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Is berberine the key to a healthy heart? A recent study published in Nature found that supplementing with berberine may prevent atherosclerosis by reducing the size of plaques in the carotid arteries.
Berberine acts on harmful bacterial substances produced in the gut during digestion that can eventually enter the bloodstream and cause vascular inflammation, ultimately resulting in atherosclerosis.
What Is Berberine?
Berberine is a compound isolated from Coptidis rhizoma (Chinese goldthread), an herb used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat infections, diarrhea, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Berberine is also found in various plants used in homeopathic medicine including goldenseal, Oregon grape, and barberry.
Allison DeMajistre
Author
Allison DeMajistre, BSN, RN, CCRN is a freelance medical writer for The Epoch Times. She is a registered nurse who previously worked in critical care. She specializes in cardiology-related topics.
