Articles

Can People With Diabetes Take Berberine?

by Andrew R. Researcher

Can berberine aid in the treatment of type 2 diabetes?

The hypoglycemic effect of berberine was documented in 1988 when it was used to treat diarrhoea in diabetic patients in China, according to a study that was published in the journal Metabolism in 2008. Since that time, Chinese doctors have employed berberine to treat diabetes. 36 Chinese adults with newly discovered type 2 diabetes were randomly allocated to take either berberine or metformin for three months in this pilot trial. The hypoglycemic impact of berberine, according to the authors, was comparable to that of metformin and considerably reduced A1C, pre- and post-meal blood sugars, and triglycerides. They came to the conclusion that berberine might be a "candidate" for the treatment of type 2 diabetes but noted that further research is required, both in terms of population size and across different ethnic groups.

The majority of berberine investigations have been conducted in China using berberine derived from the Chinese herb Coptis chinensis. There hasn't been as much research done on berberine's other sources. Additionally, the dosage and duration of berberine use have changed from research to study.

Berberine has the potential to decrease cholesterol and perhaps blood pressure in addition to decreasing blood sugar levels. Diabetes patients frequently have high cholesterol and blood pressure, which raises their risk of heart disease.

Is it okay to take berberine?

In the majority of clinical research for best berberine supplement, berberine has been demonstrated to be safe, and just a few patients in human studies have experienced nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or constipation when taking conventional doses. High doses have occasionally caused rare but severe headaches, skin rashes, and rapid heartbeats.

According to MedlinePlus, berberine is "maybe safe" for the majority of adults in doses up to 1.5 grammes daily for six months; it is also "perhaps safe" for the majority of adults to apply topically when used temporarily. However, berberine is regarded as "potentially dangerous" for children, infants, and pregnant or nursing mothers.

The potential for interactions between berberine and some drugs is one of the key safety concerns. Combining berberine with another diabetes medicine may result in dangerously low blood sugar levels. Additionally, berberine may interact with sedatives, cyclosporine, a medication used to treat organ transplant recipients, and warfarin, a blood thinner.

Although berberine exhibits potential as a novel class of diabetic drugs, larger-scale, longer-term clinical investigations on this substance have not yet been conducted. Berberine may be another diabetic treatment option, particularly before beginning insulin therapy, so maybe these will be completed soon.

Prior to using berberine...

Be sure to first think about the following if you're considering trying berberine:

Before ingesting this or any dietary supplement, consult your doctor.

• If you choose to use berberine, keep taking your diabetes medication as prescribed. First, go through your drug regimen with your doctor.

• Berberine is offered as a pill, a powder, and an extract. A normal dose of berberine, according to the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), is 500 mg taken three times each day. However, make sure you ask your doctor if it's safe for you to use it and, if so, what dosage is best for you.

• Buy a berberine supplement from a reputable company that has a third-party certification from NSF International, UL, or NSF if you and your healthcare professional think it is safe for you to try (this should be stated on the label). Additionally, keep in mind that the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate dietary supplements (FDA).

• If you take berberine, be careful to keep an eye on your blood sugar levels (and especially if you are already taking medication to treat diabetes). Inform your provider straight away if you have hypoglycemia, low blood sugar, or any other negative symptoms.

• If you are expecting or nursing a baby, avoid taking berberine.

Last but not least best berberine supplement, while berberine might be a tool to help you control your diabetes, it is not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle, which has considerably more evidence to support its benefits.


Sponsor Ads


About Andrew R. Junior   Researcher

1 connections, 0 recommendations, 8 honor points.
Joined APSense since, February 13th, 2020, From California, United States.

Created on Oct 24th 2022 11:11. Viewed 98 times.

Comments

No comment, be the first to comment.
Please sign in before you comment.