What Dosage of Berberine Should You Take?

Are you interested in adding berberine to your daily supplement regime? Read on to learn everything you should know. 

Berberine: What Is It? 

There is evidence of many natural treatments that early civilizations found and began using thousands of years ago, and berberine is one of them. What once was a traditional Chinese treatment is now a widely used supplement for many health issues all across the globe. 

Berberine is a natural alkaloid that stems from plants like the barberry, goldenseal, Oregon grape, and many others. There are now over 6,000 published scientific documents proving that berberine is perhaps one of the best natural treatments currently available. 

What are the Benefits of Taking Berberine? 

Before diving into the dosage, it is critical to know all the benefits that come from adding this supplement to your daily routine. Doing this allows you to determine whether or not it will be beneficial.

Digestive Health 

Using berberine for digestive health and treatment is not a new practice. Many early civilizations used plants rich with it to treat digestive issues. And this practice still remains a practice today. 

Berberine is anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial, making it the perfect way to combat multiple inflammatory bowel diseases, including IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and ulcerative colitis. 

Weight Loss

Weight loss is something that many Americans seek every day. This supplement is no replacement for a balanced diet and daily exercise. However, it can boost metabolism and aid people in their journey of losing weight. 

Reduced Blood Sugar 

One of the primary berberine benefits is its ability to lower blood sugar. By activating an enzyme known as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), berberine can improve insulin activity, reduce the production of glucose within the liver, and move glucose into cells. All of which serve to reduce blood sugar. 

Cancer Prevention

Several studies have shown that this supplement, when taken daily, can reduce the risk of cancer by inducing apoptosis, preventing metastasis, inhibiting the growth of tumor-feeding blood vessels, and restricting the development of many cancer cell lines.   

Treatment of Liver Disease

The most common liver disorder, NAFLD (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease), is common in people who struggle with obesity or diabetes. Studies show that berberine aids in the reduction of liver fat content, thus easing the issues of this liver disease. 

Improved Heart Health

Berberine is also known for its positive cardiovascular effects. There are many heart health benefits to taking berberine. Here are a few examples.

Berberine boosts nitric acid, or NO, which adds to the reduction of LDL cholesterol. This ultimately keeps plaque from accruing in the arteries. 

In addition to preventing plaque build-up, the extra release in NO protects the arteries and allows them to relax, leading to reduced blood pressure. 

Berberine can help prevent heart failure by improving the strength of your heart’s contractions. 

Lastly, it can sometimes provide minute improvements to issues with arrhythmia.  

Mood Improvement

Berberine interacts with neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine to boost mood. While it works similarly to antidepressant medication like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), it is not a replacement for prescribed medication. 

Lowered Cholesterol 

This natural supplement can also lower your cholesterol by increasing the activity of LDL receptors in your liver. This can also come with an array of other benefits. 

What are the Side Effects?

Treatments that are this effective most often come with plenty of severe side effects that would make anyone leery of taking them. Fortunately, this is not the case with berberine. There are no serious side effects from the use of berberine in people who don’t take any conflicting medications or supplements. 

While some minor side effects like diarrhea and constipation may occur, berberine is safe to use, as long as you get the green light from your doctor. 

What Dosage Should You Take? 

Now to the question at hand. How much berberine should you take? Unfortunately, this is not a one size fits all answer. Many factors can play a part in determining your specific berberine dosage. Here are a few examples of this. 

Physical Factors 

There are many factors at play when determining your dosage. First is your physical condition. How old are you? How much do you weigh? How tall are you? Next, consider what you are taking berberine for. How severe are the symptoms you wish to relieve? 

Medication 

What medication are you on? You may be on a medication or supplement that significantly hinders the amount of berberine you can ingest in a day. 

Typical Dosage 

While the necessary dosage may vary from person to person, the typical dosage is around 400 to 500 mg about two to three times a day. 

Talk to Your Doctor 

Ultimately the best and safest way to discover the dose of berberine you should be taking is by going to your doctor and asking. This is the only way to know, for sure, what is best for your health. 

The Takeaway 

Berberine is a helpful, natural remedy for many health deficiencies. If you struggle with any of the above health issues, you should consider going to your doctor and asking about a berberine dose. This may be the treatment you have been hoping for.