Berberine

Also known as:

Piperine (Black Pepper extract)
Berberol (Brand name)
Berberrubine (Metabolite)

Berberine Description:

Berberine is a bioactive compound found in a variety of plants, including Berberis vulgaris (barberry), Berberis aristata (tree turmeric), Hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal), and Coptis chinensis (Chinese goldthread). It is a natural alkaloid and has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic properties. Berberine has a yellow color and is chemically classified as an isoquinoline alkaloid.

Most Notable Benefits:

Improved insulin sensitivity: Berberine has been shown to enhance insulin sensitivity, making it an effective supplement for managing blood sugar levels, particularly in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Enhanced athletic performance: Berberine can increase the production of mitochondria in muscle cells, potentially improving endurance and energy levels.
Anti-inflammatory effects: Berberine has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties, which may be beneficial in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which contribute to aging.
Antioxidant properties: Berberine has demonstrated antioxidant effects, protecting cells against damage caused by free radicals and potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases associated with aging.

Known Conflicts or Potential Isssues:

Berberine may interact with certain medications, such as blood thinners (e.g., warfarin), blood pressure medications (e.g., beta-blockers), and antidepressants (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs). Consult your healthcare provider before taking berberine if you are on any of these medications.
Some individuals may experience gastrointestinal side effects when taking berberine, such as nausea, diarrhea, or constipation. If side effects are severe, consider reducing the dosage or discontinuing use.

Why Dr. Sinclair takes Berberine in his daily regimen:

In his book “Lifespan: Why We Age and Why We Don’t Have To,” Dr. David Sinclair explains that he takes Metformin as part of his daily regimen due to its ability to activate the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway. Because Metformin is a controlled drug, we obviously could not include it in our dietary supplement, but found that clinical research has proven Berberine has the similar (if not better results) at performing the same functions. This was important for us to replicate as this pathway is involved in cellular energy homeostasis and is associated with longevity. By activating AMPK, berberine may help improve metabolism, reduce inflammation, and promote overall health and longevity.

REPUTABLE SOURCES:

Yin, J., Xing, H., & Ye, J. (2008). Efficacy of berberine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metabolism, 57(5), 712-717. Link
Zhang, H., Wei, J., Xue, R., Wu, J. D., Zhao, W., Wang, Z. Z., … & Zhao, X. Y. (2010). Berberine lowers blood glucose in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients through increasing insulin receptor expression. Metabolism, 59(2), 285-292. Link
Vuddanda, P. R., Chakraborty, S., & Singh, S. (2010). Berberine: a potential phytochemical with multispectrum therapeutic activities. Expert opinion on investigational drugs, 19(10), 1297-1307. Link
Lan J., Zhao, Y., Dong, F., Yan, Z., Zheng, W., Fan, J., & Sun, G. (2015). Meta-analysis of the effect and safety of berberine in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipemia and hypertension. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 161, 69-81. Link
Chueh, W. H., & Lin, J. Y. (2012). Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid in herbal plants, protects pancreatic islets and serum lipids in non-obese diabetic mice. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 60(31), 7678-7685. Link
Liu, D., Zhang, Y., Liu, Y., Hou, L., Li, S., Tian, H., & Zhao, T. (2019). Berberine modulates gut microbiota and reduces insulin resistance via the TLR4 signaling pathway. Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes, 127(10), 686-694. Link