Berberine: A Look at the Potential Benefits of this Versatile Supplement

What is Berberine Used For?  

Berberine is a bright yellow alkaloid that is found in a variety of plants such as guduchi and goldenseal. It has traditionally been used as a dye for various textiles and as a component of traditional Chinese medicine.  Berberine supplements have a wide array of potential effects with some of the more stand out effects being its ability to support our metabolism, cognition and mood. This makes Berberine hydrochloride a very versatile compound that many people can benefit from and best of all, it is a completely natural compound! This makes a berberine supplement, containing the stabilized berberine hydrochloride (HCL) form, a great supplement for those seeking to support their metabolic health and cognitive function.   

Berberine May Support Metabolic Health 

This is what  berberine HCL is the best known for, as its potential effects on metabolic health are significant. Most of these effects are regulated through 5’ Adenosine Monophosphate Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK). In the muscles and in the heart, AMPK activation speeds up both the uptake and breakdown of glucose through a process called glycolysis.  Berberine also slows down the production of glucose via a process called gluconeogenesis while simultaneously decreasing insulin secretions from pancreatic beta-cells.
The net effect of this enhanced glucose processing, is that insulin sensitivity goes up. Increased insulin sensitivity will promote healthy body composition and will help with exercise performance. In addition to this, insulin plays a major role in the brain too, and it has been shown that enhanced insulin sensitivity may help promote healthy cognitive functioning. AMPK activation also increases the breakdown of fatty acids through a process called fatty acid oxidation. AMPK activation also decreases the production of fatty acids by inhibiting fatty acid synthesis. This effect is further enhanced by AMPK activation inhibiting the breakdown of fats to fatty acids through a process called lipolysis. In addition to all of this, AMPK activation may also help support healthy cholesterol levels. Overall, berberine HCL appears to be a very good supporter of overall health.

Berberine May Support Your Weight Loss Efforts

Since a berberine supplement can activate AMPK, it can have minor effects on weight loss. In particular there seems to be a small preference for fat loss with berberine supplementation. However, these effects do appear to be mild, and will not lead to very significant weight loss by itself. A berberine supplement should be taken alongside a healthy exercise and diet regimen. It may help support weight loss.

Berberine May Support Your Mood and Cognition

Berberine appears to support both mood and cognition. The main mechanisms of action occur through sigma-1 receptor, potassium current blockade, and monoamine oxidase A and B inhibition. Additionally, acetylcholinesterase inhibition is involved.

The sigma-1 receptor is a fairly unique receptor that appears to modulate a wide variety of biological activities. The sigma-1 receptor is known as an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone, this means that within the ER, which is one of the main organelles in cells besides the mitochondria, sigma-1 binds to various targets and quite literally ‘chaperones’ their activity. Normally, sigma-1 is bound to another ER chaperone called BiP. Upon activation of the sigma-1 receptor, it releases from BiP and freely floats around the ER. Free sigma-1 preferentially binds to the IP3 receptor. This IP3 receptor modulates Ca2+ efflux from the Ca2+ stores in the ER.
The problem with the IP3 receptor is that it is rapidly degraded after it is activated by IP3, but sigma-1 prevents this degradation due to its chaperone activity. This ultimately makes more Ca2+ available to the mitochondria and receptors that require Ca2+influx such as the NMDA receptor. The NMDA receptor modulates many cognitive functions, such as the encoding of long term memories through a process called long term potentiation (LTP). Furthermore, activation of the sigma-1 receptor causes an increase in BDNF levels. BDNF is a protein that is very important for modulating how the brain changes, and decreased levels of BDNF are associated with low mood and overall decreased cognition.

The Sigma-1 Receptor, Mood, and Cognition

Berberine activates a unique receptor called sigma-1. Activation of this receptor enhances the activity of other receptors such as the NMDA receptor, which plays a vital role in memory. Activation of sigma-1 also leads to an increase in BDNF levels which can promote both healthy mood and cognition.

Berberine also causes the blockade of potassium currents in the brain which allows various receptors to become activated more readily. This is especially important in regards to the NMDA receptor. On top of this, berberine inhibits acetylcholinesterase, which may promote levels of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. Acetylcholine plays a vital role in cognition, and thus, elevating its levels can help promote healthy cognitive function.  Berberine also appears to have a very mild effect on the monoamine oxidase enzymes. These enzymes break down dopamine and serotonin, and thus by blocking their activity at a very low level, we can expect to see somewhat higher levels of dopamine and serotonin in the brain. Taking all of this together, it has the potential to be very beneficial for supporting healthy mood and cognition.

Potassium and Acetylcholine

Berberine has the ability to make the neurons in our brains more sensitive, by decreasing the amount of potassium that can get into them. In addition to this, berberine can also enhance levels of an important neurotransmitter called acetylcholine which helps support healthy mood and cognition. Berberine also has a minor effect on dopamine and serotonin levels, which can also contribute to supporting a healthy mood.

Also read our blog on 15 Nootropic Super Boosters to Amplify the Benefits of Your Brain Supplements