“Nature’s Ozempic” — Does It Really Work for Weight Loss & Blood Sugar Control?

Separating Fact From Fiction

Over the past few years, a viral trend on social media has been making the rounds about “nature’s Ozempic” and how it promotes effortless weight loss — without the supply chain issues or side effects of the prescription drug. However, many are questioning if this natural alternative truly mimics the effects of the Ozempic — and if it is safe to use. In this post, we will separate fact from fiction and explore if it actually lives up to the claims.

Berberine: A Weight-Loss Miracle?

An alkaloid compound found in Oregon grape, goldenseal, tree turmeric, and barberry, berberine is an over-the-counter supplement that has a solid track record of helping people to manage their blood sugar levels, improving insulin sensitivity, addressing obesity, lowering inflammation, and boosting cardiovascular health.² Because of this, many believe it has the same health benefits as Ozempic, a prescription drug used to manage type II diabetes. But the pharmaceutical and herbal remedy are significantly different in how they work. Registered nutritional therapist Helen Perks explains:

“While both berberine and GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy have some effects on weight, they work through different mechanisms. GLP-1 agonists mimic the action of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which helps reduce food intake and appetite through the augmentation of insulin secretion, suppression of glucagon secretion, and deceleration of gastric emptying.”

“On the other hand, berberine’s weight loss effects are thought to be mediated through different pathways, such as AMPK activation and improvements in insulin sensitivity.”¹

Be this as it may, research has shown berberine may be helpful for a range of health conditions, including:

• Cardiovascular disease
• High cholesterol
• Insulin resistance
• High blood pressure
• Cognitive decline and depression
• Cancer
• Metabolic syndrome
• Infections of the gastrointestinal tract
• Joint problems
• Weight loss

One study found that berberine is effective in improving insulin sensitivity and fat metabolism disorders.³ After three months of treatment with 10 μM berberine, metabolic syndrome patients showed a significant decrease in body mass index (BMI) and leptin levels. The team concluded, “These results suggest that berberine improves insulin sensitivity by inhibiting fat stores and adjusting adipokine profile in human preadipocytes and metabolic syndrome patients.”

For weight loss, research published in the journal Phytomedicine found that berberine may help to stop the accumulation of fat and protects against the development of metabolic syndrome.⁴ The reason for this may be due to AMPK activation — an enzyme found within the cell that helps to regulate metabolism.

The participants in the study were given 500 mg berberine, three times a day for twelve weeks. Hematological, cardiovascular, liver, and kidney function were all measured at the conclusion of the study. The researchers note, “Collectively, this study demonstrates that berberine is a potent lipid-lowering compound with a moderate weight loss effect, and may have a possible potential role in osteoporosis treatment/prevention.”

Berberine also holds promise for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NALFD), which can also impact weight gain. A 2017 study published in BMC Endocrine Disorders established that berberine “exerts anti-hyperglycemic and anti-dyslipidemic effects and can also ameliorate NAFLD” by improving glycolipid metabolism and promoting weight loss.⁵

Another small clinical study found that participants who were given berberine everyday for three months “experienced significant weight loss.”^6.7 As noted by the Cleveland Clinic, berberine’s effect on weight loss is due to the impact it has on insulin resistance.⁸ While we tend to only associate insulin with blood sugar management, it also regulates how we metabolize fat and protein.

What’s more, berberine has been found to improve gut microbiota by reducing harmful bacteria while encouraging “good” bacteria to grow — thereby lowering the risk of colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and obesity. It also addresses leaky gut and improves the intestinal barrier.⁹

Safety

Overall, berberine has an outstanding safety profile. However, it is important to consult with your healthcare provider if you are taking prescription medication or have an underlying medical condition as berberine can interact with a number of medications. If you have low blood pressure, avoid berberine. Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding as safety has not been established.

Dosage

Since berberine has a short half-life of just a few hours, it is important to spread it out over the course of the day. The general recommendation is to take a maximum of 500mg/3x a day, but I suggest beginning with a lower dose and building up gradually to avoid side effects, which can include nausea, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, or constipation.

Cardiovascular, Liver, & Gut Health: My Top Recommendations

An outstanding compliment to berberine, I have developed three powerful formulations for improving blood sugar levels as well as overall heart, liver, and gut health. If you feel as though you need extra support, these blends are an excellent choice! Here are the benefits of each:

Heart Health Blend: To encourage cardiovascular and metabolic health, this formulation helps to regulate blood glucose, lower LDL cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and maintain healthy blood pressure levels. It contains potent extracts of hawthorn, tulsi (holy basil), fenugreek, and bilberry for blood sugar and blood pressure regulation, improved circulation, and heart health. This powerful blend also supports vision and the eyes.

Liver Support Blend: Containing concentrated extracts of dandelion root, milk thistle, and schisandra berry, these herbs are known to be powerful, all-natural detoxifiers of pharmaceutical and over-the-counter drugs, environmental toxins, and chemotherapy agents. This blend also addresses a range of liver conditions, including: cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, jaundice, and hepatitis. What’s more, it helps to reduce accumulation of lipids in the liver, calms inflammation, promotes liver regeneration, and much more. If you are seeking an all-in-one herbal formulation that encourages healthy liver function and detoxification, this is for you!

Balanced Gut Blend: Containing dual-extracted reishi, turkey tail, and lion’s mane medicinal mushrooms, along with soothing plantain, slippery elm, and marshmallow root, this powerful blend helps to repair the intestinal tract, restore healthy gut function, improve the microbiome, and cool inflammation.

These are no ordinary herbal extracts. Visit my apothecary methods page today to learn more about how these and our other natural formulations can help to improve your health for the better!

Nicole Apelian

Nicole’s Apothecary Products in this Post

References

1. Kawamoto, Y., Ueno, Y., Nakahashi, E., Obayashi, M., Sugihara, K., Qiao, S., Iida, M., Kumasaka, M. Y., Yajima, I., Goto, Y., Ohgami, N., Kato, M., & Takeda, K. (2016). Prevention of allergic rhinitis by ginger and the molecular basis of immunosuppression by 6-gingerol through T cell inactivation. The Journal of nutritional biochemistry, 27, 112–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnutbio.2015.08.025. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26403321/
2. “‘Nature’s Ozempic’: Can Berberine Really Help You Lose Weight?” by Victoria Stokes — Fact checked by Jennifer Chesak, MSJ, Healthline, June 13, 2023. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/natures-ozempic-can-berberine-really-help-you-lose-weight
3. Feng, X., Sureda, A., Jafari, S., Memariani, Z., Tewari, D., Annunziata, G., Barrea, L., Hassan, S. T. S., Šmejkal, K., Malaník, M., Sychrová, A., Barreca, D., Ziberna, L., Mahomoodally, M. F., Zengin, G., Xu, S., Nabavi, S. M., & Shen, A. Z. (2019). Berberine in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases: From Mechanisms to Therapeutics. Theranostics, 9(7), 1923–1951. https://doi.org/10.7150/thno.30787
4. Yang, J., Yin, J., Gao, H., Xu, L., Wang, Y., Xu, L., & Li, M. (2012). Berberine improves insulin sensitivity by inhibiting fat store and adjusting adipokines profile in human preadipocytes and metabolic syndrome patients. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2012, 363845. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/363845
5. Hu, Y., Ehli, E. A., Kittelsrud, J., Ronan, P. J., Munger, K., Downey, T., Bohlen, K., Callahan, L., Munson, V., Jahnke, M., Marshall, L. L., Nelson, K., Huizenga, P., Hansen, R., Soundy, T. J., & Davies, G. E. (2012). Lipid-lowering effect of berberine in human subjects and rats. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 19(10), 861–867. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2012.05.009
6. Zhao, L., Cang, Z., Sun, H., Nie, X., Wang, N., & Lu, Y. (2017). Berberine improves glucogenesis and lipid metabolism in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. BMC endocrine disorders, 17(1), 13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12902-017-0165-7
7. Iloon Kashkooli, R., Najafi, S. S., Sharif, F., Hamedi, A., Hoseini Asl, M. K., Najafi Kalyani, M., & Birjandi, M. (2015). The effect of berberis vulgaris extract on transaminase activities in non-alcoholic Fatty liver disease. Hepatitis monthly, 15(2), e25067. https://doi.org/10.5812/hepatmon.25067
8. “What To Know About Berberine: Benefits, Uses and Side Effects” Cleveland Clinic, June 19, 2023. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/berberine-for-insulin-resistance-weight-loss
9. Pérez-Rubio, K. G., González-Ortiz, M., Martínez-Abundis, E., Robles-Cervantes, J. A., & Espinel-Bermúdez, M. C. (2013). Effect of berberine administration on metabolic syndrome, insulin sensitivity, and insulin secretion. Metabolic syndrome and related disorders, 11(5), 366–369. https://doi.org/10.1089/met.2012.0183
10. Zhang, L., Wu, X., Yang, R., Chen, F., Liao, Y., Zhu, Z., Wu, Z., Sun, X., & Wang, L. (2021). Effects of Berberine on the Gastrointestinal Microbiota. Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology, 10, 588517. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2020.588517