Berberine is an herbal supplement with a long history of use in traditional medicine. One of the uses of this ingredient is to promote improved glucose absorption into the muscles, among several other benefits. In this edition of Ingredient Spotlight, we take a closer look at this supplement and tell you what 5% Nutrition products you can find it in. 

What is Berberine?

Berberine is a naturally occurring compound found in plants such as turmeric, barberry, goldenseal, Oregon grape, goldthread, and greater celandine.⁽¹⁾

What Are The Benefits Of Berberine?

As noted, berberine has been used in traditional medicine for over 2,000 years. Some of its benefits include the following.⁽²⁾

Anti-Inflammatory

Berberine is known as an anti-inflammatory. It stimulates an enzyme known as AMPK (or adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase). This enzyme has been called a metabolic “master switch” because of its regulatory effects on metabolism.

Inflammation can affect the entire body. Over time, it can damage tissues, cells, and healthy organs. Eventually, it can contribute to obesity and arthritis. Also, it can negatively affect digestion and cause the growth of unhealthy bacteria in the gut. Berberine helps lower whole-body inflammation. Additionally, it has digestive-enhancing, antibacterial and immune-enhancing properties.

Supports Fat Loss

If you have insulin resistance, the cells don’t have enough glucose, which makes you feel hungry. If you overeat, especially carbohydrates, your body stores excess blood glucose as fat.

Berberine improves the way cells respond to insulin (insulin sensitivity), promoting improved glucose absorption into the cells, especially the muscle cells. Berberine also impacts how glucose gets used. Once your cells have enough glucose, you feel less hungry, so you eat less.

Carbohydrates and Glucose Absorption

It should be noted that high carbohydrate diets leading to an excess of carbs over what the body needs for energy stores are converted to body fat. Berberine, especially as part of a complete nutrient partitioning supplement, helps make productive use of excess carbs, avoiding fat storage.

Nitric Oxide Support

Berberine also has shown potential in increasing levels of nitric oxide, which improves blood flow for better circulation and huge pumps. Another advantage of increased blood flow is improved oxygen and nutrient delivery.

What 5% Nutrition Products Contain It?

Freak Show

Freak Show is a powerful nutrient partitioner that helps the muscles utilize excess carbohydrates for optimal muscle growth and glycogen replenishment.

Keep an eye out for Berberine in future 5% formulas!

Recap

Berberine is a popular and effective nutrient-partitioning ingredient that works with similar ingredients to make carbohydrates more productive. It does this by influencing insulin. Of the macronutrients, carbohydrates have a tendency to be converted into body fat when over-eaten or if lifters focus on simple, sugary carbohydrates. Adding berberine through Freak Show can make a big difference - stop by 5% Nutrition and give it a try today!

References:

1. Neag, M. A., Mocan, A., Echeverría, J., Pop, R. M., Bocsan, C. I., Crişan, G., & Buzoianu, A. D. (2018). Berberine: Botanical Occurrence, Traditional Uses, Extraction Methods, and Relevance in Cardiovascular, Metabolic, Hepatic, and Renal Disorders. Frontiers in pharmacology, 9, 557. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2018.00557
2. Ye, Y., Liu, X., Wu, N., Han, Y., Wang, J., Yu, Y., & Chen, Q. (2021). Efficacy and Safety of Berberine Alone for Several Metabolic Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Frontiers in pharmacology, 12, 653887. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.653887