Berberine For Weight Loss

September 30, 2024

What is all the buzz about berberine? Many claim that berberine works as well as Ozempic, a medication typically used for type 2 diabetes.

What is Berberine?

What is Berberine? Berberine is a bioactive compound found in several plants including goldenseal, barberry, and Oregon grape. It has been used as a medicine for centuries.

Berberine is Helpful with Several Health Issues

Berberine can be helpful with:

Controlling blood sugar
Lowering total cholesterol and lowering LDL, the bad cholesterol
Anti-inflammatory effects
Gut Health
Weight management

If your goal is weight loss, you are probably better off using berberine instead of the prescription Ozempic.

Ozempic for Weight Loss?

Ozempic has not been approved for weight loss and is considered "off-label". That doesn't mean it won't work in some cases, but the safety and efficacy has not been properly studied for that drug use.

Watch For Facial Aging

Ozempic is an injectable and is typically injected once a week in the stomach or thigh. All drugs come with side undesired effects and this one is no exception. It can lead to malnutrition and facial aging!

Oh, and the last reason not to use Ozempic is the price, $1400 a month!

Looking for a One Pill Option?

Berberine is not the silver bullet and should not be substituted for a healthy diet and exercise. Sorry. Some personal effort required.

Don't Use Berberine if

Berberine has a few contraindications.

It should not be taken if nursing or pregnant.

It should not be taken along with immunosuppressants, beta-blockers or antidepressants.

It is also a strong antimicrobial so should not be taken over long periods of time so as not to disrupt the microbiome.

If you do decide to use berberine for weight loss keep your dose at about 500 mg. three times a day over a period of 8 weeks, then take a break for a few weeks before resuming.