Berberine for Gut Health

Your gut is one of the most richly populated microflora ecosystems on Earth!  It contains an astounding number of bacteria that are necessary to not only impact your digestion but your overall health. Research has demonstrated that the microflora contained in the gut impacts the function of the gut, immune system, development of diseases such as obesity and diabetes, and possibly most importantly, the gut microflora can be greatly impacted by what you choose to put into your gut!

 Berberine is a significant component of many Chinese herbal formulas and for a good reason, berberine can have a significant impact on the microorganisms in the gut and thus the health of your body.  The effects of Berberine on the gut has stood the test of time in clinical practice and now modern research shows it has a significant impact as an antimicrobial aagent against dangerous gut bacteria, parasites, worms, and viruses. Specifically, Berberine can significantly reduce Staphylococcus, Salmonella, Clostridium, Proteus, Shigella, Vibrio, and klebsiella. Quite an impressive list; many of these names probably sound familiar from warnings about food spoilage and disinfectant advertisements.

 Importantly, berberine has demonstrated effectiveness in combating Escherichia coli diarrhea and other microorganisms that can negatively impact the function of the gut. While acting against all of these dangerous berberine has been shown to have no impact on beneficial species like lactobacilli and bifidobacteria (the stuff in your probiotic).

 Berberine is thought to act topically and to be poorly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. This means that berberine might be able to modulate important gut bacteria levels without having any direct systemic effects. But despite the fact that berberine is not absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract, it can still systemically affect your body because the microflora in the gut affect the entire body.

The benefits of Berberine are becoming so widely known it is rapidly becoming the “new tumeric”.  Talk to your health care provider and ask if a Berberine containing supplement might be right for you.