Vitals - Berberine - 60 capsules (500 mg)

What is Vitals Berberine?

Berberine is an important bioactive substance in the roots, trunk, bark and berries of the plant genus Berberis. Vitals uses a very pure extract from the roots of the Berberis aristata species. This species is also called Indian barberry or tree turmeric

The plants containing berberine have been used for thousands of years in India, China, Japan and many more countries. Berberine has also been isolated as a substance and used as a dietary supplement since the 1950s. Over the past twenty years, scientific interest has grown enormously and now about 200 published articles on berberine are added every year.

Absorption of berberine

Berberine remains partly in the gastrointestinal tract. It leaves beneficial bacteria untouched and can therefore perfectly precede or be combined with a probiotic. After absorption through the intestinal mucosa, it is partly pumped back to the intestinal cavity and partly broken down in the intestinal wall or liver. This explains that the plasma level of berberine remains low. But studies have also shown that berberine and metabolites are quickly absorbed by liver, kidneys, muscles, lungs, brain, heart, pancreas and adipose tissue. The berberine level was found to be many times higher than the blood plasma level in most of the tissues examined.

How berberine works

An important mechanism of action of berberine is to contribute to the activity of AMPK (adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase), which has been referred to as the 'metabolic master switch'. This enzyme plays a role in, among other things, the glucose and fat metabolism by supporting the absorption and subsequent oxidation 1of glucose and fatty acids in the cell. It supports blood sugar regulation and normal fat metabolism. This contributes to a normal triglyceride level in the blood. In addition, berberine is also beneficial for cholesterol levels, as it influences the breakdown of cholesterol into bile acids, the formation and excretion of bile, and the excretion of free cholesterol in bile. Healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels are important for the heart and blood vessels. Berberine is also good for the liver. Research shows that berberine is well absorbed in the liver and supports on-site lipid metabolism.