What's The Deal With Buzzy Supplement Berberine? We Asked A Physician

Berberine is the latest health supplement to blow up on social media, and it has seen a drastic uptick in popularity within the online health community if the 111 million views of the #berberine hashtag on TikTok are anything to go by. Individuals on social media claim that berberine, a compound derived from plants, mimics the beneficial side effects — most notably weight loss and appetite suppression — of the prescription drug Ozempic (semaglutide), an injectable medication designed to treat type two diabetes, per Healthline. However, berberine has also historically been used in traditional Chinese medicine to improve blood sugar regulation, heart health, and high cholesterol (via Healthline).

To understand the hype surrounding this trending herbal supplement, Glam spoke to Dr. Jason Singh, Chief Medical Officer and physician at One Oak Medical. "This is a fascinating topic. As a physician that takes special interest in Ayurvedic medicine, berberine is something I am very familiar with," Dr. Singh shares in an exclusive interview with Glam. "Although it's been used for a very long time, we hadn't had any studies on it up until about 10 years ago when preliminary data [started] coming out on its role in weight and metabolic health." Is berberine's popularity warranted and is it safe to use as a treatment method for weight loss? Dr. Singh weighs in to explain the science behind this multipurpose herbal remedy, which can be used as a weight loss supplement under a doctor's guidance in conjunction with lifestyle changes.

Berberine is touted as an herbal alternative to Ozempic largely due to the weight loss benefits, so we asked Dr. Jason Singh to break down the difference between the two. "The exact mechanism seems to involve activating an involved energy metabolism called AMPK," Dr. Singh reveals exclusively to Glam. "Through this enzyme, berberine can help [regulate] blood sugar levels by increasing insulin sensitivity and metabolism. This further down the line leads to reduced fat storage and an enhanced fat burning."

According to Dr. Singh, "the comparison between berberine and Ozempic is that they share some similar effects on AMPK and metabolic regulation. However, Ozempic is an entirely different compound, it's an injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist that's quite potent towards lowering blood sugar." Dr. Singh also explains that Ozempic differs from berberine because "Ozempic works on different pathways which leads to more significant appetite suppression and weight loss compared to berberine."

With the established dangers of weight loss pills and unregulated herbal supplements, it's understandable to doubt the safety and efficacy of berberine as a treatment method for health conditions. However, a 2021 study published in Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity indicates that berberine proves an effective treatment option for diabetes by affecting blood sugar regulation.

"I myself take berberine daily and what I suggest to my patients is to start with a low dose [of] 500mg once or twice a day with food and reassess in about three months," Dr. Jason Singh tells Glam exclusively when asked how one should incorporate berberine into their routine. "It's considered safe at this dosage but some folks may [experience] some mild GI issues," he expands. "As with any new supplement, I would suggest for folks to consult with their PCP [primary care provider] first."

Dr. Singh also warns against relying on berberine alone for weight loss, noting that " ... berberine isn't a miracle weight loss pill" and "lifestyle factors like diet and exercise [are] still the cornerstone to a weight loss journey." It's best to consult a health professional when it comes to any weight loss supplement and diet plan — especially where diabetes or other health conditions are concerned. It goes without saying that TikTok diet advice may not be worth following, but the same applies to the health supplements featured on the social media platform as they may do more harm than good if misused.