Berberine: What It Is, Where It Comes From, and What the Research Says

Berberine is one of four ingredients in GlucoZone. This article is for general education only and is not medical advice.

What is berberine?

Berberine is a natural compound – an alkaloid – found in the roots, stems and bark of several plants, including barberry, goldenseal, Oregon grape, Chinese goldthread and tree turmeric. It has a deep yellow color and was once used as a natural dye.

Plants that contain berberine have a long history in both Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese herbal practice. Today berberine is sold in the United States as a dietary supplement, most often as berberine HCl, the form used in GlucoZone.

Why is berberine getting so much attention?

Interest in berberine has grown quickly in recent years, and much of it comes from research into how the body handles glucose and fats. Scientists have been especially interested in an enzyme called AMPK, sometimes described as the body's "energy switch." In laboratory and animal studies, berberine activated AMPK in muscle and fat tissue, which is one reason researchers began studying it in people.

According to the National Institutes of Health's National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), there is some evidence from human studies that berberine may have a modest effect on blood glucose and cholesterol levels. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center's herb database likewise notes that modern berberine supplements are used to support healthy cholesterol, triglyceride and blood sugar levels, and that lifestyle habits still matter.

What researchers still don't know

Honest information builds trust, so here is what the experts also say:

• Results vary between studies. Many trials have been small or short, and a large share were done in Asia, with fewer in North America.
• Weight-loss claims are not settled. NCCIH says there is not enough rigorous evidence to know whether berberine is effective for weight loss, despite what you may see on social media.
• Absorption is limited. Berberine is not absorbed well by the body, which is one reason formulas often pair it with other ingredients.
• Studies used different amounts. The amounts and forms of berberine used in research vary, so results from one study don't automatically apply to every product.

How berberine fits into GlucoZone

GlucoZone combines berberine HCl with three supporting ingredients – turmeric root extract, green tea extract and black pepper extract – in one liquid dropper a day. Black pepper extract is often included in herbal formulas to support the absorption of other ingredients. GlucoZone is designed to support healthy glucose metabolism as part of a healthy diet and active lifestyle.*

Who should talk to a doctor first

Berberine is generally well tolerated, but it isn't right for everyone:

• Pregnant or nursing? Do not use berberine. Berberine has been linked to a harmful buildup of bilirubin in newborns, and health authorities advise avoiding it during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Taking any medication? Berberine can change how the body processes some medicines – including certain transplant and immune-suppressing drugs and some blood-sugar medications. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist first.
• Possible side effects are usually mild and digestive: upset stomach, nausea, bloating, constipation or diarrhea.
• GlucoZone is for adults only. If you have a medical condition, including diabetes, consult your physician before use, and never stop or change a prescribed medication on your own.

GlucoZone™

Berberine HCl, turmeric root extract, green tea extract and black pepper extract in one easy liquid dropper a day.*

Shop GlucoZoneCompare packages

Sources & further reading

1. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). In the News: Berberine.
2. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Berberine and Weight Loss: What You Need To Know.
3. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. About Herbs: Berberine.
4. MotherToBaby / Organization of Teratology Information Specialists, via NIH National Library of Medicine. Berberine fact sheet (pregnancy and breastfeeding). 2025.
5. Lee YS, et al. Berberine, a natural plant product, activates AMP-activated protein kinase with beneficial metabolic effects. Diabetes. 2006;55(8):2256–2264. (Laboratory and animal study.)
6. Cleveland Clinic. Berberine: What It Is, Benefits and Side Effects.
7. Cleveland Clinic. Berberine vs. Metformin: Are They the Same?.
8. Mayo Clinic Press. Berberine is a promising supplement – but it’s not a magical weight-loss solution.
9. Shi L, et al. Berberine and health outcomes: an overview of systematic reviews. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies. 2025;25:147.
10. Efficacy and safety of berberine on the components of metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. 2025. (PubMed)

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information in this article is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for advice from your healthcare provider.