> **Healthylife** — Healthylife Pharmacy | Your online health destination > [Products](https://www.healthylife.com.au/browse) · [Health Hub](https://www.healthylife.com.au/learn) > > --- # Berberine: benefits and side effects Healthylife Pharmacy|16 March 2018|3 min read [](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.healthylife.com.au/learn/berberine-extract---the-many-health-benefits "twitter sharing")[](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.healthylife.com.au/learn/berberine-extract---the-many-health-benefits "facebook sharing")[]( "email sharing") ### Jump to ## **What is berberine extract?** Berberine is a yellow-coloured alkaloid that is extracted from several different plants and herbal medicines. Popular in Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, berberine has a long history of traditional use for a variety of ailments and is even used as a dye. It may offer a wide array of health benefits. ## What makes berberine so effective? Berberine has many effects on the body, including anti-inflammatory, and may act as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial against bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites. It may aid in tissue repair, maintaining a healthy heart rhythm and controlling lipid and blood sugar regulation.  Berberine is one of the few compounds known to activate AMPK which is an enzyme inside cells, often referred to as the ‘metabolic master switch’ as it plays an important role in regulating metabolism. ## **Possible health benefits of berberine extract**  ### **Blood sugar support** Some studies suggest berberine may help with [blood sugar](https://www.healthylife.com.au/learn/blood-sugar-explained) control, although more research is required. ### **Possible reduction of plaque in arteries** Arteriosclerosis is the term used to describe the build-up of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the artery walls. This process contributes to the thickening and hardening of the artery walls, which may restrict blood flow and contribute to cardiovascular disease. Many studies have reported an anti-atherosclerosis effect of berberine, and several mechanisms have been suggested to explain this property of berberine. One such mechanism is berberine’s ability to reduce levels of LDLs or “bad cholesterol”. In addition to this, berberine stimulates the release of nitric oxide, a signalling molecule that relaxes the arteries, increases blood flow and helps to lower blood pressure. Berberine is considered a heart tonic because of its ability to support cardiac function. In clinical trials, it has been found to reduce atrial rate which may make it beneficial in treating arrhythmias and improving recovery after a heart condition. ###  **Potential therapeutic benefits for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)** Those with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) have excess bacteria in the small intestine. SIBO is frequently implicated in gastrointestinal disturbances such as chronic diarrhoea, bloating and nutritional deficiencies. The use of berberine may offer therapeutic benefits for SIBO. ### **Possible protection against neurodegenerative conditions** Patients with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) have excess bacteria in the small intestine. SIBO is frequently implicated in gastrointestinal disturbances such as chronic diarrhoea, bloating and nutritional deficiencies. Usual medical treatment involves strong antibiotics which can have unwanted side-effects. A 2014 study published in _Global Advances in Health and Medicine_ found that herbal therapy, which included berberine, worked just as well as antibiotic treatment. ### Protection against neurodegenerative diseases Studies have evaluated the therapeutic potential of berberine against neurodegenerative conditions. One study found that there are multiple positive effects of berberine, some of which may enhance neuroprotective pathways and others that counteract nerve damage. While more research needs to be done in this area, the preliminary studies provide a convincing basis for further scientific exploration. ## Supplements containing berberine Berberine can be found in herbal supplements including: - Phellodendron (_Phellodendron amurense_) - Goldenseal (_Hydrastis canadensis_) - Oregon grape (_Mahonia aquifolium_) - Common barberry (_Berberis vulgaris_) - Chinese goldthread (_Coptis chinensis_) - Indian barberry (_Berberis aristata_) Quality products should list the standardised amount of berberine contained in the formula. Discuss with a qualified healthcare professional if supplements containing berberine are suitable for you and your health concerns.  ## Cautions and contraindications Generally, berberine shows very low toxicity and side effects. In humans, some clinical studies that evaluated the safety of berberine reported only mild gastrointestinal reactions, including diarrhoea and constipation. **Contraindicated** in pregnancy and breastfeeding and in patients taking immunosuppressive drugs. **Caution** should be taken in those with obstructed bile ducts, beta thalassaemia and hyperbilirubinemia. Since berberine may lower blood sugar levels, those who are controlling their blood sugar with insulin or other medications must use caution when using this supplement to avoid dangerously low blood sugar levels. ### To summarise Berberine is an alkaloid naturally found in certain species of plants which may help with metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and gastrointestinal infections.  The information provided is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing any health concerns please consult your doctor for advice. **Related Reads:** - [Is bloating a symptom of wheat intolerance?](https://www.healthylife.com.au/learn/wheat-intolerance-symptoms) - [Is sugar really that bad for us](https://www.healthylife.com.au/learn/why-is-sugar-bad-for-you)? - [Is the gut-brain axis the key to better health?](https://www.healthylife.com.au/learn/gut-brain-axis) #### References 1. Neag, M. A., Mocan, A., Echeverría, J., Pop, R. M., Bocsan, C. I., Crişan, G., & Buzoianu, A. D. (2018). Berberine: Botanical Occurrence, Traditional Uses, Extraction Methods, and Relevance in Cardiovascular, Metabolic, Hepatic, and Renal Disorders. _Frontiers in Pharmacology_, 9(557). [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6111450/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6111450/)  2. [https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/diabetes-and-dietary-supplements-what-you-need-to-know](https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/diabetes-and-dietary-supplements-what-you-need-to-know)   3. Rui, R., Yang, H., Liu, Y., Zhou, Y., Xu, X., Li, C., & Liu, S. (2021). Effects of Berberine on Atherosclerosis. _Frontiers in Pharmacology_, 12. [https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.764175](https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.764175) [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8661030/#:~:text=Another%20study%20has%20shown%20that,and%20rupture%20of%20vulnerable%20plaques](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8661030/#:~:text=Another%20study%20has%20shown%20that,and%20rupture%20of%20vulnerable%20plaques).  4. Park, H.-J., Jung, E., & Shim, I. (2020). Berberine for Appetite Suppressant and Prevention of Obesity. _BioMed Research International_, 2020, 3891806. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7752296/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7752296/)  5. Guo, H., Lu, S., Zhang, J., Chen, C., Du, Y., Wang, K., & Duan, L. (2023). Berberine and rifaximin effects on small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: _Study protocol for an investigator-initiated, double-arm, open-label, randomized clinical trial_ (BRIEF-SIBO study). 14. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36873985/#:~:text=Berberine%20is%20a%20natural%20component,provide%20therapeutic%20target%20for%20SIBO](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36873985/#:~:text=Berberine%20is%20a%20natural%20component,provide%20therapeutic%20target%20for%20SIBO).  6. Cheng, Z., Kang, C., Che, S., Su, J., Sun, Q., Ge, T., Guo, Y., Lv, J., Sun, Z., Yang, W., Li, B., Li, X., & Cui, R. (2022). Berberine: A Promising Treatment for Neurodegenerative Diseases. _Frontiers in Pharmacology_, 13. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9164284/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9164284/)  7. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/in-the-news-berberine  8. Zhang, L., Wu, X., Yang, R., Chen, F., Liao, Y., Zhu, Z., Wu, Z., Sun, X., & Wang, L. (2021). Effects of Berberine on the Gastrointestinal Microbiota. _Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology_, 10. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7933196/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7933196/)  9. Och, A., Och, M., Nowak, R., Podgórska, D., & Podgórski, R. (2022). Berberine, a Herbal Metabolite in the Metabolic Syndrome: The Risk Factors, Course, and Consequences of the Disease. _Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)_, 27(4), 1351. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8874997/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8874997/)  Spread the word [](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.healthylife.com.au/learn/berberine-extract---the-many-health-benefits "twitter sharing")[](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.healthylife.com.au/learn/berberine-extract---the-many-health-benefits "facebook sharing")[]( "email sharing") This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. 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