All About Berberine

Okay so it is no secret that we like berberine considering it is the main ingredient in our powerful supplement Glycosolve. But why do we like it? Why do we have such strong faith in it? We have an extreme interest in fighting Metabolic Syndrome and its associated diseases (diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity), each of which berberine happens to improve [ref]Wang YX, Wang YP, Zhang H, et al. (Nov 2009) “Synthesis and biological evaluation of berberine analogues as novel up-regulators for both low-density-lipoprotein receptor and insulin receptor”. Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 19(21):6004-8.[/ref]
Let’s explore its different mechanisms and metabolic benefits. Included will be scientific data mixed with testimonials from Glycosolve users.
1. Insulin Sensitivity and Glucose Tolerance
Our first interest in berberine was because of its effects on insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. Its found to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance through mechanisms similar to that of pharmaceutical drugs such as metformin and sitigliptin. Both metformin and sitigliptin are commonly used in diabetes treatment. Berberine is similar to metformin because of its peripheral glucose uptake enhancement [ref]Lee YS, Kim WS, Kim KH, et al. (August 2006). “Berberine, a natural plant product, activates AMP-activated protein kinase with beneficial metabolic effects in diabetic and insulin-resistant states” (Free full text). Diabetes 55 (8): 2256–64[/ref].  Berberine has also showed properties close to sitigliptin, which helps insulin be released in a glucose dependent manner (insulin is only released with glucose ingestion) and decreases glucagon release (glucagon tells the liver to release more glucose in the blood) [ref]Al-Masri IM, Mohammad MK, Tahaa MO (July 2009). “Inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) is one of the mechanisms explaining the hypoglycemic effect of berberine”. Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and Medicinal Chemistry 0: 090729101626017[/ref].  BOTTOM LINE: Berberine has been shown in studies to help your body’s sugar regulation. Many have been successful in managing their Type 2 Diabetes with berberine.

2. Cholesterol Levels
After embracing berberine’s glucose control ability, we were astonished at its other effects in the body, namely its cholesterol lowering mechanism.  Berberine has been shown to lower LDL levels and triglycerides in amounts similar to that of statin drugs, but with a different mechanism [ref]Kong W, Wei J, Abidi P, et al. (December 2004). “Berberine is a novel cholesterol-lowering drug working through a unique mechanism distinct from statins”. Nature Medicine 10 (12): 1344–51.[/ref].  Because of this different mechanism, berberine doesn’t have the bad side effects that statins have.

3. Testimonials from Glycosolve Users
Craig G – 52 year old male with Type 2 Diabetes and High Cholesterol –
“My fasting blood sugars have dropped from the 130’s to the 90’s ever since starting Glycosolve. My cholesterol dropped 20 points too! Not only that but I lost an extra 10 pounds in two months.”
Laura F – 36 year old female with pre diabetes and PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)
“I was able to add Glycosolve to my Metformin regimine and it allowed me to go from a fasting blood sugar from the 110’s to 80’s and 90’s.”

References