Berberine (Barberry)

Why Berberine?

My weight loss became stalled despite doing everything that worked before. After gallbladder surgery weight loss became difficult. So I tried various supplements to support my liver, weight loss and help my metabolism. My fasting glucose and total cholesterol seem to rise and fall with my current function level rather than with my weight loss. So some metabolic disfunction is present.

Everything I tried has made my ME symptoms worse. I do not seem to be tolerating any supplements which boost acetylcholine since I did a week of nicotine therapy.

Choline felt great the first 3 days and then day 4 I had a disabling migraine for 2 days. I recovered after a couple of days.

L-Glutamine had helped me a lot some years ago and while I was last engaged in weight loss. I started on a very low dose (500mg over two doses) and within 3 days had a dull headache and worsening symptoms. I recovered after a couple of days.

TUDCA being greatly helpful for the liver I tried this next. I took a tiny dose, powder the size of a match-head with my evening meal for 3 days and could then feel the start of the dull headache and crashing return of symptoms.

What these all have in common is that they have some liver protecting properties, help to boost bile production which in the process boosts acetylcholine. Vitamin B2 which previously seemed to help control headaches and migraines is also now not well tolerated. As this too plays a role in acetylcholine processes I am of the mind that I cannot cope with too much choline or acetylcholine.

If it says it’s boost the brain then I can’t take it without consequence currently. The only exception is Inositol which I still take 500mg of every day. Maybe this is doing enough and any more from other soucres is too much.

Taking diphernhydramine has given relief and as this is anticholergenic it supports my theory that my body can’t handle more acetylcholine. This balance might shift. I need to read more about acetylcholine accumulation and when I get to do my next round of nicotine, or if I just quit adding things and wait to heal some more, things might shift again.

So – berberine? Berebrine is one of the few supplements which lowers acetylcholine levels and is anticholergenic. It is also great for the liver, lipids, glucose metabolism, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory. So it sounds like the perfect fit for me right now.

Berberine is a natural alkaloid found in the roots, bark, and stems of hundreds of plants that have been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years.
https://www.healthydirections.com/articles/blood-sugar/top-berberine-questions

Berberine is anticholergenic.

Berberine, a naturally occurring isoquinoline alkaloid, shows anti-inflammatory, anticholinergic, antioxidative, and anticancer activities
https://www.spandidos-publications.com/10.3892/or.2017.5489

Uses

• diabetes
• high levels of cholesterol
• high blood pressure
• PCOS
•  cardiovascular disorders
• inflammatory diseases
• metabolic syndrome
• increase ’good’ gut bacteria
• diabetic nephropathy/diabetic kidney disease
• candida/antifungal
• antiviral

BBR reduces virus replication and targets specific interactions between the virus and its host. BBR intercalates into DNA and inhibits DNA synthesis and reverse transcriptase activity. It inhibits replication of herpes simplex virus (HSV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), human papillomavirus (HPV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00705-020-04706-3

Berberine is found to have multiple pharmacological functions such as anti-diarrheal, anti-hypertensive, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory effects. A previous study showed the potential cancer chemopreventive effect of berberine. Moreover, berberine has been reported to inhibit the growth of various types of cancer, such as NPC, non-small lung cancer, primary effusion lymphoma, and breast and liver cancer

https://www.spandidos-publications.com/10.3892/or.2017.5489

Mechanism of Action

the stimulation of the enzyme adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a master regulator of cellular energy homeostasis that is involved in a wide range of biological processes, including the regulation of glucose, lipid, and protein metabolism

https://examine.com/supplements/berberine/

Berberine is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory with positive effects on the gut microbiota. However, its main mechanism is increasing AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK).

When energy runs low, AMPK signals the cells to generate more energy and conserve energy use. One way it does this is by stimulating the activity of glucose transporters that move blood sugar into the cells. It also curbs the production of excess glucose in the liver. As a result, berberine reduces blood sugar and improves insulin sensitivity, making it a popular supplement for diabetes and prediabetes.

But there’s more. Berberine lowers triglycerides, cholesterol, and blood pressure—aspects of metabolic syndrome that increase the risk of both diabetes and heart disease. It also helps with fatty liver disease and digestive disorders, and may contribute to weight loss. Plus, early research suggests it has a future in the treatment of cancer, Alzheimer’s, and other neurodegenerative diseases.
https://www.healthydirections.com/articles/blood-sugar/top-berberine-questions

berberine interacts with multiple targets, impacting more than one disease at a time.

“Berberine works at a cellular level and changes how cells work by turning things off and on,” Dr. Bradley explains. “Its basic interactions involve so many different processes in the body.”

berberine improves how cells respond to insulin (insulin sensitivity), promoting better movement of glucose into cells (glucose uptake).

Berberine may help balance or regulate intestinal health by reducing harmful bacteria and encouraging good bacteria to grow. It also provides your gut with protection.

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/berberine-for-insulin-resistance-weight-loss/

Contraindications

Major Interaction

• might decrease how fast the body breaks down cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
• Taking berberine along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low

Moderate Interaction

• might decrease how quickly the body breaks down dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM, others)
• might decrease how quickly the body breaks down losartan (Cozaar)
• Taking berberine along with medications used for lowering high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low eg. captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL), furosemide (Lasix)
• Taking berberine along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding eg. aspirin, cilostazol (Pletal), clopidogrel (Plavix), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, ticlopidine (Ticlid)
• Berberine can decrease how quickly the body breaks down midazolam (Versed)
• Taking berberine along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness eg. benzodiazepines, pentobarbital (Nembutal), phenobarbital (Luminal), secobarbital (Seconal), thiopental (Pentothal), fentanyl (Duragesic, Sublimaze), morphine, propofol (Diprivan)
• increase the effects and side effects of some medications broken down by liver eg. celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Voltaren), fluvastatin (Lescol), glipizide (Glucotrol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), irbesartan (Avapro), losartan (Cozaar), phenytoin (Dilantin), piroxicam (Feldene), tamoxifen (Nolvadex), tolbutamide (Tolinase), torsemide (Demadex), S-warfarin (Coumadin), amitriptyline (Elavil), codeine, desipramine (Norpramin), flecainide (Tambocor), haloperidol (Haldol), imipramine (Tofranil), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), ondansetron (Zofran), paroxetine (Paxil), risperidone (Risperdal), tramadol (Ultram), venlafaxine (Effexor), cyclosporin (Neoral, Sandimmune), lovastatin (Mevacor), clarithromycin (Biaxin), indinavir (Crixivan), sildenafil (Viagra), triazolam (Halcion),

Side Effects

• Abdominal discomfort or distension (swelling).
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Nausea

multiple studies show that when taken as directed berberine is quite safe and has no liver toxicity.
https://www.healthydirections.com/articles/blood-sugar/top-berberine-questions

Dosage

Berberine has most often been used by adults in doses of 0.4-1.5 grams by mouth daily for up to 2 years. Berberine has also been used in eye drops and gels.
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1126/berberine

500 mg three times a day. This is the average dosage used in most of the clinical trials for blood sugar, lipids, weight, liver disease, etc. Twice-a-day dosing may be sufficient for individuals with prediabetes.

30 minutes before meals
https://www.healthydirections.com/articles/blood-sugar/top-berberine-questions

The standard dose of berberine is 900-2,000mg a day, divided into three to four doses. Berberine should be taken with a meal, or shortly after, to take advantage of the blood glucose and lipid spike associated with eating. Too much berberine at once can result in stomach upset, cramping, and diarrhea.
https://examine.com/supplements/berberine/

Berberine has a short half-life of several hours — half the dose will be metabolized and eliminated from your system within a few hours. To keep blood levels stable and benefit from berberine, spread the daily dosage (up to 1.5 grams or 1,500 milligrams daily) throughout the day. Dr. Bradley recommends taking it three times a day before meals.

I usually tell patients to start slow and low,” Dr. Bradley advises. “Typical dosing is 500 milligrams (0.5 grams) three times a day before meals. But you may want to start with one dose a day and see how you handle it before slowly progressing to taking it three times a day.”
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/berberine-for-insulin-resistance-weight-loss/