Increased levels of blood sugar may indicate conditions of diabetes or pre-diabetes due to either decreased insulin production or insulin resistance. Although it’s normal for your blood sugar levels to fluctuate throughout the day, prolonged high blood sugar levels can cause various health problems, including organ damage.
Various research suggests that Berberine may help lower blood sugar levels via various pathways, including the following:
- increasing insulin sensitivity
- promoting insulin production
- regulating metabolism
- increasing glycolysis, or the breakdown of glucose
- reducing glucose production in the liver
- increasing nitric oxide (NO) production, which helps widen arteries
- slowing carbohydrate absorption from the gut
Many studies show that for people with type 2 diabetes, taking 600–2,700 mg of Berberine daily may lower fasting and long-term blood sugar levels.
https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=103237
A clinical study, for efficacy of Berberine in lowering blood glucose in pre-diabetes subjects, was conducted in which a total of 76 patients with pre-diabetes were enrolled and two groups were assigned in 1:1 ratio. Members of the control group underwent lifestyle interventions, including dietary interventions and exercise prescriptions, while participants of the treatment group received both lifestyle interventions and oral administration of 300 mg Berberine, three times daily for three months. Compared to the control group, the treatment group showed a significant decline in the levels of FPG, 2hPG, and HbA1c, whereas the decrease in HOMA-IR had no statistical significance.
Similarly, a review of 14 studies found that Berberine lowered blood sugar levels and seemed to be as effective as common blood sugar medications, including metformin.
Furthermore, research suggests Berberine may help support the blood-sugar-lowering effects of other diabetes medications when taken alongside them.
Therefore, Berberine appears to be a promising blood-sugar-lowering treatment. This may be especially valuable to those who cannot take diabetes medications due to liver, kidney, or heart disease.