Berberine: Why You Need It?

Due to the countless health benefits it has to offer, it’s not surprising why Berberine has become so popular among many people.

This powerful bioactive compound has been in use for a very long time, thus earning its place in traditional Chinese medicine where it was used to treat various ailments.

A color yellow compound belonging to a class of compounds called alkaloids, berberine can be extracted from several plants like goldenseal, barberry, tree turmeric, and a group of shrubs called Berberis.

Below are some of the health benefits you can get from including berberine in your daily routine:

Reduce Blood Sugar Levels

Perhaps the most popular among berberine’s many benefits is its ability to bring down blood sugar levels.

We all know how serious type-2 diabetes can be and how it can negatively impact a person’s health and mortality which makes this benefit all the more important.

Over the years, several studies have proven berberine’s effectiveness in lowering blood sugar levels among people with type-2 diabetes.  

Some have even gone so far as comparing it to metformin, a popular diabetes drug.

Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease

Another significant contribution berberine brings is its positive effects on a person’s cholesterol which, if not given the proper attention, can lead to possibly contracting heart disease.

A number of studies have shown that berberine can lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, blood triglycerides, and apolipoprotein B which is considered to be a significant risk factor.

Also, keep in mind that blood sugar levels and obesity are both potential risk factors for developing heart disease.  

The fact that berberine has the ability to manage both makes it an effective solution for addressing heart disease prevention as a whole.

Help You Lose Weight

Obesity is another health problem the whole world has been trying to address for years.  Apart from the potential complications, obesity can easily lead to death if left unchecked.

The good news is berberine can also help you lose weight by helping improve the functions of several fat-regulating hormones like adiponectin, insulin, and leptin as per research.

Studies have also shown significant weight reduction among test subjects who took berberine for a couple of months.

Good for the Lungs

Research also suggests that berberine can help improve lung function because of its anti-inflammatory properties.

One study has even shown that it can help reduce the effects of cigarette smoke-induced acute lung inflammation.

Help to Protect the Liver

Though more research and study are still needed to support this claim, research conducted suggests that berberine may be good for the liver due to its positive effects on blood sugar, insulin, and triglycerides.

These are all good indicators of possible liver damage especially for people suffering from diabetes.

Final Thoughts

It’s rare to find supplements or compounds that have a positive effect on several serious health conditions.  

Given the list of health issues berberine can help address, it’s clear that including this amazing compound in your daily regimen will do more good than harm though it’s still best to consult a physician before making such a decision.