Does Berberine Kill H Pylori and Candida? (UTI Dosage)

berberine_dosage_for_uti

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Can Berberine be used to treat a UTI?

Consuming berberine for treating a urinary tract infection (UTI) could be highly beneficial, especially for chronic UTI cases caused by E. coli bacteria. It is also effective against other types of bacterial infections, including those that cause pneumonia and meningitis. Berberine has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties in the body. This may help reduce swelling and pain associated with an infection. 

According to a recent research study published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, berberine inhibited the growth of E. coli bacteria at concentrations between 0.5 and 2 mg/mL. The researchers concluded that this concentration range would likely be sufficient to kill most strains of E. coli bacteria.


What is the recommended Berberine dosage for treating a UTI?

The recommended berberine dosage for treating a UTI is 500 mg 3 times daily, but this can be increased to 1 g daily if necessary. Berberine should not be used in children under 12 years of age and pregnant or lactating women.

Some people have reported allergic reactions such as: 

  • Hives.
  • Itching.
  • Swelling of the face, breathing passages, lips, tongue, and throat.

If these symptoms occur, stop taking the medication immediately and seek medical attention. It is also essential to discuss with your treating doctor if you are under treatment for any chronic disease.

In the video below, Dr. Jin W. Sung explains how berberine can act as an Anti-parasite, Anti-virus, Anti-Bacterial, and Anti Fungal supplement:

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Can Berberine kill H.Pylori?

Berberine can kill H. pylori due to its antibacterial activity against it. The mechanism of action of berberine on H. pylori is not well understood. Still, it may be related to its ability to inhibit bacterial growth by interfering with the synthesis of DNA or RNA.

According to a research study, berberine can kill H. pylori cells grown in vitro. Berberine was added at concentrations filled with H. pylori strains. After incubation for 24 hours, viable cell counts were determined and growth inhibition was observed for all three strains. There were no colonies could be detected in any of the three strains after 48 hours’ culture. These results suggest that berberine can kill both susceptible and resistant strains of H.pylori in vitro.


Does Berberine kill Candida?

Berberine can kill Candida albicans in the bladder (UTI) and vagina, as well as other types of Candida infections. Berberine exhibits therapeutic antifungal activity against some species, including C. Albicans, by inhibiting enzymes responsible for cell wall synthesis. Furthermore, it inhibits fungal adenylate cyclase, essential to cellular growth and division.

However, this compound does not help treat systemic candidiasis or other forms of human fungal infection. Recently scientists have begun studying its antimicrobial properties. It is one of the antifungals most commonly used today by naturopathic physicians. 


Does Berberine kill Viruses?

Berberine can kill viruses, but it’s not a very effective antiviral. It is effective against herpes simplex in cell culture and in vivo (in mice) at high doses. The mechanism of action is unknown. Berberine can be considered an anti-viral agent that works by inhibiting the replication of HSV-1 in vitro.

Berberine should not be used to treat viral infections like flu or colds because it does not target the specific viruses causing these illnesses. However, it may help reduce symptoms of other conditions such as giardia, shigella, or amebiasis.

There are no studies confirming berberine kills any viruses. If you want to use this herb for anything other than diarrhea, do so with caution.


What is the recommended Berberine dosage for treating Candida?

The recommended berberine dose for candida is 200-400 mg daily. This can be taken with or without food. It is often administered as a single daily dose, but it may also be divided into two doses each morning and evening.

The usual duration of treatment is up to 8 weeks. If the condition does not improve, the dosage should be increased by 50% for 4–8 weeks. A maintenance dose should be continued until symptoms resolve.

Berberine has been studied in animals at high dosages (1 g/kg body weight) over long periods; however, no adverse effects were observed. In humans, berberine has occasionally caused mild side effects such as 

  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Abdominal pain
  • Dizziness.
  • Headache.
  • Drowsiness. 
  • Insomnia.
  • Constipation.
  • Dry mouth.
  • Blurred vision.
  • Skin rash.

Some people have reported feeling restless, anxious, or agitated during initial use. These side effects usually disappear after the first few days of use.


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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.

  1. Yang Y, Wang YD, Wang Y, Xu ZQ, Wu DQ, Wang TM, Shao J, Wang CZ. [Effect of berberine hydrochloride on cell wall integrity of Candida albicans hypha]. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2021 Jan;46(1):155-161. Chinese. doi: 10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20200907.401. PMID: 33645065.
  2. Xie Y, Liu X, Zhou P. In vitro Antifungal Effects of Berberine Against Candida spp. In Planktonic and Biofilm Conditions. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2020 Jan 9;14:87-101. doi: 10.2147/DDDT.S230857. PMID: 32021094; PMCID: PMC6957002.
  3. Pierpaoli E, Cirioni O, Simonetti O, Orlando F, Giacometti A, Lombardi P, Provinciali M. Potential application of berberine in the treatment of Escherichia coli sepsis. Nat Prod Res. 2021 Nov;35(22):4779-4784. doi: 10.1080/14786419.2020.1721729. Epub 2020 Feb 3. PMID: 32011175.
Does Berberine Kill H Pylori and Candida? (UTI Dosage)
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