Bottle of Go Wise Berberine Complex, 60 capsules

Berberine: What It Does for Blood Sugar and Metabolism

Berberine is a bitter yellow compound found in plants such as Indian barberry (Berberis aristata) and goldenseal. In human trials, taking about 1 to 1.5 grams a day for three months lowered fasting blood sugar, HbA1c and blood fats compared with placebo or lifestyle changes alone. Most of those trials were small and run in people who already had type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol, so the results tell us more about that group than about healthy adults.

Berberine is one of the better studied plant compounds for metabolic health. It can also cause stomach upset and interact with common medications. Here is what the research shows, how people take it, and who should talk to a doctor first.

In brief

  • Berberine is a plant alkaloid found in barberry, goldenseal and several other herbs.
  • Randomized trials in adults with type 2 diabetes found lower fasting glucose, HbA1c and LDL cholesterol after about three months.
  • Study quality is mixed, and most trials are small and short.
  • Stomach upset and constipation are the most common side effects.
  • It can change how the liver handles some drugs, so check with your doctor if you take any medication.

What berberine is and how it works

Berberine belongs to a group of plant compounds called alkaloids. It gives barberry root and bark their yellow color and bitter taste, and it has a long history of use in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, mostly for digestive complaints.

Researchers became interested in its metabolic effects when people using it for diarrhea also had lower blood sugar. Lab and animal studies then suggested it affects how the body handles both glucose and fat. Exactly how it works in people is still being studied. In one trial, researchers measured insulin sensitivity directly and saw an improvement in the berberine group, though the difference from placebo was not quite statistically significant.

What the evidence shows

Two trials published in 2008 set the tone for much of the later research. In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 116 adults with type 2 diabetes and high blood fats, Zhang and colleagues gave 1 gram of berberine a day for three months. Fasting glucose fell from 7.0 to 5.6 mmol/L, HbA1c from 7.5% to 6.6%, and LDL cholesterol from 3.23 to 2.55 mmol/L in the berberine group, and each change was significantly different from placebo.

A pilot study by Yin and colleagues compared berberine with metformin (0.5 g three times a day for each) in 36 adults with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. The effect on blood sugar was similar in both groups. In a second arm of 48 adults, berberine added to existing care lowered HbA1c from 8.1% to 7.3%. About a third of participants had temporary digestive side effects.

A 2015 meta-analysis by Lan and colleagues pooled 27 randomized trials with 2,569 patients. Berberine plus lifestyle changes tended to lower glucose, HbA1c, cholesterol and blood pressure more than lifestyle changes alone, and no serious adverse reactions were reported. The authors were clear about the limits, though. They wrote that the overall quality of the included studies was limited, so the benefit could only be supported "to a limited degree," and they called for larger, better designed trials using standardized preparations.

So the honest summary is this. The signal on blood sugar and blood fats is consistent across many trials, but most were small and short, and very few looked at healthy people. Berberine is not a replacement for medical care, diet, activity or prescribed medication.

Dose, forms and how to take it

The trials above mostly used 1 to 1.5 grams a day, often split into two or three doses taken with meals. Splitting the dose may be gentler on the stomach. Supplements usually contain berberine hydrochloride (berberine HCl), sometimes combined with a whole barberry bark extract.

When you compare products, look at how the label lists the dose. A figure given for a "blend" tells you the total weight of everything in that blend, not how much of it is pure berberine HCl. Taking it at the same time each day with food makes it easier to stick with; our guide on building a daily supplement habit has practical tips.

Berberine is not the same as goldenseal. NCCIH notes that very little berberine may be absorbed when people take goldenseal by mouth, so berberine study results may not apply to goldenseal products.

Who should be careful

Digestive side effects are the most common complaint. Zhang's trial reported mild to moderate constipation in five people taking berberine, and Yin's study reported temporary digestive effects in about a third of participants.

Drug interactions matter more. In a two-week crossover study in healthy men, Guo and colleagues found that berberine (300 mg three times a day) reduced the activity of three liver enzymes (CYP2D6, CYP2C9 and CYP3A4) that break down many common medications. That means berberine could raise blood levels of some drugs. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist first if you:

  • take any medication that lowers blood sugar, including metformin or insulin, since the combined effect could push glucose too low
  • take blood pressure medication or any other prescription drug
  • are pregnant or breastfeeding (NCCIH states that the berberine in goldenseal can be harmful to newborns, and that goldenseal should not be used in pregnancy, while breastfeeding, or given to infants)
  • have liver or kidney disease

Ask a doctor before giving berberine to children.

Where Go Wise Berberine Complex fits

Go Wise Berberine Complex provides a 1,200 mg Berberine HCl Blend per two-capsule serving, made from Berberis aristata bark and berberine HCl, with 30 servings in each 60-capsule bottle. The label directions are two capsules once a day with a meal, in a vegetable capsule. It's made in the USA. If you are curious about what lot testing involves, see our article on why third-party tested supplements matter. You can see the full label on the Go Wise Berberine Complex product page. It is designed to support healthy metabolism and help maintain healthy blood sugar levels already in the normal range.* Every batch is third-party tested by Eurofins for heavy metals and microbial contamination, and it is made in a GMP-certified facility.

Frequently asked questions

How long does berberine take to work?

Most of the human trials ran for about three months, and that is the time frame in which researchers measured changes in blood sugar and blood fats. In one pilot study, fasting glucose began to shift within the first week, but HbA1c reflects about three months of blood sugar, so it takes longer to move.

Can I take berberine with metformin?

Only with your doctor's agreement. Both lower blood sugar, and berberine can also change how the liver processes some other drugs. Your doctor may want to check your glucose more often or adjust your medication.

Is berberine the same as goldenseal?

No. Goldenseal is one of several plants that contain berberine. NCCIH notes that very little berberine may be absorbed when people take goldenseal by mouth, so berberine study results may not apply to goldenseal.

Should I take berberine with food?

Most trials gave berberine with meals, and taking it with food may be easier on the stomach. Follow the directions on your product label.

References

This article is for general information and isn't medical advice. Talk to your healthcare provider before starting a supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing or taking other medication.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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