SUPPLEMENTS | TYPE 2 DIABETES
Berberine: A Powerful Solution for Blood Sugar Control and More in Type 2 Diabetes
Introduction
Blood sugar, or glucose, is the main energy source for your body. It powers each cell and keeps you going and performing throughout the day (1). But it’s not just important to keep blood sugar levels balanced to stay energized; it is essential to your overall health. When blood sugar levels rise too high, diabetes and its complications including heart disease, kidney disease and more can occur (2).
If you’ve been having trouble controlling your blood sugar, you are not alone. Controlling raising blood sugar can be challenging for many of us with diabetes or prediabetes, but it’s crucial for avoiding long-term health problems (3). The good news is that, there are some healthy lifestyle habits and supplements that can support to control your blood sugar levels. One example is berberine, which is being touted as a supplement that can help to regulate blood sugar and come with a plethora of other health benefits (4).
Berberine not only helps control blood sugar, it also reduces the threat to these critical organs like the kidneys and liver. Berberine not only decreases the load on these organs but also protects them from damage that is often a consequence of diabetes, making it more holistic to health (5). In this blog, we will explore what blood sugar is, why it matters to your health, and how berberine could prove to be the miracle supplement you didn’t know you needed.
What Is Blood Sugar, and Why Is It So Important for Your Health?
Blood sugar, or glucose, is your body’s primary source of energy. The cells in your body need glucose to work properly (1). It is critical to keep your blood glucose levels at a healthy level in order to maintain your energy, mood, and overall health.
If blood sugar levels remain elevated (hyperglycemia) for long periods of time it can lead to serious health problems diabetes mellitus and its complications. When your blood sugar remains high over time (a sign of diabetes or prediabetes), it can damage organs, blood vessels and nerves, putting you at risk for complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, vision problems and nerve damage (2).
What Causes High Blood Sugar?
There are several potential triggers for high blood sugar, such as:
Poor Diet: Regular excessive consumption of sugar or processed foods contributes to large spikes in blood sugar for your body to manage (6, 7).
Sedentary Lifestyle: Getting insufficient physical activity can contribute to obesity and insulin resistance, meaning your body does not respond effectively to insulin (8).
Stress: Long-term stress can lead to the release of stress hormones including cortisol that can spike blood sugar levels (9).
Underlying Health Conditions: Conditions such as obesity, and metabolic syndrome can drive up blood sugar (10).
Therefore, by tackling these points and using natural supplements, you can ensure healthy blood sugar levels.
One of the main objectives in the management of diabetes is to maintain blood glucose levels within a balanced range in order to prevent these risks. But the common challenge for many people is keeping blood glucose at prescribed levels in people with diabetic or prediabetic cases. In simpler terms, most people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at high risk of these serious diabetic complications; heart, kidney, vision, nerve, amputation (11).
How Supplements Can Support Blood Sugar Levels Control
Conventional drugs, healthy diet, regular exercise, and stress management, are crucial for blood glucose control, in addition to these dietary supplements play a supportive role in attaining recommended levels of blood glucose by diabetic and prediabetic people (12).
Supplements have been shown in scientific studies to assist blood sugar control in several different ways:
Increasing Glucose Utilization: Some supplements help your body use glucose more effectively for energy.
Improving Insulin Sensitivity: Other supplements assist your cells in responding to insulin (improving insulin resistance), helping regulate blood sugar.
Slowing digestion and absorption of carbohydrates: Certain supplements act much like diabetes drugs and help lower blood sugar levels by slowing carbohydrate digestion and absorption in the gut (13).
But beware: Not all supplements are alike. The supplement industry is less regulated than pharmaceuticals, so product quality and safety can be very variable.
Berberine Supports For Glucose Metabolism and Overall Well-being
Berberine is one of the most popular supplements among people living with type 2 diabetes mellitus for supporting blood glucose control. For centuries, berberine has also been used in traditional medicine, but only recently has modern science confirmed that berberine offers the extraordinary support for blood sugar levels and overall health of people with diabetics or prediabetics (4).
If you’re searching for an all-natural supplement to support healthy blood sugar levels, berberine might be your new best supplement. Berberine does so much more than just regulate blood sugars!
Why should berberine be part of your daily regimen?
Here’s why berberine might change the game for your health:
1. Effective Blood Sugar Regulation
When it comes to berberine, the number one reason that people turn to it has been its proven ability to help regulate blood sugar. Studies indicate that berberine increases insulin sensitivity reduces glucose production in the liver, and helps the uptake of glucose into muscle (14).
2. Support Heart Health
Berberine doesn’t merely aid blood sugar; it supports heart health, too. It’s been proven to lower levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC or “bad” cholesterol) and triglycerides, both of which are important in minimizing your risk of heart disease, a relatively common complication of diabetes (15).
3. Help with Weight Management
In particular, berberine is associated with better weight management, especially for people who have insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome. It can help control how your body stores fat and sheds energy, which may help make it easier to maintain a healthy weight (16).
4. Improve Digestion and Gut Health
In addition to its metabolic benefits, berberine has antimicrobial properties that help maintain a healthy gut microbiome. It may help improve digestion and reduce inflammation by balancing your gut bacteria, leading to better health overall (17).
The Mechanism of Action of Berberine in Blood Sugar Control
The power of berberine comes from how it influences your metabolism. Here’s a closer look at how it helps regulate blood sugar:
Increases Insulin Sensitivity: One way berberine helps regulate blood sugar is by activating an enzyme called AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) that allows your cells to respond better to insulin and take in glucose (18).
Inhibits Liver Glucose Production: Too much glucose is produced in the liver in diabetes, and berberine acts to inhibit this (18).
Stimulates Muscle Cells to Absorb Glucose: One important effect of berberine is its ability to help muscle cells absorb glucose from the blood, where they use it to generate energy (18).
Acts as a Natural Prebiotic: Berberine can indirectly affect how your body breaks down and utilizes glucose by balancing gut bacteria support (18).
Why Berberinde is Favorite Blood Sugar Control Supplement
Berberine is just one of the many supplements that aid to improve blood sugar control, but it standout due to its several health benefits it gives:
Clinical Application: Berberine is widely documented in the medical literature with a very strong body of evidence demonstrating its benefits on blood sugar control and metabolic health (4).
Diverse Modes of Action: Whereas, other supplements might address single aspect of blood sugar regulation, berberine operates through diverse modes of action, namely enhancing insulin sensitivity, minimizing liver-glucose production, pooling fat metabolism and enhancing lipid profile, retaining heart health, and aiding weight management (16).
Berberine is unique from other antidiabetic supplements in that it prevents liver and kidney from various attacks (2).
User-Friendly: Unlike other supplements that require complex regimens or combinations of ingredients, berberine often provides noticeable results with just one easy-to-follow dose. , ,
Is Berberine Safe For All?
As with any supplement, there are safety considerations. For most people, berberine is safe when taken at the recommended doses. However you should always check with your doctor before starting a new supplement, especially if you have preexisting health conditions.
Some people may have mild digestive upset (bloating or diarrhea) when they first start taking berberine. These side effects typically disappear as your body acclimates. By staying with the recommended dose, you would avoid any problems.
Take Charge of Your Health with Berberine
If you’re looking to get your blood sugar in check and your body in better health, why not try berberine? Known for its potent, tested magic against blood sugar, heart health, weight loss and more, the thing could just be the natural solution you’ve been searching for.
Before you go though, click here , , for the best quality berberine supplements and start managing your health today!
Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no cost to you if you purchase a product through these links. I only recommend products I believe will be good for my readers.
References
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