Berberine is one of the more talked-about supplements of recent years. All the more so because it appears to be highly effective in issues such as insulin resistance. But that is not all…
Women struggling with PCOS will certainly appreciate its effects, and PCOS, by the way, is in a sense linked to IR. However, let us get to the specifics…
Berberine – effects on the body
To begin with, berberine as a compound is classified among the so-called isoquinoline alkaloids. As the name suggests, it is obtained from barberry (Berberis vulgaris), although this does not mean it cannot be extracted from other plants – e.g. from white grapes.
Among its most frequently cited properties is, of course, berberine’s beneficial effect on sugar and insulin metabolism. Initially, the rationale for its use was tested only in cases of glycaemic problems. Clinical studies in people struggling with type 2 diabetes confirmed the compound’s effectiveness in controlling both blood glucose levels and insulin.
Importantly, supplementation caused a reduction in postprandial glycaemia, measured in the fasting state, as well as in fasting insulin levels. Moreover, it serves a regulatory role in metabolism through activation of the AMPK enzyme, and as a result this leads to an improvement in the lipid profile, including a reduction in triglyceride levels.
It has been shown that berberine improves the sensitivity of cells and tissues to insulin, similarly to another popular product, metformin. The difference is that we do not experience some of the side effects that may occur when using this agent. Even so, caution and gradual dose increases are recommended to eliminate the possibility of gastrointestinal side effects.
Observations by researchers quite clearly show that women suffering from PCOS have higher fasting insulin levels, and a large proportion of them have disorders of carbohydrate metabolism. It is not without reason that
insulin resistance is referred to as a factor associated with the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome. Another matter is that inflammation is also involved. These women are also more often affected by disorders of lipid metabolism. As you know, IR is considered a gateway to type 2 diabetes and many other diseases, and it has a largely inflammatory basis.
Berberine and PCOS
I mentioned that PCOS is very often associated with insulin resistance and, in general, with problems with carbohydrate metabolism. Clinical studies confirm that it has a very good anti-inflammatory effect, thereby alleviating symptoms and improving the condition of people struggling with problems of this origin. The risk of other serious diseases, such as diabetes or obesity (classified among diseases of civilisation), is also reduced. One of the more widely discussed studies on the effect of berberine on the condition of people with PCOS was the one from 2013. At that time, a control group of 150 women suffering from infertility with confirmed polycystic ovary syndrome was established. Three groups of women received berberine, placebo or metformin, and these substances were administered for 90 days before ovulation stimulation.
In the berberine and metformin groups, a significant reduction was noted in the concentration of both insulin and fasting glucose. What is more, positive results were also obtained in terms of sex hormones – a reduction in testosterone levels together with FAI. Since the results were noticeable compared with the placebo group, the potential benefits of taking it could not be ignored.
Three months before ovulation stimulation was enough for the researchers to consider its beneficial effect in the context of fertility in PCOS. Yes, to sum up the study, the indicators showing the possibility of becoming pregnant increased significantly, and the conditions for this improved. Not to mention the improvement in other parameters and the overall condition of the body in the disease.
It should also be noted that the study used 500 mg of the compound 3 times a day for three months. Supplementation in cases such as PCOS should, however, be supervised and discussed with a specialist. I suggest gradual use, starting with a lower dose, in order to adapt better to the effect of the product.
