EDIT March 17, 2024: Today somebody shared a link to a two year old post of mine about a report on Berberine being neurotoxic and taking it off of my stack.
Within a few months I found other information on Berberine and, using my High School educated brain, decided that Berberine definitely needed to stay on my stack and I even increased to 1200 mg a day. I have been taking 1200 mg a day (800 in the morning, 400 at night) ever since.
Those are some of the reasons why I take it, Bolt. He forgot to mention three important points that berberine increases SCFAs and improves the gut microbiome while helping to improve intervertebral disc degeneration. It is a very good supplement that has been used for ages in TCM for a multitude of health issues. Scientists are now "rediscovering" the many health benefits of berberine.
Trialed berberine to lower blood sugar, it worked! However, after about 2.5 months had gastroinstestional pain, any suggestions to offset that side effect. I had read over time it could cause gastro upset.
Often, if a person is sensitive, gastro upset can appear from the start. You didn't say how much you are taking and when you are taking it. If gastro upset occurs, you can take with food or lower the dose. It is also a good idea to take a break every two months for a week or two.
For diabetes and blood sugar control, standard dosing is 1500 mg in three divided doses per day. If you are sensitive always take with food. If you are not sensitive, taking a half hour before eating is suggested. If I take with food I can go as high as 3 grams/day. It has to be in three doses because it has a short half life. You can also go to 4 lower doses per day, but in my experience it is difficult to maintain such a schedule.
I have a totally unscientific, personal, HS education level, idea that it is okay (and maybe good) if supplements are taken less often and so not always present. I think of supplements like a parent helping a kid learn to ride a bike. Running along side and only making contact when needed.
For some supplements, that idea probably allows them to be effective for a longer period of life than daily use would have provided. The body seems to adapt to some supplements and nullify their effects over long term use. I saw this effect in Pine Bark Extract where it worked well initially, but less so with longer term use. Some supplements, like curcumin, seem to be well suited to long term daily use.
PBE is comparable to Pycnogenol in effects, but Pycnogenol is patented and more expensive. It is used in studies because it is a known quantity, but other PBEs derived from other types of pine trees are used also and show similar effects to PBE.
Yes! It sounds crazy, but rescue deserves consideration as a goal. I mean, first we have to find something that works at all, but in finding that, consideration should be given to how it might work to fix things. At least it is something to think about.
Does anybody have a link to anything suggesting breaks from Berberine? I can't find any really authoritative sources making this recommendation. Thanks.
I found a source of Metformin. Some literature on the net says you can take both. I am getting too much stuff in my stack and trying too many things at the same time.
Thanks for this video! I recently discovered this supplement and been using now about a month for prediabetes and to improve gut health. Recently gave it to my partner with PD but he takes a lot of supplements and not too keen on buying more and taking more. My naturopath said it can be detrimental to good gut bacteria after 3 months so be sure to take digestive enzymes with betaine hydrochloride and other enzymes like papain, bromelain, pepsin etc. Mine also needs to have ox bile since I don’t have a gall bladder. Anyhow that could be why gut pain or nausea occurs- not enough good bacteria. Take a break from Berberine after 3 months. Consult with a naturopath or herbalist who will have much broader knowledge about the supplements and their interactions than a regular gp.
I take 1200 mg of Berberine a day. 4oo with my first meal and 800 with my second meal. I have not been diagnosed with PD, I have REM Sleep Behavior Disorder and a sore left shoulder and leg and face dandruff and some involuntary movements and poor balance. I take a lot of things, but I felt Berberine helped.
Over the last few weeks my dandruff seems to be mostly gone, my balance seems better (I can stand on one foot with my eyes open for a minute. That is a huge improvement [I also listen to binaural beats that are designed to help with balance]. My shoulder pain used to go down to my forearm, now it just goes half way down my upper arm).
I really don't know if it helps, but I believe it does.
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Berberine – A Powerful Supplement With Neuroprotective Effect
