The 7 health benefits of berberine!

Berberine helps in the treatment of diabetes and digestive problems, comes from China and India, where it was first used in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine.

It is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in a wide variety of traditional herbs . Berberine  alkaloid can be found in the stem, bark, roots and rhizomes (underground stems) of plants. Berberine extracts and supplements , such as Berberine HCL, are generally inexpensive, safe, and known for their antibacterial activities — and can help with natural treatment without resorting to antibiotics.

For example, berberine has been proven to have many pharmacological effects, including antimicrobial, antitumor, anti-inflammatory and blood glucose lowering effects.

Nutritional value of berberine:

Berberine is an alkaloid, which is defined as a class of organic compounds of plant origin containing primarily basic nitrogen atoms that have pronounced physiological actions in humans. There is a robust amount of research on this alkaloid with repeated double-blind clinical trials.

The results of these studies have shown definite or likely benefits for a very wide range of serious illnesses, including:

• Anti aging
• Diabetes
• gastrointestinal infections
• Heart disease
• High cholesterol
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• common problems
• low bone density
• Weight control

Why is this? It is due to the molecular structures that berberine has. Its molecular formula is C20H18NO4, and like other alkaloids it can work wonders for your health. So, now check out the  Health Benefits of Berberine:

Benefits:

1. Helps treat diabetes:

As the rate of diabetes steadily increases across the world, studies show that berberine deserves a place among other natural remedies for diabetes. During one study, berberine was found to lower blood glucose, helping to prevent and treat type II diabetes and its complications, including diabetic cardiovascular disease and diabetic neuropathy.

One of the most impressive studies was comparing the consumption of 500 milligrams of the compound two to three times a day for three months with metformin, a drug used to treat diabetes. Berberine  was able to control blood sugar and lipid metabolism  as effectively as metformin, with researchers describing it as a “potent oral hypoglycemic agent.”

Additional studies have also indicated that berberine improves glucose uptake and  lipid metabolism disorders. For example, one study found that berberine can improve insulin sensitivity by adjusting adipokine secretion.

Sodium caprate, another chemical compound, aids in the absorption of berberine , and together they have been shown to “suppress hepatic gluconeogenesis in the rat model of diabetes. “
Thanks to its effects on insulin sensitivity, this diabetes-fighting effect may also help prevent kidney damage.

2. Against high cholesterol:

There is evidence that berberine can lower high cholesterol levels. One study showed that berberine lowered serum cholesterol along with triglyceride levels in type 2 diabetic patients. While dangerous statin therapy (the conventional pharmaceutical treatment for high cholesterol) increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, among other dangers, Berberine probably has the opposite effect.

A separate study found that the combined administration of red rice – well known for its ability to naturally lower cholesterol – and berberine may provide a wider range of cholesterol protection, with a lower risk of serious adverse effects compared to prescribing it. statins.

Berberine has also been shown to decrease abnormally high concentrations of fats and lipids in the blood of hamsters, promoting the excretion of cholesterol from the liver and inhibiting the intestinal absorption of cholesterol.

In addition, other research found that “barberine administration to hyperlipidemic mice and hamsters reduced circulating PCSK9 concentrations and hepatic PCSK9 mRNA levels without affecting HNF1α gene expression.” What this means? This means that berberine inhibits PCSK9, which helps in lowering cholesterol.

3. Helps fight obesity:

Due to the serious adverse effects and limited effectiveness of currently available pharmaceutical therapies for obesity, much research is focused on creating natural treatments for obesity – including anti-obesity drugs from natural products.

Along these lines, this alkaloid is one of the few compounds known to activate adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, or AMPK. AMPK is an enzyme within the cells of the human body that is often referred to as the “metabolic master switch” as it plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism .

Activation of AMPK increases fat burning  in mitochondria. Studies have shown that berberine can accumulate fat in the  human body . In a pilot study, obese (Caucasian) human subjects were given 500 milligrams of berberine orally three times a day for a total of 12 weeks.

Treatment efficacy and safety were determined by measurements of body weight, comprehensive metabolic panel, blood lipid and hormone levels, expression levels of inflammatory factors, complete blood count, and electrocardiograph. Overall, this study demonstrated that berberine is a potent lipid-lowering compound with a moderate weight loss effect.

4. Contra or alzheimer:

Studies have evaluated berberine ‘s therapeutic potential against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and trauma-induced neurodegeneration. One study found that there are several positive effects of berberine , some of which increase neuroprotective factors/pathways and others that counteract neurodegeneration.

The promising results seen so far provide a convincing and substantial basis to support the scientific exploration and development of the therapeutic potential of this alkaloid against neurodegenerative diseases.

5. Fights harmful bacteria:

Patients suffering from symptoms of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth ( SIBO) have excessive bacteria in the small intestine . Conventional treatment of SIBO is limited to oral antibiotics with inconsistent success.

Increasingly, people suffering from SIBO are interested in using complementary and alternative therapies for their gastrointestinal health. The aim of one study was to determine the rate of remission of SIBO using an antibiotic versus an herbal remedy.

Herbal treatment , which included berberine , was found to work just as well as antibiotic treatment and was equally safe.

6. Heart health:

Part of berberine ‘s positive effect on heart health likely stems from its ability to keep blood sugar levels and obesity in check, both of which can increase your risk of coronary heart disease. It also stimulates the release of nitric oxide, a signaling molecule that relaxes arteries, increases blood flow, lowers blood pressure, and protects against atherosclerosis.

In research published by the University of Maryland Medical Center, people who took berberine for eight weeks had better heart function and were better able to exercise than those who took a placebo. The recommended dosage from this study was 300 to 500 milligrams four times a day.

Berberine ‘s cardiovascular effects also suggest its possible clinical utility in the treatment of arrhythmias and heart failure.

7. Improves lung health:

Berberine ‘s potent anti-inflammatory properties are also excellent for lung health. In fact, this alkaloid has been shown to reduce the effect of cigarette smoke-induced acute lung inflammation.

In a study published in a peer-reviewed journal, rats were exposed to cigarette smoke to cause acute lung injury and were given 50 mg/kg berberine intragastrically. Upon examination of the lung tissues, cigarette smoke was shown to cause inflammation of the lung alveoli along with cellular edema or abnormal fluid retention.

However, berberine pretreatment  significantly decreased lung inflammation and improved cigarette smoke-induced acute lung injury through its anti-inflammatory activity.

Story:

Berberine has been a revered plant alkaloid in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. It is the main active component of an ancient French Chinese herb Coptis chinensis, which has been used to treat diabetes for centuries. It has also been used to treat bacterial gastroenteritis, diarrhea ,  and other digestive ailments for over 1,000 years.

There is increasing research on the regulation of cancer cell metabolism by berberine hydrochloride . This is because berberine  induces the death of cancer cells. Its anticancer activity, specifically inhibiting the growth and proliferation of cancer cells, makes it likely that it will become a natural component of nanoparticulate delivery systems used in  berberine cancer therapy .

For example, this alkaloid induced apoptosis of human  tongue cancer cells in one study. It has also been shown to have a possible potential role in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in human and animal studies.

Some people apply berberine directly to the skin to treat burns and also to the eye to treat bacterial infections such as trachoma, which often causes blindness. It has been shown to be effective against a wide range of bacteria, protozoa and fungi. Animal studies have also shown that it can fight depression.
Where to find it and how to use it

Berberine can be found in supplement form, most commonly as Berberine HCL , online or at most health food stores . Be careful not to confuse this alkaloid with piperine (black pepper extract), berberrubine (a metabolite), or berberol (a branded blend of turmeric and milk thistle).

As berberine is short-lived, you need to take this supplement three times a day to keep blood levels stable. Many studies use dosages of 900 to 1,500 milligrams per day. It is recommended that you take 500 milligrams three times a day for a total of 1,500 milligrams a day.

It should be taken with, or shortly after, a meal to take advantage of the blood glucose and lipid spike that accompanies consumption of a meal. Consumption of high doses acutely can cause stomach upset, cramps and/or diarrhea , which is another good reason to take this alkaloid in multiple doses throughout the day.

You can work with a natural health professional to determine the dose that works best for you.

Possible side effects:

If you have a medical condition or are taking any medication, including antibiotics, then it is recommended that you talk to your doctor before taking this alkaloid. This is especially important if you are currently taking blood sugar lowering medications.

Since it can lower blood sugar, diabetics who are controlling their blood sugar with insulin or other medications should exercise caution when using this supplement to avoid dangerously low blood sugar levels.

People with low blood pressure should also be careful when using it as it can naturally lower blood pressure. Pregnant and lactating women should not take this alkaloid.
Overall, this alkaloid has an excellent safety profile.

The main side effects are related to digestion and are minor as there are some reports of cramping, diarrhea , flatulence, constipation and stomach pain. Again, by keeping to the lowest recommended dosages these possible minor negative side effects of berberine can be avoided all together.

Final thoughts:

• Popular in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine treatments, this alkaloid is naturally occurring and found in a wide variety of herbs .
• It is proven to have antibacterial, antimicrobial, antitumor, anti-inflammatory and blood glucose lowering effects.
• Berberine benefits include treating diabetes, lowering high cholesterol, fighting obesity, protecting against neurological disease, treating SIBO, supporting heart health  and boosting lung health.
• It also has potential for inhibiting cancer , digestive problems, osteoporosis, burns, bacterial infections, and even depression, although more research is needed.