Does Berberine Suppress Appetite

When you hear the words "ancient supplements", what comes to mind? Well, there has been a recent surge in popularity for some of not only ancient supplements but also diets. For instance, ask someone about the best way to cut weight, and you will be told about ketogenic diet supplemented with MCT oil for weight loss Also, expect to hear about paleo and Mediterranean diet plans. Today we will be talking about something different from these diet plans. We are going to focus on one ancient supplement: berberine. We are interested in answering the question - Does Berberine Suppress Appetite? Let us see…

What is Berberine?

This is an ancient supplement widely used in China for millennials to cure some conditions such as diabetes and diarrhea, among others. Currently, there is a lot of scientific research going on to determine its role in polycystic ovary syndrome, and until now, the results are satisfying. Berberine has already been found effective in dealing with the disorders mentioned earlier. Basically, this is an alkaloid taken from traditional Chinese herbs, including berberis aristata and the berberis aquifolium, among others. Berberine blood sugar benefits have made it very popular. The supplement can be consumed as a capsule or in the form of a liquid. 

The Benefits of Berberine

I believe you can mention some already! We have mentioned some of the conditions it helps cure. But there is more! The following are additional benefits individuals obtain from the supplement:

• Boosts insulin resistance


• Lessens testosterone


• Reduces acne


• Significantly lowers the levels of cholesterol


• Boosts pregnancy and fertility


• Offers immune support


• Has a lot of antimicrobial benefits


• Decreases high blood pressure


• Facilitates weight loss as well as the loss of fats from the body.


• It is an anti-cancer treatment.

We are going to discuss in detail some of these health benefits in a short while. Does berberine suppress appetite? To respond to this question, let us look at the contribution of this supplement to weight loss.

How Berberine Helps in Weight Loss

Weight loss is a hard thing, especially for women plagued with PCOs. What makes weight loss a hard thing? For several reasons. For instance, there is an intense craving for carbs, a surge in insulin resistance and an impaired appetite regulation. The good news is that berberine supplement can help in this regard. The supplement has been proven to lessen the secretion of leptin, an appetite boosting hormone. In response to the question of whether the supplement suppresses appetite, the answer is yes. This is achieved by limiting the secretion of leptin hormone. But there is yet another way in which the supplement helps people lose weight. It has the potential to deter the lipoprotein lipase, a hormone responsible for for-fat storage. Let us look at another health benefit of berberine.

Berberine Boosts Fertility

Berberine is beneficial when it comes to improving the metabolic impediments of PCOS. But again, it can also boost fertility. In a study involving a total of 98 anovulatory ladies plagued with PCOS, the supplement boosted ovulation by at least 25% after four months of use. Another study found in the Clinical Endocrinology indicated that ladies with PCOS randomly picked to use berberine supplement had improved pregnancy rates compared to metformin or placebo. Importantly, there were fewer side effects when the supplement was taken 12 weeks before IVF therapy.

Berberine is an Effective Insulin Sensitizer

The most significant health benefit of berberine is practical insulin-sensitizing. Ladies with PCOS have more insulin compared to those having the same weight but not plagued with the condition. Metformin is a potent insulin-sensitizing medication often recommended for women dealing with PCOS to regulate the levels of both glucose and insulin. Nevertheless, a lot of women with PCOS deal with intestinal side effects from metformin, including diarrhea, nausea, and cramping. Additionally, prolonged use of metformin affects the absorption of some elements, specifically vitamin B_12.

Nonetheless, berberine boosts insulin in the same way as metformin. It boosts insulin transduction by facilitating the intake of glucose through the triggering of the AMP-activated protein kinase path.

Lessening Fatty Liver

Ladies dealing with PCOS are at higher risks of being plagued with fatty liver disorder. This because of the significant amounts of insulin in the body. However, studies show that berberine effectively lessens fatty liver. One study showed that the supplement reduced this condition among individuals with non – alcoholic fatty liver disease. The same research established that berberine diminished TG along with enzymes that function in the liver, and boosted the general functioning of the liver. What is more, the supplement improves NAFLD by deterring the liver fat build up as well as enhancing the oxidation of fatty acid within the skeletal muscle.

Lowers the levels of Cholesterol and Limits the Chances of Heart Disease

Heart disease is the most prevalent cause of early death in the world today. A lot of factors that can be quantified in the blood are linked to the risk of the heart condition. However, berberine boosts these factors. A review of 11 studies showed it can:

• Reduce overall cholesterol by 0.61 mmol/L


• Cut LDL cholesterol by 0.65 mmol/L


• Reduces triglycerides in the blood by at least 0.5 mmol/L


• Boosts HDL cholesterol by up to 0.50 mmol/L

One study indicates that the supplement limits the enzyme PCSK9, and as a result, a lot of LDL are eliminated from the blood. It is also important to remember the fact that conditions such as high blood pressure and obesity increase the risks of heart disease. Berberine supplement improves all these conditions. From the beneficial impacts on these conditions, the supplement has a great potential to limit the chances of heart disease.

The Bottom Line

Berberine has a lot of health benefits. We have discussed several conditions it has the potential to improve. Does it suppress appetite? Yes, it suppresses appetite by deterring the secretion of leptin hormone. Besides, anyone can gain berberine benefits. But how effectively can one use this supplement? Do not miss our next discussion