Is Berberine natures Ozempic?

Madison Matthews
Nov 2, 2023
3 min read

There has been a lot of talk in the media lately about Berberine being dubbed as nature's Ozempic.

As a Naturopath I understand the complexities and intricacies of herbal medicine. Just because something is natural doesn’t mean it is safe and just because a remedy works for one person doesn’t mean it will work for everyone, which is why a generalised statement such as Berberine being nature's Ozempic makes me uncomfortable. It’s likely such a statement will result in improper use of Berberine causing a safety risk that will then negatively impact the herbal compound and make it difficult for trained practitioners to prescribe.

That being said there is some research that suggests Berberine has similar actions to Ozempic and therefore could be an alternative weight loss “medicine”.

Berberine is a chemical (Alkaloid) that naturally occurs in some herbal medicines such as Golden Seal, Barberry and Turmeric. These herbal medicines have been used in Traditional Medicine for many years for their antimicrobial, antiparasitic, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, cardiovascular and neurological activity. (Please note that all herbs have more than one chemical).

Whilst you can get herbal supplements that contain just the active ingredient Berberine, you can also get the whole plant as medicine, which is how you’ll normally receive it if seeing a Naturopath or Herbalist. It’s my belief that herbal medicine works best when it’s in its whole form with minimal adulterations.

Ozempic is classified as a GLP-1RA (Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist) it is designed to imitate GLP-1 which is a naturally occurring hormone that decreases in type 2 diabetes and obesity. GLP-1 has multiple therapeutic effects such as glucose and insulin balance, reducing gastric emptying and appetite regulation.

Some studies suggest that Berberine can work similarly to Ozempic as it binds to bitter taste receptors which in turn promotes the natural secretion of GLP-1.

It’s really important to note that whilst these studies are promising research is limited and the studies have not been completed on humans. This means it is difficult to determine the dosage required to replicate the results in humans. It’s also important to understand that berberine has low bioavailability which means it can’t be compared as a like-for-like with Ozempic. Unlike Ozempic when taken in a whole plant form, Berberine is safe and no adverse effects are expected when used within the recommended dosage however, caution should be taken with pregnancy or when taken with other medication.

Remember that like weight loss medicine, herbal medicine should not replace a healthy diet and should be used in combination with dietary and lifestyle changes and not in isolation. If you are currently struggling with weight management and would like to try Berberine I highly suggest you work with a Naturopath or Herbalist like myself who can prescribe herbal medicines that meet your individual requirements and ensure there are no safety risks.

If you want to learn more about how you can better manage your PCOS weight without feeling punished and deprived then book in for a complimentary PCOS Success Gameplan Call.

PS There is lots of positive research on Berberine’s anti-diabetic action and its effect on women with PCOS which I will discuss in the future.

Talk soon

Madison Matthews