Can People With Diabetes Take Berberine?
by Andrew R. ResearcherCan 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.
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Created on Oct 24th 2022 11:11. Viewed 98 times.