It’s Been Around a Long Time
All that’s old is new again, even in the world of wellness. Berberine, for example, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine practices that date back thousands of years. Its efficacy has been studied repeatedly in recent years to confirm what the ancients already knew: Berberine is a highly effective anti-inflammatory treatment as well as a medicant for numerous other conditions.
What is Berberine?
Berberine is a plant derivative. It’s an alkaloid, which means that it contains one or more atoms of nitrogen. Berberine is found in plants like:
- Tree turmeric
- Goldenseal
- European barberry
- Oregon grape
It is highly effective in contributing to a healthy balance of gut flora, which is crucial to our overall health.
To explain further, acids contain at least one hydrogen atom. Both acids and alkaloids are necessary to ensure the appropriate equilibrium of bacteria in our guts. The typical American diet, which includes a lot of meat products, produces an acidic state, while a diet including lots of fresh vegetables and fruit produces an alkaline state. In turn, the alkaline state produces energy, helps rebuild bone, and provides a myriad of minerals necessary for optimal health. When we don’t get enough alkaline foods through our diet, supplements like berberine can be extremely beneficial in not only maintaining our health but in treating medical conditions should we develop them.
What Does Berberine Help With?
In addition to having anti-inflammatory properties, berberine has shown efficacy in treating:
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Liver disease not related to alcohol use
- Obesity
- Cardiovascular disease
Berberine can also be used:
- To treat canker sores
- Against inflammation associated with, and that causes, chronic illness
- As an anti-bacterial, sometimes in conjunction with antibiotics
- Effectively as an anti-aging treatment
Based on clinical trials on mice, there is even some evidence that berberine may be effective in treating depression. Based on its lengthy history of use in eastern medicine and the results of current-day studies, berberine provides a very broad array of wellness and illness support.
Is It Too Good to be True?
It sounds like it, doesn’t it? But, there is clinical evidence that berberine is as effective in first-line pharmacological agents like metformin in treating diabetes, and can be as effective in traditionally prescribed medications to treat high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Better yet, berberine has few side effects, which are mostly related to gastrointestinal symptoms. However, if taken in conjunction with a traditionally prescribed diabetes medication, low blood sugar can occur, so it’s important to consult your medical practitioner about any supplement/medication combination you use.
Call Us to Feel Your Best!
Vallee Health Repair in Quincy, IL uses berberine as part of wellness regimens that help our patients lead healthy, happy, productive lives. Berberine supplements are available in capsule or gel form depending on your needs.
Vallee Health Repair clinician, Tasha Vallee, FNP-BC, FPA has extensive experience in both traditional and complementary medicine practices. Her experience has empowered her to create a clinic at which she combines compassionate care with best practices to provide you with a holistic health plan. Reach out to Tasha at (217) 577-2992 or by email at vhrillinois@gmail.com so she can support you in living your best, healthy life!
Disclaimer: The information contained here was not written by a medical doctor and is intended for informational purposes only. This is not a substitute for medical advice.