Answers to Your Questions about Berberine

By Scott Allen, MD, Medical Director, Satori Health and Wellness

The world of supplements can be challenging to navigate. Google will provide an endless stream of (sometimes conflicting) information. One supplement that has recently gained more popularity is berberine.

What is berberine?

Berberine is an ancient Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine found in various roots, barks, and leaves, such as Oregon grape and tree turmeric. It has also been used as a dye due to its strong yellow hue.

What can it treat?

When used in conjunction with standard medication therapy, berberine can treat diabetes, high cholesterol, fatty liver, heart disease, and other ailments.

It appears that berberine may work best when combined with the probiotic bifidobacterium. In a study of newly-diagnosed patients with diabetes, a regimen of berberine and probiotics lowered hemoglobin A1C (a marker of diabetes severity) by 10 percent. It also lowered cholesterol in patients who were more sensitive to insulin. The results were only significant in the patients who combined berberine with probiotics. When used alone, berberine didn’t appear to have a sugar-reducing effect.

In addition to diabetes, some studies also suggest that berberine may improve lifespan in patients with heart failure. This may be due to the lipid-lowering and insulinsensitizing properties of berberine. One study showed that berberine may result in five to ten pounds of weight loss when taken daily.

Because patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome also exhibit weight gain and lipid abnormalities, berberine may help with the symptoms of PCOS.

Is it safe?

In adults, the side effects are mild. Berberine may cause gastrointestinal upset at higher doses. However, in newborns, berberine is associated with an increased incidence of jaundice and kernicterus (jaundice brain damage). For that reason, berberine is not recommended in newborns or pregnant women.

Berberine may inhibit enzymes that are involved in the metabolism of other medicines, so before you start taking berberine, consult a pharmacist or your doctor to monitor other drug interactions.

About the Author

Dr. Scott Allen is a St. George-raised, boardcertified anesthesiologist. He has specialty training in transplant anesthesiology and currently practices with Mountain West Anesthesiology at St. George Regional Hospital. He is also the medical director of Satori Health, an integrated ketamine clinic (www. theketamineclinic. com). Dr. Allen is the current president of the Washington County Medical Association. With his deep roots in Utah, he has a special passion for improving the mental healthcare of his friends and neighbors in the community. Dr, Allen enjoys outdoor pursuits with his family and communing with nature. He’s doing his best to stay grounded in the moment!