Berberine and its Role in Diabetes Care
In the last five years, Berberine has come to the forefront of the treatment for chronic diseases such as diabetes. Berberine is an herbal nutraceutical noted for its multisystem effects, primarily in lipid and glucose reduction. What is Berberine? Berberine is a chemical extract from herbs containing a complex of vitamins, antioxidants, and other synergistic chemicals that form a compound called Berberine, a bitter crystalline yellow alkaloid. It is a compound obtained from the parts of various plants (such as barberry) and used in medicine specifically for its antimicrobial, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic properties. Berberine has its roots in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. It can be isolated from various traditional herbs such as goldenseal, tree Tumeric (not spice Tumeric), barber, Oregon grape, Phellodendron, and golden thread herbs. The compound is found in all parts of the with the roots containing the highest concentration of the alkaloid. How does Berberine act to control blood sugar? The downfall of studying potential mechanisms for Berberine is that many of the studies have been conducted in animal models or, at best, in human' cellular tissues. Actual clinical trials are sparse and need to be performed on a widespread basis. What we know are the following: Berberine stimulates AMPK, or 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, is a crucial energy-regulating enzyme in the human system. The key roles of this enzyme are:
Berberine reduces insulin resistance Insulin resistance is a primary finding in diabetes type II. Exercise, calorie restriction, low glycemic load diets all reduce insulin resistance. We are finding that Berberine, through multiple metabolic pathways, reduces insulin resistance through multiple mechanisms. Insulin resistance is reduced by upregulating insulin receptors, so there are more receptors for insulin to bind to.This is a unique way around the resistance of the existing receptors – make new ones. Berberine stimulates this process. Although AMPK mediates this process, it deserves mentioning on its own. Clinical Role of Berberine.
500 mg of Berberine t.i.d. (three times daily) A study published in 2010 replicated the increase in humans' insulin receptors, concluding that a 500 mg. berberine supplement taken twice per day lowered serum insulin in the patient group by 28% and fasting glucose by 26%, similar to the drug intervention group receiving Metformin and rosiglitazone. Berberine reduces insulin resistance by inhibiting the uptake of free fatty acids as well. Berberine also stimulates the insulin-signaling cascade, or the way insulin talks to the cells. Action on Glut1 Glut1 is a transport protein that carries glucose across cell membranes without the requirement of insulin. Recent data has shown that Berberine facilitates the glucose transport mechanism of Glut1, which is another potential explanation for Berberine’s positive blood-glucose-lowering role in diabetes. A study published in 2011 demonstrated for the first time that Berberine acutely activates the transport activity of GLUT1 in mouse fibroblast cells. Action on branched-chain amino acids Obesity and insulin resistance have been associated with a high circulating blood level of the branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), leucine, valine, and isoleucine. A recent 2019 study in mice demonstrated that Berberine reduces these amino acids, thus reducing insulin resistance. Of course, whether this study can be extrapolated to humans remains to be seen in well-designed clinical trials. Stimulation of glycolysis Glycolysis is the breakdown of glucose for energy. Berberine is known to stimulate this function. What does the research say about type 2 diabetes and berberine treatment? Berberine has become well known as a nutraceutical similar in effectiveness to Metformin or Glucophage without the serious gastrointestinal side-effects Metformin is so well known for. Through identified mechanisms such as stimulating AMPK, and glycolysis, as well as other identified actions, Berberine may very well be a suitable adjunctive therapy for prediabetes or diabetes in conjunction with diet and exercise. Studies back in 2008 showed significant drops in HbA1C and fasting glucose in hyperglycemic patients given 500 mg berberine three times per day compared to traditional Metformin treatment. Fasting plasma insulin and insulin resistance were reduced by 28.1 and 44.7%, respectively, in this study. A 2019 review revealed more extensive studies of Berberine relative to its hypoglycemic effects and positive relationship in diabetes management. Used in a traditional dosage of 500 mg two to three times a day, Berberine can be a successful adjunctive treatment to medical nutrition therapy in the management of diabetes. Safety Profile of Berberine Treatment for Diabetes Berberine has been used safely for thousands of years. However, recent studies have shown interaction with drug detoxifying enzymes and thus a potential for drug-drug interactions. As with any nutraceutical treatment, always check with your health care provider before adding a nutraceutical to your care plan regimen. ConclusionThe use of Berberine in the control of blood sugar is well supported by the literature and historically in treatment regimens. It has proven to be a safe alternative to Metformin and may be preferable, or certainly, an alternative given the side-effects associated with this medication.
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Nootropic adaptogens enhance the “state of nonspecific resistance” to stress, a physiological condition linked with various disorders of the neuroendocrine-immune system. Adaptogens exhibit neuroprotective, anti-fatigue, antidepressive, anxiolytic, nootropic, and CNS-stimulating active properties. Notice nootropic effects. Nootropic specifically refers to the actions of the adaptogens that stimulate memory, learning, and overall cognition.
How does one “bio-hack” with nootropic adaptogens? Bio-hacking refers to hacking into the body’s neuro-immune system with those adaptogens known most for their nootropic effects. This creates a sharper memory, bigger brainpower, and maybe even a reversal of mild cognitive impairment or MCI, affecting over 20% of the population. Furthermore, chronic stress is known to compromise brain function in those already suffering from MCI and to be a risk factor for its development. About 284 million people suffer from anxiety disorders worldwide. Given the need for stress relief, scientists have begun studying adaptogens more acutely. Nootropics are of specific interest, given the need for sharper brain power and ammunition against MCI. Most Commonly Used Herbal Nootropic Adaptogens
The most widely studied effect of nootropic adaptogens has been their notorious stabilizing effect on the cortisol hormones, raising them or lowering them as needed. Since cortisol plays a vital role in cognition, keeping the levels regular is important in maintaining a good memory. Other than this effect, numerous other effects can be attributed to this class of plant medicinal, such as:
This is a very new field in conventional medicine, and studies on the use of these agents in the field of mental health are evolving. Ginseng, for example, has been recently proven to enhance cognition in Alzheimer’s disease. However, the widespread use of nootropics for general mental acuity has been utilized for centuries in both Chinese and Ayurvedic medicines. Theoretically, nootropics can prevent or reverse MCI. Since adaptogens also act as nootropics, using an adaptogen to facilitate optimal cognition or reverse MCI is a strategic approach to decreasing stress-related changes that facilitate MCI and optimize existing cognition. Conclusions may be that nootropics be regarded as a novel pharmacological category of anti-fatigue drugs that:
If you feel you need a cognitive bio-hack, choose one of the most commonly used nootropic adaptogens and, with the help of your clinician, design a mental health improvement plan. Dosages for each nootropic differ according to the herbal type (root, powder, tincture) and classification. ![]() These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Berberine is a chemical found in several plants including the European barberry, goldenseal, goldthread, Oregon grape, philodendron, and tree turmeric and belongs to a class of compounds called alkaloids. It is said to have powerful effects similar to that of a pharmacological nature and has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine. It is just now coming of age in modern nutritional medicine in the treatment of diseases such as diabetes. How Does Berberine Work? Berberine is known to stimulate insulin secretion and to activate AMPK, an enzyme known to regulate cellular energy metabolism. Its primary actions are to:
Effectiveness of Berberine in Diabetic Patients: Berberine has been found to act in a similar manner as the commonly used diabetes drug Metformin. It is not clear whether metformin and berberine undertake all actions via the same mechanisms, or some via similar and other different mechanisms. While the severe adverse gastrointestinal side-effects that interfere with metformin compliance are generally absent in berberine treatment, treatment with both berberine and metformin (or other oral hypoglycemics) has been found to be superior in controlling glucose than either treatment alone. Dosage and treatment duration may vary with the patient’s age. Data suggests that berberine therapy becomes unremarkable in treatments lasting more than 90 days or in amounts greater than 2 grams. Further clinical studies of longer duration are needed in this area. The most effective dose is 500 mg three times a day. Because most anti-diabetic drugs cannot be used in patients with hepatic dysfunction, renal disease, and heart disease, this makes pharmacological therapy of type 2 diabetes complicated and the use of other nutraceuticals such as berberine more desirable. Current studies have reported the significance of berberine against oxidative stress and inflammation in cells, elaborating its vital role in diabetes mellitus. Generally, a decrease in blood glucose level by 20%–40% is reported in fasting patients treated with berberine alone, this effect resembles that of rosiglitazone and metformin treatment. Application: Preliminary research from both animal and human studies indicate that berberine therapy in dosages of 500 mg three times per day may be an advantageous treatment for diabetes type 2 either alone or in conjunction with other hypoglycemics for optimal blood sugar control with minimal adverse side-effects. The mechanisms of action of berberine mirror those of the common anti-diabetic drug metformin without the severe diarrhea side-effects that adversely affect medication compliance. Further long-term studies are needed on human subjects to identify exact mechanisms of action and duration of treatment best utilized for long term blood sugar control of diabetes. #berberine #AMPK #diabetes #blood sugar #type 2 diabetes #metformin These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. |
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