The truth about berberine, the plant-derived supplement dubbed nature’s Ozempic
A dietary supplement called “nature’s Ozempic” is taking the internet by storm with thousands of people touting its weight loss benefits.
The plant-derived weight loss aid is believed to help treat inflammation, high cholesterol and diabetes, though the evidence to support these claims is limited — but it’s not yet clear if the supplement is safe to take long-term.
While people on social media have been raving about the transformations they’ve seen in the form of looser pants and a lower number on the scale, they’ve also shared uncomfortable side effects, including diarrhea and constipation.
Given berberine’s growing popularity, DailyMail.com put together all the facts you need to know about what it claims to do and how effective it is.
What is it exactly?
Berberine is derived from the barberry plant, pictured here. The berries, rich in berberine, are also said to have antioxidant properties
The bitter-tasting chemical is found in certain plants, including European barberry, goldenseal, goldthread, Oregon grape, phellodendron and tree turmeric.
The composition has been one established value in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years to treat countless ailments, including pink eye, itchy skin, high blood sugar, and urinary tract infections, among other bacterial infections.
Yet these benefits have not been confirmed in large-scale clinical trials.
A bottle of 60 supplements, one for each meal, can be had for about $30 on major retail sites, including Amazon.
With thousands of positive reviews and rave reviews on TikTok, the chemical is quickly becoming known as a natural alternative to expensive Wegovy or Ozempic, prescription drugs that are not always covered by health insurance.
But it works very differently from the prescription drugs, also called semaglutide.
Wegovy is a higher-dose version approved for weight loss in people with a body mass index of at least 30, or in overweight people with a BMI of 27 or higher, who also have a weight-related medical condition.
Ozempic, meanwhile, is approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but it is prescribed “off-label” for obesity.
Semaglutide stimulates weight loss by mimicking the action of GLP-1, or glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone in the brain that regulates appetite and feelings of satiety.
What are the advantages?
Despite anecdotal evidence that berberine can help users shed pounds — including one woman on TikTok who lost seven pounds in six weeks — its weight loss benefits have not been confirmed in large peer-reviewed studies.
The mechanism behind berberine supposedly working as a weight loss supplement is also unclear.
Yet the evidence is expanding. A 2017 review published in the Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences found that patients who took two 750-milligram capsules every day for three months had “a significant decrease” in weight.
A separate study published in the American Journal of Translational Research suggested that the supplement activates brown adipose tissue, or fat cells that tell the body to convert food into energy by burning calories.
The chemical also has several other uses.
A 2019 analysis published in the Endocrine Journal indicated that taking berberine supplements was more effective at lowering blood glucose levels than a placebo.
Investigate too suggests the supplement may help treat polycystic ovarian syndrome, a condition that occurs when the ovaries produce much more of a certain type of hormone called androgens, leading to irregular menstrual cycles and unpredictable ovulation.
And research has shown that berberine can do just that decrease hemoglobin A1Ca measure of blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
What do users say?
In an update five weeks after she started taking the supplement berberine, Savannah Crosby shared another before and after photo detailing her weight loss transformation.
In another clip, which has been viewed more than 83,000 times, @briana_parra2 shared before and after photos from seven months of berberine use. “I take puritans pride 500mg,” she told a user who commented on her video. Before she started taking berberine, she weighed 285 pounds (129.2 kg)
The hashtag #berberine has been viewed 58 million times on TikTok, of which 1.7 million are specific to weight loss.
Savannah Crosby, a 34-year-old TikToker from Texas, has lost about seven pounds while taking the supplement.
About two months ago she started taking berberine. At the same time, she also changed her diet and lifestyle as recommended. Despite eating healthy and exercising almost every day, the number on the scale did not change.
Before starting her weight loss journey, she weighed 85 kg and described herself as “frustrated.”
In an effort to slim down, she took to TikTok to chronicle her experience with the supplement, taking three 600mg capsules daily — one 30 minutes before each meal.
She shared her weekly progress with before and after photos, after six weeks she claimed she weighed 180.8 pounds (82 kg).
“I’ve definitely only seen a change in my body, the way my clothes fit me. I’m probably losing inches,” Crosby said.
Another TikTok user said, “Week 9 on berberine and 18 pounds off,” while a second boasted, “Two weeks in and 8 pounds off.”
Another clip with 1.7 million views posted from the account @daphnunez says, “Berberine is my go-to supplement for my weight loss clients simply because it is extremely transformative.
‘It has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries to treat a number of metabolic health problems such as diabetes and obesity.
“Overall just a really good supplement if you want to lose weight.”
Is it safe?
Berberine supplements, like all dietary supplements, are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. People interested in taking it, especially those who are already taking medications to treat other conditions, should consult their doctor first
Scientists are still trying to answer this question with certainty. Since it comes from plants, it’s easy to fall into the delusion that it must be harmless. Pregnant women are advised not to use it as it may pose a risk of brain damage to the fetus or young children.
Taking according to the instructions on the bottle can negatively affect the metabolism of medications prescribed to treat diabetes or other medical conditions.
Whether it is safe to take over a long period of time remains unclear. Users who stop taking it can also quickly gain weight again.
It is believed that stopping Wegovy or Ozempic abruptly will cause the pounds to pile back on.
Common side effects of Berberine include diarrhea, constipation, and upset stomach.
Crosby, for example, has complained about the capsule’s gastrointestinal side effects and generally says the benefits outweigh the cost.
She also said, “I’m noticing my hunger is coming back a bit and I don’t know if that means I need to increase my dosage, but it’s fine, I’m working through it.”