What is berberine, and what are its health benefits

Berberine is a bioactive compound found in various plants, including barberry and goldenseal. It has recently been named “nature’s Ozempic” through the social media for its weight loss effects, but the two are significantly different.

While both berberine and Ozempic have some effects on weight loss, they work through different mechanisms. One of berberine’s main functions is to activate an enzyme, AMPK (activated protein kinase), which controls metabolism, the process by which the body converts food into energy.

Berberine can slow down digestion and make you feel fuller faster. It also helps cells move glucose from your bloodstream into your cells, where it is used for energy. The better your glucose is controlled, the better your chances of losing weight.

Finally, berberine may help lower blood sugar in people with diabetes but it appears to be most effective when combined with conventional treatments.

According to a 2020 study, eighty patients with type 2 diabetes took berberine for three months. The study showed that berberine was as effective as metformin in lowering blood sugar and controlling type 2 diabetes.