There is growing evidence that berberine can, at least partially, minimize the negative consequences on the organism caused by low estrogens levels, without the unwanted side effects associated with commonly prescribed HRT.
Emerging research suggests that berberine is beneficial for balancing hormones, especially when it comes to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Berberine provides numerous benefits for women living with PCOS, including improved fertility, weight loss, and reduced inflammation.
Berberine has been shown to reduce the secretion of leptin, an appetite-stimulating hormone. Berberine has also shown to be effective at assisting with weight and body fat loss by inhibiting the enzyme lipoprotein lipase, which is responsible for fat storage.
Berberis extract administration could counteract, at least partially, depression, oxidative stress, atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, and diabetes mellitus type 2 protecting women from menopause-associated pathologies.
(Note: Pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants, and children should not take berberine.) Although berberine has only recently been in the spotlight, it has a long history of medicinal use.
Typical side effects for a healthy individual with no medical conditions may include diarrhea, constipation, gas and upset stomach. Berberine can cross the placenta and may cause harm to the fetus. Kernicterus, a type of brain damage, has developed in newborn infants exposed to it.
Taking berberine along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding. Berberine might increase the amount of metformin in the body. This may increase its effects and side effects. This interaction seems to occur when berberine is taken around 2 hours before metformin.
All of these benefits make berberine a highly-effective supplement to slow aging and boost longevity. The beneficial effects of berberine in diabetes and obesity treatment are in part expressed through stimulation of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway.
Recent studies have found that the benefits of berberine may be related to combating aging and age-related diseases. Some studies even proclaim that it has the same effects to lowering blood sugar levels and reducing insulin levels as metformin.
The standard dose of berberine is 900-2,000mg a day, divided into three to four doses.
Berberine reduced the risk of death from heart disease without apparent side effects. Berberine has also been shown to lower glucose levels in people with diabetes. Studies show that it helps your body respond better to insulin and prevents your liver from creating more glucose.
Berberine is generally safe and well-tolerated and does not cause severe kidney or liver injuries when taken for at least three months. However, some patients may experience nausea and vomiting, which can be corrected when you stop taking the supplement.
How long should I take berberine? Continual use of berberine can impact cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes in the liver which may affect drug-to-drug interactions. Therefore, it's recommended to use it in a pulsed 8-week cycle with two to four weeks off, then starting again if symptoms have not resolved.
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)Interaction Rating: Major Do not take this combination. Berberine might lower blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking berberine along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low.
Berberine regulates proliferation, collagen synthesis and cytokine secretion of cardiac fibroblasts via AMPK-mTOR-p70S6K signaling pathway.
Berberine is one of the most potent insulin sensitizers in the world. That means it can make you more insulin sensitive, and it does this by tricking your muscles into thinking they're low on energy.
Taken together, the results suggested that berberine inhibits melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity by downregulating the expression of MITF and tyrosinase. Thus, these findings may contribute to the potential application of berberine in the prevention and treatment of skin pigmentation disorders.
Anti-aging is possible through the use of berberine due to the antioxidant benefits, activation of AMPK (boosting metabolic rate), managing blood sugar levels and insulin, and preventing the accumulation of fat in blood vessels and around the waistline. Want healthier-looking skin? Berberine may be the answer.
The results of this study show that the natural compound berberine demonstrates a superior ability to reduce excess iron and chelate it in tissues, including liver, kidney and lung. By reducing oxidative stress, it can also improve the activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase and superoxide dis- mutase.
Berberine Protects Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells from Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Damage through Activation of AMPK.
The recommended dosage of berberine is 500 mg three times a day. It should be taken half an hour before meals.
To keep blood levels stable and benefit from berberine, spread the daily dosage (up to 1.5 grams or 1,500 milligrams daily) throughout the day. Dr. Bradley recommends taking it three times a day before meals.
Berberine has great potential in treatment of insomnia and might have better clinical significance.
Sub-chronic toxicity of berberine has reported to damages lung and liver by increasing alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), significantly (Ning et al., 2015).