The Benefits of Berberine Supplements for Weight Loss
Berberine lowers blood sugar levels
Berberine is very popular in the USA to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce insulin resistance, leading to better regulation of blood sugar levels. By enhancing glucose metabolism, berberine seems to help prevent spikes in blood sugar levels after meals, which can contribute to weight gain. Typically, you take a Berberine 500mg capsule about 10 minutes or so before a meal, and the berberine will stop you getting a blood sugar spike after eating and also help prevent that blood sugar crash, and energy drop, as your blood sugar comes back down.
Lowering your blood sugar level can be a double -edged sword as it’s all about getting the right balance. This is why it’s advisable to buy berberine in 500mg capsules and not go higher than this dose before any individual meal. It’s also important to note that you can’t mix berberine with prescription medicines to control blood sugar, such as metformin, because they both do the same thing. So, if you’re on prescription medication for pre-diabetes, follow your doctor’s instructions and don’t self-medicate.
Berberine can lower cholesterol and support fat metabolism
Berberine has been found to lower triglyceride levels and reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) while helping to increase good (HDL) cholesterol levels. Of all its effects in the body, this is the one that’s most strongly proven in clinical research. By improving lipid metabolism, berberine can help reduce the risk of obesity-related complications and support better heart health, as well as keeping the metabolism ticking over more efficiently.
The benefits of berberine for faster fat loss
Some researchers have found that berberine can activate an enzyme called AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which plays a key role in regulating metabolism and energy expenditure. Basically, activating AMPK stimulates you to burn more fat, and it can also stop you laying down fat.
This is clearly going to make berberine popular with dieters trying to lose weight. Some people say they can feel the benefit in the firm of a powerful energy boost.
Some research suggests that berberine supplementation may increase basal metabolic rate (BMR), which is the number of calories your body burns at rest. By boosting metabolism, berberine can help increase calorie expenditure and facilitate weight loss.
Just remember there’s no magic bullet, as not even berberine can replace dieting and exercising – it can only support your own efforts.
The benefits of berberine for suppressing the appetite
Some studies suggest that berberine may help suppress the appetite and make us eat less food, by affecting certain appetite-regulating hormones and neurotransmitters in the brain. This isn’t definitively proven, but it’s easy to make your own decision about this by trying berberine capsules before meals as a personal experiment. If berberine does help you feel fuller, it offers another item in the list of benefits of berberine supplements for weight loss.
Berberine is a strong antibacterial
Berberine has been shown to change the balance of gut flora by killing off certain strains of bacteria. It seems to kill off several of the particularly harmful strains of gut bacteria, which would then make it easier for beneficial bacteria to thrive. In particular, it seems to inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus and Helicobacter pylori, as well as certain viruses and fungi. We need more research to understand the specifics and confirm how accurate these initial findings may be.
The bacterial die-off effect is why berberine gives some people gas, bloating and even occasionally colic-type cramps for the first few weeks they take berberine. This normally settles down after 3 to 4 weeks and some people say they end up with better digestion and a flatter tummy after going through the month-long ordeal. A healthy gut microbiome is associated with better digestion, nutrient absorption and metabolism.
Reducing Inflammation
Chronic inflammation is associated with obesity and metabolic disorders. The benefits of berberine may include anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation in the body, particularly in the fat tissue. If confirmed, this could mean major improvements in metabolic health and weight loss.
How Do They Make Berberine Supplements?
Berberine is a compound that comes from various plants in the berberis family, including Berberis vulgaris (barberry), Berberis aristata (tree turmeric) and a few other varieties. The extraction process involves several steps to isolate and purify berberine from the plant roots or bark.
Extracting the berberine with alcohol
The farmers have to harvest the roots, rhizomes or bark of the plants at the right time to get the best berberine content. They clean, dry and grind up the plant matter into a fine powder to increase the surface area for extraction. The powdered plant material is then mixed with a solvent, usually alcohol, to extract berberine and other bioactive compounds. By filtering the mixture, they separate the liquid extract containing the berberine from the solid plant material which is not needed.
Purifying the yellow berberine to remove unwanted brown compounds
Next comes one of the key steps that indicates the best quality berberine supplements. At this stage the extract is light brown, as the berberine is mixed with other unwanted compounds, some of which are harmful. But pure berberine is an intense bright yellow.
The solvent is evaporated under reduced pressure to concentrate the berberine extract. Additional purification steps are carried out in the best quality berberine extracts. They can isolate and purify the berberine from other compounds present in the extract. It’s possible to achieve a maximum of 98% purity, meaning only 2% of the extract contains these other compounds.
One of the highest quality berberine supplements in the UK is made by VitaBright: The level of purity can easily be seen by its intense yellow colour. It’s 98% purity makes it the safest and best choice of supplement, offering a more effective berberine supplement then most alternatives, some of which are as low as 60% berberine, with 40% being other unwanted compounds.
Drying the berberine and filling capsules
The purified berberine is dried to remove any remaining moisture and obtain a dry, powdered form. Berberine comes in several chemical forms, but the best is called berberine hydrochloride. This is a stable compound that remains fresh and effective for a long time.
The dried berberine powder can be formulated into capsules, tablets, or liquid supplements, often combined with other ingredients to help it stay fresh for longer and to improve absorption.
Quality control tests
Tests to check potency, purity, and microbiological tests, are performed to ensure the berberine product meets quality standards and is safe for consumption. The berberine product may also undergo testing for heavy metals, pesticides, and other contaminants to ensure it meets regulatory requirements.
VitaBright has each batch tested by a third party laboratory that makes sure there are no traces of contaminants or impurities. Every bottle is certified pure and safe.
Important Advice about Berberine for Weight Loss
While berberine supplements show promising potential for supporting weight loss and metabolic health, it’s essential to remember that individual responses may vary, and more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms and long-term effects of berberine supplementation. Additionally, berberine should be used as part of a comprehensive approach to weight loss, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and lifestyle modifications.
As always, it’s advisable to consult your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you have diabetes, insulin resistance or other underlying health conditions, and in particular if you are taking medication for diabetes or pre-diabetes.
While berberine capsules offer these potential benefits, it’s essential to note that more research is needed to fully understand its mechanisms of action and effectiveness for various health conditions. Additionally, berberine may interact with certain medications and medical conditions, so it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare professional before starting supplementation.
