Is Berberine Safe to Take? A Guide on the Supplement from Nature Made®

Is Berberine safe to take? Generally, yes, but every individual is different, so be sure to discuss Berberine with your healthcare provider before adding it to your supplement routine.

Now, you might ask, what is Berberine? Where does it come from? Berberine is a compound found primarily in the "Berberis" genus plants, hence the name.

So does that mean there are Berberine foods? While there are a few berries that include it, most Berberine is found in extract from the roots of plants in this genus.

The Berberis genus includes a wide range of shrubs in temperate and subtropical regions. This genus contains goldenseal, barberry, Oregon grape, and tree turmeric plants. Certain plants from other genera, like Chinese Goldthread, also include Berberine.

Nature Made^® Berberine comes from the roots of the Indian Barberry plant and is encapsulated in a phytosome (a lipid container) for better absorption.‡

This blog will discuss Berberine's safety as a dietary supplement, the frequency with which it should be taken, and safe dosage recommendations.

Safety of Berberine

So here is the main question, is Berberine safe? A Berberine supplement is generally considered safe for most individuals. Berberine extract is an ingredient that has been shown to be well-tolerated by humans.[1]

It is, as always, essential to consult with your primary care provider or other qualified healthcare provider before adding Berberine, or any dietary supplement, to your daily routine. Our bodies are different and complex, and your primary care provider is best suited to give you personalized advice for your health and safety.

Clinically Studied Ingredient

While Berberine has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine, our Berberine is also a clinically studied ingredient. Here are some Berberine Phytosome benefits:

Nature Made^® Berberine Phytosome Capsules help support cardiovascular health in older adults on a calorie-restricted diet. For older adults looking to support their heart health, Berberine may be an option to explore.^†

Berberine also supports healthy glucose and lipid metabolism.^◼️ Our glucose metabolism is the process by which our body turns glucose (a sugar) into cellular energy through glycolysis. Berberine modulates glucose uptake by our liver and muscles and stimulates glycolysis to convert more glucose into cellular energy.[2]

Lipid metabolism is how our body stores and processes lipids (fats), which Berberine effects by helping inhibit fat storage through helping improve insulin sensitivity.[3]^†

550 mg of Berberine helps support healthy blood glucose levels in older adults on a calorie-restricted diet if taken twice daily for at least two months.^†

Dosage & Frequency Recommendations for Berberine

The suggested use for Nature Made^® Better Absorption‡ Berberine Phytosome Capsules is one capsule two times daily with water for at least two months. The benefits of Berberine take some time, so consistency is key.

Before adding Berberine, or any dietary or herbal supplement, to your daily routine, always consult with your primary care provider or another healthcare provider. We are all different, and no supplement is one size fits all. Consulting with a healthcare professional is the best way to get personalized advice to find which supplements might work best for you.

Berberine Phytosome from Nature Made

Our Berberine Phytosome uses a lipid-based mechanism to deliver Berberine more efficiently. Nature Made^® Berberine Phytosome has five times higher bioavailability than standard Berberine (Berberine Hydrochloride).‡

Supporting Your Health with Berberine

Now that you know the answers to the questions “what is Berberine,” “what benefits do Berberine supplements have,” and “is Berberine safe to take,” you can now make an informed choice when it comes to supporting your health with Berberine.^†

Nature Made^® Better Absorption‡ Berberine Phytosome Capsules are a way to help support healthy glucose and lipid metabolism along with cardiovascular health.^◼️ With a fat-based matrix to improve bioavailability to five times that of Berberine Hydrochloride,‡ Berberine Phytosome Capsules are an easy way to work this clinically studied ingredient into your daily supplement routine.^†

With Nature Made^®'s Subscribe & Save, you can save 10% on your regular orders and free shipping directly to your door.

‡Compared to Berberine Hydrochloride (HCL) when taken on an empty stomach

^◼️In older adults on a calorie-restricted diet

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

References

1. In the News: Berberine. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Published June 2023. Accessed December 11, 2024. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/in-the-news-berberine
2. Rondanelli M, Gasparri C, Petrangolini G, et al. Berberine phospholipid exerts a positive effect on the glycemic profile [...]. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2023;27(14):6718-6727. doi:10.26355/eurrev_202307_33142
3. Kong WJ, Zhang H, Song DQ, et al. Berberine reduces insulin resistance through protein kinase C-dependent up-regulation of insulin receptor expression. Metabolism. 2009;58(1):109-119. doi:10.1016/j.metabol.2008.08.013