra Ramírez-Rodriguez, Manuel González-Ortiz. Novel nutraceutic therapies for the treatment of metabolic syndrome. World J Diabetes. 2016 Apr 10; 7(7): 142–152. Published online 2016 Apr 10. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v7.i7.142.
• JiarongLan, YanyunZhao, FeixiaDong, ZiyouYan, WenjieZheng, JinpingFan, GuoliSun. Meta-analysis of the effect and safety of berberine in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipemia and hypertension. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Volume 161, 23 February 2015, Pages 69-81.
• Kong W, Wei J, Abidi P, Lin M, Inaba S, Li C, Wang Y, Wang Z, Si S, Pan H, Wang S, Wu J, Wang Y, Li Z, Liu J, Jiang JD. Berberine is a novel cholesterol-lowering drug working through a unique mechanism distinct from statins. Nat Med. 2004 Dec;10(12):1344-51. Epub 2004 Nov 7.
• Farzad Shidfar, Shima Seyyed Ebrahimi, Sharieh Hosseini, Iraj Heydari, Shahrzad Shidfar, Giti Hajhassani. The Effects of Berberis vulgaris Fruit Extract on Serum Lipoproteins, apoB, apoA-I, Homocysteine, Glycemic Control and Total Antioxidant Capacity in Type 2 Diabetic Patients. Iran J Pharm Res. 2012 Spring; 11(2): 643–652.

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