Berberine Select

Berberine Select® contains premium quality berberine hydrochloride, an isoquinoline alkaloid with wide-ranging physiological effects. Our Berberine HCl is derived from the bark of Phellodendron amurense, a tree native to East Asia and commonly known as the Amurcork tree, but the compound is also found in traditional medicinal plants such as Goldenseal, Oregon Grape, Coptis and European Barberry. Berberine has been studied extensively for its therapeutic applications, notably metabolic balancing and support. It also has been shown to help modulate intestinal microbiota in favorable manner.

Current research conducted both in vitro and in vivo points to the potential efficacy of berberine in helping to favorably regulate glucose and lipid metabolism in people with blood sugar dysregulation. Berberine has been shown to enhance glucose consumption in hepatocytes and adipocytes, even in the absence of insulin, and may help to enhance glucose metabolism via stimulation of glycolysis, the metabolic pathway which converts glucose into pyruvate which also is associated with inhibiting glucose oxidation in mitochondria.

In addition to support for healthy insulin, glucose and lipid metabolism, berberine is well recognized as an antimicrobial agent. It is a major pharmacological component of the traditional Chinese herbal medicine Coptis, used for centuries to treat issues of bacteria-induced diarrhea. Modern research into the ability of berberine to modulate gut microbiota suggests that it acts specifically on numerous species that are pathogenic (i.e. E. coli, Clostridium, etc.) or associated with obesity and inflammation, while sparing beneficial commensal species such as lactobacillli, bifidobacteria and other short-chain fatty acid producers. Berberine has been found to cause gastrointestinal upset in some people, especially during the period of initial use. It should be used only under the supervision of your healthcare professional.