Berberine

Mechanism of action

Activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), the cellular energy sensor that mimics caloric restriction signaling. Improves insulin sensitivity through GLUT-4 translocation. Modulates gut microbiome. Inhibits gluconeogenesis similarly to metformin. The blood glucose effects are roughly comparable to metformin in published RCTs.

History

Berberine has been used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries for digestive complaints. Its blood glucose effects were characterised in modern Chinese research in the 2000s. Yin 2008 demonstrated equivalence to metformin in type 2 diabetes. The compound is unscheduled in most jurisdictions but emerging as a metformin alternative for users without diabetes diagnosis seeking the longevity-relevant effects.

Benefits

• Blood glucose control (T2D)

  EVIDENCEA

  Yin 2008 vs metformin.

• Cardiovascular markers

  EVIDENCEB

  Multiple trials.

• Lipid profile improvement

  EVIDENCEB

  Multiple RCTs.

Side effects

• GI upset (common)commonmild
• Constipation or diarrheacommonmild

Cited research

• Berberine vs metformin for type 2 diabetes (Yin)2008
  PMID 18093712 ↗
• Berberine for metabolic syndrome: meta-analysis (Lan)2015
  PMID 25861310 ↗
• Berberine AMPK activation mechanism (Lee)2006
  PMID 16456543 ↗

Ad Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

No approved reviews yet. Be the first.