Metabolic Health

Berberine

Also known as: Berberine HCl, Berberine Phytosome, Goldenseal alkaloid, Goldenseal berberine

Evidence

Berberine is an alkaloid compound from Berberis aristata with established clinical evidence for supporting glucose metabolism and cardiovascular health markers. The Phytosome® delivery system enhances bioavailability compared to standard berberine.

Find the best Berberine supplements — free

See Berberine products scored on dose & form, then track your intake in the app.

Open app →

Primary uses

Blood sugar
Insulin sensitivity
Cholesterol
AMPK activation
SIBO
Antimicrobial
Gut dysbiosis
Insulin resistance
PCOS metabolic support
Androgen reduction
Glucose metabolism support
Lipid profile management

How it works

AMPK activation
Improves insulin sensitivity
Gut microbiome effects

Dosage

Typical range: 500mg 2-3x daily with meals
Timing: With meals (important)
With food: Yes (essential)
Duration: Ongoing for metabolic support
Special populations: Prediabetes, metabolic syndrome, PCOS

Forms

Berberine HCl
Dihydroberberine
Berberine HCL capsules
Enhanced absorption
Phytossome complex· 70/100
Capsule· 70/100
Phytosome complex· 70/100

Safety

Common side effects

GI upset (common)
Constipation
Diarrhea

Contraindications

Pregnancy
Breastfeeding

Products containing Berberine

Top-scoring supplements in our catalog that list Berberine on the label. Each product is graded on Formulate's ingredient-level rubric — dose accuracy, form, transparency, and third-party testing.

Craving and Stress Support

Nutricost

Berberine Capsules

See all products →

Known interactions

Warningwith metformin
Berberine has metformin-like glucose lowering

Evidence notes

Strong evidence, comparable to metformin

Grade A: Multiple well-designed human trials support the main claims.

Cited research for Berberine

Clinical studies referenced across Formulate guides that mention berberine. Each links to the full study page with PubMed source + the guides that cite it.

Berberine compared head-to-head

Blood Sugar Support
Berberine vs Ceylon Cinnamon Bark Powder

Related in Metabolic Health

Check a full stack

Formulate's free interaction checker lets you paste in any combination of supplements and medications at once — every pairing flags severity, timing, and cited evidence.

Open the checker

Medical disclaimer. This page is educational and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare provider.