Berberine Australia

Berberine Supplement Australia

Berberine is an ammonium salt predominantly found in the roots, stems, bark and rhizomes of the berberis plant amongst others. 

If you are considering buying berberine in Australia, keep reading to learn everything you need to know before using this powerful supplement.

What is Berberine?

what is berberine

Berberine has a strong yellow colour, with the plant species it is derived from often used as a dye for leather, wood and wool in the past and continues to be used as a dye for wool in northern India. Medicinally, it has been used as a folk medicine in China for centuries to counter gastrointestinal bacteria infections.

What does Berberine do?

berberine supplement australia

Berberine supplement has been shown to have numerous health benefits impacting the body at a molecular level. It is known to improve heart health, stimulate weight loss as well as lower blood sugar levels. A key molecular target for berberine is the enzyme AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Once ingested, it infiltrates the bloodstream and activates this enzyme which acts as major player in regulating metabolism. It can be found in a range of organs from the brain to the heart, kidneys and liver. 

Reducing the blood sugar levels of type 2 diabetics is a prominent positive for taking berberine supplement which appears to function via multiple mechanisms in the body. It works to improve insulin efficiency by decreasing the body’s insulin resistance. It increases glycolysis which allows the sugars inside cells to be broken down more easily. It increases the number of beneficial gut bacteria and slows down the breakdown of carbohydrates in the gut. It also decreases sugar production in the liver. Further benefits to diabetes sufferers include berberine being able to lower hemoglobin A1c which is a marker for long term blood sugar levels. It can also improve blood lipids such as cholesterol and triglycerides.

berberine weight loss

Studies have shown berberine to be conducive to significant weight loss in obese individuals, likely due to improving the function of fat-regulating hormones such as adiponectin, insulin and leptin. It also appears to limit the growth of fat cells at a molecular level.

Berberine supplement has also been proven to positively impact factors that are commonly associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Studies have shown berberine to be able to lower total cholesterol, lower LDL cholesterol, lower blood triglycerides and raise HDL cholesterol. Apolipoprotein B is a lipoprotein that carries fats and fat like substances in the blood. A high level of Apo B is another risk factor of heart disease and berberine has been shown to lower their levels in the blood. With high blood sugar levels and obesity being other heart disease risk factors, knowing that berberine is able to improve these symptoms is another box to tick in the list of reasons why taking it is a good idea.

Benefits

  • Improves heart health
  • Lowers blood sugar levels
  • Stimulates weight loss

Side Effects

Could include :

  • Diarrhea or Constipation
  • An upset stomach and/or gas
  • Headaches
  • Low blood pressure

Berberine Supplement in the Media

The most prominent news pieces on berberine tend towards the continued research into its potential benefits.

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Berberine and Anti-Inflammation (Jan 2020)

prnewswire

prnewswire.com

PR Newswire reported on a research team at Okayama University investigating berberine for its anti inflammatory properties and possible use in fighting inflammatory bowel disease.

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Preventative Measures (Jan 2020)

xinhuanet

xinhuanet.com

A team of Chinese medical researchers have declared that berberine is a preventative measure against colorectal adenoma (benign tumour) post resection (organ removal). Research was conducted across multiple Chinese provinces and found that berberine users suffered less recurrent adenomas in the follow up period.

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Berberine and Poly-Cystic Ovary Syndrome (Sep 2022)

Berberine

prevention.com

Prevention.com has reported that there is a growing body of evidence to suggest that berberine is a useful supplement in helping to manage poly-cystic ovary syndrome. It has shown in one study to be helpful to improve fertility in some women who have PCOS. It has also displayed evidence of helping to fight heart disease due to its impact on lipids (fats), body composition and hormones. The article also talks through what berberine is, side effects and more information about poly-cystic ovary syndrome.

Research Studies

Holistically, berberine is a botanic compound which assaults multiple targets causing chronic disorders.

2012
Berberine vs Chronic Disease

This analysis is indicative of the therapeutic efficacy of berberine use and how deploying a multiple target strategy might be more beneficial in combatting chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Results

The minimal side effects of berberine, combined with its multi pronged attacks on symptoms of chronic disease, make it an excellent supplementary piece of therapy.

2012
Safe and Therapeutic

The safety and effectiveness of berberine was tested in this study in conjunction with 7 other groups featuring other medicines or lifestyle alterations. 6 of the 7 groups showed an improvement to factors causing type 2 diabetes hyperlipidemia and hypertension. Similarly, this study highlighted the safety of using berberine to counter type 2 diabetes and other diseases like renal disease, hepatic dysfunction and heart disease.

Results

Berberine is a safe alternative counter to chronic diseases

1996
Weight Loss Win

There are numerous studies indicative of berberine as a proponent to weight loss.

This research noted mild weight loss in obese human subjects consuming 500mg of berberine orally, three times per day. Other findings included a significant reduction in blood lipid levels a 12.2% decrease to cholesterol and 23% decrease to triglyceride. Blood lipids are mainly fatty acids and cholesterol, with elevated levels being a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Berberine was also found to minimise the formation of adipocytes which specialise in storing energy as fat. This study found that the accumulation of lipid drops in the preadipocytes (stem cells or precursor cells) was decreased, inhibiting adipocyte formation, indicating a probable benefit to obesity patients.  

Results:

Weight and blood lipids are reduced through berberine consumption, particularly in the obese.

1996
Helping Heart Disease

Further research is indicative of berberine being a safe treatment for factors causing heart disease. No serious adverse effects were noted by any of the groups consuming it, whilst the final analysis also indicated a reduction in total cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Simultaneously, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, which is cholesterol that helps remove other forms of cholesterol from the bloodstream, was found to be dramatically increased.

Results:

With so many positively impacted areas, berberine intake points to a reduced risk of heart disease.

1996
Anti-cancer Effects

A study into the idea that sometimes old remedies require new perspectives has suggested that berberine has useful properties for potential anti-cancer effects. With a wide range of pharmacological and biochemical effects, bereberine has been used for hundreds of years in Chinese and Ayuverdic medicine. This research was undertaken to see how berberine could block the proliferation of cancer cells and see how effective it is in killing them.

Results:

In conjunction with radiation therapy and the use of other drugs, berberine was found to have a mitigating effect on cancer cells. In some instances, it helped the process of cancer cell apoptosis (programmed cell death) and had an inhibitory effect on cancer cell growth. Cell migration was also found to be limited by the influence of berberine, helping to prevent the spread of the cancer cells throughout the body.

Anecdotal Claims

There are a number of positive outcomes experienced by berberine users.

Source: webmd.com
Dates: 12/10/19; 12/08/19; 10/06/17; 01/01/16

‘Gary712’ and ‘paliku7427’ both noted that their A1C (a test for blood glucose) levels were reduced after taking berberine. 

‘paliku7427’ also noted that their body was slimming and found they had more energy to exercise

Other users were somewhat indifferent with one recording possible adverse side effects. 

‘olrobert’ noted their blood sugar had not been lowered after consuming 900mg of berberine a day for up to 4 weeks

‘anonymous’ indicated that they also had not experienced a change to blood sugar after 1 month of use but had been experiencing dizzy spells and were concerned that they were caused by the berberine

Source: diabetesdaily.com
Date: 11/09/15 

‘Oniq’ detailed an excellent experience using berberine. They report that after taking the supplement 3 times a day with meals, that they experienced a drop in their blood sugar levels. They also said that combining this with a change in diet enabled them to help lose weight as well

Is Berberine Legal in Australia?

Legal Status

The Therapeutic Goods Administration of Australia has berberine listed as a substance that may be used in listed medicines within Australia.

Source : https://www.tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/cm-listed-substances_0.pdf

Where to Buy Berberine in Australia?

There are numerous sites where you can buy berberine online in Australia and it is a product available in varying concentrations.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for research purposes ONLY and is not an endorsement or recommendation of any kind. We have no affiliation with any of the below options unless explicitly stated otherwise.

evitamins offers a wide range of berberine products

Price

Various

iHerb has a more extensive range again and even offers composite products

Price

Various

Supplement Hound has their own personal list of preferred berberine products, all of which are available through Amazon

Price

Various

Berberine Dosage and Usage

berberine dosage

Standard berberine dosage is in the range of 900 to 1500mg per day with one of the most common ways to achieve that being through 3 x 500mg taken half an hour before meals. To avoid potential digestive issues, it is recommended to be taken with food, however it does have an outstanding safety profile with side effects being unlikely. To achieve stability in the blood, taking berberine at regular is advised due to its half life being several hours.

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