The supplement berberine has been gaining traction on social media, with some touting its weight-loss benefits. It's even been referred to as "nature's Ozempic." But what exactly is berberine and is it safe? We got in touch with Dr. Amy Lee, Head of Nutrition for Nucific, to get some answers about the popular supplement.
"Berberine has been around forever and ever," said Dr. Lee, who notes its use in traditional Chinese medicine. It's found in some plants, such as barberry, and some studies have shown it to play a role in metabolizing sugars, which can help manage diabetes.
"Some of the renewal of the popularity of berberine came about because of the current westernized medicine focus on the GLP-1s," she said, referring to drugs known as glucagon-like peptide 1 agonists.
GLP-1s include medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, both versions of semaglutide, which are used to manage diabetes, weight loss, or a combination of the two. The GLP1 hormone in these medications causes your body to create more insulin, which controls blood sugar, according to Dr. Lee.
"The end outcome for both of these types of supplements and medications is that it helps someone control their sugar," said Dr. Lee. While Ozempic synthetic hormone, she explained, berberine is a natural root that has been used for very similar things. "I think this is why it came back into the picture and why everyone is talking about it."
But can berberine help you lose weight? "There is some clinical evidence, but it is not considered strong or significant so everyone should use it with that in mind," said Dr. Lee.
Is Berberine Safe To Take?
"I think there are always potential side effects and adverse reaction with anything that we take, both natural and synthetic," said Dr. Lee. While the FDA regulates medications like Ozempic, it does not regulate supplements. "So, because of that lack of control, there is that potential risk of not really knowing how it reacts with the body at various doses."
Because Ozempic is FDA regulated, there are many human and animal studies that help determine toxicity levels, concentrations for efficacy, and side effects, according to Dr. Lee. But when it comes to unregulated berberine, there are so many brands, manufacturers, and variations. She said it can be difficult for the consumer to figure out the best option. Being in the products business, however, Dr. Lee does note that supplements and vitamins often contain very low doses. If berberine were to go up against a GLP1 like Ozempic in a clinical trial, she said it would almost be impossible to compare them because of the amount of berberine needed to match the efficacy of Ozempic.
