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clear search termsBlood-Sugar-Busting Berberine: a Diabetes Solution
Insulin resistance, the common root cause of Type 2 Diabetes, is truly epidemic in our society. Whether we realize it yet or not, I believe every one of us has a practice loaded with patients or clients with suboptimal blood sugar control and related metabolic issues. The good news is that Type 2 diabetes is absolutely reversible! Long-term healing requires a client to change their diet and lifestyle – usually substantially. And, as you know, some of them just aren’t ready emotionally for that change. It takes time. But in the interim, these clients absolutely need help alleviating the toxic oxidative effects of elevated sugar on their organs, glands, and other tissues. (We’re featuring this popular post again because it’s about a particularly powerful tool.)
As a scientist at heart, I am inherently skeptical of claims of seemingly “magical” effects of herbal remedies. Some are absolutely true, but many are overblown (just as we see with pharmaceutical remedies, marketing claims can be predatory and irresponsible). I want to introduce you, however, to an herbal solution that holds up quite well to scrutiny: berberine. Like another herbal powerhouse curcumin, berberine is a plant phytonutrient, specifically an alkaloid. It’s been used for eons as a natural antibiotic. I’ve used it successfully in my practice to help people who choose natural treatment (as opposed to prescription antibiotics) for all sorts of unwelcome microbial infections…bacteria, yeast, parasites. Berberine is extracted from a number of medicinal herbs, most commonly Oregon grape root, barberry, and goldenseal (what you see in the picture).
But that’s only the beginning of berberine’s power, and this is not “news”. A couple of ground-breaking clinical studies way back in 2008 found that berberine regulates blood sugar in Type 2 diabetes just as well as the blockbuster drug metformin (and even better than the drug, with no notable side effects). No, I am not exaggerating. In peer-reviewed studies in the medical journals Metabolism and the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology, berberine was found to lower both fasting and post-prandial (after a meal) blood sugar and insulin equally as well as metformin. And beyond blood sugar, berberine also reduced those participants’ triglycerides by an average 35% and their LDL cholesterol by an average 21% and their blood pressure by 7/5 mm Hg (three things metformin doesn’t and doesn’t claim to do). These further effects are critical benefits for our patients and clients with not just advanced insulin resistance but full-blown metabolic syndrome. (There were some concerns expressed about the experimental methodology in some earlier berberine studies, but there is a clear pattern of superiority in these follow-on studies, including the gold standard experimental design in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology feature.)
Berberine works in this disease process for a variety of reasons. It activates a primal metabolism-regulating enzyme in the body called AMPK. When we are producing less ATP (energy) in our cells, the body secretes AMPK to ensure our survival in times of crisis. This is the same enzyme that gets triggered with severe calorie restriction (which has been shown to prolong life in animals, but is practically sustainable by very few). AMPK stimulates our cells to take in more blood sugar, thus improving insulin sensitivity. But it also slows our liver’s own production of extra blood sugar (a key issue for most Type 2 diabetics). By supporting our liver, berberine also slows the release of free fatty acids into the blood (which is what creates triglycerides) and boosts natural fat-burning in the mitochondria (the little energy factories in all our cells that turn fuel into energy). Its mode of action is also via modulating the microbiome (and thus its downstream effect on short chain fatty acid production and bile acid metabolism), all of which we know have an impact on insulin regulation and signaling (yet another excellent example of how disease begins in the gut). You may learn more about berberine’s mechanisms of action here. And more about the comparative features, risks, and benefits of metformin vs. berberine here.
For the typical adult, berberine is effective for blood-sugar management taken 400-500mg at once, twice or thrice a day, ideally about 30 minutes prior to each meal. To ensure your client gets an effective dose each time, I suggest choosing a product with a standardized berberine extract (as opposed to a whole-herb product like goldenseal). I recommend Thorne’s Berberine-500 or (if your client is struggling with GI issues as well, like gas and bloating) try the multi-herbal formula Metagenics CandiBactin-BR.
(On a side note, if your client is indeed taking metformin, make sure they take a daily Vitamin B12 supplement with a meal (e.g. 1000mcg methylcobalamin for most, to ensure cellular absorption). A significant, documented side effect of metformin is Vitamin B12 depletion, making neuropathy an even larger risk than it already is for diabetics. I have seen this in several clients.)
Don’t forget, however, that berberine is a Potent antimicrobial herb. Ongoing use can dramatically shift microbial balance in the gut. For this reason, I do not, recommend berberine for ongoing “management” of elevated blood sugar but rather as a supportive remedy while you are working with them to reverse the root causes, typically for 2-3 months. It may be best tolerated if taken in cycles of ~3 weeks with a couple of weeks off in between to allow the microbiome to recover. While short-term modulation of microbiome diversity may help improve insulin signaling, ongoing suppression may promote other GI or immune system imbalance.
If your client is an insulin-dependent diabetic (i.e. taking insulin shots), be sure to encourage them to monitor their blood sugar regularly as they start to use berberine or any new therapy (and do so in consult with the original prescribing practitioner – if that’s not you). Encourage them to start with just one dose/day and increase slowly to ensure they can stay in control. You may be surprised at just how quickly insulin sensitivity improves! They often need to cut back on their insulin dramatically to avoid dangerous blood sugar troughs. Almost all of my clients eventually end up able to stop both supplemental insulin – and eventually metformin too. While life-saving as a short-term, triage therapy, long-term insulin use makes Type 2 diabetics even less healthy. Surplus insulin promotes more inflammation in the body, imbalances hormones, and increases body fat storage, especially in the abdominal area (again, a source of inflammation and estrogen).
Perhaps like you, I still find it amazing that this type of solution (and its clinical study results) doesn’t typically make media headlines. Of course, I understand you cannot patent an herb. And so no single corporation stands to corner the market on berberine. But this is (still!) BIG news for the millions of people struggling with diabetes. Actually, it’s not the only natural remedy I’ve seen successfully stabilize and then help to reverse Type 2 diabetes, but it is definitely the most potent one.
Educate and inspire your clients and patients to believe that they are neither doomed or destined to live their entire lives with Type 2 diabetes if they are willing to change their lives. With your help and their commitment to change, they can find true healing. Type 2 Diabetes is absolutely reversible!
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I am type 2 diabetic can I use these along with my meds which are furosemide rosuvastatin amlodipinebesylate clopidogrelbisulf venlafaxine and vitaminD3
To determine if any supplement is safe for your particular situation we recommend working with a certified practitioner that can do a full workup of your unique case and help you address the root causes of your particular dis-ease. One of the places where you can find such a practitioner is here: https://afmccertification.com/
You can also search for medical doctors specifically trained in functional medicine
Hello, I
Thank you for the very much for the informative article. I love Berberine, seems to work wonders. My interest lies in the cycling of Berberine. I had been taking it for 8 straight months with no ill effects whatsoever, but have cycled off for a month since reading your article. I had no idea you weren’t supposed to take it continuously. My question(s) is this. Can you take Berberine for several months, cycle off for a couple of months, then start up again? Or is it just supposed to help get your insulin levels back in check and functioning properly on its own and then you stop taking it altogether?
Today makes 1 full month without Berberine and I was debating whether or not to start up again.
I appreciate any thoughts you may have and thank you in advance for your time. Have a wonderful day.
Jeff
You will need to consult with your personal healthcare provider for individual guidance. Generally speaking, you could use berberine in cycles, but to your point, the goal is Not to need ongoing use of it. Rather, it provides temporary support with improving insulin function while one is aggressively working to make sustainable lifestyle change that reverses insulin resistance and restores natural metabolic function that does not require berberine. If insulin levels are already elevated (as in the early/moderate stages of insulin resistance), then berberine is not a good choice regardless; its efficacy is greatest in the later stages of insulin resistance where pancreatic insulin response is insufficient and thus glucose levels have become elevated (e.g. HbA1c). Best of success with your journey!
Hi there, I just want to say thank you for your information on berberine, I have implemented this into my management of lean PCOS and insulin resistance. I have had a hard time with doctors actually listening to me and taking me seriously because I’m slim, their only treatment option for me was the contraceptive pill. I took matters into my own hands and read various research, started taking inositol, vitamin d (which I was deficient in), and magnesium. I still struggle with low weight and nausea after a carby meal. Is this an effect of the berberine or is it common with insulin resistance, to your knowledge?
Thank you for your comment and for sharing your experience, and congratulations on your progress! We are not able to provide personalized health advice in this venue. We encourage you to seek support from a certified FM practitioner to get to the root cause of your health issues. One place where you can find a practitioner that resonates with you is here https://afmccertification.com/
Thank you for this informative article. Today marks 24 hours since I started taking the supplement, and what I’ve noticed is that I feel extremely relaxed. I’m not sleepy, nor dizzy, nor anything “bad“. I just feel like I do when I come out of a good full body massage. Can you explain why am experiencing this wonderful side effect?
Is there any evidence that Berberine will be helpful simply for weight loss, if coupled with a low carb intake, in people not necessarily, or only mildly insulin resistant? Thanks
Yes, Berberine has been shown to be helpful for obesity by supporting the downregulation of adipogenesis and lipogenesis. It may also be positively impacting genes regulating cholesterol absorption. You may find these studies/reviews of interest:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110137
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5839379/
Hi Tracy, I have searched high & low on the internet to get a simple answer to this question, which contains more Berberine, Barberry Plant, or Oregon Grape Plant or Goldenseal Plant???? I have had high sugar levels & take Berberine but I want to buy the Berberine supplement that contains the highest amount of Berberine. It can get a little confusing for consumers when buying Berberine, one type is better for sugar levels (perhaps the Barberry), and one type is for the digestion (perhaps Oregon Grape), etc???? My main interest is SOLEY in lowering blood sugar, so is it Barberry that has the highest contact of Berberine vs Oregon grape & Goldenseal???? Berberine supplements come with solely Barberry, or Oregon Grape or a mixture of both, it’s so confusing. Please let me know what you find in your research. Thank you so much!
If your sole interest is in lowering blood sugar you can make it really easy on yourself by purchasing pure berberine extract from a reputable supplement company (examples here include, Thorne, Designs for Health, Metagenics, Xymogen, Orthomolecular, etc.). That way you will also ensure a stable dose not dependent on various herbal batches.
To help you with the other question this article may be of help:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27671811/
Can berberine and Gymnema be taken together at the same time? Berberine did wonders for me, it got me off Metformin in a very short amount of time. Why is there so much hype about Gymnema which INCREASES insulin; if a person is insulin resistance isn’t the last thing they need is a herb that will cause even more insulin to be released to cells that will reject it? They do 2 different things? Thank you!
Indeed, Berberine and Gymenma are two different herbs with quite distinct modes of action. Gymnema has been used for centuries as a remedy for T2D, and even though it may increase insulin secretion it does so by improving the health of pancreatic islet cells that produce insulin:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22911568/
The decision whether or not to use Berberine and Gymnema in combination will depend on the unique situation and tolerance of an individual, but in principle, there is no reason to think that these herbs would counteract each other.
Hi
I had heard that you need to take milk thistle with berberine for better absorption. Is this true?
There seems to be a benefit of adding milk thistle in combination with berberine in type 2 diabetic patients to improve their HbA1c outcomes. It is not clear if this effect is due to milk thistle improving the absorption of berberine and there. Here’s a preliminary study that talks about this effect:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3838471/
Please note that the combination didn’t affect other markers that were measured.
I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN DIAGNOSE WITH TYPE 2 AT 49! I NOTICED BIG TIME THIRST,URINATION AND LOST 20LBS. IS THERE ANY COMBO OF BERBERINE AND METFORMIN THAT IS SAFE, LIKE ALTERNATING EACH DRUG MEAL TO MEAL?
Thank you for joining us! Alas, as much as we might wish to further support individuals such as yourself, we are unable to share personal health guidance in a public format such as this, as it wouldn’t be responsible. You will need to work with a practitioner who can thoroughly understand your unique health situation, help you with designing an appropriate regimen, and also monitor and support your journey over time. People can have notably different levels of response to berberine and metformin, especially in combination. You are welcome to check our practitioner directory to see if you wish to pursue working with one of them. https://practitioners.schoolafm.com/
I understand taking berberine long term isn’t recommended secondary to the microbial shifts in the gut… But if I also take a probiotic… Would that allow me to keep using the berberine? It’s allowed to me to get my fasting blood sugar 76 in the am which is… Amazing for me along with diet changes. But I am not perfect with my diet, I tend to keep my total carbs under 30. I’m afraid to stop berberine because it’s a miracle pill for me. What if I take it 3 months then off 2 weeks and a cycle year round? Or is that still not recommended? Thank you.
Congratulations on the fabulous progress on your healing journey, Max! Thank you for sharing your story.
Yes, to your point, berberine is also anti-microbial and is not meant to be used without breaks and pauses. Pulsing it is a good idea and you may need a bit longer pause window than just 2 weeks (more like 4-8 week break) to give your gut microbes a chance to re-grow and thrive. Alas, probiotics in supplements rarely colonize the gut, but they do confer positive effects on the general gut microbiome and the immune system.
I have been taking 900 mg berberine supplements twice a day 10 mins after meals and yet my fasting sugar is still around 220. Do you think it will help lower sugar further if I switch it to 30 mins before meals ? I am not taking any diabetes medications. I am using ” We like Vitamins” from Amazon USA. Thank you for your help and suggestions in advance !
Indeed, the effectiveness of berberine will likely be dramatically better if you take it 30 min. before a meal as opposed to during or after the meal. Just keep in mind that changing to a low-glycemic diet is also a requirement. The supplements alone are not sufficient to reverse the insulin resistance dynamic. You may also need other supportive nutrients; we often recommend Designs for Health’s “Metabolic Synergy” as a multinutrient formula focused on this particular goal. Of course, we cannot advise on your unique situation in this format, so be sure to consult your healthcare practitioner for any pertinent individual caveats. We wish you the best of wellness!
Fasting glucose 145-155, now on Metformin 500 twice per day. Can I also go on Berberine, like once before dinner?
Is it OK and safe to take both metformin and Berberine?
I will share that generally, I have had many clients successfully use both in tandem until they were able to stop the metformin (as their insulin sensitivity improved; typically using the berberine 2-3x/day). However, of course, I cannot give you individual guidance via this type of venue; it’s important for you to work with your healthcare provider to take into account any unique concerns your might have. It’s also important to realize that berberine is quite potent and effective for this purpose, and your blood sugar levels might drop more quickly than you anticipate if using the combination (especially if you are also modifying your diet and/or using targeted supplementation to improve insulin function simultaneously). I just recommend one be cautious and monitor blood sugar frequently to be aware of how a unique body is responding.
Hello! I have read your information with keen interest. I was wondering if you have seen studies of Berberine in the realm of Type II diabetes suggesting it to be more statistically effective as a stand-alone supplement or has it shown to co-support more effectively with others such as Gymnema Sylvestre, Alpha Lipoic Acid? Some supplements are delivered and absorbed more effectively when taken with support vitamins, minerals or herbs. Locating studies with this information has been a challenge. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
You are very welcome. Indeed, I am not aware of published clinical trials for the combinations you mention. I am very aware of the efficacy of them, however, both in my own practice and in that of many others. The combination of ALA and berberine in particular (combined with optimal magnesium repletion) is powerfully effective for many *assuming* one makes and maintains the necessary dietary changes.
I was prescribed metformin recently. I am not diabetic but I am showing insulin resistance. A month ago I changed my diet ( with the help of an phentermine to control my appetite), eliminating all breads, crackers, sweets etc. I ate fruits, vegetables, nuts and I use plant based protein powders with no added sugar, almond milk etc. Did high intensity workout 5-6 days per week. I lost 17 lbs last month. When I went to follow up, that’s when I was prescribed metformin. Some of my family members were a little concerned so I haven’t taken it yet. My aunt had suggested I take chromium instead or berberine. I’ve taken berberine before but at the time still had difficulty adjusting my diet. So now my concern is about the metformin dropping my blood sugar very low , since I don’t have high blood sugar to begin with (and I made adjustments to my diet), I just have elevated insulin levels. my A1c is 5.2. Thanks in advance for your feedback.
Good for you – congratulations! Your post is a GREAT – and hopefully inspirational – example to others as to just how much different diet makes. We see this in our patients and clients All. The. Time. You are being empowered and taking action to naturally reverse your insulin resistance. Hyperglycemia typically shows up after insulin resistance has been going on for a while (years) behind the scenes, but you are working to get in front of that and actually prevent it! I have personally worked with many clients over the years who have been able to do so by combining short-term berberine use (~2-3 mos) along with simultaneous and then ongoing (1) dietary change as you describe, plus (2) supplementation with the key nutrients to improve insulin sensitivity (as you said, chromium but perhaps an even more powerful multi=nutrient formula like Designs for Health’s “Metabolic Synergy”).
Is berberine ok to take if you are suffering from hypoglycemia ? thanks in advance for your feedback .
I would not. Berberine is indicated for insulin resistance that has progressed to hyperglycemia. I would not use berberine when there is consistent hypoglycemia- which is often the case with moderate stages of insulin resistance where fasting insulin has increased dramatically due to the pancreatic response to our diet. It is better to counter this stage of IR with dietary change (eliminate refined carbohydrates and perhaps reduce them overall) and nutrient support (e.g. chromium, biotin, magnesium). Keep in mind also that some hypoglycemia is a result of disordered cortisol, so insulin resistance is not always the cause (and of courser berberine would not address the root cause in this case).
Hi,
I’m finding your information very helpful. This is the first time I’ve seen it noted taht berberine should not be used long term, was not aware of that. I have a question about the diet you recommend to reverse insulin resistance – I am trying to eat much less carbs, particularly processed ones, and mainly vegetables, healthy fats, and proteins – however I have foudn that the total elimination of carbs wreaks havoc with my digestive system and causes me to have a diarrhea – so now most days I also have some basmati rice, which helps keep my bowel movements regular. I woul dbe glad to hear of any suggestions for eliminating all carbs without having GI issues.
Thank you .
I am not sure what you mean when you say “carbs”. People can have quite variable tolerance of overall carbohydrates in their diet, so there is no “one size fits all” recommendation for al. You can indeed readily get the carbohydrates you need from vegetables, fruits, nuts/seeds, and perhaps legumes. We generally find that refined grains – that is things made out of flour – need to be eliminated in the process of reversing type 2 diabetes. Some people can tolerate daily doses of whole grains while others fully eliminate them. If you were constipated in your journey – the most typical challenge *if* folks have GI issues with this path, you likely were not getting enough fiber overall – and perhaps not the best mix of soluble and insoluble fiber. However, the fact that you have diarrhea tells me that there is a food sensitivity or maldigestion/intolerance at play; diarrhea would *not* be a common reaction at all to this type of dietary change. I really recommend working with a practitioner who can help you to sort out and support your unique body’s needs.
I’m type 2 diabetic and I’ve been using Berberine for a couple of months with great success. Just had my annual exam; A1C is 5.8, cholesterol is perfect (it’s NERVER been good before) and blood pressure was the best it’s ever been. However, I’ve had diarrhea from 21 days now and so far there is no explanation. Not symptoms other than extreme diarrhea. I know Berberine is supposed to be helpful for diarrhea but I’m wondering if it could be the cause of it as well? I take 500mg 3 times a day.
Good for you! Indeed, as is true with many herbal remedies, there are many pathways of action and impact in the body. Berberine also works as an antimicrobial agent. In some people this is stabilizing and (as you said) may address imbalances in microbial populations in the gut which contribute to constipation or diarrhea. In others, however, ongoing use of berberine can *create* a microbial instability. Keep in mind that long-term use of berberine is not recommended. The goal is to use berberine for a few or several months in order to reverse the insulin resistance *while* you are changing your diet – toward the goal of getting you to a place where you no longer need it. Right away, I would add in a daily full-spectrum probiotic (e.g. Klaire Lab’s “Therbiotic Complete”). If that does not alleviate the diarrhea after a full week, then I would also do a trial of stopping the berberine for 4-5 days to see if it’s at the root of your bowel changes.
I did do the trial right before the Christmas break and it seemed to alleviate the diarrhea. I started it again on Saturday and after 3 days the diarrhea seemed to be starting up again (yesterday), so I stopped the Berberine again. I never stopped taking metformin while I was taking Berberine, so if I stop Berberine I guess I’ll STILL have to be on Metformin. My diet has been changed for years, yet if I stop Metformin my blood sugar goes up. This leads me to believe that perhaps in MY case the damage is done and cannot be reversed, but can be CONTROLLED by Metformin. I really don’t like the idea of taking Metformin long term, either. I feel like I’m doomed…
Alas, you need a practitioner skilled in functional medicine to partner with you to dive into the unique and specific reasons why this dynamic is happening in your body. I will say that I personally have *never* encountered a type 2 diabetes dynamic that could not be reversed with the appropriate dietary changes *and* fully addressing other root causes. For some people a changed diet + berberine is simply not enough. For example… The body needs sufficient levels of key nutrients (e.g. biotin, chromium) in order to have good insulin sensitivity. High levels of oxidative stress can keep the reversal from happening, so you may need help with higher antioxidant synthesis and/or intake depending your lifestyle, diet, and genetics. Magnesium is also a key player in this dynamic and is a very common deficiency. And there are other issues at play too….. Don’t give up! But I do recommend you get some help to look at your case more thoroughly. (As an aside, I have worked with a few clients over the years whose looser stools were caused by metformin, so the combo may simply be a double whammy for your unique body too.)
I’m a 62 year old female who was diagnosed with diabetes a couple of years ago with an A1C of 10.8 (yikes!) I’m not overweight. I suspect my years of taking Clonidine for BP (prescribed by my doctor) may have caused my insulin resistance but I can’t prove it. (Any thoughts on that??) Anyway…I no longer take Clonidine, and I have brought my blood sugar levels into a more normal & healthy range of 6.2 with diet and supplements, along with Metformin. I am currently taking Metformin 500 2x daily PLUS Cinnamon, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Chromium, B12, Magnesium and Gymnema Sylvestri – all of which are supposedly helpful for insulin resistance. I do not take any other medications although my doc has been after me to take a statin. I refuse. I have recently been researching Berberine and am eager to try it, hoping for positive results for both diabetes – and from what I understand – cholesterol. I would love to stop taking Metformin if possible. My question is, with all the other supplements I am already taking, do you advise making any adjustments (as in, eliminating some of the other things I take) or simply adding the Berberine… Read more »
Alas, we are not able to give individual guidance via this forum. I would say in general that I think it’s better to find a combination of items that actually fully works for you in reversing your insulin resistance *first* – before you start eliminating things. Please be sure to read all the other comments posts here for other precautions I have offered that will likely apply to and resonate with you as well. Your progress is awesome (congratulations!), but I know you really want to be even non-pre-diabetic and drive that HbA1c back down into the low 5s. Given how well-researched you are, I assume you are aware of just how critical the food side of the reversal process is; the supplements alone will never work. I recommend 100% elimination of fruits juices, all foods made with flour (gluten-free or not), and added sweeteners (perhaps except small amounts of stevia – but it’s a good idea even to wean off of that over time). The pancreas needs to given an aggressive and lengthy break from having to manage carbohydrate surges in order to fully heal. Best of wellness to you!
Absolutely agree with the nutrition aspect! That is the MAIN thing we all need to do for ourselves – diabetes or not. I have eliminated flour, sugar, etc. and only consume stevia in some of the Greek yogurts I eat, and a little in my morning coffee. I routinely eat nuts, cheeses, veggies, chicken/turkey, seafood, some lean beef, and dark chocolate (88% cacao, organic.) I drink nothing but water (lots of water), coffee, tea and red wine. NO JUICES! No sodas, no fast food, no junk food – obviously. My meals are small and frequent.
I started taking Berberine 3 days ago and am paying close attention to how I feel, and of course monitoring my blood sugar. I’m aware that constipation is a side effect, and today – for the first time in a LONG time – I have not had my usual morning bowel movement. What are your thoughts as to how best to counter that effect? I have used Aloe in the past…
Good for you! Berberine is going to shift your gut microbial balance as a side effect; changes in bowel movements are common. Typically boosting your magnesium intake helps greatly. It’s a very common nutrient *insufficiency* – and many more people are truly deficient. Magnesium citrate is an excellent form for this purpose, and you can experiment with the dosage you need. Take it at night w/dinner to help with having a more consistent and complete morning bowel movement. You might start with 100-200mg per dose and build from there if you need more. Best of wellness to you!
Hello, is it generally wise to take Berberine if you currently take Ibersartan, Metformin and Red Rice Yeast? I am not asking specific individual information, but as a rule does Berberine effect a persona negatively when in play with other medications and supplements? I have been gradually leaning towards a more natural way of dealing with my type 2. I am slim, exercise and take Juice Plus, Magnesium, Red Rice yeast, Magnesium and Ibersartan. I am told the Ibersarten is to protect my kidneys, I do not have high BP?? I do see that my mental state is a big factor in my BS levels, stress. For about the last year my fasting BS has been high in the AM. I test at night at 110, in the AM I am then 138, 149, 150?? Most recently I had a fasting of 212. I usually eat a paleo diet but have been recently eating a little complex more carbs it is hit and miss, sometimes great, sometimes high. What has been your experience with this scenario? I have had for 30 years and am 62 and weigh 118 and walk a lot. No one really knows if I am LADA,… Read more »
Indeed, Sandy, I am not able to give detailed, individual guidance via this forum. I am not aware of any contraindications in what you list, but each unique body is different. As I’ve shared in other replies to this post (please read them all), the most important thing is to closely monitor your blood sugar to ensure it’s not dropping too low given the coincident use of metformin. If you are trying to protect your kidneys, I also recommend Benfotiamine (a fat-soluble form of Vitamin B1) as well as additional antioxidants. If you can ignore the name, something like Life Extension’s “Alcohol Antioxidants” can be a great kidney support, especially when the concern is regarding oxidative damage to the kidneys due to blood sugar elevations from T2D. A functional medicine practitioner working with you one-on-one could definitely help you to sort out the type/combo you have and how to address is aggressively. Again, please read the other posts here, as I think you will find them helpful. Wishing you the best of wellness!
Hi. My teen daughter has shown almost all the symptoms for PCOS for 9 months and although drawing a clinical conclusion rather than lab work and scans which were inconclusive, the GP has prescribed Diane 35. The more I read, the more I resonate with the conclusions that PCOS can be misdiagnosed as the cause rather than a symptom itself of Insulin Resistance. I’m going to try and find a functional medic who can help us, but in the meantime, there’s one piece of information I can’t seem to find and wonder if you’d share your experience? If Berberine isn’t recommended as a long term solution due to gut flora, how long is it likely that someone should take 1000-1500mg/day in 2-3 doses (patient specific) for? And at that point is the body likely to be fully functioning again on its own, or is it more likely that Berberine needs to be used again…if so, after what likely period of time? Many thanks in advance.
Good for you! I have found in my own practice that literally 100% of PCOS cases are secondary to insulin resistance – in some cases paired with overexposure to xenoestrogens in things like personal hygiene products and pesticides. Bottom line: your daughter has to change her diet if she wants a hope of not having the PCOS be an ongoing battle. The insulin resistance has to be countered – initially aggressively – and then sustainably. Fasting insulin should optimally be way down in the reference range (~5-6 mIU/L). When I work with clients one on one, I generally share that the journey for reversal typically takes about 5-6 months with strong compliance, and I won’t typically recommend berberine for longer than 12-18 months. Specifically for PCOS, I also recommend you investigate using inositol. The other posts here on this thread will be helpful for you, so please review them. It’s also key that her magnesium be optimal – ideally in the upper third of the reference range *specifically* for RBC magnesium (not serum). I wish you both the best of wellness!