Berberine as a daily supplement

Posted by eyeman @eyeman, Jul 31, 2021

Hello

I’ve read thoroughly about Berberine and it’s beneficial in literature..
Still not sure if it can be used as a daily supplement?
Any idea?

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Hello @eyeman, Welcome to Connect. You will notice that we added a few words to the title of your discussion to hopefully better describe the discussion for members who may have experience or information to share with you.

I really had not heard of Berberine until you started this discussion. I did a quick search and it does sound promising and has been a part of Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years from what I've read. I would still talk with my doctor or a pharmacist before starting it as a daily supplement in case there are any concerns of interactions with any other supplements or medication that I'm taking. Here are some of the articles I found that you may have already seen but still may be helpful for other members joining the discussion.

-- Everything you need to know about berberine: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325798
-- Efficacy of Berberine in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2410097/
-- A New Therapeutic Candidate for Cardiovascular Diseases: Berberine: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2021.631100/full

You may also be interested in the following discussion which mentions berberine in the description of the discussion.
-- What supplements are good for you as a diabetic?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-supplements-are-good-for-your-as-a-diabetic/

@lewismustard, @deanna2, and @dorisena may have some thoughts to share with you on berberine as a daily supplement.

Have you talked with your doctor or pharmacist about adding it to your daily regimen of supplments?

REPLY
@johnbishop

Hello @eyeman, Welcome to Connect. You will notice that we added a few words to the title of your discussion to hopefully better describe the discussion for members who may have experience or information to share with you.

I really had not heard of Berberine until you started this discussion. I did a quick search and it does sound promising and has been a part of Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years from what I've read. I would still talk with my doctor or a pharmacist before starting it as a daily supplement in case there are any concerns of interactions with any other supplements or medication that I'm taking. Here are some of the articles I found that you may have already seen but still may be helpful for other members joining the discussion.

-- Everything you need to know about berberine: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325798
-- Efficacy of Berberine in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2410097/
-- A New Therapeutic Candidate for Cardiovascular Diseases: Berberine: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2021.631100/full

You may also be interested in the following discussion which mentions berberine in the description of the discussion.
-- What supplements are good for you as a diabetic?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-supplements-are-good-for-your-as-a-diabetic/

@lewismustard, @deanna2, and @dorisena may have some thoughts to share with you on berberine as a daily supplement.

Have you talked with your doctor or pharmacist about adding it to your daily regimen of supplments?

Jump to this post

Yes, I asked my doctor before I began taking berberine instead of metformin. Unfamiliar with berberine, he researched it and then approved of my switching the two. I've taken it for years and it helps me as much as metformin did and without any side effects. (Of course, taking a medicine or a supplement does not mean one can then ignore exercising and eating properly.)

REPLY
@deanna2

Yes, I asked my doctor before I began taking berberine instead of metformin. Unfamiliar with berberine, he researched it and then approved of my switching the two. I've taken it for years and it helps me as much as metformin did and without any side effects. (Of course, taking a medicine or a supplement does not mean one can then ignore exercising and eating properly.)

Jump to this post

I have read about berberine and other supplements but have not tried them because my diabetes numbers are good with my producing garden providing so many vegetables that I have cut down to one Metformin each evening and may drop it as well if I can stay away from too much chocolate and ice cream bars. My back problems are worse, so I don't get enough exercise but I gather produce in the garden almost every day. I can't get into to see the spine doctor for several weeks so I deal with pain at night and haven't found pills that help without side affects. I live alone so I need to be careful about medications that drug me too much to function well. Dorisena

REPLY
@johnbishop

Hello @eyeman, Welcome to Connect. You will notice that we added a few words to the title of your discussion to hopefully better describe the discussion for members who may have experience or information to share with you.

I really had not heard of Berberine until you started this discussion. I did a quick search and it does sound promising and has been a part of Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years from what I've read. I would still talk with my doctor or a pharmacist before starting it as a daily supplement in case there are any concerns of interactions with any other supplements or medication that I'm taking. Here are some of the articles I found that you may have already seen but still may be helpful for other members joining the discussion.

-- Everything you need to know about berberine: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325798
-- Efficacy of Berberine in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2410097/
-- A New Therapeutic Candidate for Cardiovascular Diseases: Berberine: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2021.631100/full

You may also be interested in the following discussion which mentions berberine in the description of the discussion.
-- What supplements are good for you as a diabetic?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-supplements-are-good-for-your-as-a-diabetic/

@lewismustard, @deanna2, and @dorisena may have some thoughts to share with you on berberine as a daily supplement.

Have you talked with your doctor or pharmacist about adding it to your daily regimen of supplments?

Jump to this post

I don’t have diabetes, but trying to figure out if berberine is a good daily supplement for general health (controlling glucose among that)

@lewismustard, @deanna2, and @dorisena

Eyemen

REPLY
@deanna2

Yes, I asked my doctor before I began taking berberine instead of metformin. Unfamiliar with berberine, he researched it and then approved of my switching the two. I've taken it for years and it helps me as much as metformin did and without any side effects. (Of course, taking a medicine or a supplement does not mean one can then ignore exercising and eating properly.)

Jump to this post

I would report that after taking in for several days I developed constipation and lots of GI cramping. I'm thinking the levels had built up in my system. After researching it, I found an article where the it has been used to treat diarrhea in China for years. So I stopped taking it for a few days and the constipation and diarrhea miraculously went away. Conclusion: If it does cause side effects, I would say to just back off for a few days and let your body return to normal before taking more.

Tony C, R.Ph.

REPLY
@trx32

I would report that after taking in for several days I developed constipation and lots of GI cramping. I'm thinking the levels had built up in my system. After researching it, I found an article where the it has been used to treat diarrhea in China for years. So I stopped taking it for a few days and the constipation and diarrhea miraculously went away. Conclusion: If it does cause side effects, I would say to just back off for a few days and let your body return to normal before taking more.

Tony C, R.Ph.

Jump to this post

Welcome @trx32, Thanks for sharing your experience and sound advice. Do you mind sharing how you found Connect? Were you searching for information to answer a question?

REPLY

Yes, was just searching for berberine and side effects I think.

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For some people, side effects of prednisone, as well as the inflammation that brings PMR, might be alleviated by berberine, an OTC plant-based drug. I had taken this before, when excessive night urination suggested my body was not metabolizing sugars fast enough. Berberine might cut down on the bloat from prednisone. It is also an anti-inflammatory, and combats the possibility of long-term prednisone users developing Type 2 Diabetes. [I have no medical credentials. Be sure to talk to your doctor before starting this or any other drug.]
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325798

REPLY
@pkalkstein

For some people, side effects of prednisone, as well as the inflammation that brings PMR, might be alleviated by berberine, an OTC plant-based drug. I had taken this before, when excessive night urination suggested my body was not metabolizing sugars fast enough. Berberine might cut down on the bloat from prednisone. It is also an anti-inflammatory, and combats the possibility of long-term prednisone users developing Type 2 Diabetes. [I have no medical credentials. Be sure to talk to your doctor before starting this or any other drug.]
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325798

Jump to this post

Hi @pkalkstein, You will notice that we moved your post to another discussion on the same topic here so that you can meet others discussing the use of Berberine as a supplement:
-- Berberine as a daily supplement: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/berberine/.

I had tried it at one time to see if it would make a difference with my night time trips to the bathroom but I didn't notice a difference but then I already take a generic Flomax. You are right, it is always best to discuss supplements with your doctor especially if you are taking other medications.

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can berberine shrink atherosclerotic plaques?

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