Would you be interested in getting support with…[1]
- Blood Sugar Balance
- Maintaining Optimal Weight
- Optimal Cholesterol and a Healthy Cardiovascular System
- Reduced Infections
- Improved Mood
- A Healthy Liver
- Optimal Metabolism
If so, you may want to try Berberine.
Berberine is so powerful and effective that some authorities have described it as being ‘as effective as a pharmaceutical’ [1]... although it’s a lot safer than many of those!
What is Berberine? Where does it come from?
Berberine is a compound found in several different plants, including Barberry (Berberis vulgaris), Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium), Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), and Chinese goldthread (Coptis chinensis).
Technically, it belongs to a class of compounds called alkaloids. It has a yellow color, and has often been traditionally used as a dye. Berberine (C20H18NO4) is an isoquinoline alkaloid belonging to the protoberberine alkaloids. It was first discovered by Buchner and Herberger in 1830 [2]
It has been used as traditional folk medicines in China, India, Iran and other countries [3]. And it has a 3000-year history of use in Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic Medicine [4]. In the early 1960s, Indian researchers demonstrated that berberine and its salts, such as berberine sulfate, are valuable for the treatment of cholera, severe diarrhea and amoebiasis [5].
Because of its effectiveness, especially in the treatment of diarrhea, berberine has become an essential medicine for every family in China.
Berberine has now been tested in hundreds of different studies.
How Does it work?
After you ingest berberine, it gets taken in by the body and transported into the bloodstream. Then it travels into the body’s cells.
Inside the cells, it binds to several different “molecular targets” and changes their function [6].
Berberine also affects various other molecules inside cells, and may even affect which genes are turned on or off.
Scientists have researched many different theories about how berberine may help support blood sugar health on a cellular level, including all of the following:
- Directly increasing AMPK, which stimulates glucose uptake in muscle cells and helps balance high blood sugar in rat and cell studies [7]
- Delay the breakdown of carbohydrates into simple sugars (rat study) [8]
- Enhancing glucagon secretion (rat study) [9]
- Mimics insulin action by increasing the ability of the body to take up glucose (cell study) [10]
- Decreasing glucose transport through the intestinal lining (cell study) [11]
- Increasing adiponectin, a protein which helps regulate blood sugar levels (through AMPK) (cell study) [12]
- Activating the blood sugar transport activity of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) (cell study) [13]
- Activating the fatty acid receptor GPR40 (cell study) [14]
- Protecting the beta-cells of the pancreas against cell death (cell study) [15]
- Inhibiting production of glucose in the liver (rat study) [16]
- Improving the gut microbiota (rat study) [17]
- Inhibiting NF-kappaB (NF-kB) (cell study) [18]
- Increasing insulin receptor expression (cell study) [19]
People mainly use Berberine for: Balanced Blood Sugar Levels
Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage the body’s tissues and organs, leading to various health problems and a shortened lifespan.
Many studies show that berberine can significantly reduce blood sugar levels to optimal levels [20].
In fact, its effectiveness has been compared to the popular diabetes drug metformin (Glucophage) [21].
It seems to work via multiple different mechanisms [22].
- Decreases insulin resistance, making the blood sugar lowering hormone insulin more effective.
- Increases glycolysis, helping the body break down sugars inside cells.
- Decrease sugar production in the liver.
- Slows the breakdown of carbohydrates in the gut.
- Increases the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut.
In one study of 116 diabetic patients, 1000 mg of berberine per day lowered fasting blood sugar by 20%, from 7.0 to 5.6 mmol/L (126 to 101 mg/dL) [23].
It also lowered hemoglobin A1c by 12% (a marker for long-term blood sugar levels), and also improved blood lipids like cholesterol and triglycerides [24].
According to a big review of 14 studies, berberine may be as effective as oral blood sugar drugs, including metformin, glipizide and rosiglitazone [25].
Berberine May Help You Lose Weight
So far, two studies have examined Berberine’s effects on body weight.
In a 12-week study in obese individuals, 500 mg taken three times per day caused about 5 pounds of weight loss, on average. The participants also lost an average of 3.6% of their body fat [26].
Another more impressive study was conducted in 37 men and women with metabolic syndrome. This study went on for 3 months, and the participants took 300 mg, 3 times per day.
The participants dropped their body mass index (BMI) levels from 31.5 to 27.4, or from obese to overweight in only 3 months. They also lost belly fat and improved many health markers [27].
The researchers believe that the weight loss is caused by improved function of fat-regulating hormones, such as insulin, adiponectin and leptin.
Berberine also appears to inhibit the growth of fat cells at the molecular level [28].
More research is needed on the weight loss effects of berberine.
It Lowers Cholesterol and May Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease
According to a review of 11 studies, it can: [29]
- Lower total cholesterol by 0.61 mmol/L (24 mg/dL).
- Lower LDL cholesterol by 0.65 mmol/L (25 mg/dL).
- Lower blood triglycerides by 0.50 mmol/L (44 mg/dL).
- Raise HDL cholesterol by 0.05 mmol/L (2 mg/dL).
It has also been shown to lower apolipoprotein B by 13-15%, which is a very important risk factor [30].
According to some studies, berberine works by inhibiting an enzyme called PCSK9. This leads to more LDL being removed from the bloodstream [31].
Keep in mind that high blood sugar levels and obesity are also major risk factors for heart disease, all of which seem to be improved with this supplement.
How do you take Feel Younger® Berberine?
Many of the studies cited on this page used dosages in the range of 900 to 1500 mg per day.
It is common to take Berberine multiple times per day, before meals, to optimize absorption
Feel Younger Berberine comes in two high dose capsules of 600mg each.
So, an optimal serving would be to take one capsule before each main meal, 2 times a day, e.g. breakfast and dinner. Take with water or any other liquid.
Why Use Feel Younger® Berberine?
Our Berberine comes from Berberis Aristata, a premium and highly concentrated source of Berberine.
As well as containing a very impressive maximum dose of Berberine at a very reasonable price, Feel Younger ® Berberine also has a very moderate amount of extra ingredients compared to other brands. We have no fillers, and just a small amount of an excipient necessary to make the Berberine, which otherwise would have a sticky consistency, into a powder, so it can be available to you in a convenient capsule.
We also use a vegetable capsule shell so our product is 100% vegan and vegetarian.
Any cautions?
Overall, Berberine has an outstanding safety profile.
Always check with your healthcare practitioner before making health or lifestyle changes, especially if on any medications. [32].
This is especially important if you are currently taking blood sugar lowering medications, as Berberine may also have this effect.
Mild adverse digestive effects were observed among a few subjects in studies, such as abdominal discomfort, due to its antimicrobial action (nausea, distension, diarrhea) [33].
Scientific References:
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/berberine-powerful-supplement
- https://cmjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13020-020-0288-z#Fig1
- https://cmjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13020-020-0288-z#ref-CR4
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6111450/
- https://cmjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13020-020-0288-z#ref-CR7
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24174332
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17049164
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20229011
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18996945
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20515652
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12898419
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21536037
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21545824
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20658575
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20414047
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21304897
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22880019
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18198644
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19059538
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25607236
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25498346
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25861268
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18397984
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18397984
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3478874/
- http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0944711312001870
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3310165/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12812656/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23512497
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3832145/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18355829
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21870106
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3478874/#B10