Berberine is an alkaloid found in about 500 different plant species within the Berberis genus (including Barberry, Oregon grape, Goldenseal, and Berberis Vulgaris.  It has a long history of medical use and has been shown to have major effects in the body.

Berberine is known for a number of benefits:

• Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory (used to treat bacteria, fungus, parasites, viruses)
• Aids with bile and bilirubin secretion
• Reduces elevated blood sugar, lowers insulin resistance and increases insulin secretion
• Improves cholesterol balance (lowers cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-cholesterol and raises HDL-cholesterol
• May help wih weight loss and in shrinking belly fat
• Promotes healthy cellular lining of the blood vessels and lymphatic system
• Inhibis thrombin-induced platelet aggregation
• Reduces hepatic inflammation
• Microbial-balancing effects, reduces dysbiosis in the gut
• Reduces intestinal permeability

Why Choose Dihydroberberine?

The downside of Berberine is that is has poor bioavailability and it causes increased rates of gastrointestinal distress at higher doses.

Dihydroberberine(DHB) is one of the 17 metabolites of berberine and a key factor in the benefits received from berberine as it is metabolized by the body.  DHB is five times, more bioavailable than berberine.  If taken with sunflower lecithin the absorption rate is even greater.  Lecithin is a fatty substance naturally found in the body as well as in many plants and animals.  Lecithin may also help promote healthy digestion, support healthy cholesterol levels and improve overall heart health.

When to use Dihydroberberine (DBH) vs Berberine

Regular berberine is associated with the symptoms of constipation, diarrhea, increased bloating and flatulence so anyone who is already dealing with gastrointestinal issues will want to thry DHB.  Another valuable characteristic of DHB is its ability to lower blood sugar levels is stronger than that of regular berberine making DHB a better choice for anyone with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, blood vessel damage, systemic inflammation, high blood pressure and /or obesity.

Dihydroberbine is marketed as Gluco Vantage™.  As mentioned above, dihydroberberine is able to achieve better absorption than the oral Berberine.  Berberine can take several months to see results in blood sugar, insulin intolerance and cholesterol regulation.  The enhanced absorption of dihydroberberine can produce faster results.

Here is more information on the benefits of Berberine/DHB

Insulin Sensitivity

Berberine supports the production of messenger RNA which then increases production of insulin receptors on the cell surface.  More receptor sites are then available for insulin to attach and cause an effect inside the cells.  This helps maintain insulin sensitivity.

Kidney Disease

Without intervention, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome lead to diabetes and kidney disease.  Berberine provides support against kidney damage and disease at least in part by increasing insulin sensitivity and its anti-inflammatory effects.

Lower Blood Sugar

Berberine research shows it supports the inhibition of complex 1 in the electron transport chain, this is similar to the action of Metformin.  When complex 1 activity is reduced, it reduces ATP production moving the cell to break down glucose molecules to make energy.

Weight Loss

Berberine preserves lipid metabolism and helps maintain healthy blood glucose levels.  It also helps by promoting a balanced level of leptin (dysregulation of leptin increases the appetite) and increases thermogenesis in white and brown adipose (fat) tissues.

Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Berberine is one of the most promising bioactive compounds proposed to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.  It helps maintain hepatoprotective effects including support for the inhibition of lipogenesis(storing of fat) and gluconeogenesis (glucose formation) and helps maintain a healthy lipid profile.  Growing evidence confirms the positive effects on multiple pathways may lead to improvements of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and related metabolic disorders.

High Cholesterol and High Triglycerides

Berberine helps to preserve lipid metabolism.  It has been shown to help balance total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides significantly.

High Blood Pressure

Berberine supports the reduction of endothelial microparticles and promotes endothelia repair.  Endothelial dysfunction is associated with arterial stiffness in hypertension.

Other Potential Benefits

• enhances neuroprotection and provides nutrients to support anti-depressive action
• May protect the retina against the hyperglycemic insults and decrease glycogen accumulation, and help regulation of many enzymes that are upregulated in diabetic retinopathy.

Dosing:

As a dietary supplement, take 1 capsule with food once a day or as directed by a health care professional.

Caution:

The most important thing to note is that Berberine/dihydroberberine affects blood glucose levels and that means theoretically someone who is taking anti-diabetes drugs, may have their blood sugar drop too low.  While there is evidence that Berberine/dihydroberberine does not cause insulin secretion when glucose levels are low, let your doctor know you are taking it.  As your body balances, there may be a need to adjust prescription medications.

Berberine Complex (Natural Creations) contains Dihydroberberine(Gluco Vantage), Ceylon Cinnamon and Sunflower Lecithin

 

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