Health Insights

Berberine IR

Written By Steven Horne

Berberine is an alkaloid found in many herbs traditionally used for fighting infection and improving the health of the gastrointestinal tract. It is a bright yellow color, which means some plants containing it have also been used as yellow dyes.

Berberine is a major component of the popular Western herbs goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium) and barberry (Berberis vulgaris). It is also found in the two popularly used Chinese herbs, Amur cork tree (Phellodendron amurense) and coptis or goldenthread (Coptis chinensis). Other plants containing this alkaloid include yerba mansa and yellowroot. Although herbalists have benefited from these plants for many years, recent research into the properties of berberine has brought this compound to the attention of medical science. Here are some of the benefits showing up in the research:

Blood Sugar Regulation: Berberine has shown some benefits in the treatment of insulin resistant (type 2) diabetes. It helps to reduce blood glucose levels and appears to reduce insulin resistance. In one study, 36 adults who had been recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were given berberine or the drug metformin. The berberine performed as well as the drug in lowering blood sugar.

Blood Lipid Regulation: High levels of blood fats (triglycerides) are typically associated with diabetes and its precursor, metabolic syndrome. High levels of these free fatty acids are known to be toxic to the pancreas and increase insulin resistance. Berberine has been shown to help lower triglycerides and cholesterol, working by a different method than statins, so it lacks the dangerous side effects associated with these drugs.

Infections: Plants containing berberine have been used by many cultures to treat infectious diarrhea, intestinal parasites, urinary tract infections and other infections. Berberine has been shown to have antimicrobial activity against many types of bacteria, viruses and fungi. For example, goldenseal has been listed in the official materia medica of many countries as a cure for giardia (amebic dysentery) and herbs like barberry have been very effective in treating fungal infections.

Intestinal Dysbiosis: Intestinal dysbiosis is an imbalance in the microbes living in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. One of these imbalances is small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). SIBO causes belching, burping, acid indigestion about one hour following meals and bloating. SIBO is a primary cause of leaky gut syndrome and has been linked to numerous health problems, including acne, chronic fatigue, diabetes, fibromyalgia, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, inflammatory bowel diseases and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and obesity. This does not mean that intestinal dysbiosis is the cause of all of these problems; it just means that it may be a contributing factor or a co-factor in these health problems. Helping to regulate the microbes in the GI tract may be part of the reason why berberine has such broad-reaching health benefits.
Intestinal dysbiosis is an imbalance in the microbes living in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. One of these imbalances is small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). SIBO causes belching, burping, acid indigestion about one hour following meals and bloating. SIBO is a primary cause of leaky gut syndrome and has been linked to numerous health problems, including acne, chronic fatigue, diabetes, fibromyalgia, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, inflammatory bowel diseases and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and obesity. This does not mean that intestinal dysbiosis is the cause of all of these problems; it just means that it may be a contributing factor or a co-factor in these health problems. Helping to regulate the microbes in the GI tract may be part of the reason why berberine has such broad-reaching health benefits.

I have personally used it for this purpose and found it to be one of the most helpful remedies I’ve tried. It reduced gas, bloating and belching and also increased my overall energy.

MRSA: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria are problematic because they resist antibiotics. Berberine not only has activity against MRSA, it appears to help restore the effectiveness of other antibiotics by inhibiting the mechanisms these organisms use to resist the drugs.

Cardiovascular Health: By helping to reduce blood sugar and blood lipid levels, berberine is clearly beneficial to cardiovascular health. But, there is more. Studies suggest that berberine (or herbs containing it) may be helpful for heart problems. Coptis, one of the berberine-containing herbs, has been used in Chinese medicine to treat hypertension and chronic heart failure. A study published in the American Journal of Cardiology in 2002 showed that patients being treated medically for congestive heart failure showed greater improvement when berberine was added to their program in comparison to a placebo. Exercise capacity improved, heart function improved and mortality was reduced. Berberine also appears to help lower blood pressure.

Other Benefits: There is some researching suggesting that berberine (or herbs containing it) may be helpful in certain types of cancer, such as liver, breast and prostate cancer. Berberine also appears to have antidepressant activity, increasing norepinephrine and serotonin levels while lowering dopamine. It may also have protective effects against Alzheimer’s disease

Suggested Use: Berberine IR contains 335 mg. of berberine from Indian Barberry. Suggested use is one capsule three times daily. One can also obtain the benefits of berberine by taking herbs like goldenseal and Oregon grape.

Selected References:
Efficacy of Berberine in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2410097/)
Berberine supplement benefit, side effects by Ray Sahelian, M.D. (http://www.raysahelian.com/berberine.html)
Berberine hydrochloride: anticancer activity and nanoparticulate delivery system (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3173044/)
Berberine (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berberine)

Seven Foods to Supercharge Your Gut Bacteria

By Meghan Jardine, M.S., M.B.A., R.D., L.D., C.D.E., associate director of diabetes nutrition education at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting effective medical practice, higher standards in research, and preventive nutrition.

Did you know we are only 10 percent human? Ninety percent of our cells are nonhuman, microbial cells. Since our diet influences our microbes, it’s true: We really are what we eat.

The good news is that you can cultivate a new microbiota, formerly known as gut flora, in just 24 hours—by changing what you eat. Bacteria that live in our intestinal tract, also known as gut bugs, flourish off of colorful, plant-based foods. The latest studies on microbiota continue to show us how the process works, which explains why the mere mention of gut bacteria sparks conversations in both research labs and newsrooms.

Healthy gut bugs act like quarterbacks in our intestinal tracts: They call the shots and control the tempo by helping our bodies digest and absorb nutrients, synthesize certain vitamins, and rally against intruders, such as influenza and toxic cancer-forming carcinogens. In addition to boosting our immune system, microbiota sends messages to our brain and helps regulate metabolism.

Gut Bacteria Diet

Seven Foods That Supercharge Your Gut Bacteria

Broccoli & other cruciferous vegetables – Packed with Glucosinolates; Fight inflammation & cancer.
Bananas – Fight inflammation – Stabilize gut bacteria.
Beans/Legumes – Release short-chain fatty acids; Boost vitamin absorption; Satiety.
Jerusalem Artichokes – Rich in inulin fiber; Strong prebiotic.
Blueberries – Enhance immune system; Destroy harmful bacteria.
Polenta – High in fiber; Fermentable.
Fermented Plant-based Food Components – Miso Soup – Relaxes Blood Pressure; Tempeh – Crowds out unhealthy bacteria; Boosts nutrient absorption.

The Importance of Water

Once again, to emphasize the words of Steven Horne on the importance of water:

Don’t Sweat It Out:

First, when you’re hot, drink more water. Force yourself to drink more water than you think you need. The only way to know that you’re drinking enough water is if you are urinating freely and your urine is clear (unless colored by vitamins you’re taking).

You also need to eat a little natural sea salt, because when we sweat, we also lose salt. Your body can’t hold onto the water you drink without some salt.

You can also cool the body by reducing heat production, eat less fatty and calorie heavy foods and focus on watery, low calorie foods. Antioxidant-rich berries and sour fruits, like lemons, limes, raspberries and wolfberries, reduce oxidation and therefore heat production.

This is why they have been used to reduce inflammation and fever. This same heat-reducing action can help cool your body when it’s hot.
Thai-Go contains many of these sour, heat-reducing fruits, making it an ideal “cooler” for hot summer days. In the hot days of summer, I like to make a cooling beverage I call Thai-Go Lemon-Aid. This is simply making a lemon-aid base with freshly squeezed lemon juice and an equal amount of pure maple syrup. I add about three to five tablespoons of this sweetened lemon juice to cool water (adjust it to taste) and then add about one tablespoon of Thai-Go (again adjust it to taste).

When I really need to hydrate, I find that adding this to sparkling water makes a refreshing alternative to soda pop and hydrates me more rapidly. Drinking this while also consuming extra water and salt, helps me keep my cool when I have to work outside in the heat.

Don’t let yourself become a victim of: “Water, water, every where, and not an acceptable drop to drink.”