Berberine

Berberine/Nutrient Depletion:

  • GlucoseGlucose: In humans, berberine and berberine hydrochloride have been shown to lower fasting plasma glucose (30; 31; 32; 33; 34), post-prandial plasma glucose (31), post-load plasma glucose (30), and HbA1c levels (30; 31; 32). Berberine, as part of a mixed nutraceutical, has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity in individuals with hypercholesterolemia (93; 94). Moreover berberine hydrochloride has been shown to reduce both fasting insulin level (33) and insulin resistance (33). Similar effects have been documented in animal research (35; 36; 37; 38; 39; 40; 41; 42; 43; 44; 45; 46; 47).
  • LipidsLipids: In humans, berberine and berberine hydrochloride monotherapy have been shown to reduce levels of triglyceride (30; 31; 73; 32; 78; 33; 79), total cholesterol (30; 31; 73; 78; 33; 79), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (30; 73; 78; 33). Similar total cholesterol- and LDL cholesterol-lowering effects have also been observed following combination berberine therapy (94; 93; 78; 108). Interestingly, although some clinical studies of berberine and berberine hydrochloride monotherapy have observed increased levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (73; 78; 33), similar effects have been inconsistent following berberine combination therapy (94; 78). Effects were lacking between groups in other studies (52). Similar effects have been shown in animal research (76; 77; 46).