Recently, according to a user survey report on American Vitamin and nutritional supplement products by ConsumerLab, the top three absolute increases in popularity in 2023 were: pregnenolone (+7.5%), magnesium (+4.8%), and berberine (+4.3%). The main reason why berberine ranks in the top three is because it quickly became popular on social media TikTok. SPINS data shows that from January to mid July 2023 alone, berberine product sales reached approximately $4.5 million, an increase of 88.8%. The reason is that it can be used as a natural substitute for weight loss drug Ozempic, which is a prescription drug approved by FDA to control the blood sugar level and weight of patients with type 2 diabetes. Speaking of berberine, I believe everyone is familiar with it. Berberine has significant antibacterial and antipyretic effects and is commonly used in the treatment of infectious diarrhea. In addition to diarrhea, in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that berberine is also a potential role in controlling and alleviating type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia and some types of cancer. Due to these potential effects, according to research, berberine may have benefits for body weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference. For example, a study published in the journal Metabolism in 2008 investigated the effects of berberine on obese subjects. Research has found that supplementing with berberine can significantly reduce body weight and BMI compared to the placebo group. Therefore, berberine may be a promising natural compound for controlling weight and craving food, which can lead to reduced calorie intake and potential weight loss. And a meta-analysis of 49 studies published in the Journal of Nutrition Frontiers in 2022 found that berberine may be beneficial for human metabolism, mainly for the heart. Similarly, a meta-analysis published in 2022 on the effects of berberine on body weight in 18 studies and BMI in 23 studies found that people who took berberine had a decrease in body weight and body mass index. The impact on weight is mainly seen in people who take more than 1 gram of berberine per day and for more than 8 weeks.
01
The mechanism of action of berberine in weight loss
1) Enhancing insulin sensitivity
Berberine has been widely promoted by internet celebrities and users on social media for its weight loss benefits, and it does have some outstanding features. One of them is that berberine has been found to enhance the sensitivity of the human body to insulin, which means it can help cells better respond to insulin. By improving insulin sensitivity, berberine can help control blood glucose levels and reduce the risk of weight gain associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. 2) Inhibition of adipocyte growth
Secondly, berberine is also believed to inhibit the growth of adipocytes. The pharmacokinetics of berberine indicate that adipose tissue is its main target of action. Meanwhile, adipocytes can secrete various hormones called adipokines, which affect the body's energy metabolism. The mechanism of action of berberine on adipose tissue has been extensively studied and published. Researchers have found that berberine can significantly inhibit the differentiation of mouse preadipocytes into adipocytes. This means that berberine can help reduce the amount of fat accumulation in the body. 3) Affects cholesterol metabolism
Furthermore, we know that cholesterol metabolism plays an important role in reducing lipid levels associated with obesity. Research has shown that berberine can affect the metabolism of cholesterol. Wang et al.'s study found that berberine reduces cell uptake of cholesterol and single-layer permeability by downregulating the expression of acyl CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase-2. Zhou et al.'s study also emphasized that berberine treats hyperlipidemia by inhibiting the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine. 4) Regulating gut microbiota
There are also studies indicating that berberine can enhance insulin resistance by regulating the gut microbiota. Previous studies on berberine have provided favorable evidence for its regulation of gut microbiota. Liu et al.'s studies on rats and Tian et al.'s studies on mice showed that berberine altered the physiology and community composition of bacteria, and increased the growth of beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria. It inhibits LPS induced TLR4/TNF- α The activation and expression of BSH (bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity in probiotic strains typically associated with the ability to reduce serum cholesterol levels in patients with hypercholesterolemia) play a role. In addition, a study by Zhang et al. showed that berberine can regulate the production of short chain fatty acids, thereby enriching bacterial diversity and benefiting its host, confirming that berberine can promote changes in the structure of gut microbiota.
02
The sources and other effects of berberine
Berberine is a natural alkaloid found in various plants and is a bitter, yellow compound often used as a yellow dye. It was originally extracted from the roots, stems, and bark of plants, and plant species containing berberine include Hydrastis canadensis, Berberis equifolium, Berberis vulgaris, Coptis chinensis, and Berberis aristata. Among them, Fu Niu Hua, also known as Berberis or Thorny Berberis, has yellow flowers and mature fruits in late summer or autumn. It is an elongated red berry that can be eaten fresh, but it is sour and rich in vitamin C. It is the most well-known plant in the Berberis genus. It is often used in cooking and jam production, and is also processed into beverages, syrups, candies, and other candy products. In addition, leaves and fruits can also be used to produce food seasonings and tea. According to relevant studies, consuming purple black cowhide flower can reduce plasma CRP levels and improve blood lipid levels in subjects with cardiovascular risk factors. Plants containing berberine have a long history of use in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine. In modern times, plants containing berberine have been used to improve infections, skin diseases, digestive system diseases, and other diseases. At present, in China, berberine is a medicinal ingredient and cannot be used in food. 03
Application of Berberine Products
In January of this year, GNC launched a new weight loss supplement, Total Lean GlucaTrim, which is mainly characterized by helping users lose weight and weight, maintain muscle mass, and support healthy blood sugar and insulin levels. The product contains berberine. Image source: GNC BrainMD announced this year the launch of Smart Metabolic Burn, an innovative supplement aimed at optimizing metabolism, supporting fat burning, and promoting sustainable weight control. According to reports, its formula contains berberine and oleoyl ethanolamide (OEA) components. Metavo ™ The brand's Glucose Metabolism Support product, in addition to its iconic avocado bioactive compound Avocatin B, also includes a special addition of berberine. In addition, there are also berberine nutritional supplements in the form of gummies, with turmeric and cinnamon added. Research has shown that berberine may also have potential applications in neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic disorders, and further research is needed to determine its efficacy in these fields. However, with the increasing interest in natural alternatives, berberine has entered the mainstream health market and deserves further attention.
Shaanxi Huike Botanical Development Co., Ltd. a integrated enterprise which is focus on natural products, plant extract related products and services.We mainly focus on pharmaceutical, functional food, Freeze-dried powder,Natural Pigment,Homology of medicine and food,beverages and other business services.
For more information about inulin, please contact us!
Email:marketing@huikes.com
2024-04-07
Shaanxi Huike Botanical Development Co., Ltd.
