IF YOU'VE BEEN on TikTok recently, you've probably heard the term berberine. A few viral videos have been calling the supplement 'nature's Ozempic'—the 'miracle' weight loss drug (originally approved as a treatment for diabetes) that has risen to popularity recently.
Berberine may be new to your vocabulary, but it's been around a while. It's been part of Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine practices for thousands of years, and has been shown be helpful for first aid in burn injuries, says Patrick Fratellone, M.D., cardiologist and herbalist of Fratellone Medical Associates in NYC.
It's getting different attention now, sparking the interest of TikTok users as a way to lose weight. But, is it really the miracle weight loss supplement they say it is? We asked the experts.
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What is Berberine?
Berberine is a natural alkaloid compound found in several plants, such as the goldenseal, barberry, and Oregan grape plants, says Fratellone.
Just because it's natural doesn't mean it's harmless, though. "Other commonly known alkaloid compounds are things like morphine, nicotine, and caffeine," says Perri Halperin, M.S., R.D., clinical nutrition coordinator at Mount Sinai Health System. "So I bring that up to say that just because something is natural or comes from a plant, doesn't mean it isn't powerful and doesn't mean it's without potentially harmful or negative side effects."
What Does Berberine Do?
Research has found some impressive mechanisms for berberine, but there's still more digging to do.
"Some researched benefits of berberine supplements include blood sugar control, cholesterol benefits, weight management, and gut health," says Erin Kenney, M.S., R.D., founder of Nutrition Rewired.
A 2021 systematic review of berberine studies found it had a useful effect on several health factors. It's been seen to potentially help lower cholesterol, and has been considered a potential treatment for type 2 diabetes who don't tolerate statins. It has been found to affect the expression of genes involved in glucose and lipid metabolism, leading to improved insulin sensitivity, Kenney says.However, these studies are very small, which means the science is still in its preliminary stages.
Berberine is also anti-microbial, "so some say that it could improve the gut microbiome. There's whole other area of research where the makeup of the gut microbiome can really influence weight loss and also overall health," says Halperin.
It's most known for its rumored assistance in weight loss. But the answers there aren't quite solidified, either.
Does Berberine Really Help You Lose Weight?
The jury is still out.
The compound affects enzymes involved in energy regulation, which promotes healthy blood glucose levels and insulin resistance, making it potentially useful in diabetes treatment. It's been shown to possibly inhibit fat-forming and lipogenic genes of fat, reducing fat-production. But the studies that show this "are not well designed, and they're mostly animal studies. They just have marginal results, which may be due to a placebo effect, or concurrent lifestyle changes," Halperin says.
Berberine also has a laxative effect, which could attribute to weight loss effects, but not long-term.
Are Berberine Supplements Safe?
Generally, berberine is considered a safe supplement. It's well tolerated— very few adverse reactions have been reported. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, and muscle weakness, but they're not common. That being said, you should always consult with your doctor or primary care provider before starting a new supplement. This is especially true for those with pre-existing conditions or are taking medications.
"Berberine can interact with certain medications, particularly those metabolized by the liver," Kenney says. It also "may interact with medications such as blood thinners, anti-diabetic drugs, and medications that undergo liver metabolism."
It's important to note, too, that berberine is currently listed as a supplement under the FDA. Supplements are not well regulated, so it's important to select one that has been tested by a third party, Halperin says.
Cori Ritchey, NASM-CPT is an Associate Health & Fitness Editor at Men's Health and a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor. You can find more of her work in HealthCentral, Livestrong, Self, and others.
