Quick facts

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Safety: For most adults, berberine is considered safe when taken orally for a short period, typically up to three months. However, it can cause some side effects, such as digestive issues (diarrhea, constipation, gas, and stomach cramps). Berberine might also interact with various medications, particularly those metabolized by the liver, as well as medications for diabetes and high blood pressure, due to its effects on blood sugar and blood pressure levels.

Because berberine can lower blood sugar, people with diabetes or hypoglycemia, or those taking medications that affect blood sugar, should use caution. Dose adjustment might be necessary to prevent blood sugar from dropping too low.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid berberine as it could potentially harm the fetus. There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking berberine for this population.

Given these considerations, it's essential to consult a healthcare provider before incorporating berberine into a routine, especially in the case of pre-existing health conditions or other medications.

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‍ITP results: Not included

(The Interventions Testing Program (ITP) is a peer-reviewed program designed to identify agents that extend lifespan and healthspan in mice)

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Key trials: 

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https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03438292 : The Absorption of Bioactive Berberine in Human

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https://www.nad.com/news/berberine-cardiac-aging-anti-aging-protein : Study Finds Berberine Protects Against Cardiac Aging by Regulating Anti-Aging Protein

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Jing Guo, Hongdong Chen, Xueqin Zhang, Wenjiao Lou, Pingna Zhang, Yuheng Qiu, Chao Zhang, Yaoxian Wang, Wei Jing Liu, "The Effect of Berberine on Metabolic Profiles in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials", Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, vol. 2021, Article ID 2074610, 22 pages, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/2074610

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Some studies and publications: 

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Dang Y, An Y, He J, Huang B, Zhu J, Gao M, Zhang S, Wang X, Yang B, Xie Z. Berberine ameliorates cellular senescence and extends the lifespan of mice via regulating p16 and cyclin protein expression. Aging Cell. 2020 Jan;19(1):e13060. doi: 10.1111/acel.13060. Epub 2019 Nov 26. PMID: 31773901; PMCID: PMC6974710.

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Och A, Och M, Nowak R, Podgórska D, Podgórski R. Berberine, a Herbal Metabolite in the Metabolic Syndrome: The Risk Factors, Course, and Consequences of the Disease. Molecules. 2022 Feb 17;27(4):1351. doi: 10.3390/molecules27041351. PMID: 35209140; PMCID: PMC8874997.

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Och, A.; Podgórski, R.; Nowak, R. Biological Activity of Berberine—A Summary Update. Toxins 2020, 12, 713. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins12110713

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Overview: Berberine seems to lower glucose production in the liver, activate AMPK and SIRT, and reduce inflammation and oxidative stress 

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Type of substance: Bioactive compound that can be extracted from several different plants, such as goldenseal, barberry, Oregon grape, and tree turmeric, including a group of shrubs called Berberis.

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Other related: Metformin, acarbose

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