Berberine

[Profound15]

Does anyone take this natural supplement please. I have read that it is comparable to amiodarone but without the side effects. It’s been used in Chinese medicine for many years for various health problems but they’ve found that it has anti arrhythmic properties apparently.

[BobD Volunteer]

This is the second question re this herb in the last week so if you use the search box you will see what has already been said about it.

[saulger]

Saul is back. Never heard of it until you mentioned it.

Had a quick search, and it seems that there may be some safety issues?

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

From the article:

"In addition, one study has found that the effects of berberine on I(K1)/Kir2.1 may be an important mechanism for producing anti-arrhythmic effects.42 In the 24–48 h ambulatory monitoring of 100 patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmia, berberine caused a 50% or greater reduction in ventricular premature contractions in 62% of patients and a 90% or more reduction in 38% of patients.43"

[Profound15 in reply to saulger]

Yes read that but thought that was a positive issue

[saulger in reply to Profound15]

That was the positive, but read more and there are safety issues at wrong dosage...

[Profound15 in reply to saulger]

Yes I had noted that although 500mg twice a day seemed ok

[saulger in reply to Profound15]

Always seek medical advice, re your specific condition, first !

[Cookie24 in reply to Profound15]

That's what I read but there may be a problem with anticoagulant meds and this supplement. I decided not to try it. If you find further information about the supplement, please post.

[mirtilla]

If you read today's and last week's answers on Berberine, it seems too good to be true: anti-arrhythmic , anti-coagulant, and on top of that it reduces left atrial diameter, which is often the root of PAF. And cheap. I wonder why it has not been studied more.... I invite again somebody with a medical background to explain all of this to us in simple terms .

[Profound15 in reply to mirtilla]

I agree. I won’t be taking it just now. Keen to see further studies on it though

[Palpman]

Checked on MedScape app. If you want to have the following then take large doses of Berberine;

Premature death.

Bradicardia.

Convulsions.

VTach.

List goes on and on.

[Profound15]

That’s a bit melodramatic

[djmnet]

I've taken it (500 mg. twice daily) for a few years now on the advice of my electrophysiologist with no problems. Reduced my cholesterol and blood sugar; hard to say what effect it's had on my afib (persistent at around 90 BPM).

[Profound15 in reply to djmnet]

Thanks djmnet

[sleeksheep in reply to djmnet]

I also take Berberine 500mg once a day for blood sugar control.

Never tried 1000mg for any extended period .

Recommended dosage is not to exceed 1500mg beyond 30 days or

it can result in kidney damage .

Even on 500mg I still pause taking it every few months.

My BPM is around 70 to 80 and I am persistent afib also.

[Profound15 in reply to sleeksheep]

Thanks sleeksheep

[plopper]

Yeah, amiodarone has no side effects. LOL