Berberin, better than metformin ?

[patliputra]

Berberin having same mode of action as metformin can be used as better option for treatment of diabetes type 2?

[Ashka9]

It is also anti-diabetic in nature. Root powder of this herb triggers the extra formation of insulin and protect body from harmful effects of diabetes.

But Metformin has better mechanism of action since it doesn't release insulin but regulates liver & stop dumping of glucose by liver into the blood stream.

Diabecon from Himalaya herbals is a tablet containing 33 various herbs including berberine which is called daru haldi & very effective in controlling blood sugar.

[patliputra in reply to Ashka9]

Thank you for very informative reply.

[ALOPAULA in reply to Ashka9]

So, diabecon is better than metformin to use? Please elaborate.

[Ashka9 in reply to ALOPAULA]

Metformin is more effective & we all diabetics must take it as it has immense benefits. But if your blood sugar levels are not getting controlled by Metformin alone, Diabecon would help reducing blood sugar levels further. So take Metformin & Diabecon both.

[Haldin21]

Both diabecon and berberine have absolutely no effect on my BS. I even consumed the double strength diabecon (2-3 tabs daily) and a whole bottle of WellBetX Berberine (500mg per cap, 2x daily). So why is that [sigh]? I must have taken 6-7 bottles of diabecon to date. One has to be careful in making broad generalizations as not everyone will react in the same way as each person's diabetic constitution may well be different from others. Oh, how I wish they had actually worked as it would have made life so much easier

my.iherb.com/pr/Natural-Fac...

[Hidden in reply to Haldin21]

I have been taking diabecon ds since a month without any allopathic medicine. I take it after exercise and 2hrs before the meals. Glucose level is so much improved. Ayurvedic medicines generally take more time to work and may not work for all but they don't have any side effect.

[Haldin21 in reply to Hidden]

You're very lucky!! It could be that you're a newly diagnosed diabetic and in this situation, it's much easier to manage BS levels. I've been taking Diabecon DS since Oct 2017 - and still have got about 2.5 bottles left. I bought a total of 8 bottles. I've yet to see a difference. I've taken Gymnema as a single herb for six whole months previously and that also produced no effect. Since it is already known that Gymnema modulates BS via insulin generation in the pancreas, it's clear that it's not a case of not having enough insulin and so not very likely to be centered around the pancreas. I can't help feeling that it's more a liver-related issue. Like the pancreas, the liver produces both glucagon and insulin. I suspect there is too much glucagon at work.

[Dsaxt]

Try a few others with your meals: Apple cider vinegar, fresh strawberries, 2 stalks of celery, a food grade pet supp called gentle digest containing chicory root, atkins bars & milkshakes, now peppermint oil & holy basil pm if your cortisol rises at night to lower am BS.

ALL of these have worked for me.

[Activity2004 Administrator]

Have you talked to your doctor about the issues, patliputra ? Please talk to them before you change anything related to medication/diet and/or exercise to be on the safe side of things. Like Haldin21 has said, not everything works for everyone. Everyone is different and can have different results.

[Haldin21 in reply to Activity2004]

Yes, berberine can help as an adjuvant and a potential replacement for metformin, if it works for one. Note that it comes under providing symptomatic relief of high BS and may not address the underlying cause(s). I've found that intermittent [liquid/water] FASTING can work fast and effectively at lowering BG - without the use of antihyperglycemic herbs, etc.