A herbal preparation called berberine has been dubbed “nature’s own Ozempic” on TikTok, with influencers enthusiastically claiming it has helped them lose weight and their posts being viewed by millions.
But why berberine? Writing in The Conversation, three experts – Tina Hinton, Niale Wheate and Rebecca Roubon, all from the University of Sydney – explain what it is, and how it works.
They write:
Many people who cannot lose weight through diet and exercise turn to medication, which includes the high-profile prescription medicine Ozempic, a diabetes drug that also helps people shed kilos.
Worldwide supply shortages of the drug and the fact that a script is needed for it have led some people to seek alternatives available online or in pharmacies, like berberine, a
a bitter tasting chemical extracted from the roots of plants, such as goldenseal and barberry, belonging to the class of plant chemicals called isoquinoline alkaloids. Other well known chemicals in this class include morphine and codeine.
Berberine extracts have been used in traditional medicines for disorders of the gut and to treat infections. It is mostly taken orally as a powder, capsule or tablet.
Is it the same as Ozempic?
Berberine is not the same as Ozempic. Ozempic is the brand name of semaglutide, used to treat people with type 2 diabetes, which works by imitating a natural hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This hormone is important because it helps the body produce insulin to regulate blood sugar levels.
More recently, Ozempic has been shown to be effective for weight loss in people who are overweight or obese. By mimicking GLP-1, Ozempic makes a person feel full and less hungry.
Does berberine help you lose weight?
In clinical studies, berberine leads to modest weight loss in obese people. But the data are not conclusive as most published studies are small and of varying quality.
The strongest evidence comes from two meta-analyses, which show that taking a daily 300-3 000mg berberine (orally) is associated with modest reductions in body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and body weight (around 3kg).
These results were most significant in women with a BMI great than 30, taking at least 1 000mg daily for at least three months.
Studies have only been conducted with people who are overweight or obese. So we don’t know whether berberine leads to weight loss in others. We also don’t yet have the data to say what happens when people stop taking it.
We don’t exactly know how berberine works to help people lose weight. But a recent systematic review (when researchers pool together evidence) gives some clues.
It influences GLP-1 levels like Ozempic, but probably results in weight loss in other ways too: decreasing blood sugar levels, stimulating insulin release, influencing how the body absorbs cholesterol, and changing how fat is processed in the body.
Is berberine safe?
Just because it’s sold over the counter doesn’t mean it’s safe. It can have side effects and interfere with other medication being taken.
Common side effects include diarrhoea, constipation, gas and an upset stomach. Large quantities may be fatal.
Berberine is not recommended during pregnancy, as it is thought it can cross the placenta and may harm the foetus. It may also stimulate contractions of the uterus, which can inappropriately trigger birth. Because it can be transferred to breast milk it is not appropriate if breastfeeding, either.
Berberine can also interact with many other drugs and supplements. These include the immune-system drug ciclosporin, cough suppressants like dextromethorphan, and herbal remedies and medicines used to lower blood pressure, lower blood sugar levels, reduce blood clotting, and help with relaxation and sleep.
Tina Hinton is an associate professor of Pharmacology; Niale Wheate is an associate professor of the Sydney Pharmacy School; Rebecca Roubon is a lecturer at the Sydney Pharmacy School.
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TikTok turns diabetes drug into popular diet pill
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