Can I take berberine on an empty stomach? Berberine is among the very few natural, beneficial, and valuable products available in the market. Its natural ingredients have countless benefits for our body at the molecular level. Berberine helps maintain blood glucose levels, improves your heart health, and helps in weight loss as well.
While comparing berberine supplements to the other effective supplements available in the pharmaceutical industry, it is among the few that are highly effective. Here are some essential details about the berberine supplement you should know before purchasing and the expert’s answers to your frequently asked question. Can I take berberine on an empty stomach?
What is Berberine?
Berberine is a highly beneficial natural supplement extracted from various shrubs and plants. It is a bioactive compound with yellow color and belongs to the class of alkaloids. This natural supplement has a long history in Chinese medications and is well known for its significant benefits. It is now not limited to Chinese medicines, but modern science and technology also acknowledge its considerable benefits in various health issues.
How does it work?
To test the unlimited benefits of berberine, it has been studied in different laboratories, and it has proven its results in many biological systems. When you take the berberine supplement, it is directly absorbed in the blood and travels to all body cells.
After getting into the cell, it binds with some molecular target and changes its function. Though it’s a natural supplement, its effectiveness and work are similar to pharmaceutical drugs. Due to the diversity of its biological mechanism, it’s a little difficult to understand.
Its primary function is the activation of an AMP cell enzyme called AMPK activated protein kinase. It is famous as the metabolic master switch. It is found in different organs like the heart, kidney, muscle, liver, and brain.
Berberine can affect many organs in our body, including the genes switching, and plays a vital role in metabolism regulation.
Berberine maintains your blood glucose level
In recent years Type 2 diabetes has become very common, resulting in millions of deaths every year. In diabetes, the sugar level is generally high due to the high insulin level in the blood or may be due to the lack of insulin. High sugar levels can damage various tissues and organs of the body.
Such damage to vital organs results in shortening the life span. However, according to the studies, berberine is beneficial in maintaining blood sugar levels. People even compare its result with one of the best sugar maintaining drugs called metformin.
How does berberine benefit you?
- Increases the number of bacteria that is helpful in the gut
- Berberine lowers the insulin resistance and makes insulin hormone more effective
- It helps in upholding the carbohydrate breakdown in the gut cavity
- Decreases the production of excess sugar in the liver
It benefits in increasing the breakdown of sugar in cells.
According to the studies in fasting conditions, a single gram of berberine reduces the blood sugar level by 20%. That means it moves your glucose level from diabetic to the average one.
Berberine also improves the blood lipids like cholesterol and triglycerides and the level of hemoglobin A1C by 12%. According to the review based on 14 studies, berberine has the same effect as any other top oral diabetes drugs such as glipizide, rosiglitazone, and metformin.
You can increase the effectiveness of berberine by making positive lifestyle adaptations. You can see in online discussions and reviews that people are healthily changing their lives with the help of this supplement. Thousands of positive reviews prove that this medicine is effective in studies and real life.
Benefits of berberine in weight loss
Studies have proved the benefits of berberine in weight loss. For example, 12-week research on overweight individuals proves an average of 5 pounds weight loss in people taking 500 mg of berberine and splitting it into three doses. Furthermore, they lose 3.6% of their body fat.
Studies explain that weight loss is the improvement in fat regulation hormones such as adiponectin, leptin, and insulin. However, more research is still going on to stop the growth of fat cells at the molecular level.
Lower the risks of heart diseases and control the cholesterol level
Heart diseases are among the most common early death causes, and unfortunately, it’s not limited to any country because it’s worldwide. There are many things and factors that are in direct relation to several heart diseases. Berberine supplement is very beneficial in the improvement of these factors.
According to research
- It lowers your LDL cholesterol level by 0.65 mmol/L
- Reduces the overall cholesterol level by 0.61 mmol/L
- Raises the HDL cholesterol level by 0.05 mmol/L
- Lowers your blood triglycerides by 0.61mmol/L
Apolipoprotein is the common risk factor for heart diseases. According to a study on berberine, it lowers its amount by 13 to 15%. In addition, according to the studies, it restrains the PCSK9, reducing the level of LDL in the blood. Thus, berberine supplement controls the main factors of heart diseases like high blood glucose level and obesity that ultimately improve heart diseases.
While looking at the overall benefits of berberine supplements, it is clear how it helps improve overall health.
Berberine Health Benefits
In addition to these primary benefits, berberine has some other significant benefits as well.
Infections
This supplement is very beneficial in fighting against some harmful bacteria, fungi, and viruses in our bodies.
Heart Failure
According to research, it shows wonderful results in reducing the heart failure risks in many people. It’s because of controlling the leading causes of heart failure, including obesity and blood sugar balance. There is more research needed in these cases, but the present one still shows potential.
Cancer
The research on animals and related studies show that it can reduce various types of skin cancer. Therefore, it is not only helpful in stopping the spreading but also the growth of cancer.
Fatty liver
Diseases like Non-alcoholic fatty liver can result in the building up of fatty liver. In such cases, berberine benefits by reducing the fat build-up in life that, as a result, protects you from various diseases.
Depression
Studies prove that people who are using this supplement have experienced the benefits of getting rid of depression.
Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
Berberine supplement has amazing and effective anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory.
Dosage
Generally, people take a 500mg dosage and split it into three meals a day. Berberine supplement has a half-life of a few hours to benefit from it; split your dosage into three parts and take it at different times before a meal.
Side effects
If you are using any medicine, it is advised to contact your doctor before using the berberine supplement.
Berberine is beneficial and safe to use, but a few problems that few people face include diarrhea, stomach pain, cramping, flatulence, and digestion problems.
The recommended dosage is 500 mg, and it is best to take an hour before your meal and split the dosage into three portions.
Vital Information about Berberine Supplement
Berberine is among the list of 100% natural supplements that are as efficient as a chemical drug. But the plus point we got from the natural supplement is its zero side effects. Berberine supplement is famous due to its numerous health benefits, especially the maintenance of blood sugar levels.
Berberine supplement is used by many people looking for health benefits, but the most benefited people from these supplements are patients with diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Besides, it also works as an anti-aging supplement and also protects from specific chronic diseases.
How to take berberine
The dosage that is commonly recommended is 1500-2000 mg in a day. The best way is to split the dosage into two to three doses. Besides, it’s vital to go through the instructions that come with the berberine supplement. Taking a large amount at one time can cause stomach discomfort, gastrointestinal tract, and maybe problem indigestion.
Can you take Berberine on Medication?
Looking for the right way to take it with other medicines?
Please don’t take it, and you can’t take it with other medicines as they can react together. The berberine supplement works by slowing down the different body proteins (cytokines). Cytokines play the role of communication between different body cells. Our body cells communicate using RNAs, cytokines, interferons, Protein factors, neurotransmitters, hormones, and cytokines.
Inhibiting a few cytokines will not have any effect on cell communication. But it can result in the improper functioning of some other medications resulting in complications. That’s the reason it’s always advised to take it separately. The most common complications are seen with antibiotics and medicines that maintain your blood pressure.
Can I take berberine with food?
The majority of people think that the berberine supplement has a low rate of absorption in your stomach. But recent research proves that it is not only easily absorbed but quickly metabolized. It’s the main reason that it’s not in high concentration in blood tests.
Can I take berberine with an empty stomach? Or better with food?
Though berberine is highly absorbable, still its high supplement can have side effects like cramps, diarrhea. So it’s better to take it with either meal or maybe thirty minutes before having your meal.
If you take berberine according to your doctor’s instructions, you will probably face no side effects. However, it’s better not to adjust the dose by yourself without having proper care of your meal.
Thus to avoid any stomach-related issues, it would be best to take it with food. You can take grains, vegetables, or healthy and light fare with it.
Why should you take a Berberine supplement?
People are taking berberine due to many different causes. But the main reason is to maintain their blood sugar balance, a healthy weight, and a supportive immune system. In this article, I have tried to mention all the aspects of berberine, its side effects, its benefits, proper use, and timing.
Final Word
In the end, I hope you have got all the latest updates you want to know about the berberine supplement before using it. You will see the benefits if you take the recommended 500 mg dosage of berberine supplement and split it into three to four portions. The best way to take it is either before 15 to 20 minutes having a meal or maybe with a meal. Taking it with a meal will benefit in avoiding stomach issues that relate to it.
Berberine is a supplement that people are using to lower their high cholesterol levels, lose weight, and especially maintain blood sugar levels. As an analyst, I have done detailed research to give you detailed information about the correct usage of this fantastic supplement. If you have some chronic diseases, do consult your doctor before using them.
FAQ’s
Can I take berberine on an empty stomach?
According to studies, if you are taking berberine supplements in a recommended amount and splitting it into two or more portions, you will not face any stomach issues. You can take this supplement with food to avoid any complications.
Can I take a berberine supplement with my probiotics?
There are some very beneficial bacteria in probiotics that play an essential role in your health. However, taking probiotics with berberine can kill those bacteria and will not work effectively. Thus it is better to take them separately.
Does berberine suppress the appetite?
Yes, berberine is good with weight loss as it accelerates it by lowering your appetite. In our body, leptin is the hormone that plays its role in the stimulation of our appetite. Berberine is the lipoprotein lipase enzyme in our body that plays its part in fat storage in our body.
Is there a best time to take berberine?
The best time recommended to take it is with a meal or 20 to 30 minutes before having your dinner. However, to avoid any side effects on your stomach, take it 10 minutes before a meal; it would be even better to take it with your meal.
Does berberine cause diarrhea?
There is generally no side effect of berberine, but sometimes it can result in digestive problems like cramps, constipation, diarrhea, and some others. The main reason behind it is that it’s not entirely absorbed in the body.
Does berberine kill harmful bacteria?
Berberine is an organic natural supplement derived explicitly from plants like goldenseal, goldthread, Phellodendron, and many others. According to the studies, it does kill some harmful bacteria. Besides, its main benefits include lowering the risk of heart diseases, blood pressure, cholesterol, reduces cancer risks, and maintain blood pressure.
Does berberine affect good bacteria?
If we talk about our microbiome, berberine has a substantial impact. It does affect the potential pathogens in our body like Salmonella, Vibrio, E-coli, Proteus, and Klebsiella that have a positive effect on our body.
Does berberine help with digestion?
The formula of berberine is beneficial in improving the overall intestinal health, reduces gas and bloating, removes harmful bacteria, supports the gut, and improves overall health. Due to these benefits, it ultimately improves the absorption of nutrients.
Does Des berberine supplement improve your immune system?
According to research, berberine reduces the immune system. According to the study, berberine uses a chemical response to reduce the abnormal immune response.
Does berberine lower blood pressure?
Berberine is a perfect supplement that is beneficial in the various health markers improvements. In addition, it lowers the blood pressure level by reducing the triglycerides levels that also improves your heart health.
How to increase the berberine absorption?
Vitamin E water-soluble form (Vitamin E TPGS), an FDA-approved food additive, improves the absorption of various supplements and drugs.
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