Berberine

    Written by:
    Nick Milazzo, Daryl Nault

    Fact-checked

    by:

    Antonis Damianou, Natalka Roshak
    Last Updated: August 7, 2023

    Berberine is a plant alkaloid with a long history of use in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine for the management of various health conditions. Its seemingly potent ability to reduce blood sugar rivals that of some anti-diabetic drugs.

    Overview

    Dosage information

    The standard dose of berberine is 900-2,000mg a day, divided into three to four doses.

    Berberine should be taken with a meal, or shortly after, to take advantage of the blood glucose and lipid spike associated with eating.

    Too much berberine at once can result in stomach upset, cramping, and diarrhea.

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    Frequently asked questions

    Update History

    Examine Database References

    1. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) - Zamani M, Zarei M, Nikbaf-Shandiz M, Hosseini S, Shiraseb F, Asbaghi OThe effects of berberine supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors in adults: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.Front Nutr.(2022)
    2. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) - Derosa G, D'Angelo A, Bonaventura A, Bianchi L, Romano D, Maffioli PEffects of berberine on lipid profile in subjects with low cardiovascular riskExpert Opin Biol Ther.(2013 Apr)
    3. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) - Osadnik T, Goławski M, Lewandowski P, Morze J, Osadnik K, Pawlas N, Lejawa M, Jakubiak GK, Mazur A, Schwingschackl L, Gąsior M, Banach MA network meta-analysis on the comparative effect of nutraceuticals on lipid profile in adults.Pharmacol Res.(2022-Sep)
    4. HbA1c - Jing Guo, Hongdong Chen, Xueqin Zhang, Wenjiao Lou, Pingna Zhang, Yuheng Qiu, Chao Zhang, Yaoxian Wang, Wei Jing LiuThe Effect of Berberine on Metabolic Profiles in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled TrialsOxid Med Cell Longev.(2021 Dec 15)
    5. HbA1c - Dong H, Wang N, Zhao L, Lu FBerberine in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systemic review and meta-analysisEvid Based Complement Alternat Med.(2012)
    6. HbA1c - Zhang Y, Li X, Zou D, Liu W, Yang J, Zhu N, Huo L, Wang M, Hong J, Wu P, Ren G, Ning GTreatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia with the natural plant alkaloid berberineJ Clin Endocrinol Metab.(2008 Jul)
    7. HbA1c - Xie W, Su F, Wang G, Peng Z, Xu Y, Zhang Y, Xu N, Hou K, Hu Z, Chen Y, Chen RGlucose-lowering effect of berberine on type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Front Pharmacol.(2022)
    8. HbA1c - Wang J, Bi C, Xi H, Wei FEffects of administering berberine alone or in combination on type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Front Pharmacol.(2024)
    9. Total cholesterol - Blais JE, Huang X, Zhao JVOverall and Sex-Specific Effect of Berberine for the Treatment of Dyslipidemia in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials.Drugs.(2023-Apr)
    10. Glycemic Control - Yan HM, Xia MF, Wang Y, Chang XX, Yao XZ, Rao SX, Zeng MS, Tu YF, Feng R, Jia WP, Liu J, Deng W, Jiang JD, Gao XEfficacy of Berberine in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver DiseasePLoS One.(2015 Aug 7)
    11. Glycemic Control - Pérez-Rubio KG, González-Ortiz M, Martínez-Abundis E, Robles-Cervantes JA, Espinel-Bermúdez MCEffect of berberine administration on metabolic syndrome, insulin sensitivity, and insulin secretionMetab Syndr Relat Disord.(2013 Oct)
    12. Exercise Capacity (with Heart Conditions) - Zeng XH, Zeng XJ, Li YYEfficacy and safety of berberine for congestive heart failure secondary to ischemic or idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathyAm J Cardiol.(2003 Jul 15)
    13. Canker Sores Symptoms - Jiang XW, Zhang Y, Zhu YL, Zhang H, Lu K, Li FF, Peng HYEffects of berberine gelatin on recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial in a Chinese cohortOral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol.(2012 Dec 12)
    14. Total cholesterol - Yang L, Zhu W, Zhang X, Zhou X, Wu W, Shen TEfficacy and safety of berberine for several cardiovascular diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Phytomedicine.(2023-Apr)
    15. Colorectal adenoma (polyps) - Fang S, Guo S, Du S, Cao Z, Yang Y, Su X, Wei WEfficacy and safety of berberine in preventing recurrence of colorectal adenomas: A systematic review and meta-analysis.J Ethnopharmacol.(2022-Jan-10)
    16. Triglycerides - Ye Y, Liu X, Wu N, Han Y, Wang J, Yu Y, Chen QEfficacy and Safety of Berberine Alone for Several Metabolic Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.Front Pharmacol.(2021)
    17. Total cholesterol - Xie L, Zhang D, Ma H, He H, Xia Q, Shen W, Chang H, Deng Y, Wu Q, Cong J, Wang CC, Wu XThe Effect of Berberine on Reproduction and Metabolism in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Control Trials.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.(2019)
    18. Body Mass Index (BMI) - Mohammad Reza Amini, Fatemeh Sheikhhossein, Sina Naghshi, Farhang Djafari, Mohammadreza Askari, Hossein Shahinfar, Maryam Safabakhsh, Alireza Jafari, Sakineh Shab-BidarEffects of berberine and barberry on anthropometric measures: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsComplement Ther Med.(2020 Mar)