The second metformin alternative is berberine, or berberine hydrochloride, a chemical found in various plants, including goldenseal, barberry, Oregon grape, and turmeric. According to research, berberine may effectively treat various illnesses, including inflammation, diabetes, and obesity.
But if you can't tolerate metformin or it's not doing enough to help you reach your diabetes goals, you may need an alternative. If you also have heart or kidney disease, GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic (semaglutide) or SGLT2 inhibitors like Jardiance (empagliflozin) are good alternatives.
Metformin (dimethylbiguanide) has become the preferred first-line oral blood glucose-lowering agent to manage type 2 diabetes. Its history is linked to Galega officinalis (also known as goat's rue), a traditional herbal medicine in Europe, found to be rich in guanidine, which, in 1918, was shown to lower blood glucose.
Metformin, class biguanide, is a synthetic derivative of French Lilac (Galega officinalis), a herbal plant traditionally employed in Europe for diabetes treatment [23]. In 1957 French diabetologist Jean Sterne first published the drug's properties and result of administration in humans for diabetes [24].
HOMA-IR, an indicator of insulin resistance, was also significantly decreased by metformin and cinnamon intake. Moreover, no difference was seen in the ability of cinnamon and metformin in reducing HOMA-IR. As a result, cinnamon seems to be as effective as metformin in increasing the Insulin sensitivity.
Berberine is a chemical found in some plants like European barberry, goldenseal, goldthread, Oregon grape, phellodendron, and tree turmeric.
However, do not be confused, as these are two different plants. Since ancient times, tree turmeric has been part of Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. Tree turmeric is rich in minerals, vitamins, and various phytochemicals, with berberine as the main bioactive compound [2].
Some claim the benefits are comparable to pharmaceutical medications like the blood sugar lowering drug metformin. Others take it further, asserting the research has concluded that berberine is a good treatment option to try before insulin therapy and may offer better results than metformin.
Under certain conditions, too much metformin can cause lactic acidosis. The symptoms of lactic acidosis are severe and quick to appear, and usually occur when other health problems not related to the medicine are present and are very severe, such as a heart attack or kidney failure.
Exercise. Physical activity is the fastest way to lower your blood sugar without medication. Exercise lowers insulin resistance and helps your body convert glucose into energy.
Reasons for stopping metformin
Due to the side effects of metformin and other antidiabetic medications, a person may prefer to manage type 2 diabetes through lifestyle changes. Even people who experience no side effects may wish to avoid the long-term use of medication.
(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.
Official answer. Most experts consider metformin to be the safest medicine for type 2 diabetes because it has been used for many decades, is effective, affordable, and safe. Metformin is recommended as a first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes by the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
Doctor Recommended Supplements Berberine & Organic Ceylon Cinnamon Proves to be a powerful combination. Premium Berberine HCL (Berberis Aristata) and Organic Ceylon Cinnamon work together for providing maximum benefits and better absorption. Ceylon Cinnamon supports the healthy metabolism.
Berberine is found in a group of shrub plants called Berberis. It is also the main active component of two herbs that are popular in natural medicine: Coptidis Rhizoma and Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex.
An extended study revealed that Berberine could harm the protein and DNA of certain bacterial variants. Such bacterial variants can induce extensive harm to the human body. Inflammation plays a crucial role in inducing numerous ailments related to the heart and liver, besides triggering diabetes.
Berberine, a bioactive compound hailing from various plants, is fast making a name for itself as a health-promoting supplement in Australia. With a rich spectrum of benefits encompassing blood glucose regulation and cardiovascular health improvement, Berberine stands tall in the landscape of wellness.
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.
Guar gum: Guar gum may decrease the effectiveness of Metformin. Herbs: Avoid using ginseng, psyllium (high in fiber content) along with Metformin, as it may result in increased risk of hypoglycemia. Use of licorice with antidiabetic drugs may decrease the effectiveness of the drug.
Turmeric, mostly at doses of 500–1000 mg per day, might help reduce pain levels and inflammation. Cinnamon, on the other hand, has been shown to help reduce blood sugar levels. Since doctors consider diabetes to be an inflammatory condition, a person could benefit from consuming both cinnamon and turmeric.