Does anyone use Berberine?

[bookwormcrazy]

After a lot of research, I have just started using Berberine as a supplement and wondered if anyone else has used it and had any success with weight loss?

I do have PCOS, which I have read that this is really helpful for and currently my BMI is 38. Although I have probably never been in a healthy range, I would like to loose about 3 or 4 stone, although would be happy with just 1 or 2 to get me back down to "my" normal weight. My weight is terrible at fluctuating depending on my stress levels and hormones really do not help.

Has anyone tried Berberine and how did you get on?

Funnily enough I was going to start a thread on this.

I am at my wits end trying to lose weight and was considering the Ozempic route. However the cost, supply issues, and, for want of a better word, stigma, keep putting me off.

How much are you taking and have you had any side effects. Good luck.

Have you tried myo Inositol? I also have pcos and I've been on Inositol for the last few months. I always found it impossible to lose any weight , even with a strict diet, it would take ages to shift a pound but now its so easy. I lost a stone since February ( 7 lbs in 2 weeks) and starting dieting on Monday again and I'm down a pound already. I also found intermittent fasting really helpful and the only approach that really knocks those pounds off

I started taking Berberine on Sunday and I'm doing 500mg twice a day. No real side effects but I do find taking it with a meal is better as especially in the first few days I found it made me feel a bit hungry, which makes sense seeing as it reduces your blood sugar levels a bit.

I am trying not to monitor my weight too closely and will do it once a week, and I imagine that it will take a week or two to start taking effect. I do find however I am snacking less, once I got over the initial hunger pangs which is a plus.

I was considering this too, so also am curious.

I haven't heard of Inositol.

Hopefully I will see something with Berberine as I alway struggle to loose weight with diets.

I take 500mg of berberine per day, mostly because I have a family history of type 2 diabetes and am a little neurotic about it. I have lost 16lbs in the last couple of months.

But I do put a lot of thought into my diet. At least 1 meal a day is just a 200cal protein shake and I only eat carbs a few times a week, and very small helpings.

I second inositol. I found it better than metformin. Metformin has too many side effects 💩. I read a study inositol was better than metformin and more effective as shifting Weight in those with insulin resistance

So 1 week in of using Berberine....
I haven't really changed much in my diet or how I normally do things although I do feel I am snacking a bit less. I weighed myself this morning and I have lost 4lbs.

Is it a fluke? Is it because of the Berberine or just natural fluctuation me, I'm not sure but will continue it on and see what happens to the scales next week.

@bookwormcrazy can I ask which brand you use?

I bought it direct from supplemented.

Thank you!

Op, how are you feeling on it? This is my third day now..

To honest, fine.

I haven't really suffered any side effects except for feeling hungry and having a rumble stomach the first couple of days. And I managed to stop that by having my tablet with meals.

How are you feeling on it?

I am joining you on the bereberine bandwagon.

I will be really pleased if I lose 4lbs in the first week. I am trying to keep my carbs lowish too but I have been doing that for a few weeks already so any lose should be real weight and not initial water weight.

Fine as well, i was also feeling a little hungrier at th4 start, Ie first two days, but today I think that is fading. So fingers crossed.

Any further news anyone? My appetite went completely the last couple of days but I’m hungry again today. I read on line it takes 3 months to work, not sure if that’s right though.

Not sure I notice any difference yet. I take it after meals at 1pm and 6pm. No issues apart from slightly loser bowels but that could be down to more salad and veg.

Following

think I might try this!

I’m the opposite, a bit bunged up, but also suspect it’s due to diet change.

Those taking inositol, what dosage do you take please? I tried it for sleep but I always opt for a lower dose because so many supplements seem to do nothing or upset my stomach. It made no difference to my sleep sadly.

I could try berberine but upset stomach seems a common side effect.

So my update this week is I haven't lost any and I haven't gained any but that's not too surprising.

I have been away with work and eaten out and drunk quite a bit of alcohol for 4 days straight. And now I have a terrible throat and ear infection, so feeling pretty crappy. Taking a couple of days break until I start to feel a bit better. However I do think it's good that I haven't gained anything as I easily could have after those 4 days away.

I don’t weigh myself but I am loosing weight, however I am on a proper health kick to do so. I think the Berberine is controlling my appetite a bit more.

I took berberine alongside myo inositol for over a year and never had any side effects. I combined it with a healthier diet and low impact exercise. I lost a stone and a half and got pregnant, so I'm going to assume all those thing in combination worked well.

I have now been taking berberine for 10 days and have lost 4lbs.

In the last 2-3 days I have definitely found that my appetite has decreased and I have found it easier to stick to my fasting window (doing 16/8). I haven’t been tempted to snack between my main meals. However the weather is warm, I have been drinking lots of water and I think I am probably in mild ketosis as my carbs have been unintentionally lowish. The appetite reduction could be down to that.

It has definitely had an effect on my bowels. Sorry if tmi, I normally go every 2-3 days and can be constipated at times. I am now going most days and sometimes 2-3 times a day, but it’s normal stools not diarrhea. I regard this as a bonus.

I don’t to my knowledge have diabetes and I don’t track my blood sugar levels so I have no idea if my insulin/blood sugar levels have altered.

@EmmaEmerald I take around 2000mg of Inositol. That seems to be the standard recommended dose. Some women take as high as 4000mg.