Table of Contents
- Berberine vs Metformin: which one is better for Weight Loss?
- Can you combine Berberine and Alpha Lipoic Acid for Weight Loss?
- Can you combine Berberine and Milk Thistle for Weight Loss?
- Can Berberine help manage Weight Loss in Women with PCOS?
- How much Weight can you lose with Berberine?
- Can Berberine help with Ketosis?
- Want to know more?
- Sources
Berberine vs Metformin: which one is better for Weight Loss?
When comparing Berberine vs Metformin for weight loss, the effect of Berberine was higher than Metformin, this was well supported by a series of blood tests such as FBS, HBA1C.
Metformin reduces blood sugar levels by increasing insulin sensitivity its anti-diabetic effects have also become increasingly appreciated.
In recent years, A study was conducted in a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled design with two parallel groups of participants (n40). The participants were randomly assigned to receive either 1,200 mg/day of berberine or 500 mg/day of metformin for 12 weeks. Both drugs significantly reduced body weight, waist circumference, BMI, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose levels, and insulin resistance compared with the baseline values.
Can you combine Berberine and Alpha Lipoic Acid for Weight Loss?
Using berberine and alpha lipoid acid for weight loss is effective for quick results. Combining these two ingredients may help you lose more weight.
Alpha lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant that helps your body burn fat faster. It can improve insulin resistance, reduce inflammation, boost energy, and increase metabolism. It’s also a natural mood enhancer. In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, it has been found to have an appetite suppressing effect.
Studies show that taking alpha lipoic acid supplements can lead to significant weight loss. One study showed that people who took 600 mg of alpha lipoic acid daily lost about 2 pounds over eight weeks.
In the video below, the YouTube channel “Your Inception” explains how Berberine can help you with lowering blood sugar levels, diabetes, cholesterol, and weight loss:
This is our recommended Berberine supplement (Amazon’s Choice):
Can you combine Berberine and Milk Thistle for Weight Loss?
Berberine and milk thistle could well prove to be an excellent combination for weight loss, this is because milk thistle contains calcium which helps curb appetite. In contrast, berberine, as we know from previous studies, has been shown to help burn fat. As such, by combining the two, you get an even more effective way of losing weight.
According to a research study, participants who took both berberine and milk lost over 10 pounds in just four weeks. This is an awe-inspiring amount of weight loss, considering it only took eight weeks for those taking only milk thistle to lose almost three pounds.
Another research study concluded that milk thistle could play an active part in maintaining healthy liver functions which eventually has a beneficial effect on weight loss and helps in maintaining body metabolism.
Can Berberine help manage Weight Loss in Women with PCOS?
Berberine could help manage weight loss in women suffering from PCOS. Berberine is an alkaloid used as a traditional herbal remedy to treat diarrhea, dysentery, and other gastrointestinal problems. It’s also been shown to have some anti-obesity properties.
A research team led by Dr Ruchi Gupta at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center assessed the effects of berberine on weight loss in women with PCOS. They gave berberine to 12 overweight women between the ages of 18 and 40 who had high levels of insulin and testosterone. After six months, participants lost an average of 5 pounds while taking berberine. This group also showed significant waist circumference and blood pressure reductions compared to those who took a placebo.
How much Weight can you lose with Berberine?
A study revealed that you could lose up to 5 pounds in 12 weeks with berberine if you take a daily dose of 1,500 mg per day. However, this may not be enough for you, and you should consult your doctor before taking any supplement that claims to help you lose weight.
Another study conducted on the safety and efficacy of berberine revealed that consuming 500 mg of berberine 3 times a day for four weeks effectively produced mild weight loss and it also reduced the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood circulation. Moreover, a research study on the effects of berberine in patients suffering from metabolic disorder concluded that berberine plays an active role in declining the fat stores in the body
The main ingredient in berberine is berberrubine, which blocks glucose absorption from food into the bloodstream. This causes the body to use its fat stores instead of sugar. Fat cells release fatty acids, which are then converted into energy. As a result, less glucose is available to fuel the brain and other organs. Because of this mechanism, berberine helps reduce appetite and cravings for sweets and carbohydrates.
Can Berberine help with Ketosis?
Berberine can help with ketosis, which is an alternative way of losing weight without dieting or exercising. It blocks glucose absorption from the intestines, forcing the body to burn stored fat as fuel. Berberine also increases insulin-like growth factor (IGF) levels, stimulating the production of new muscle tissue.
The exact mechanism of action of berberine remains unknown. One theory suggests that it acts on the gastrointestinal tract to increase bile secretion. Bile contains fats broken down into smaller molecules that can be absorbed through the intestinal wall.
Berberine may block these digestive enzymes, preventing them from breaking down fats. Another possible explanation is that berberine binds to receptors in the gut lining, causing the muscles surrounding the intestine to relax. This allows more nutrients to pass through the walls of the intestines.
Want to know more?
Click the links below to access the individual topic pages:
Sources
This article makes use of information from the U.S. National Library of Medicine under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
- Wang H, Zhu C, Ying Y, Luo L, Huang D, Luo Z. Metformin and berberine two versatile drugs in treatment of common metabolic diseases. Oncotarget. 2017 Sep 11;9(11):10135-10146. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.20807. PMID: 29515798; PMCID: PMC5839379.
- Hornaman, Amie and Titchenal, Jessica, Insulin-Dependent Type 2 Diabetes Treated with Berberine, Alpha-Lipoic Acid and a Ketogenic Diet: A Case Report (December 2019). Available at SSRN.
- Ilyas, Z., Perna, S., Al-Thawadi, S., Alalwan, T. A., Riva, A., Petrangolini, G., … & Rondanelli, M. (2020). The effect of Berberine on weight loss in order to prevent obesity: A systematic review. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 127, 110137.
- Wei, W., Zhao, H., Wang, A., Sui, M., Liang, K., Deng, H., … & Guan, Y. (2012). A clinical study on the short-term effect of berberine in comparison to metformin on the metabolic characteristics of women with polycystic ovary syndrome. European journal of endocrinology, 166(1), 99.
