Why You Shouldn’t Take Berberine Supplements for Weight Loss
An expert explains why you should think twice before taking what is being called "nature’s Ozempic" on social media.
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Touted as “nature’s Ozempic” on social media, there are several factors to consider before taking dietary supplement berberine.
Why You Should Be Concerned About Supplements
Dietary supplements are big business. According to industry data, the demand for supplements continues to grow, with a worth of over $165 billion globally in 2022. Loose government regulations and minimal oversight has led to an alarming number of products that are improperly labeled and often contaminated. Many of the products found on store shelves and online shops have never been tested for safety, efficacy or label accuracy. Research supports that an alarmingly high number of products, including herbs and botanicals, have been found mislabeled and many contain none of the advertised ingredients. Some companies have even been hijacked by imposter sellers online. With the massive popularity surrounding the weight loss drug Ozempic, there has been a spike in demand for an herb product called berberine.
What Is Berberine?
Berberine is a plant-derived compound used commonly in Traditional Chinese Medicine. A small study published 15 years ago found that berberine supplementation may benefit blood sugar and cholesterol levels; some subjects did also experience weight loss. In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in the number of studies investigating the benefits of berberine, including the treatment of diabetes to cancer, but at this point much more research is needed.
Are Berberine Supplements Safe?
There is some well-established data that suggests berberine is not safe for infants, children and pregnant or breastfeeding people. Berberine may cause serious harm to these populations with risks of liver complications and brain damage. For non-pregnant and lactating adults, doses of up to 1.5 grams per day for six months has been determined to be possibly safe with potential side effects including gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea and vomiting. What’s even more concerning about this herbal supplement is that it has a long list of negative interactions with other supplements and medications including drugs commonly prescribed for people with diabetes, hypertension, immunosuppressants and blood-thinning agents. Berberine may also enhance or counteract the effects of over-the-counter cough medications, probiotics and CBD products.
Bottom Line: Berberine may be trending, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe, or that the products are legitimate. Check with your doctor before taking berberine and seriously consider steering clear of it if you already take supplements and medications.
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