As the craze over Ozempic, Mounjaro, and also various other incretin-based fat loss prescribeds carries on, a plant based supplement referred to as berberine has actually gone popular on TikTok, along with fans contacting it “attributes’s Ozempic.”

“I initially read about it coming from a close friend that learnt more about it on social networks,” mentioned Esther Andries, a 34-year-old vegan and also wellness business person that stays in LA. Unlike a lot of berberine fans submitting on TikTok, Andries states she wasn’t inspired through fat loss. “I’m really zealous concerning my wellness thus after carrying out some investigation, I assumed possibly it could possibly assist me. I’m a vegan and also I’ve possessed some problems along with bloating and also it undoubtedly aided with that. It additionally minimized my glucose desires and also offered me much more electricity.”

Along with expenses for fat loss medicines like Ozempic and also Monjouro—the incretin du jour—floating around $1,000 a month when certainly not dealt with through insurance coverage, numerous are actually looking to this reasonably low-cost non-prescription supplement rather. Yet exactly how risk-free is it to take this not regulated, bioactive material? And also performs berberine—which possesses been actually made use of for centuries in Far Eastern medication—definitely give the sort of mind-boggling fat loss perks as incretins?

Ozempic becomes part of a lesson of drugs referred to as GLP-1 receptor agonists, mostly made use of for handling style 2 diabetic issues. “These drugs perform through boosting blood insulin manufacturing, slowing down digestive function, and also lowering hunger,” claims Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen, a New York-based, board-certified endocrinologist. “While berberine has actually presented prospective in dealing with blood glucose level degrees and also boosting crowd profile pages, it is crucial to recognize that specific feedbacks may differ. It needs to certainly not be actually looked at an alternative to recommended drugs, specifically for people along with diabetic issues or even various other constant health conditions.”

Trying to find even more responses, our company sat along with Dr. Salas-Whalen for a much deeper study this well-known natural supplement.

Trend: The hashtag for berberine has more than 67 thousand sights on Tik Tok. If this supplement possesses been actually around for centuries in the Far East, what is actually steering its own abrupt rise in attraction in the conditions?

Dr. Salas-Whalen: I presume it is actually being actually steered due to the boosting recognition of medicines like Ozempic as well as additionally the scarcities our company’re seeing with these incretin medications. They are also very expensive—especially for those whose insurance won’t cover the expense—so many people are looking for alternatives to help them lose weight.

There have been so many OTC pills and supplements that have been marketed for weight loss over the years. Can you tell me a little bit about how and why berberine is different?

There is a fair amount of research supporting its positive effect on health in the medical literature. The herb has been used for centuries in traditional medicine so most of the important studies have been published in Chinese medical journals. Research shows it can have some effect on weight loss, not to mention glucose regulation, fatty liver, and high cholesterol.

How exactly does it work?

In addition to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, berberine activates brown adipose tissue. We have white and brown fat cells or adipose tissue. White fat is what stores fat and brown fat is a kind of good, healthy fat that promotes thermogenesis (heat production). This increases your metabolic rate, improves insulin sensitivity, and helps regulate insulin production. In addition to activating the brown fat, it also converts white fat into brown fat. This is why it helps with metabolic diseases.

That sounds positive. So what is the downside to people taking berberine?

There’s no regulation with any kind of OTC supplement. If you take too much, you may have side effects like gastric upset. There’s also a question of quality. It’s always good to find a reliable source [like Whole Foods pharmacy] and to consult your healthcare provider. Do the research. On Amazon, look for products with more reviews that have been around the longest. Of course, with any supplement, it’s a hit or miss. Some people will respond better and others may have side effects.

What are the main side effects?

The most common side effects are diarrhea, constipation, gas, and stomach upset. It’s also dangerous for pregnant women or those who are nursing. It can cross the placenta and also enter breast milk, causing liver problems for the fetus.

Yikes. Assuming you are far removed from your child-rearing years, are there any other side effects people should be aware of?

It can negatively interact with many drugs, including antihypertensive medications, sedatives (Ambien), and diabetes medications (like metformin) so this is definitely something people need to discuss with their doctor.

You mention berberine can be dangerous for a baby’s developing liver. Does Berberine cause liver toxicity in normal adults?

No, it actually helps with fatty liver because it increases thermogenesis (heat production) which decreases fat cells.

Is it an appetite suppressant?

No, it doesn’t affect appetite. As I mentioned before, it increases thermogenesis, which boosts how much fat you are actually burning. But it does help along with insulin so it may decrease sugar cravings.

If berberine increases insulin, can it cause hypoglycemia?

Yes, that’s why it’s been used to treat diabetes. When you increase insulin secretion in the pancreas, it can potentially cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). That’s one of the reasons we need to do more research; many of the studies didn’t look at the side effects.

What are some symptoms of hypoglycemia?

If it’s really low, you could pass out. But before that happens, you might feel shaky, clammy, and hungry. I don’t think it would cause a seizure, but if somebody is already taking a glucose-lowering medication, this could throw that into overdrive. It can also interfere with other herbal supplements (like glutathione) which can also help lower blood pressure or others (like glutamine) that regulate blood sugar. Also, if you are taking any herbs or supplements that slow down blood clotting, this could increase the risk of bleeding. Again, this is why it’s very important to consult your doctor before starting any kind of supplement.

How does berberine affect gut health? Does it interfere with probiotics?

Berberine is not an antibiotic, but it has some antibacterial effects. So if somebody’s taking probiotics and taking a high dose of berberine, then the supplement could kill a lot of the bacteria in their probiotics.

What is a safe dose of berberine and how often should you take it?

I recommend people take 500 milligrams three times a day for up to two years. You run into problems when you start overdosing. People think that because it’s an herbal supplement, they can take as much as they want and the more they take, the better. Again, this is why being supervised by a physician is very important. With all the research that’s been published, we still don’t really know enough about the supplements’ side effects and what happens if you take too much.

So, what’s the bottom line: is it “nature’s Ozempic” or just another weight loss snake oil pill?

I have a patient who lost 160 pounds with incretins. You are never going to lose that amount of weight with berberine. But for patients who need just a little bit more control managing their sugar cravings, there’s promising evidence that it could potentially help.

That said, comparing berberine to a specific medication like Ozempic oversimplifies the complex mechanisms at play. Prescription drugs undergo rigorous testing and are actually approved based on evidence-backed safety and also efficacy. Natural supplements like berberine may offer benefits, but they should be considered as part of a holistic approach to health and also should never replace prescribed treatments without proper health care direction.