By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
AmextaFinanceAmextaFinance
  • Home
  • News
  • Banking
  • Credit Cards
  • Loans
  • Mortgage
  • Investing
  • Markets
    • Stocks
    • Commodities
    • Crypto
    • Forex
  • Videos
  • More
    • Finance
    • Dept Management
    • Small Business
Notification Show More
Aa
AmextaFinanceAmextaFinance
Aa
  • Banking
  • Credit Cards
  • Loans
  • Dept Management
  • Mortgage
  • Markets
  • Investing
  • Small Business
  • Videos
  • Home
  • News
  • Banking
  • Credit Cards
  • Loans
  • Mortgage
  • Investing
  • Markets
    • Stocks
    • Commodities
    • Crypto
    • Forex
  • Videos
  • More
    • Finance
    • Dept Management
    • Small Business
Follow US
AmextaFinance > Investing > 5 fast facts about berberine, the weight-loss supplement blowing up on TikTok
Investing

5 fast facts about berberine, the weight-loss supplement blowing up on TikTok

News Room
Last updated: 2023/06/18 at 6:06 AM
By News Room
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

By now, most Americans have heard of Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy, the Type 2 diabetes drugs that are also helping people lose weight — in some cases, significant amounts. 

Contents
What is berberine?How effective is it?How safe is it?How much does it cost?So, should you take berberine?

But not everyone may qualify for the drugs through their insurance. And the medications can be expensive for those without insurance — in some cases around $1,000 a month. On top of that, because of their surging popularity, the drugs can sometimes be in short supply. 

See also: The dark side of the weight-loss-drug craze: eating disorders, medication shortages, dangerous knockoffs

All of which has set the stage for a low-cost, non-prescription alternative to emerge — and gain quite the buzz through social media. We’re talking berberine, which is sometimes described as “nature’s Ozempic.” A report in the Guardian said videos about berberine have garnered more than 92 million views. 

But if you’re considering taking berberine, what should you keep in mind? Here are five things worth knowing.

What is berberine?

Think plants. That is, berberine is a “bright-yellow compound [that] can be extracted from the stem, roots or bark of a variety of plant species,” according to a report in The Wall Street Journal. And it’s hardly new. The Journal adds: “Plants that produce berberine have been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine practiced in China, India and the Middle East — as a salve for stings and bites, to heal wounds and to treat disorders including diabetes, infection and jaundice.”

So, in effect, it’s a supplement — and it can be purchased through a wide variety of manufacturers in many formulations. Just look it up on Amazon and you’ll find dozens of choices. 

How effective is it?

Here’s where there’s a lot of debate and discussion. To be clear, berberine isn’t semaglutide, which is the key ingredient in Ozempic
NVO,
-0.76%
and Wegovy
NVO,
-0.76%.
Nor is it tirzepatide, the key ingredient in Mounjaro
LLY,
-1.37%.
But it does have various health benefits, according to numerous reports. The New York Times points to a “growing body of research over the last 20 years…[that] suggests that berberine can potentially help lower cholesterol and regulate blood sugar.”

But what about helping you drop some pounds? The Times says “whether it can actually induce weight loss remains murky.” Similarly, the Journal noted that the weight-loss studies involving berberine “have been patchy and preliminary.” One small scientific study said berberine provided “a moderate weight loss effect.”

Still, plenty of people on social media are sharing their success stories of shedding weight while on berberine. As one person tweeted: “It will nuke your appetite, kill your cravings, and you will lose about a pound a week.”

How safe is it?

The supplement is generally well-tolerated, according to many reports. 

“Berberine is possibly safe for most adults,” says the WebMD site. “It’s been used safely in doses up to 1.5 grams daily for six months. Common side effects include diarrhea, constipation, gas and upset stomach.”

But something else to consider is, depending upon the formulation, berberine may be combined with other ingredients that could potentially pose problems or risks. And a 2018 Journal of Dietary Supplements study found differences in product quality and potency among various berberine products on the market, saying the situation “may significantly contribute to inconsistencies in the [supplement’s] safety and effectiveness.” 

There are also concerns about how berberine may interact with other medications. The Times report noted that the combination of berberine and Metformin could be “particularly dangerous.”

A final warning: As the Journal notes, berberine, like other supplements, isn’t approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

How much does it cost?

Prices vary depending upon the brand, but berberine is nowhere near as expensive as such prescription drugs as Ozempic and Mounjaro, especially if you’re without insurance coverage. The Journal of Dietary Supplements study found monthly costs for berberine ranged from $8.48 to $47.40. That said, since demand has increased of late for the supplement, there are reports that prices are also increasing. 

So, should you take berberine?

Obviously, it’s a personal choice. But as with any supplement, the general advice is to consult your physician before starting. 

Read the full article here

News Room June 18, 2023 June 18, 2023
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Copy Link Print
Leave a comment Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Finance Weekly Newsletter

Join now for the latest news, tips, and analysis about personal finance, credit cards, dept management, and many more from our experts.
Join Now
Taiwan TV drama to give public a visceral vision of war with China

The TV anchor reads the news without blinking: China has imposed a…

Trump vows to lower drug prices in the US by up to 80%

Unlock the White House Watch newsletter for freeYour guide to what Trump’s…

Trump Gulf trip promises good news for US business

Hello and welcome to the working week.The White House spray tan team…

Chinese companies purge supply chain of foreign parts amid US trade war

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for freeRoula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects…

Hamas to release Israeli-American hostage in bid to secure Gaza ceasefire

Unlock the White House Watch newsletter for freeYour guide to what Trump’s…

- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

You Might Also Like

Investing

Why Home Builders Are Bouncing Today—and Why Their Stocks Are Good Buys

By News Room
Investing

This Beaten-Down Industrial Stock Wants to Call America Home. Why It’s Time to Buy.

By News Room
Investing

These 8 Dividend Aristocrats Can Protect Your Portfolio in a Downturn

By News Room
Investing

Some Lenders Benefit From SBA’s Troubled Loan Program

By News Room
Investing

Social Security Is in Turmoil. Should You Lock In Benefits Now?

By News Room
Investing

Hims & Hers Stock Is Due for a Crash Diet. The GLP-1 Surge Is Fading Fast.

By News Room
Investing

Opinion: The stock-market selloff isn’t over yet. Here are 4 reasons why.

By News Room
Investing

With Trump’s tariffs paused, ‘Big Three’ automakers may race to build inventories

By News Room
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Youtube Instagram
Company
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Press Release
  • Contact
  • Advertisement
More Info
  • Newsletter
  • Market Data
  • Credit Cards
  • Videos

Sign Up For Free

Subscribe to our newsletter and don't miss out on our programs, webinars and trainings.

I have read and agree to the terms & conditions
Join Community

2023 © Indepta.com. All Rights Reserved.

YOUR EMAIL HAS BEEN CONFIRMED.
THANK YOU!

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?