Type 2 diabetes Obesity Metabolic syndromes High cholesterol Fatty liver disease, specifically nonalcoholic fatty liver disease[5] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Congestive heart failure Inflammatory and autoimmune conditions (such as rheumatoid arthritis or irritable bowel syndrome) High blood pressure[6] X Research source
If you’re seeing specialists for the treatment of a particular condition, make sure they’re on board with you taking the supplement as well.
If you’re only taking a medication temporarily, you might want to wait until you finish taking it before you start taking berberine. For example, if you’re taking antibiotics to clear an infection, it’s best to wait until after you’ve finished the round of antibiotics before you start taking berberine. If you’re taking any medications that act in the same or a similar way that berberine does, the two might interact with one another. You may experience more significant side effects than you would otherwise because the effects of both the medication and the supplement would be intensified.
If a supplement contains other active ingredients, make sure those herbs or chemicals will not interact with any other medications or supplements you’re currently taking. For example, you might find a supplement for type 2 diabetes that includes berberine along with other herbs that have shown promise in treating diabetes, such as cinnamon. Search the supplement’s brand on the internet and read reviews about their products. This will help you better evaluate the brand’s reputation.
Always take berberine with food. This will cut down on stomach pain and discomfort that you might otherwise experience. You may want to start with a lower dosage and gradually increase your dosage to the full 1500 mg. For example, you might start with 500 mg a day for a week, then increase your dosage to 1000 mg taken in 500 mg doses twice a day for the next week, then start the full dosage in the third week. If your doctor tells you a different dosage to take, follow their instructions, even if they differ from the instructions on the supplement bottle.
Typically, your side effects will go away if you decrease your dosage. If you’re taking only 500 mg or less per day and still experiencing bothersome side effects, you might want to stop taking berberine.
If any symptoms return that disappeared when you were taking berberine, you might consider taking it again for another 6-month cycle. However, talk to your doctor again before you do this. If you decide to start another cycle of berberine, wait at least 2 months between cycles.
If you aren’t in the habit of regular exercise, brisk walks are a good place to start. Walk for 5 or 10 minutes in the morning, then take another walk after lunch and another in the evening after dinner. Consider taking a yoga or Pilates class. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be super-flexible to start a yoga or Pilates practice—there are many modifications available to correspond to your flexibility and fitness level.
For protein, choose lean meats, such as chicken and turkey. For example, you might have a skinless chicken breast with broccoli and whole grain rice for dinner, followed by some fresh fruit for dessert. Grill or steam most of your food, rather than frying it. If you prefer the taste of fried foods, use olive oil or vegetable oil.
Losing weight typically involves changing your eating habits and making a commitment to a healthier lifestyle overall. Crash diets are overly restrictive and typically result in you gaining back all the weight you lost and then some.
If you’re a regular smoker, your doctor might recommend that you taper off your smoking before quitting entirely. They might also prescribe medications to help decrease your craving for nicotine while you’re weaning yourself off the substance. Talk to your friends and family and get them involved with your plan to quit. They can help support you and distract you or talk you down when you’re having cravings.
You might also talk to a counselor or therapist about stress management. They can give you other options for managing stress in a healthy way. Finding a stress management technique that works for you might involve a little trial and error. The same techniques don’t work for every person. However, once you find something that works for you, you’ll notice a difference in your overall health as well as your outlook on life.
