7 Berberine Benefits You Need to Know About to Improve Health

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If given the opportunity to live forever, would you take it? While there is no such thing as a “fountain of youth” or magic pill that helps ensure good health and a long life, there are some things available that can help. Berberine is one of those things. But do you know all the berberine benefits you can experience through its use?

In this article, we are going to take a deeper dive into berberine benefits and how you can improve your health through its use.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not to be taken as medical advice or to treat or diagnose any condition. Berberine and the information in this article should not supersede a doctor’s advice, and you should always speak to your doctor before adding any supplements to your regimen to ensure you are healthy enough to do so and to confirm it will not interact with any supplements or medications you may currently be taking.

What Is Berberine?​

It would be naïve to think that everyone has heard of berberine or even knows what it is. Berberine benefits have been known for many years, and this supplement is one of the most popular natural supplements out on the market today, thanks to its health benefits.

Berberine is an alkaloid found in plants such as goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), Oregon grape root (Mahonia aquifolium), barberry (Berberis vulgaris), and golden seal (Hydrastis canadenis). It is also present in some foods, such as beans, lentils, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts, kale, spinach, collard greens, turnip greens, mustard greens, parsley, celery, garlic, onions, leeks, chives, and horseradish. You may also find berberine in many herbal tea blends.

If you were to consume straight berberine, it would be very bitter to the taste and naturally yellow in color.

There are many studies out there that highlight berberine benefits for overall health.

But enough with what berberine is, let’s dive into the berberine benefits you can experience through supplementing with this crucial alkaloid.

Berberine Benefits You Should Know​

Below are seven berberine benefits that you may find helpful when looking to maximize your overall health and longevity.

SUPPORTS WEIGHT LOSS​

When looking at Americans today, who wouldn’t want to lose some pounds they’ve been holding onto? Around 70% of American adults are considered overweight. If there were a way to take a pill and help better manage your weight, many would jump on the opportunity. Well, that opportunity is here thanks to berberine supplements.

One of the berberine benefits is that it may support with the reduction of body fat and improve health markers. In addition, it has been found that the use of berberine can actually prevent the growth of fat cells.

BOOST IMMUNITY​

Berberine has been shown to boost immunity by increasing white blood cell production and activity. It also may support with fighting off viruses and other harmful pathogens. Being that your body is under attack 24/7 from foreign pathogens and bacteria, it’s important to keep the immune system functioning optimally.

Berberine also contains extremely potent antioxidant properties that help prevent free radicals from doing harm to the body and cells.

SUPPORTS HEALTHY BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS​

Diabetes is a major issue in the United States due to the unhealthy American diet that is loaded with sugar. If you want to help prevent diabetes and pre-diabetes, not only do you need to better manage your weight, as we mentioned earlier, but you also need to better manage your blood sugar.

One of the berberine benefits is that it may support with the reduction of blood sugar levels. If blood sugar is something you’re worried about, berberine can help.

BOOST MOOD & HELP REDUCE ANXIETY​

Berberine has been shown to support with depression by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. This may support with the reduction of symptoms like depression, anxiety, irritability, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. Whether used in supplement form, naturally, or through an herbal tea, if you aren’t quite feeling like yourself, berberine may be able to help.

SUPPORT GUT HEALTH​

Gut health and immunity go together. Not many people know that the gut is one of the most powerful parts of the immune system. When the gut microbiome is thrown off, it can send the immune system into a downward spiral that allows illnesses to creep in. Through the help of berberine, you can improve your gut health.

One of the many berberine benefits is that it can support with reducing intestinal permeability, which causes enzymes and vital nutrients to leak out from the gut. As you can imagine, this causes many issues. Berberine helps strengthen the integrity of the gut lining to prevent such leakage from taking place.

Another of the berberine benefits, as it relates to gut health, is that it can improve the healthy bacteria found in the gut. This further helps boost immunity and improve digestion.

HELPS MANAGE CHOLESTEROL LEVELS​

Going right along with the unhealthy American diet is high cholesterol levels. While many go on cholesterol medication, berberine may be something to consider to help naturally lower cholesterol levels. According to a review, it has been shown that one of the powerful berberine benefits is that it may support with cholesterol-lowering properties.

Berberine can help lower LDL cholesterol levels (the “bad” cholesterol) while increasing HDL levels (the “good” cholesterol). One review found that making some lifestyle changes while adding berberine into your regimen can help even further when looking to lower cholesterol levels.

SUPPORT HEALTHY INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE​

Inflammation is a natural process that happens in the body. Even things like exercise will cause inflammation. The key point of differentiation is that inflammation from exercise and similar should come and go — it shouldn’t be chronic. When inflammation is chronic, it could mean that you’re fighting an illness, disease, or other factors of a compromised immune system.

The use of berberine can help in many ways regarding inflammation. If you feel you’re suffering from severe or chronic inflammation, you may want to try berberine.