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Has anyone tried berberine supplements ?

fizzy-banana

Active Member
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I read it could be as effective as metformin in moderation, but I wanted to know if some of you had any experience with it

My mum is T2 and I think she could benefit from her. She manages her diabetes with diet only, but hey, what is wrong with getting a little help ?
Thanks for reading me
 
I've not tried it - no need since I control my BG by eating Low Carb.
I too have heard that berberine helps about as much as cinnamon or metformin - but in my view that means hardy at all.
Reducing carbohydrates is much more effective at reducing Blood Glucose than anything except insulin.
In fact in Type 2's it's the exact equivalent of taking insulin, but without injections and without the risk of Hypos.
 
Yes, for about two months, no effect that I could detect. I was already in normal range, might be worth a shot at high levels, but I wouldn’t depend on it
 

It is only slightly effective. If you add certain fresh food that is high in anti oxidant and low in carb into the diet, you may get similar effect. Examples I heard of diabetic people using are bittergourd, ginger, tumeric. I personally use on patient I take care of, tomatoes, payaya, blue berries, limited to below 10g carb per serving each time.

One area I felt diabetics patients can benefit from is having more natural anti oxidants intake. They protect the cells from oxidative stress.
 
LaoDan said:
Yes, for about two months, no effect that I could detect. I was already in normal range, might be worth a shot at high levels, but I wouldn’t depend on it
Click to expand...

Ditto. 12 weeks trial for me nothing noticeable in measurement of glucose
 
Hi...I have taken a berberine w cinnamon supplement for about a week. It has drastically reduced my morning levels as well as my post meal levels! So it has been highly effective for me. I'm sooo excited to find something that works, as I can't take metformin and have been trying for years to keep it at almost acceptable levels with doing almost 0 carbs..last a1c was 6.7 I think it will be much lower since taking berberine..I am on blood thinners med so I am going to ask my Dr if I can continue to take it..I hope I can because seeing my numbers drop dramatically is a God send!
 
That's great news - do keep us posted.
 
Hi @fizzy-banana. Please be aware, you probably are, that as a food supplement, berberin has not undergone the same scientific scrutiny as medication such as metformin.

More research is needed, IMO. Four week studies tell us nothing about the long term effects. Just saying.
 
Personally if I find something credible I do an n=1 study. My Berberine study for me showed no significant glucose drop. Next ……
 
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