Supplement berberine

[Cookie24]

Has anyone taken the supplement Berberine? I was researching this supplement and one source noted it may cause "stronger" heartbeats. Not sure what that means...

[BobD Volunteer]

My only thought would be why do you think you need to take it? As always with any herbal or "over the counter" substances we suggest that you discuss the matter with either your doctor or pharmacist.

[PlanetaryKim]

I have not tried berberine. But there is scientific literature suggesting it may be useful for afib. I will certainly be reading up on it further and will consider using it.

Yes, you can talk to your doctor about it of course. But when was the last time you spoke to a doctor who had any knowledge whatsoever about vitamins and natural supplements? That certainly has not been my experience. And I have had many highly qualified doctors. Natural supplements are just not in their wheelhouse.

2017 paper titled: "Antimicrobial Natural Product Berberine Is Efficacious for the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation "

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/293...

From the paper: "This is the first report to specifically compare efficacy of berberine and amiodarone in the treatment of patients with AF. We find that berberine and amiodarone are equally effective for conversion of AF and maintenance of normal SR."

[mirtilla in reply to PlanetaryKim]

Not only. this report demonstrates a reduction of left atrial diameter with a low dose of berberine. This is most interesting, since I do not know of any supplement with a similar effect. Hope further research confirms this results.

[PlanetaryKim in reply to mirtilla]

I noticed that too about reduction of left atrial diameter and was very encouraged! I am going to research Berberine further and perhaps commence using it. I do not add supplements readily because things can get out of hand if you start buying every health food store product purported to have some benefit. Right now my supplement regimen for heart health is limited to: Vitamin C, D, Co-Q10, Magnesium. But Berberine looks like a good candidate to add!

[djmnet]

I've been taking it at the recommendation of my EP, but more for cholesterol and glucose support, and have had a noticeable reduction in both numbers. To hear it may be useful with AF is truly a bonus!

[PlanetaryKim in reply to djmnet]

What dose of berberine do you take, djmnet? In the article, the average dose used in study was 1.3 g/daily (broken up into 4 daily doses, so about 0.3 g four times daily). Is that similar to your dose of berberine?

[djmnet in reply to PlanetaryKim]

500 mg twice a day, my brand includes 100 mg cinnamon

[PlanetaryKim in reply to djmnet]

Thank you! What is the name of your brand? And have you noticed any side effects of increased bilirubin?

[djmnet in reply to PlanetaryKim]

Simply Natures Pure through amazon.com. No increased bilirubin per my annual and recent blood work.

[PlanetaryKim in reply to djmnet]

Thanks again! Glad to hear it is benefiting you!

[djmnet in reply to djmnet]

There are other brands that have 1200 mg. I may try that extra mg next time.

[Tomred in reply to djmnet]

hi djmnet what dosage of berberine do you take and by how much has it reduced cholesterol levels also what brand do you take .thanks

[djmnet in reply to Tomred]

Roughly 30-40 points over the past 18 months. I take 500 mg twice daily and brand (from Amazon) is Simply Nature's Pure.

[PlanetaryKim]

The first link I posted to the Berberine study on benefiting Afib patients was just the abstract. The full study is here and describes the dose of berberine used: hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2...

[mirtilla]

But there might be a problem for people taking anticoagulants:

Identification of berberine as a direct thrombin inhibitor from traditional Chinese medicine through structural, functional and binding studies

Can anyone with a medical background comment on it?

[Cookie24 in reply to mirtilla]

I read there might be a problem with anticoagulants and blood pressure med Lorsartan.

[mishugenah]

I originally purchased this for its benefits as a natural blood sugar and cholesterol management tool, along with Citrus Bergamot, which has worked very nicely. I haven't really added the berberine yet, but will start now. I've used the Citrus Bergamot for over a year, along with 1200mg high quality omega3, 500mg time release niacin and red yeast rice. Also, after a bit of research, I started adding 2 brazil nuts to my regime each day and I've achieved normal cholesterol numbers. My doc believes its due to my "compliance" with statins... since my second ablation is currently out of the question, due to the pandemic, its back to anything I can find for the afib, which has switched from proximal to persistent. Please let me know how you do on the berberine!