Berberine, a plant compound traditionally used in herbal medicine, is today commonly stocked on the shelves of health food stores and pharmacies as a supplement.
Berberine supplements gained rapid popularity in 2023, with Google searches for berberine reaching an all time high in late June of last year. A quick search of berberine on TikTok reveals countless videos discussing the supplement’s weight loss potential — with some going as far as to claim berberine to be “nature’s Ozempic.”
Beyond weight loss, berberine also has a few other possible, intriguing benefits. Recent research has investigated berberine’s role in supporting heart health and lowering blood sugar levels, per Healthline.
How do berberine supplements hold up against prescription medication? Here’s what experts have to say.
Berberine is a chemical compound derived from plants like tree turmeric, barberry, goldenseal, goldenthread — all of which have historically played an important role in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine.
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Berberine offers many potential benefits, from weight loss support to blood sugar regulation, says Alma Simmons, a registered dietitian nutritionist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
On the cellular level, berberine supports a number of functions, says Simmons. “One of the main functions is activating an important enzyme called AMPK, which regulates metabolism,” she explains. “It can also enhance the body’s ability to respond to insulin, helping cells absorb glucose more efficiently.”
Berberine has potential benefits for heart health, such as lowering triglycerides (fat in the blood), total and LDL cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure, says Dr. Lona Sandon, PhD, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian nutritionist and associate professor of clinical nutrition at UT Southwestern. A review that considered berberine’s effects on heart health found some studies supporting this claim, but due high risk of bias, the researchers recommended more clinical trials be performed.
Does berberine offer a natural alternative to medications like Ozempic, as many users on social media claim? “Berberine has shown to help with weight loss, but in comparison to Ozempic, they work through different pathways,” says Brian Lee, a pharmacist at UCLA Health.
Ozempic and Wegovy are brand medications of the same generic name: semaglutide. They are prescription GLP-1 agonists that promote weight loss by slowing digestion and reducing appetite, says Lee. Both medications have undergone testing and received approval by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration — Wegovy for targeting weight loss, and Ozempic for treating type 2 diabetes. Studies have proven semaglutide has positive weight loss effects.
Berberine supplements, on the other hand, activate AMPK enzymes in your body, which work to regulate metabolism (offering potential benefits for weight loss), says Lee. When it comes to studies measuring berberine’s effect on losing weight, “existing studies do not include weight loss as an end point,” says Sandon. “The studies generally speculate on the potential for weight loss benefits.” According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, there are some studies that support berberine’s weight loss potential, but others had inconclusive outcomes.
So, if you’re comparing medications like Ozempic or Wegovy side by side to an herbal supplement like berberine, “there is more proven data with GLP-1 agonists for weight loss as it is FDA-approved,” says Lee. If you are considering taking berberine supplements for weight loss, consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist first, he underscores.
It is not recommended for young children, or people who are pregnant or nursing, to take berberine supplements, Simmons says. There are also a few medications that berberine interacts with (such as diabetes, blood pressure and antiseizure medications), which is why it’s always important to speak with your healthcare provider before taking any kind of herbal supplement, says Lee.
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If you’re in the clear to take berberine, there are a few potential side effects to consider. Berberine can upset your gastrointestinal system, causing symptoms like: nausea, diarrhea, constipation, gas and abdominal pain, Simmons says. It’s also possible that taking berberine can increase your bilirubin levels, blood sugar levels and blood pressure, she adds.
Finally, “it is always important to remember that supplements do not undergo the same safety and efficacy testing as prescription medications,” says Sandon. “If you choose to take a supplement, stick to a well-known brand and look for third-party testing.”
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