Berberine – A Powerful Supplement With N... - Cure Parkinson's

Cure Parkinson's

26,583 members27,897 posts

Berberine – A Powerful Supplement With Neuroprotective Effect

Kia17 profile image
65 Replies

A compound called berberine is one of the most effective natural supplements available. It has very impressive health benefits, and affects your body at the molecular level. Berberine has been shown to lower blood sugar, cause weight loss and improve heart health, to name a few. It is one of the few supplements shown to be as effective as a pharmaceutical drug.

There are many studies that Berberine is neuroprotective.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/?term=...

Please share your experience if you ever taken Berberine .

Written by
Kia17 profile image
Kia17
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
65 Replies
Michel0220 profile image
Michel0220

Thank you very much Kia for sharing this. I have never used it and your article makes me want to look into this more. I would be very interested to hear from other users.

faridaro profile image
faridaro

I remember Art and Bolt posting about berberine and I think LAJ's husband has been taking it. May be it's something to consider adding to our regular supplements like HDT, mannitol, etc. Are you taking it Kia?

Kia17 profile image
Kia17 in reply tofaridaro

Thank you for your input Faridaro.I have been taking it for the past few weeks. It works very well so far with increased focus , stamina and feelings much better in general. I noticed that I can walk faster than before taking it and it keeps my blood sugar steady throughout the day. I think it’s worth researching this beautiful natural supplement.

LindaP50 profile image
LindaP50 in reply toKia17

Got my interest up with "increased focus." Tell hubby often, "Focus!"

Zardoz profile image
Zardoz in reply toKia17

I've read about berberine before and recall that it is to be taken for a period of time and cycled off for a period of time. What is your schedule for using this supplement?

Kia17 profile image
Kia17 in reply toZardoz

I have started taking very recently but will consider cycling off for a period of time.

chartist profile image
chartist

I wrote about Berberine awhile back. Diabetes seems to be one of its more popular uses, but recent studies point at its benefits in neurodegenerative diseases. In mice it has been shown to increase Levodopa production in the gut.

nature.com/articles/s41392-...

Here is a link to what I wrote about it.

healthunlocked.com/cure-par...

Art

Kia17 profile image
Kia17 in reply tochartist

Thank you Art.

LindaP50 profile image
LindaP50 in reply tochartist

Very interesting that both Berberine and Mannitol are used for diabetes. Husband takes Mannitol.Balance powder and his facial expressions improved greatly and has less apathy. Also on the HB1 protocol. All good.

LindaP50 profile image
LindaP50 in reply tochartist

Thanks for the link, Art. The link to your post - I'll need 2 cups of coffee to sit down and read all the information - lots of material to go through - thanks for all the time you take in providing info, links and more. Much appreciated.

faridaro profile image
faridaro

That sounds great - we all need increased focus and stamina especially as we age. How much berberine are you taking and which brand? Solaray has a good product with no fillers/ flowing agents and many good reviews. Thinking of getting it.

Kia17 profile image
Kia17 in reply tofaridaro

I get it from amazon.co.uk/dp/B07TMNQBYC/...

Half of a capsule or 250mg a day with breakfast.

Michel0220 profile image
Michel0220 in reply toKia17

Thanks again Kia. Just started using it last weekend!

Kia17 profile image
Kia17 in reply toMichel0220

Thank you for letting us know, Michel.

Kia17 profile image
Kia17 in reply toMichel0220

Hi Michel, are you still taking Berberine?

Michel0220 profile image
Michel0220 in reply toKia17

Yes. Feeling generally rather well! Thank you very much for asking Kia. 😀

Kia17 profile image
Kia17 in reply toMichel0220

Glad to hear this Michel.😊

faridaro profile image
faridaro

Just half a capsule gives such results - that's impressive!

Kia17 profile image
Kia17 in reply tofaridaro

For me with a very fast MAO A activity (75%) more than the wilde type, this small amount done a great job so far.I may try increasing dosage but continue with 250 mg for some more time.

I have been researching it as well. I’ve read that like Metformin it can decrease exercise stamina. Have you experienced that? Some people take metformin just once a week , microdose on days they aren’t training. Are you taking any NAD precursors like NR, NMN, or niacin? Or TMG/Betaine? I just started Trans Resveratrol and 250 mg a day of niacin with the intention of transitioning to NR. Do you know if Berberine is compatible with these?

Kia17 profile image
Kia17 in reply to

I amnot taking NAD or niacin regularly, but noticed increased stamina with taking berberine alone. No experience of taking TMG or Betain with Berberine.I recommend looking into Quinolinic acid pathway ( From Tryptophan to one of it’s final metabolites as QUIN acid) before introducing any other supplements with Berberine. Berberine reduces QUIN production so has neuroprotective properties.

Watching this may help ;

youtu.be/NznTdW311oU

Discogs_discogs profile image
Discogs_discogs in reply to

What is NR and NAD?

Kia17 profile image
Kia17 in reply toDiscogs_discogs

NAD : nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide

NR: Nicotinamide Ribosid

rescuema profile image
rescuema

Berberine is indeed very powerful and beneficial but I prefer to cycle the supplement that activates AMPK/autophagy and affects mTOR/protein synthesis. See below why.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=OPsMM...

bookish profile image
bookish

Interesting post, thank you.

LAJ12345 profile image
LAJ12345

Yes my husband took it along with Allimed garlic extract for rosacea and acne and potential stomach issues. It worked for the rosacea and acne at least . He used the Thorne brand.

He took :

Berberine 1x2 per day + Alimed 1x 3 per day for 3 days

Then berberine 2x 2 per day + allimed 2x 3 per day for 4 days.

The next week he took a probiotic.

Then back to berberine/ allimed.

He cycled this way for a months until rosacea was gone.

It made him feel quite sick so I would advise cleaning up diet first removing all sugar and gluten or at least reduce carbs for a month or so to decrease bacteria in gut so there isn’t so much die off.

LindaP50 profile image
LindaP50 in reply toLAJ12345

Allimed garlic extract for Rosacea. How interesting. My dermatologist gives me creams and my skin is quite sensitive so creams don't always work - makes rashes etc. worse! I'll have to looked into this Allimed. Thanks!

LAJ12345 profile image
LAJ12345 in reply toLindaP50

You have to do the diet changes too and combine with berberine or it possibly won't work

LindaP50 profile image
LindaP50 in reply toLAJ12345

Thanks, I'll read up on it.

Kia17 profile image
Kia17

Pharmacological effects of berberine on mood disorders;

youtu.be/zymUN_Zo1pI

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/304...

Despe profile image
Despe

Kia,

Thanks for sharing this very important information on Berberine. Same goes for Art and Rescuema!

As we all know, most of the good PwP on this forum take various supplements and nootropics. Does one need to drop one of their nootropics and replace it with Berberine? IE, drop Lions Mane and replace it with Berberine? Cycling is not easy for the layperson who is very busy all day long caring for her/his PwP (me :) ). So, I have my husband cycle EVERYTHING on WEs, and start over on Monday. Is this a kind of cycling?

Hubby is not diabetic and he doesn't need to lose weight. Would be OK to start Berberine?

Kia17 profile image
Kia17 in reply toDespe

Hi Despe, I totally understand your concerns. Berberine is very useful but complex compound and I am very new to it. There are thousands of researches about Berberine. If things go on well with taking Berberine, I will do a full liver function test in a couple of months time and see how I am going to cycle off it. In my opinion Berberine isn’t not for everyone. For instance people who are not able to tolerate Sinemet or green tea , Berberine will add more problems to their existing ones. Or people who are hypoglycemic. I wish I was more helpful.

Kia

Despe profile image
Despe in reply toKia17

Kia,

Thank you! PD is a very complicated nuisance. Please keep us posted.

Kia17 profile image
Kia17 in reply toDespe

You're welcome Despe! I will do that.

Despe profile image
Despe in reply toKia17

I watched Lucas' video. Very handsome guy. :)

JakeMax profile image
JakeMax in reply toKia17

Hi Kia,

What time of the day would you take berberine, and how close to sinemet?

Many thanks in advance for your assistance.

Kia17 profile image
Kia17 in reply toJakeMax

Hi Jake , I take it with the breakfast almost 1,5 to 2 hours after taking Sinemet.

JakeMax profile image
JakeMax in reply toKia17

Thank you Kia,

I'll take that on board when I'm doing my supplementation.

Many thanks.

Jake

Kia17 profile image
Kia17 in reply toJakeMax

No problem Jake. Please keep us updated here.

Kia17 profile image
Kia17

A quick update: For the past days I noticed I was more focused with more energy which was amazing but feeling something wasn’t okay and I became irritable gradually and yesterday had much more irritability and mood swings that I have not had for years.I didn’t take Berberine today and feel totally normal. I think Berberine has cumulative effects and keep dopamine and norepinephrine much longer in the body. My first guess is Berberine might not be everyday supplement. I will update if I resume with lower dosage or notice any changes.

Despe profile image
Despe in reply toKia17

Kia,

Thanks for the update! Still debating. . .

Kia17 profile image
Kia17 in reply toDespe

Despe,I have no doubt that Berberine is a very potent compound. The question is how much and how often to take.

Despe profile image
Despe in reply toKia17

Yes! You are right. Sorry for asking Kia, are you pre- or diabetic? Heart problems or weight problems? You don't have to answer, but I am trying to determine how Berberine will affect these health issues.

🦉

Kia17 profile image
Kia17 in reply toDespe

Fortunately, none of the above.😊

Despe profile image
Despe in reply toKia17

:) :) . Same for my husband.

silvestrov profile image
silvestrov

Pharmacological effects of berberine on mood disorders

"Either acute or chronic administration of berberine at low doses results in increased levels of NE, 5‐HT, and DA in whole‐brain samples. Kulkarni et al showed that acute administration of berberine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) in mice caused increased levels of norepinephrine (31%), serotonin (47%), and dopamine (31%). Chronic administration of berberine (5 mg/kg, ip) for 15 days significantly increased the levels of norepinephrine (29%), serotonin (19%) as well as dopamine (52%).12 These increases in biogenic amine levels are attributed to the inhibition of monoamine oxidase by berberine."

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

Despe profile image
Despe in reply tosilvestrov

Welcome back, Silvestrov!

Did you ever take Berberine? I understand it is a very potent supplement and needs to be cycled.

silvestrov profile image
silvestrov in reply toDespe

I have investigated berberine but have not taken it. I set a limit on the amount of herbs I take and my two favorite 2 are Scutellaria baicalensis/Chinese skullcap and Olea Europaea/olive leaf extract. Scutellaria baicalensis is a used in 51 different Chinese herbal combinations to combat disease. I take it as the whole herb and a separate dose of its main ingrediant, baicalin. Think of it this way, tumeric is to curcumin as scutellaria baicalensis is to baicalin. Baicalin is a powerful antiinflammatory which is good for osteo arthritis (and number other conditions). If you want to know more about the herb scullcap here is a fine study.

Flavones from the Root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi – Drugs of the Future

in Neurodegeneration and Neuroprotection?

"Therefore, baicalin, baicalein, oroxylin A, and wogonin

have been widely used in therapy of oxidative stress in aging and immunological

disorders; also, they are considered as promising medicines in the treatment

of acute cerebral ischemia and in prevention and alleviation of symptoms in

neurodegenerative diseases, especially in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and

Parkinson’s disease (PD)."

researchgate.net/publicatio...

If you take this herb you should not take it with NAC (N-acetylcysteine) or ascorbic acid/vitamin C.

"This is an important observation which proves that in addition to their strong antioxidant effect, the Scullcap flavones exert also a pro-oxidative activity, which could be revealed in the presence of reducing compounds. Thus, in general, their application together with reducing agents (N-acetylcysteine, ascorbic acid, etc.) should be avoided."

The only potential problem with the herb is the component wogonin.

"Even if some authors announce that wogonin

could increase the glutamate neurotoxicity and the effect remains to be precisely

evaluated, current human use of Scullcap crude extract seems to be safe, since the

wogonin content in the extract is very low (about 20-fold lower than baicalein).

However, an attractive future strategy aimed to regenerate neuronal tissue in brain

damage and neurodegenerative diseases will need an application of higher doses of

pure wogonin (currently available is synthetic wogonin), and in this case, wogonin

should be used together with glutamate receptor inhibitors."

Having read this I take the non-protein amino acid L-theanine (derived from white, green, black, oolong and pureh tea(s) in conjuction with the herb. Not only with theanine a calming anti-anxiety agent, it....

L-theanine protects the APP (Swedish mutation) transgenic SH-SY5Y cell against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity via inhibition of the NMDA receptor pathway

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/204...

This, (and other studies) have noted that skullcap has a mild sedative effect plus anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) properties so the best time to take it (and theanine) is prior to bedtime. Scutellaria baicalensis is a fine herb and I have taken it (with baicalin/baicalein) for years.

Despe profile image
Despe in reply tosilvestrov

Would you please share the brand name of Chinese Skullcap and Baicalin you are using? Thank you.

Husband takes both Vitamin C and NAC. I assume he has to stop both of these supplements if he starts Chinese Skullcap and Baicalin.

You are a thesaurus of PD knowledge! Please "stop by" more often!

silvestrov profile image
silvestrov in reply toDespe

He does not have to quit taking vitamin C or NAC - just take them at lunch time. Considering the downstream product of NAC is glutathione and glutathione helps the body recycle vitamin C they should be taken together. Vitamin C is metabolized by the body in about an hour and a half. I do not know how long it takes NAC to be converted into glutathione by the liver but every science study I read says NAC is converted 'rapidly'. I take whole skullcap (and baicalin, theanine) about an hour prior to bedtime so there is plenty of time difference between taking NAC/C and skullcap/baicalin.

As for purchasing baicalin, in my opinion, there is only 1 supplier for my money:

liftmode.com/baicalin-powde...

The scoop included with the purchase can hold 250 milligrams which equates into 200 servings..in other words it is pretty cost effective. In a Chinese study of kidney disease patients were given 2,200 mg/day of baicalin so 250 mg is very safe. In a covid-19 study Chinese researchers suggested that 1,600 mg/day of injected baicalin could be a treatment. I have been taking this supplement for years.

As for taking the whole herb, the field of potential online retailers is much wider. I purchase the whole herb from Swanson because their products are good and economical - but this brand is not organic. Because of shipping cost I usually purchase several items (or several bottles of skullcap) at the same time.

swansonvitamins.com/swanson...

Ebay is the place to buy bulk organic skullcap. Note there are 2 types of skullcap you can purchase: Chinese skullcap/Scutellaria baicalensis or American skullcap/Scutellaria lateriflora. I use Chinese skullcap because it has more baicalin than the American skullcap.

If you are interested in purchasing theanine the best bargain online is here:

naturestrove.com/l-theanine/

It costs 21.45 (I cannot remember if shipping is included) but for the money you purchase 365 capsules. A pretty good deal.

Have a great day!

Despe profile image
Despe in reply tosilvestrov

Thank you! You are very knowledgeable and I appreciate your insight.

silvestrov profile image
silvestrov in reply toDespe

I have investigated berberine but have not taken it. I set a limit on the amount of herbs I take and my two favorite 2 are Scutellaria baicalensis/Chinese skullcap and Olea Europaea/olive leaf extract. Scutellaria baicalensis is a used in 51 different Chinese herbal combinations to combat disease. I take it as the whole herb and a separate dose of its main ingrediant, baicalin. Think of it this way, tumeric is to curcumin as scutellaria baicalensis is to baicalin. Baicalin is a powerful antiinflammatory which is good for osteo arthritis (and number other conditions). If you want to know more about the herb scullcap here is a fine study.

Flavones from the Root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi – Drugs of the Future

in Neurodegeneration and Neuroprotection?

"Therefore, baicalin, baicalein, oroxylin A, and wogonin

have been widely used in therapy of oxidative stress in aging and immunological

disorders; also, they are considered as promising medicines in the treatment

of acute cerebral ischemia and in prevention and alleviation of symptoms in

neurodegenerative diseases, especially in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and

Parkinson’s disease (PD)."

researchgate.net/publicatio...

If you take this herb you should not take it with NAC (N-acetylcysteine) or ascorbic acid/vitamin C.

"This is an important observation which proves that in addition to their strong antioxidant effect, the Scullcap flavones exert also a pro-oxidative activity, which could be revealed in the presence of reducing compounds. Thus, in general, their application together with reducing agents (N-acetylcysteine, ascorbic acid, etc.) should be avoided."

The only potential problem with the herb is the component wogonin.

"Even if some authors announce that wogonin

could increase the glutamate neurotoxicity and the effect remains to be precisely

evaluated, current human use of Scullcap crude extract seems to be safe, since the

wogonin content in the extract is very low (about 20-fold lower than baicalein).

However, an attractive future strategy aimed to regenerate neuronal tissue in brain

damage and neurodegenerative diseases will need an application of higher doses of

pure wogonin (currently available is synthetic wogonin), and in this case, wogonin

should be used together with glutamate receptor inhibitors."

Having read this I take the non-protein amino acid L-theanine (derived from white, green, black, oolong and pureh tea(s) in conjuction with the herb. Not only with theanine a calming anti-anxiety agent, it....

L-theanine protects the APP (Swedish mutation) transgenic SH-SY5Y cell against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity via inhibition of the NMDA receptor pathway

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/204...

This, (and other studies) have noted that skullcap has a mild sedative effect plus anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) properties so the best time to take it (and theanine) is prior to bedtime. Scutellaria baicalensis is a fine herb and I have taken it (with baicalin/baicalein) for years.

Despe profile image
Despe in reply tosilvestrov

Impressive, Silvestrov! I will keep your post for future use of the herbs.

Despe profile image
Despe

Kia,

Are you currently on Berberine? Please share with us your experience after your last update. Thank you!

Kia17 profile image
Kia17

Despe, Thank you for asking. I have resumed taking Berberine with lower dose(100mg) once a day from today. I plan to take every other day and see how it goes on. Berberine has additive effects once taken with other foods, supplements and medications with the same properties. I will update here if I notice something new.

Despe profile image
Despe in reply toKia17

Yes, please keep us posted. I got a bottle, 200mg ea capsule, and he started it this morning. We'll see. . .

Kia17 profile image
Kia17 in reply toDespe

Hi Despe , how your husband is doing with the Berberine?

Despe profile image
Despe in reply toKia17

Hi my friend!

He is more alert, don't know for sure as it's been just a week.

How are you doing, still on Berberine?

Kia17 profile image
Kia17 in reply toDespe

Thank you for your update Despe. I have stopped taking Berberine but will take on the days that I would need more focus and energy.

Despe profile image
Despe in reply toKia17

Every time, I search Berberine, Betain HCL comes up, too. I was wondering if their target is the same.

Kia17 profile image
Kia17 in reply toDespe

I don’t think so.

Kia17 profile image
Kia17

Thank you for letting us know Despe.

PDWarrior1900 profile image
PDWarrior1900

thanks!

pmmargo profile image
pmmargo

I have been taking berberine for a few months upon recommendation of my pharmacist friend Igor after the doctor spotted that I was prediabetic. I have lost 12lbs. Hopefully it will alsobenefit the pd. (I am in year 12 and my balance is rather bad). Best Wishes.

chartist profile image
chartist in reply topmmargo

pmmargo

Berberine, both improves insulin sensitivity and reduces insulin resistance while protecting the kidneys against damage seen in diabetes as well as protecting against diabetic retinopathy, which are two very important attributes of berberine when it comes to diabetes. At the right dose it should have shifted you away from prediabetic and back toward the normal range.

If Berberine alone has not triggered that shift, adding a bioavailable form of Magnesium like magnesium glycinate should do it. Magnesium helps to control blood glucose, and if constipation is an issue, magnesium citrate may be a better choice than magnesium glycinate.

Art

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Berberine for leaky gut and Parkinson's ?

Several months ago I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and have been looking for alternative...
faridaro profile image

Berberine Is a Promising Alkaloid to Attenuate Iron Toxicity Efficiently in Iron-Overloaded Mice 2022

Update 6/29/22: Berberine may be neurotoxic. It is off of my stack:...
Bolt_Upright profile image

Berberine Is a Promising Alkaloid to Attenuate Iron Toxicity Efficiently in Iron-Overloaded Mice

Update: Please see the replies below on the disastrous Deferiprone trial. Berberine Is a...

Insulin Resistance, Parkinson's Disease, Consequences And What To Do About It

The topic of insulin resistance (IR) in PwP is not often discussed. Has your MDS or neurologist...
chartist profile image

Diabetes Type 2, PD and Berberine

Diabetes is a common disease that affects many Americans and 90 to 95% of diabetics have Type 2...
chartist profile image