Berberine

• Weakone or more case studies, supported by animal evidence OR small treatment effects of limited clinical significance OR studies with no controls OR weak trends of effects (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) (preclinicaltesting a drug, a procedure, or another medical treatment in isolated cells or in animals; preclinical evidence is considered only an initial indication of possible effects in people only) evidence of anticancer effects across many kinds of cancer

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• Good evidencesignificant effects in one large or several mid-sized and well-designed clinical studies (randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with an appropriate placebo or other strong comparison control or observational studies that control for confounds) (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of lower measures of body weight among people treated with berberine (not specific to cancer)
• Good evidence of lower markers of blood sugar among people with type 2 diabetes treated with berberine, comparable to oral diabetes medicine
• Good evidence of lower markers of blood sugar and insulin resistancea condition in which cells in your muscles, fat, and liver don’t respond well to insulin and can’t efficiently take up glucose from your blood for energy among people with metabolic disorders besides type 2 diabetes treated with berberine
• Good evidence of lower markers of inflammation among people with a variety of health conditions other than cancer or after surgery
• Modest evidencesignificant effects in at least three small but well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs), or one or more well-designed, mid-sized clinical studies of reasonably good quality (RCTs or observational studies), or several small studies aggregated into a meta-analysis (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of better sex hormone balance among people with polycystic ovary syndrome treated with berberine
• Preliminary evidencesignificant effects in small or poorly designed clinical studies OR conflicting results in adequate studies but a preponderance of evidence of an effect (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of changes in leptina hormone that helps regulate energy balance by inhibiting hunger levels correlating with weight loss among people with schizophrenia treated with berberine
• Preliminary evidence of better composition of intestinal flora, especially fewer Firmicutes species, among people with metabolic disorders treated with berberine
• Preliminary evidence of better markers of intestinal flora among people with Parkinson’s disease treated with berberine

See How can berberine help you? What the research says ›

• Preliminary evidencesignificant effects in small or poorly designed clinical studies OR conflicting results in adequate studies but a preponderance of evidence of an effect (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of lower incidence of radiation-induced lung injury among people with non-small cell lung cancer treated with berberine during radiotherapy
• Preliminary evidence of lower incidence and severity of radiation-induced acute intestinal symptoms during abdominal or pelvic radiotherapy among people with seminoma, lymphomas, or cervical cancer treated with oral berberine
• Preliminary evidence of better cardiovascular symptoms among people with cardiovascular conditions treated with berberine
• Modest evidencesignificant effects in at least three small but well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs), or one or more well-designed, mid-sized clinical studies of reasonably good quality (RCTs or observational studies), or several small studies aggregated into a meta-analysis (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of more physical conditions favorable for cognitive performance among people with dementia associated with diabetes treated with berberine
• Preliminary evidence of less diarrhea from conditions other than cancer among people treated with berberine

See How can berberine help you? What the research says ›

• Modest evidencesignificant effects in at least three small but well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs), or one or more well-designed, mid-sized clinical studies of reasonably good quality (RCTs or observational studies), or several small studies aggregated into a meta-analysis (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of moderately lower risk of recurrence of colorectal adenoma among people treated with berberine

See How can berberine help you? What the research says ›

• Evaluated favorably in a clinical practice guideline for lowering blood sugar
• Widely used by integrative practitioners

See How do experts use berberine? ›

• Generally safe, although a few minor side effects are possible.
• More serious side effects or interactions with other therapies are rare.

See Safety and precautions ›

• Widely available without restriction
• Inexpensive to somewhat expensive (less than $2000 US/year), depending on the dose

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