Berberine HCl
Also called Berberine hydrochloride, Berberine HCL
A yellow alkaloid found in the bark and roots of plants such as Berberis. Most research used berberine HCl at 900–1,500 mg a day in divided doses. Our Berberine gives about 73 mg of actual berberine per serving, from an 8% extract plus a small amount of 97% berberine HCl.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
The research
Human studies on this ingredient, with the design, sample size and dose each one used. Research on an ingredient is not a claim about any finished product.
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Meta-analysis of 16 randomised trials. Pooled reductions in total cholesterol (-0.47 mmol/L), LDL (-0.38) and triglycerides (-0.28) in adults with dyslipidaemia. Dose used: 0.6-1.5 g/day.
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Meta-analysis of 18 placebo-controlled trials. LDL -0.46 and total cholesterol -0.48 mmol/L. HDL response differed by sex: higher in women, slightly lower in men. Dose used: 0.6-1.5 g/day.
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Meta-analysis of 20 randomised trials. Fasting glucose -0.52 mmol/L and HOMA-IR -0.85. Most participants had impaired glucose metabolism at baseline. Dose used: 0.6-1.5 g/day.
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Glucose-lowering effect of berberine on type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Meta-analysis of 37 randomised trials. Fasting glucose -0.82 mmol/L and HbA1c -0.63% in type 2 diabetes, with no excess adverse events. Effect scaled with baseline level. Dose used: 0.6-1.5 g/day.
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Meta-analysis of 50 studies. The dose-bracketing reference for this ingredient: most trials clustered between 0.9 and 1.5 g per day over one to three months. Dose used: 0.9-1.5 g/day.
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Meta-analysis of 12 placebo-controlled trials. Triglycerides -0.367 mmol/L and waist circumference -3.27 cm in metabolic syndrome. No effect on HDL or on blood pressure. Dose used: 300-1,500 mg/day.
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Treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia with the natural plant alkaloid berberine
Randomised placebo-controlled trial over 3 months. Triglycerides fell 2.51 to 1.61 mmol/L and LDL 3.23 to 2.55 in adults with type 2 diabetes and dyslipidaemia. Dose used: 1.0 g/day.
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Efficacy of berberine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Randomised trial against metformin over 3 months. Comparable glycaemic effect to metformin in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. 34.5% had transient gastrointestinal side effects. Dose used: 1.5 g/day (0.5 g three times daily).