“Dr. Nally, my blood sugar is great, but my metformin gives me chronic stomach bubbles and explosive diarrhea . . .”

 

 

85% of people who see me in the office have some degree of insulin resistance, impaired fasting glucose or diabetes.   That means, they over produce insulin in response to any form of carbohydrate, starch or sugar.   They will produce between two to 30 times the normal amount of insulin if they eat a piece of bread, cereal, oatmeal, cottage cheese or a bowl of pasta, for example.

 

The primary step I recommend for all of these patient is a carbohydrate restricted diet. This works well.  However, there are other steps that can be taken that have tremendous health benefits. 

 

If you are not using metformin prescribed by me or your doctor, then I will often recommend using berberine.

 

Berberine is an alkaloid you can find in several plants, including barberry, goldenseal, and Oregon grape. It is also available as a supplement in tablets or capsule form, as a powder, and as a liquid. 

 

Berberine is available in several forms, including:

Berberine is effective due to its targeting of adensine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK).  This enzyme is important regulator of cellular energy and is involved in inflammation control, improving insulin resistance and slowing cellular aging or death.  AMPK also affects the production of fatty acids and glucose metabolism, improving obesity and diabetes blood sugar control. 

 

Berberine use leads to enhanced insulin signaling, glucose uptake and stabilizing blood glucose.  This is the most important mechanism of berberine, and it works similar to Glucophage (metformin) without the GI side-effects like stomach upset and diarrhea. 

 

In liver, berberine inhibit cholesterol and triglyceride synthesis. In the brain, it reduces malonyl-CoA, which is the first step to creating more mitochondria, the cell’s powerhouse, decreasing risk of dementia and slowing the aging process.

 

Berberine also activates AMPK indirectly by changing how hormones interact with receptors. This is achieved by reducing the activity of proteins such as protein kinase C (PKC) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). That’s how berberine improves insulin signaling. 

Additionally, berberine prevents the activation of AMPK through glucose, which can also inhibit glucose uptake without leading to hypoglycemia. There is also an interaction with the testosterone receptors, improving testosterone in most men with hyperinsulinemia induced hypogonadism, and lowering abnormally high testosterone in women with poly-cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

 

Berberine has the following positive outcomes when studied with the following conditions:

Berberine has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and prevent them from spreading to other tissues. For instance, it is a promising solution for prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia. The mechanism of androgen receptor modulation found in berberine use can help reduce prostate growth triggered by testosterone. 

 

It may also reduce the rate of testosterone synthesis in cancer cells, improving the outcome of castrate-resistant prostate cancer.

Berberine has been shown to lower blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity in near identical levels to metformin.   It regulates energy metabolism at different levels and in different tissues. Thus, both type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome patients can benefit from berberine supplementation.

Berberine has been shown to improve blood flow and reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors, including plaque build-up in the arteries. That’s because other than a carbohydrate restricted diet, berberine is considered one of the best cholesterol supplement options. 

 

Berberine reduces cholesterol levels in the blood and improves cardiovascular risk. Heart and circulation problems are common in males, and they may benefit significantly from berberine supplements to lower their risk.

Alternative to Metformin In Diabetes

In looking for an alternative to Metformin, I started using berberine and chromium personally and with my patients after seeing how powerfully effective it is. Though there is not a specific study demonstrating the “synergism,” a significant percentage of diabetics, pre-diabetics and those with insulin resistance and neuropathy suffer from chromium deficiency(1, 2).

Clinically, I find that 500mg of Berberine is equivalent to 500mg of Metformin in controlling blood sugar and helping with weight loss.

You’ve Gotta Have Chromium For Glucose Control

Research reveals that berberine is not as effective if chromium is not present at adequate levels in the diet. My patients using berberine with chromium generally have a better blood sugar control than those with berberine alone. I have found clinically that blood sugar, insulin and neuropathy are better controlled with berberine when the chromium replacement is ensured.

Chromium itself will improve blood sugar control by 0.5-0.6% on the glycosylated hemoglobin levels [HbA1c](3).

Corsolic Acid

Corosolic Acid found in the banaba leaf inhibits absorption of sucrose and other starches in the gut. It does this by inhibiting tyrosine phosphatase, improving insulin sensitivity and slows the production of glucose from the liver. It also allows insulin to more effectively help the cell through the GLUT4 glucose transporter in the muscles (4).

Testimonial

Dear Dr. Nally, I have been keto/carnivore for a little over 2 years. I lost a 100 pounds in 13 months and wen into a 9 month stall. Lost 5 more pounds and then stalled again. My HbA1c keeps hanging around 6.5% and my blood sugars were in the 140 mg/dL range in the morning. So, I ordered the Berberine Plus (containing berberine and chromium picolonate with corosolic acid). THANK YOU so much. My blood sugars have now been as low as 102 mg/dL now. Getting the insulin under better control I’ve started losing weight again. I really want to take 150 pounds more off. Again, THANK YOU so much for your knowledge and your videos.

Sincerely,

JF from Wisconsin