The Potential Benefits of Berberine for Inflammation, Blood Sugar, and Gut Health

You might have heard the buzz around berberine, often referred to as “nature's Ozempic”.  

Berberine is a powerhouse for many things, from reducing inflammation to regulating blood sugar levels.

Tune in to hear which benefits the science supports (and the surprising ones it doesn’t) and get a simple dosing guide. 

And if you have any additional questions you would like answered in the future, let me know in the comments!

• Diets Debunked: The Noom Program: https://drruscio.com/noom-debunked/ 

• Diets Debunked: Weight Watchers: https://drruscio.com/weight-watchers/ 

• Genetic Testing for Weight Loss Isn’t Worth it. Here’s what is: https://drruscio.com/genetic-testing-for-weight-loss/ 

• How to Heal Your Gut Naturally: https://drruscio.com/how-to-heal-your-gut-naturally/  

00:00 Intro 

01:00 What is berberine? 

01:37 Weight loss

02:34 Cholesterol

05:52 Blood sugar 

08:47 Gut health 

11:15 SIBO 

12:53 Berberine dosing guide 

• Biological properties and clinical applications of berberine: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32335802/

• Berberine: Botanical Occurrence, Traditional Uses, Extraction Methods, and Relevance in Cardiovascular, Metabolic, Hepatic, and Renal Disorders: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30186157/ 

• The Effect of Berberine on Reproduction and Metabolism in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Control Trials: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31915452/

• The effect of berberine supplementation on obesity parameters, inflammation and liver function enzymes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32690176/

• The effect of berberine supplementation on lipid profile and obesity indices: An umbrella review of meta-analysis: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2213434423000361 

• Berberine decreases plasma triglyceride levels and upregulates hepatic TRIB1 in LDLR wild type mice and in LDLR deficient mice: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31666640/ 

• Berberine decreases cholesterol levels in rats through multiple mechanisms, including inhibition of cholesterol absorption: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25002181/

• Overall and Sex-Specific Effect of Berberine for the Treatment of Dyslipidemia in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36941490/

• Efficacy and Safety of Berberine Alone or Combined with Statins for the Treatment of Hyperlipidemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31094214/

• The Effect of Berberine on Metabolic Profiles in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34956436/

• Overall and Sex-Specific Effect of Berberine on Glycemic and Insulin-Related Traits: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37598753/

• Effects of berberine and barberry on selected inflammatory biomarkers in adults: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37675930/

• Berberine improves intestinal epithelial tight junctions by upregulating A20 expression in IBS-D mice: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31306972/

• Berberine Enhances Intestinal Mucosal Barrier Function by Promoting Vitamin D Receptor Activity: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37046128/

• Berberine influences multiple diseases by modifying gut microbiota: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37599699/

• Berberine Improves Intestinal Motility and Visceral Pain in the Mouse Models Mimicking Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS-D) Symptoms in an Opioid-Receptor Dependent Manner: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26700862/

• A Randomized Clinical Trial of Berberine Hydrochloride in Patients with Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26400188/

• Efficacy and safety of berberine in preventing recurrence of colorectal adenomas: A systematic review and meta-analysis: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34509605/

• Berberine and rifaximin effects on small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: Study protocol for an investigator-initiated, double-arm, open-label, randomized clinical trial (BRIEF-SIBO study): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36873985/

• Berberine and health outcomes: An umbrella review: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36999891/

• Bioavailability study of berberine and the enhancing effects of TPGS on intestinal absorption in rats: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21637946/ 

• Efficacy of berberine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18442638/ 

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DISCLAIMER: The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or discontinuing an existing treatment.

Music featured in this video: "Modern Technology" by Andrew G, https://audiojungle.net/user/andrew_g 

*Full transcript available on YouTube by clicking the “Show transcript” button on the bottom right of the video.