Berberine - Health or Hype?

Michael Ventresca • August 9, 2023

Over the past few months, berberine has exploded across social media as the next weight loss miracle pill with some calling it ‘nature’s Ozempic’. While I think these weight loss claims are exaggerated, it is true that berberine has been shown to provide support for a variety of conditions including irritable bowel syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome, high cholesterol, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and yes, weight management. Today, let’s look at three of these, blood sugar, cholesterol and weight loss.

 

Berberine has been extensively studied for its ability to lower blood sugar in clinical trials. It appears to work in several different ways including decreasing insulin resistance (effectively making the body’s insulin more effective) and increasing glycolysis, the process of breaking down sugar in cells. According to research, when compared to common medications like metformin, berberine was as effective as drugs, but with no significant side effects.

 

Berberine has also been shown to help reduce blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides). Compared to statins, a class of drugs commonly prescribed for high cholesterol, berberine was found to lower total and LDL cholesterol but unlike the medications, additionally reduced triglycerides while increasing HDL.

 

When looking at weight loss, the benefit appears to be from activating an enzyme inside cells called AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). AMPK plays a key role in regulating metabolism and energy levels and is found in cells throughout the body. While more studies are needed, preliminary studies show promise. One study from 2012 found that after taking berberine for 12-weeks participants lost an average of five pounds, while other studies found reductions in body weight, body mass index, and belly fat.

 

While I always urge caution when social media claims sound too good to be true, berberine has been shown to provide a wide variety of health benefits without major side effects and therefore, may be worth a try. One note - berberine may interfere with the absorption of some antibiotics. Also, because of its ability to lower blood glucose, it is recommended to closely monitor your blood sugar levels if you are already taking oral hypoglycemic drugs.

 

If you’re interested in trying berberine, one excellent option is Vital Choice’s Berberine. It provides the studied amount of 500mg of berberine HCl per capsule from sustainably grown barberry. Another great option is Enzymedica’s new Berberine Phytosome offering 9.6-times better bioavailability and Natural Factor's Berberine.


Mike Ventresca is owner of Vital Choice Health Store located at 9243 Sprague Road in North Royalton. The phone number is 440-885-9505. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

 

By Michael Ventresca • October 14, 2026
Have you ever eaten a meal with garlic or onions, and almost instantly had stomach upset? Does it seem like just about everything you eat causes gas, bloating or indigestion? If this sounds like you, or if you’ve been told to try a FODMAP diet, today’s article could be the missing piece to a very frustrating puzzle. I know it was for me. Most people have heard of lactose intolerance or gluten sensitivity, but far fewer are familiar with fructan sensitivity. Fructans are naturally occurring carboyhydrates found in a wide variety of foods but in especially high concentrations in everything from garlic and onions, to asparagus, wheat and even watermelon. For people who have difficulty digesting fructans, these foods can cause gas, bloating, abdominal discomfort, and sometimes diarrhea. The frustrating part is that fructans are found in so many seemingly unrelated foods that it can feel like almost everything you eat is causing a problem. That was my experience for years. Over the years, I tried a number of digestive enzymes. While many of them helped, none of them were a perfect match for the garlic, onion and pasta found in some of my favorite Italian meals. Then I stumbled across a product called FODZYME. FODZYME contains three digestive enzymes, including fructan hydrolase, an enzyme specifically designed to help break down fructans. FODZYME is a tasteless powder that you sprinkle directly on your food just before eating. The enzymes mix with the food and begin breaking down the fructans as you chew, before they cause problems further down the digestive tract. For me, the difference has been night and day. I am finally able to enjoy foods I have avoided for years. It’s important to note, there is still some trial and error involved regarding dosage. Because the amount of fructans varies from meal to meal, I find I need to adjust how much I use. Sometimes, one scoop is plenty, other times, I’ll use two. But if garlic, onions, wheat, or other high-fructan foods consistently leave you feeling miserable, FODZYME may be just what you need to start enjoying the foods you love. To learn more, or to try FODZYME, please stop in today. Mike Ventresca is the owner of Vital Choice Health Store located at 9243 Sprague Road in North Royalton’s Timber Ridge Plaza. The phone number is 440-885-9505 or visit VChoice.com . This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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