Metabolic Control with Berberine
- Berberine lowers blood glucose and cholesterol.
- Fatty liver deposits can improve.
- Glucose and fat metabolism is supported.
- Weight loss and waist circumference improved.
Unfortunately, there is currently an epidemic of elevated blood sugar levels in the United States, technically defined as a blood sugar over 99, but a level in the mid to upper 90’s can also indicate a problem. This metabolic tendency to have elevated blood sugars, instead of “burning” the sugar as useful energy, is known as “Metabolic Syndrome”.
Metabolic Syndrome is associated with abdominal weight gain, fatigue, elevated triglycerides, and a tendency towards Diabetes Type IL This includes “Pre-Diabetes” when fasting blood sugar (glucose) levels are 100 or greater or if HgA 1 C is 5. 7-6.4. If the fasting blood sugar increases to over J 25 or if HgA IC is at least 6.5, the condition is known as “Diabetes Type 11”.
High blood sugars, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes need to be managed aggressively. Poor control can result in heart disease, nerve damage (neuropathy), vision loss, and kidney failure. These complications are due to high blood sugar levels damaging blood vessels over time.
Metabolic Control is a nutritional supplement designed for these metabolic syndrome tendencies. Metabolic Control contains a natural plant “alkaloid” known as Berberine. Other plant alkaloids of interest include caffeine, morphine, codeine, and ephedrine.
Research in humans and animals involving Berberine showed the following benefits…
- Lowered blood sugars as well as the prescription metformin (may combine if needed)
- Lowered waist circumference and body weight (5 lbs vs 2 lbs on placebo in one study)
- Lowered cholesterol levels 21% (decreases production in the liver)
- Lowered triglyceride levels 35% (decreases production in the liver)
- Reduced fasting insulin levels by 21%
- Improves fatty liver and supports “good bacteria” in the intestines
- Anti-obesity effect, regulating body weight and suppressing new fat cells (via AMPK)
- Increases fat “burning” in liver and muscle cells (fatty acid oxidation)
- Lowers insulin resistance with improved insulin sensitivity
- Increases glucose metabolism (“sugar burning”)
Blood Sugar and Cholesterol Control and MORE…
Human studies have shown that berberine, a key ingredient in Metabolic Control, lowers blood glucose levels about as well as the prescription drug metformin. But, unlike metformin, berberine also significantly reduces triglyceride and cholesterol levels!
In fact, in 2008, authors in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism researched berberine (500 mg twice daily) for diabetes and high cholesterol and concluded that “Berberine is effective and safe in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia”. In that study, fasting glucose decreased by 20% (126 to 101), HgA1C levels decreased from 7.5 to 6.6 and “bad” LDL cholesterol decreased by 21% (126 to 99). Triglycerides decreased from 223 to 143. Further, weight decreased by over 5 pounds in the 3 month study compared to less than 3 pounds in the placebo group.
A second human study (500 mg three times daily) in the journal Metabolism in 2009 showed that berberine was about as effective as metformin in lowering blood sugars. Berberine lowered HbA1C from 8.1 to 7.3 in 5 weeks and fasting glucose dropped from 173 to 135 in only 2 weeks! Also, waist circumference was reduced. No drug toxicity could be detected in liver or kidney function tests. Diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain were unusual side effects that resolved after 4 weeks. A dosage reduction resolved any side effects within a few days. Although more research on berberine is needed, this journal article concluded, “It (berberine) is safe and the cost of treatment by berberine is very low….”
Precautions
According to the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, “Berberine does not have any toxicity at present doses in clincial use.” Berberine has been associated with constipation and other mild gastrointestinal symptoms. Unlike metformin, which can rarely cause anemia and a severe and even fatal condition called lactic acidosis, berberine causes only minor side effects in about 10% of people. These usually disappear over the first 1-4 weeks. A reduced dosage may also be helpful if these symptoms occur.
There is no evidence that this product will cause blood sugars to drop too low. However, it may make other diabetes medications unnecessary, or it may reduce the dosage required of other medications, such as insulin or sulfony lure as. If you are already on diabetes medications, discuss with your medical provider whether your medication dosages should be adjusted or if this product is appropriate for you.
Dosage
We recommend using Metabolic Control at a starting dose of 2 capsules, before meals, twice daily. This is the same dosage used in some research quoted above. An increase to 1 capsule three times daily, before meals, has also been used in research. We recommend following your blood sugars, your cholesterol levels, and your waist measurements to monitor your progress. Nutrition and fitness plans should always be a part of your pursuit of health.
