Introduction:
Berberine is bright yellow colored ammonium salt which can be derived from the bark, stem and roots of many different plants such as barberry, Oregon grape and goldenseal. Berberine is under investigation for applications in many different health conditions including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, infections, and anti-neoplastic applications. It appears to have few adverse effects in early investigations but it is not studied thoroughly enough to be used for prevention of any specific conditions at the time of this writing.
Berberine and high cholesterol:
Eighty subjects over the age of 75 with high cholesterol were evaluated in this study. The subjects received either a placebo or a pill containing 500 mg of berberine, 10 mg of policosanol, 200 mg of red yeast rice, 0.2 mg of folic acid, 2 mg of CoQ10, and 0.5 mg of astaxanthin. Policosanol, a compound derived from sugar cane, has been shown to enhance healthy cholesterol metabolism. Red yeast rice is the product of rice fermented with Monascus purpureus yeast; it may lower. Berberine is derived from various plants used for immune and cardiovascular support. The subjects were assessed for lipid levels at the beginning of the study and again after 3, 6, and 12 months of supplementation. The results of the study showed that the supplement group showed a 20% improvement in total cholesterol, a 31% improvement in LDL cholesterol, and a 10% improvement in insulin resistance. No change was seen in HDL. The study also demonstrated that safety, tolerability, and compliance were high.
Conclusion: Berberine
- Berberine appears to have few adverse effects in early investigations but it is not studied thoroughly enough to be used for treatment or prevention of any specific health conditions.
References:
1.Marazzi G, Cacciotti L, Pelliccia F, Iaia L, Volterrani M, Caminiti G, Sposato B, Massaro R, Grieco F, Rosano G. Long-term effects of nutraceuticals (berberine, red yeast rice, policosanol) in elderly hypercholesterolemic patients. Adv Ther. 2011 Dec;28(12):1105-13. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22113535