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Have you heard about all the benefits there are to taking berberine supplements? If not, this is your chance to get to know a little more about this natural remedy that can have an effect on blood sugar levels, improve the health of your gut, and may even help you lower your cholesterol levels. That’s right, there are studies that show berberine can help the heart stay healthy and functioning normally by lowering cholesterol and assisting with the regulation of blood sugar levels.
As with any medication or supplement, there’s always the chance for side effects, which is why in today’s article, we’re delving deeper into:
- The benefits of berberine
- The side effects of berberine on the heart
- If there are downsides to taking berberine
- Easy and effective ways to keep your heart healthy
If you’re looking for a safe, easy way to include berberine supplements in your routine, consider checking out Dr. Emil’s Berberine Plus. This supplement is designed by a medical doctor to help you reach your health goals. Whether you want to improve your gut health, lose a little weight, or just support your immune system, you can’t go wrong with these easy to take supplements.
Berberine and its many benefits
Get to know the many benefits of taking berberine supplements daily
Berberine supplements are a popular topic of discussion, and for good reason. It is a compound derived from plants such as goldenseal, barberry, and tree turmeric. When it is ingested it has an effect on specific enzymes in cells, which means it goes to work at the cellular level changing or affecting molecules and genes. Berberine can also target more than one area of the body at a time, distributing itself throughout different systems and bodily processes to make the most difference with only mild side effects.
But what are some of the reasons you may want to start taking berberine, and why has it become such an in-demand supplement?
Benefits of berberine
While we’re going to discuss the effects that berberine has on the heart, we thought it would be important to point out that it has a lot of other great benefits too.
- Blood sugar regulation. One of the reasons berberine supplements have become so popular lately is due to the fact that they can really help diabetics with blood sugar regulation. The most difficult thing for diabetics to do is to ensure that their levels are at appropriate amounts, and this typically means using insulin. When their body is resistant to insulin, it can make it even more difficult to get to safe levels of blood sugar. With berberine, it becomes easier to reduce insulin resistance, so that insulin is more effective.
Additionally, berberine aids in the breaking down of sugars, and slows this process in the liver. It can also slow down the process of breaking down carbohydrates, which helps to balance blood sugar levels and prevents levels that are too high, as well as too low.
- Gut health. It’s important to know that the health of our gut can have a significant impact on our overall health. The bacteria that help with digestion and food absorption exist in a delicate balance, and when that balance is disrupted, there can be consequences. When your gut is out of balance, it can have an effect on your immune system and your digestive system, and means your body isn’t operating as it should and could be more susceptible to infections. Berberine can help balance out the bacteria in your gut so it is at the level it’s supposed to be.
- Lose weight. Berberine may also help those who are obese lose weight. Obesity is one of the most common underlying causes for chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Your doctor may suggest you start to take a berberine supplement to help lower your chances of being overweight and decrease your BMI. This is especially true if you have metabolic syndrome, as berberine can have an impact on your metabolism. There are also some studies that show that it can activate brown adipose tissue, which can help the body turn food into body heat to lose excess weight.
- Help your heart. It turns out that berberine can have an effect on both your cholesterol levels as well as blood pressure levels. Heart disease is one of the most common problems globally, and this is largely due to high levels of cholesterol and high blood pressure (although obesity is a common underlying factor as well.) Berberine works at the cellular level to:
- Lower bad cholesterol
- Increase good cholesterol
- Decrease triglycerides
When you decrease your cholesterol levels, your blood pressure numbers also tend to drop. Reducing both of these may decrease your chances of developing heart disease or having a stroke. Berberine is typically taken in conjunction with other heart medication prescribed by your doctor, as well as significant lifestyle changes. Studies have shown that medication, berberine supplements, and changes with diet and exercise all help patients lower their cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
- Decreases inflammation. One of the earliest uses of berberine by Chinese and Ayurvedic doctors was to treat inflammation. We now know that inflammation in the body can lead to life-threatening chronic conditions such as heart disease. When we decrease inflammation, it can reduce the chances of the body being chronically stressed, as well as improve a weakened immune system. We need our immune system to always be at its best to prevent infection and inflammation that create problems. It is well documented that berberine can reduce inflammation.
Does berberine have any side effects on the heart?
What side effects can you expect from taking berberine?
If you’re considering taking berberine for your heart, it’s important to first discuss this with your doctor. The reason for this is that berberine may interact with other prescription medication that you’re taking, and not always in a positive way. Your doctor knows best what medications you’re on, and they’ll decide whether or not berberine can help your situation.
If they believe it can help lower your cholesterol levels or reduce your blood pressure, typically they will start you on a low dose, and increase it gradually. The low and slow method is one of the best ways to introduce new supplements to your body, so it has time to react and adjust. Eventually you may get up to taking 1.5g a day of berberine, which can be taken all at once, or spread out before meals throughout the day. Starting off slow also gives you time to observe how the supplement makes you feel, and if you’re experiencing any side effects.
While side effects are generally considered mild (especially when you consider some of the other more lasting side effects that can come from prescription medication), they are still something to consider. Not everyone experiences side effects from taking berberine, but some people may have some or all of the following:
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Upset stomach/nausea
- Gas
- Lower blood sugar (only if you’re taking other low blood sugar medications)
If you’re taking berberine for your heart, it does not appear to have any major side effects directly affecting it. You are more likely to experience side effects in your digestive system such as those listed above. If you do experience any side effects that are painful, or don’t seem to improve, you should definitely discuss this with your doctor.
Is there a downside to taking berberine?
There isn’t really a downside to taking berberine, other than the fact you may experience some mild, but still uncomfortable, side effects. If you and your doctor feel this supplement can help lower your cholesterol and blood pressure levels, it may be worth your while. While you’re taking this supplement, it’s also imperative that you start to make lifestyle changes to help your heart as well. This means paying more attention to your diet, cutting back on sodium and salt intake, and making time to exercise.
The only people who should not take berberine are children or pregnant/nursing women. This is due to the fact that berberine can cross the placenta or can be expressed in breast milk and make it to your baby. If this happens, there is a greater risk of brain damage, which is why you should avoid it entirely.
How does berberine affect blood pressure?
Now we know that berberine can affect both your cholesterol and blood pressure levels in a good way! It does this because it works to dilate your blood vessels. When your blood vessels are less constricted, your blood can more freely flow to your heart, keeping it healthy and working just as it should. Dilating the blood vessels will reduce your blood pressure, which is something you definitely want to work on if you’re on heart medication. Berberine also works to lower your cholesterol levels and remove the plaque that’s built up, which allows for even more blood flow.
Why do doctors not recommend taking berberine long term for your heart?
Most doctors tell their patients to take berberine supplements daily for about six months. Then, they evaluate what the blood pressure levels and cholesterol levels are, and determine if it has made a difference and would be worth continuing. They may ask you to take a break from berberine for a few months, and then start it up again. There are no long term studies on the effects of berberine on the heart, which is why most doctors take this cautious approach.
Ways to keep your heart healthy
There are easy ways to keep your heart healthy!
Berberine is a great addition to your heart healthy routine, especially if you have higher than normal cholesterol or blood pressure levels. If you’re on heart meds, make sure you discuss with your doctor about adding on this supplement. However, there are lifestyle changes you can do no matter what type of medication you’re on (even if you’re not!) that will benefit your heart.
- Limit your salt. It’s important for those who are trying to reduce their blood pressure levels to control the amount of salt in their diet. Many processed, convenient foods are very high in sodium, which is why it’s imperative to limit or cut these types of foods out completely.
- Keep sugar at a minimum. In addition to salt, a lot of convenience food items have all kinds of sugar in them—including beverages. Make sure you’re reading labels before you make purchases at the store, as there are hefty amounts of sugar in all kinds of items that may surprise you.
- Eat more plant based foods. Access to plant based foods are growing, everything from meatless burgers, to cheese made from plants. But don’t forget about the original plants, fruits and vegetables! You should try to include at least 2-4 servings of these plants into your daily diet. They are all healthy for your heart, and they make great snacks.
- Control stress. Finding a way to manage stress is helpful for everyone, especially if you want to improve your heart health. When your mind is happy, it makes it easier to care for your body, so find a way to release stress such as exercise, yoga, journaling, or meditation.
- Be active. It goes without saying that to keep our heart muscle active and healthy, we need to exercise. Aim to try to be active at least five days a week, for 20-30 minutes. The key here is consistency, and doing something you enjoy so it’s not a chore. This will help you keep excess weight off and lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
- Get some rest. Create a sleep routine that works for you! Getting rest for the mind and body reduces stress and helps us wake up feeling refreshed.
Make sure you talk to your doctor to see if berberine supplements are right for your heart healthy journey. You can pick up Dr. Emil’s Berberine Plus and start getting the benefits of this helpful supplement!
