Berberine has gained significant attention in the health and wellness community, but is it something you can find in your everyday diet? While you might be searching for “Berberine Foods,” it’s important to clarify that berberine is not a food itself. Instead, it’s a powerful, naturally occurring compound found in certain plants. For centuries, traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine have utilized berberine for its health-promoting properties.
Nature Made® offers Better Absorption‡ Berberine Phytosome Capsules, a supplement formulated with a clinically studied berberine ingredient. This product is designed to support healthy glucose and lipid metabolism, along with cardiovascular health. The phytosome matrix enhances absorption, making it a more effective way to incorporate berberine into your wellness routine.‡️†
Understanding Berberine: Not a Food, But a Compound
Berberine is a bioactive compound that belongs to a class of alkaloids. It’s primarily extracted from the roots, rhizomes, and bark of plants belonging to the Berberis genus, as well as some other botanical families. Think of it less like a vitamin you find in many foods, and more like a specialized plant compound with targeted benefits.
Nature Made® sources its berberine for their product from the roots of Indian Barberry (Berberis aristata). This particular form, Berberine Phytosome, has undergone clinical studies demonstrating its potential to support healthy glucose and lipid metabolism, especially in older adults when combined with a calorie-restricted diet. Furthermore, it contributes to maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system.◼️†
If you’re considering incorporating berberine into your health regimen, it’s always wise to consult with your healthcare provider, especially if you are taking other medications or have pre-existing health conditions. Generally, berberine supplements are considered safe for most adults, with systematic reviews indicating good tolerability.[1,2]
Plant Sources of Berberine
While not “berberine foods” in the way we think of fruits or vegetables packed with nutrients, certain plants are indeed sources of this beneficial compound. These plants are often found in temperate and subtropical climates and have been used in traditional medicine for generations.
Berberis Genus: Barberry and Oregon Grape
The Berberis genus is the most well-known source of berberine. Within this genus, several species are noteworthy:
- Barberry (Berberis vulgaris): Also known as European barberry, this shrub produces tart, red berries that are edible and have been used in culinary traditions in some cultures. While the berries themselves contain berberine, they aren’t typically consumed in quantities large enough to be considered a significant dietary source of berberine.
Alt text: Vibrant red barberries ripening on a lush green barberry bush, showcasing the natural source of berberine compound.
- Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium, often still referred to as Berberis aquifolium): Despite its name, Oregon grape is not related to grapes but is another member of the Berberis family (or closely related, depending on taxonomic classification). It produces bluish-purple berries that are quite tart and seedy but are also edible. Similar to barberries, Oregon grape berries are not a common dietary staple for berberine intake.[4]
Other Plant Sources
Beyond the Berberis genus, berberine is found in other plants as well:
- Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis): This North American herb has a long history of use by Indigenous peoples for various health purposes. Goldenseal contains berberine in its roots and rhizomes.[3]
Alt text: Detailed view of a goldenseal plant highlighting its palmate leaves and the characteristic yellow hue of its root, a source of berberine.
-
Wild Sugar Apple (Rollinia deliciosa): This tropical fruit, native to South America, is another source of berberine, found in its fruit.[5]
-
Chinese Goldthread (Coptis chinensis): This herb, unrelated to the Berberis genus, is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and contains berberine in its rhizomes.[6]
-
Amur Cork Tree (Phellodendron amurense): Interestingly, berberine is found in the bark of this tree, not just the roots or fruits.[5]
While these plants contain berberine, incorporating them into your diet specifically for berberine intake can be challenging. They are not typically part of the average diet in many parts of the world, and the concentration of berberine can vary.
Berberine in Herbs
As mentioned, several herbs contain berberine. These herbs have been traditionally used for their medicinal properties, partly due to their berberine content. It’s important to note that berberine distribution within these herbs can vary. For instance, it might be concentrated in the roots of some plants and the bark of others.
Nature Made® utilizes an extract of berberine from the Berberis aristata herb in their Berberine Phytosome supplement, providing a concentrated and convenient way to access the potential benefits of this compound.
Health Benefits of Berberine and Supplementation
Now that we’ve established that “berberine foods” aren’t a common dietary category, but rather that berberine comes from specific plants, let’s explore the health benefits that make it so noteworthy. Supplementation offers a more accessible and reliable way to obtain berberine compared to relying on dietary sources of berberine-containing plants.
Nature Made®’s Better Absorption‡ Berberine Phytosome Capsules are designed to deliver the benefits of berberine effectively.†
Enhanced Absorption with Phytosome Technology
One of the challenges with berberine is its bioavailability – how well it is absorbed and utilized by the body. Nature Made® addresses this through phytosome technology. A phytosome is a clever delivery system that encapsulates the berberine molecule within a lipid (fat-based) layer. This lipid coating is similar to the fats in our cell membranes, which helps the berberine to be absorbed more efficiently across the intestinal wall.
Nature Made® uses the branded ingredient BERBEVIS® Phytosome, which has been shown to increase the bioavailability of berberine by up to five times compared to standard berberine hydrochloride (HCl). This enhanced absorption is particularly beneficial when taken on an empty stomach.†
Clinically Backed Benefits
The berberine phytosome used in Nature Made® capsules is clinically studied. Research indicates its potential to support:
- Healthy Glucose Metabolism: Berberine may help maintain healthy blood sugar levels already within a normal range.†
- Lipid Metabolism: It can play a role in supporting healthy lipid levels.†
- Cardiovascular Health: Berberine contributes to overall cardiovascular well-being.†
It’s important to note that these benefits, as studied for Nature Made® Berberine Phytosome, are specifically in older adults following a calorie-restricted diet.†
Incorporating Berberine into Your Routine
Nature Made® Berberine Phytosome offers a straightforward way to include berberine in your daily supplement regimen, particularly if you are looking to support cardiovascular health and healthy glucose and lipid metabolism.◼️ The enhanced bioavailability of the phytosome form makes it a more efficient choice compared to regular berberine hydrochloride.‡†
For optimal use of Better Absorption‡ Berberine Phytosome Capsules, the recommendation is to take one capsule twice daily with water for at least two months. Spacing out the doses, perhaps with your morning and evening routines, can aid in consistent intake.
As with any dietary supplement, consulting with your healthcare provider before starting berberine is crucial. They can provide personalized advice based on your health status and any medications you may be taking.
Consider subscribing to Nature Made® to save 10% on Better Absorption‡ Berberine Phytosome Capsules and enjoy convenient home delivery.
Berbevis and Indena Phytosome are registered trademarks of Indena S.p.A., Italy
◼️In older adults on a calorie-restricted diet.
‡ Compared to Berberine hydrochloride (HCl) when taken on an empty stomach.
† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
References
- Ye Y, Liu X, Wu N, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Berberine Alone for Several Metabolic Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Front Pharmacol. 2021;12:653887. Published 2021 Apr 26. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.653887
- Li Z, Wang Y, Xu Q, et al. Berberine and health outcomes: An umbrella review. Phytother Res. 2023;37(5):2051-2066. doi:10.1002/ptr.7806
- Goldenseal. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Published March 2021. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/goldenseal
- Daw S. Oregon Grape (U.S. National Park Service). www.nps.gov. Published December 2018. https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/oregon-grape.htm
- Gopenath Ts, Kaginelli SB, Basalingappa KM. BERBERINE AND ITS PHARMACOLOGY POTENTIAL: A REVIEW. ResearchGate. 2020;7(5):115-123. Accessed October 9, 2024. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346439412_BERBERINE_AND_ITS_PHARMACOLOGY_POTENTIAL_A_REVIEW
- Golden Thread (Coptis chinensis) Root Extract. nih.gov. Accessed October 9, 2024. https://dsld.od.nih.gov/ingredient/Golden%20Thread%20%28Coptis%20chinensis%29%20Root%20Extract
