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evidence · mechanism · dose
Supplements/Compound

Berberine (Glucose Use)

AMPK activator with metformin-comparable glucose-lowering effects.

Insulin SensitivityBlood Sugar ManagementCarb ManagementMetabolism Support

Overview

AMPK activator with metformin-comparable glucose-lowering effects.

Natural sources
    Common forms

      Mechanism of action

      Activates AMPK in liver and muscle, increasing GLUT4 translocation and reducing hepatic gluconeogenesis.

      Pathways
      • · AMPK activation
      • · GLUT4 translocation

      Effects on the body

      Organ system effects

      Evidence-based benefits

      Lowers HbA1c comparable to metformin

      Strong evidence

      Improves lipid profile

      Moderate evidence

      Potential side effects

      Common
      • · GI upset
      • · Cramping
      Rare
        Serious

          Drug interactions

          CYP3A4 substrates
          Strong CYP3A4 inhibitor.
          moderate
          Cyclosporine
          Raises cyclosporine 2-fold.
          severe

          Safety & non-supplemental interactions

          Educational summary — always confirm with your clinician or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or combining with prescription therapy.

          Avoid with these conditions
          • ·Hypoglycemia tendency
          Avoid / monitor with these medications
          • ·Insulin, metformin, sulfonylureas (additive hypoglycemia)

          Supplement interactions

          Pairs well with

          None listed.

          Avoid combining with

          No specific avoidances listed.

          Dosing & bioavailability

          Typical dose
          500 mg TID with meals
          With food?
          With meals

          Where to buy

          Affiliate-style search links to reputable retailers. We don't endorse specific brands — verify third-party testing (USP, NSF, Informed Sport) before purchase.

          Compound
          Berberine (G…
          Amazon
          Wide selection · fast shipping
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          iHerb
          Global delivery · curated brands
          Compound
          Berberine (G…
          Thorne
          Practitioner-grade · NSF tested

          Scientific evidence (9)

          RCTMetabolism · 2008

          Berberine vs metformin in type 2 diabetes

          Yin J, et al.

          3-month RCT comparing berberine and metformin.

          Key findings

          Comparable glycemic control with improved lipids.

          Open study
          Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

          PubMed: Berberine (Glucose Use) — Lowers HbA1c comparable to metformin

          Live PubMed search

          Live results for "Berberine (Glucose Use) Lowers HbA1c comparable to metformin" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

          Key findings

          Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Berberine (Glucose Use) and "Lowers HbA1c comparable to metformin". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

          Open study
          Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

          PubMed: Berberine (Glucose Use) — Improves lipid profile

          Live PubMed search

          Live results for "Berberine (Glucose Use) Improves lipid profile" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

          Key findings

          Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Berberine (Glucose Use) and "Improves lipid profile". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

          Open study
          Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

          PubMed: Berberine (Glucose Use) — randomized controlled trial

          Live PubMed search

          Live results for "Berberine (Glucose Use) randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

          Key findings

          Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Berberine (Glucose Use) and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

          Open study
          Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

          PubMed: Berberine (Glucose Use) — meta-analysis

          Live PubMed search

          Live results for "Berberine (Glucose Use) meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

          Key findings

          Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Berberine (Glucose Use) and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

          Open study
          Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

          PubMed: Berberine (Glucose Use) — pharmacokinetics

          Live PubMed search

          Live results for "Berberine (Glucose Use) pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

          Key findings

          Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Berberine (Glucose Use) and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

          Open study
          Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

          PubMed: Berberine (Glucose Use) — safety adverse events

          Live PubMed search

          Live results for "Berberine (Glucose Use) safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

          Key findings

          Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Berberine (Glucose Use) and "safety adverse events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

          Open study
          Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

          PubMed: Berberine (Glucose Use) — dose response

          Live PubMed search

          Live results for "Berberine (Glucose Use) dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

          Key findings

          Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Berberine (Glucose Use) and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

          Open study
          Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

          Google Scholar: Berberine (Glucose Use) — clinical evidence

          Live Scholar search

          Cross-database citation index for Berberine (Glucose Use) as it relates to "clinical evidence".

          Key findings

          Includes preprints, theses, and journal articles. Useful for tracking citation counts and follow-on work.

          Open study
          Educational use only. This profile is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition.