Berberine is a yellow alkaloid found in goldenseal root, barberry bark, Oregon grape root, and coptis (goldthread) root. It is an antioxidant that is antibacterial, antiparasitic, antifungal, antiviral, anti-amoebic and has also been shown to:
- Decrease insulin resistance
- Stabilize blood sugar
- Activate AMPK
- Increase glycolysis inside the cells
- Slow the breakdown of carbohydrates in the gut
- Increase some beneficial bacteria in the gut
- Reduce triglycerides
- Balance cholesterol
- Lower blood pressure
- Increase mitochondria production
- Reduce the risk of heart disease
- Reduce fatty liver
Berberine For Weight Loss
Berberine studies produced weight loss and improvement of triglyceride, leptin, and cholesterol levels in obese patients (leptin is a hormone involved in hunger). Berberine has also been shown to inhibit the production of body fat cells.Berberine is believed to activate the enzyme called AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). AMPK, sometimes referred to as a “metabolic master switch,” is an enzyme inside our cells that plays a major role in cellular energy homeostasis, activating glucose and fatty acid uptake when cellular energy is low. This enzyme plays a major role in regulating blood sugar and metabolism.
