A yellow, bitter-tasting chemical made out of European barberry, goldenseal, goldthread, Oregon grape, Phellodendron, tree turmeric, and goldthread. Does not sound that attractive, right?
Berberine is the hot topic of the day. Chinese doctors have used it for thousands of years, and the gold-lookalike also debuted in Europe & US in 2023. The main function of berberine is strengthening the heartbeat, but it is also known to kill bacteria, help the body regulate the usage of sugar in the blood, and help reduce swelling.
People with diabetes, high levels of cholesterol or other fats in the blood, and high blood pressure should be aware of this potential life-saving substance. However, it is worth noting that this chemical is not supported by a lot of scientific evidence. Don't blindly use every berberine supplement on the market, but look at its ingredients (which ones you should avoid are listed further on in this blog) and be aware of what you put into your body.
In this list, we incorporated the best BUYS. So based on pricing, mg of berberine per capsule, other ingredients, and sustainability.
With that being said, let's dive into the Best Berberine Supplements of 2024!
Ingredients to Avoid
DO NOT skip this part! Before taking berberine, we highly recommend you speak with a doctor before taking berberine. This way you ensure that it is safe for your own body, and how much you can take.
Here is a list of ingredients you might want to skip when choosing your berberine supplements:
Magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, or cellulose: all of these are additional ingredients that make it tastier, or can be used as fillers or binders. If you prefer minimal additional ingredients, skipping these might be your way to go.
Aspartame, HFCs, and MSG's: these are all added to substitute sugar or any other bad ingredient while being just as bad.
Benzoates, sulfites, and nitrites: preservatives to prevent spoilage and extend the shelf life of berberine.
Carrageenan and guar gum: stabilizers to help maintain the physical properties of a product, preventing separation or crystallization.
Lead or arsenic: some berberine supplements have been found to contain trace amounts of heavy metals. Be sure to buy only from reputable manufacturers.
All of the supplements on this list are BS-free, so don't worry about that.
The Correct Dosage
While there are no absolute guidelines on how much berberine you should take, research in 2023 found that positive health changes can be seen after taking 1000 mg to 1500mg daily for at least 3 months.
But again, if you experience negative side effects of berberine supplements, contact your doctor to make adjustments.
Summary
#1: Solaray Berberine Capsules - Best for vegan, eco-friendly users seeking lab-verified purity.#2: Thorne Berberine - Best for maintaining cholesterol, blood sugar, and GI balance with natural ingredients.#3: Sunergetic Berberine - Best for efficiency with 600mg Berberine HCI, sourced naturally, and a 365-day satisfaction guarantee.#4: NowFoods Berberine - Best for optimal absorption with 400mg berberine HCI and 700mg MCT oil at a favorable price.#5: Berbaprime - Premium berberine with 97% HCL (1500mg per 3 capsules), ISO9001 and GMP certified, effective for insulin resistance and blood sugar management, though relatively pricier.Conclusion*(Press the # to go to the review) |
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Best Berberine Supplements in 2024
In the very first place, we have Solaray's Berberine Capsules. This supplement is made with Oregon Grape and is non-GMO, vegan, and lab-verified.
Solaray uses 100% PCR bottles made out of removed plastic from oceans & landfills, so their packaging is completely eco-friendly. Also, they manufacture and test their products to ensure purity and potency.
Their product is easily absorbed by your body Solaand is recommended in 2 capsules of 535mg. It does not matter when you take them.
Pricing
Their capsules are sold in 2 different options: a subscription (which saves you 20%) and one-time purchases:
One-time purchase: 60 veg caps for $25.99, which comes down to $0.43 per capsule.
Subscription-based: 60 veg caps for $20.79, which comes down to $0.35 per capsule.
At a solid second place, we have Thorne. Thorne claims that their berberine supplements "provide nutritional support for maintaining healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels, promoting GI microbial balance, and supporting health metabolism".
Their Berberine supplements are verified gluten/dairy/soy-free and derived from natural flavors/colors. Other key points are their usage of berberine phytosome for enhanced absorption and the usage of the well-studied berberine HCI.
Also, their ingredients are sourced from non-endangered species and include grape seed extract to protect the GI tract from possible berberine irritation.
A dose of 1-3 capsules is recommended during your meals.
Pricing
Thorne offers 2 kinds of berberine capsules: 1 with 200 mg berberine HCI per capsule and 1 with 450 mg of berberine HCI & 550 mg of berberine phytosome (which is claimed to be 9.6X better absorbed than normal berberine extracts).
200 mg of berberine HCI: 60 caps for $25, which comes down to $0.42 per capsule.
450 mg of berberine HCl & 550 mg of berberine phytosome: 60 caps for $38, which comes down to $0.63 per capsule.
One of the most famous berberine supplements on Amazon (Amazon doesn't sell them anymore, only available on the Sunergetic website) with 6.721 ratings with an average of 4.3/5.
Their supplements provide 600mg of Berberine HCI per capsule, making it the most efficient on this list. They source their berberine from the Berberis Aristata: the most natural berberine source on this planet (as the name suggests).
Sunergetic is committed to quality, as they state on their website. Their berberine supplement is manufactured in an FDA-registered facility that adheres to Good Manufacturing Practises (GMP).
UNIQUE: 365 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. If you're not satisfied with the results of this berberine supplement, you can contact them 365 days after your purchase for a refund.
Their dose contains 2 capsules, providing you with 1200mg of berberine per day.
Pricing
Again, Sunergetic offers a one-time purchase or a subscription which saves you 10%:
One-time purchase: $21.95 per 60 capsules, which comes down to $0.36 per capsule.
Subscription-based: $19.76 per 60 capsules, which comes down to $0.33 per capsule.
At a solid 4th place, we have NowFoods. The respected brand developed this solid product, which contains 400mg of berberine HCI per capsule. Next to that, the product contains 700mg of MCT oil.
MCTs are known for their ability to be quickly absorbed and metabolized by the body, providing a rapid source of energy. In combination with berberine, this promotes optimal berberine absorption.
Also: the capsule is made from soft gel, which contains bovine gelatin. If you're worried whether this product is haram or not: bovine is made from cows, and therefore complies with the Halal standards.
A daily intake of 1 soft gel 3 times per day is recommended. This comes down to 1200mg of berberine, providing optimal results.
Pricing
Pricing is a huge advantage with this one. Their only option is 90 soft gels per package. However, they offer a limited deal.
LIMITED: Instead of $39.99 per 90 capsules, it is now $19.99 per 90 capsules. This comes down to $0.22 per capsule. By far the lowest you find on the market these days.
As the last one on this list, we have the most reputable brand on this list and a brand that specializes in berberine. Berbaprime offers 97% HCL (1500mg per 3 capsules) and is ISO9001 and GMP verified.
Their evidence suggests that using berberine leads to the following:
In a 12-week study of 116 people with type 2 diabetes, 1 gram of berberine per day lowered fasting blood sugar by 20% and average long-term blood sugar levels by 12%.
In another study of 80 people with type 2 diabetes, 480mg of berberine per day for 12 weeks lowered blood sugar levels just as effectively as the blood sugar control drug metformin.
A 2021 review of published clinical research concluded that berberine can improve type 2 diabetes by improving insulin resistance.
Safe to say; their formula works.
The advised dose of their capsules is 3 times a day 1 capsule, a few minutes before or with food. Recommended is to spread it out over the day.
Berbaprime is made of hypromellose, making it suitable for both vegans & vegetarians.
Pricing
Each Berbaprime offers 500mg of berberine. Take a look at this picture below for Berbaprime's pricing:
You might conclude: while their product is quality-wise one of the best, it is not sustainable in the long run. To use it consistently, it's simply too expensive.
So if you're on a budget, you might want to check NowFoods Berberine.
With that being said, Berbaprime is one of the best berberine brands in the world. So if you're serious about using Berberine and you have the budget for it: they surely won't disappoint.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, berberine, sourced from diverse plants, has garnered attention for its potential health benefits, including cardiovascular support and blood sugar regulation. With a rich history in Chinese medicine, its adoption in the West in 2023 prompts a cautious exploration of its multifaceted functions. While traditional use and Chinese medical endorsement underscore its significance, the guide emphasizes the need for careful consideration, given the limited scientific evidence supporting berberine's efficacy.
The list of "Best Berberine Supplements of 2024" features Solaray, Thorne, Sunergetic, NowFoods, and Berbaprime, catering to various preferences and needs. This comprehensive guide equips consumers with valuable information to make informed choices, emphasizing ingredient scrutiny, healthcare consultation, and tailored decisions for optimal health outcomes.
The detailed examination of each brand showcases Solaray's commitment to vegan, eco-friendly options, Thorne's focus on cholesterol, blood sugar, and GI balance, Sunergetic's efficiency with 600mg Berberine HCI, NowFoods' optimal absorption with MCT oil, and Berbaprime's premium 97% HCL formulation. While Berbaprime stands out for its quality, the guide navigates the balance between efficacy and affordability, directing attention to budget-friendly alternatives like NowFoods.
This approach empowers consumers to select berberine supplements aligned with their health goals and financial considerations.
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