The Power of Berberine | Pacifica Compounding Pharmacy

Berberine is not only one of the most effective natural supplements available known to protect against chronic diseases and aging, it is also one of the few supplements shown to be as effective as a pharmaceutical drug.

Here’s why berberine may be one of the top ones to include in your health and wellness arsenal.

About Berberine

Berberine is a bioactive compound extracted from several different plants, including a group of shrubs called Berberis and has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine to treat various ailments. Technically, it belongs to a class of compounds called alkaloids.

Berberine affects the body on a molecular level and has been shown to lower blood sugar, help with weight loss, and improve heart health, to name a few. (1)

Studies show once berberine is ingested, it is transported into the bloodstream then into the body’s cells where it binds to several different “molecular targets” and changes their function. This is similar to how pharmaceutical drugs work. (2)

One of berberine’s main actions is to activate an important enzyme inside cells called AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). This enzyme often called the “metabolic master switch”, is found in the cells of various organs, including the brain, muscle, kidney, heart, and liver and plays a major role in regulating metabolism. (3) (4)

Berberine and Blood Sugar

Those with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome stand to benefit the most from berberine because it causes a major reduction in blood sugar levels. In fact, its effectiveness is comparable to the popular diabetes drug metformin (Glucophage). (5) (6)

It seems to work via multiple mechanisms by:

Decreasing insulin resistance, making the blood sugar-lowering hormone insulin more effective.

Increasing glycolysis, helping the body break down sugars inside cells.

Decreasing sugar production in the liver.

Slowing the breakdown of carbohydrates in the gut.

Increasing the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut. (7)

Berberine may also be effective as a weight-loss supplement. Research shows the positive effects on reducing body weight, how it promotes a healthy BMI (body mass index) levels and belly fat reduction. (8)

Berberine may also have numerous other health benefits including: