Evidence supporting the use of: Berberine
For the health condition: Fatty Liver Disease
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Berberine is a bioactive compound extracted from several plants used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. In recent years, scientific research has investigated its potential for supporting the management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Multiple studies, including randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses, have demonstrated that berberine supplementation can reduce liver fat content, improve liver enzymes (such as ALT and AST), and enhance insulin sensitivity in patients with NAFLD. The proposed mechanisms by which berberine exerts these effects include activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), reduction of de novo lipogenesis, improvement of lipid metabolism, and anti-inflammatory actions.
A 2012 study published in Hepatology found that berberine significantly improved hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in patients with NAFLD over a 16-week period. Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses published since then (e.g., in Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2019, and Phytotherapy Research, 2021) support these findings, though they also note that larger, longer-term studies are needed to confirm efficacy and safety.
Overall, berberine's use for fatty liver disease is supported by a growing body of scientific evidence, though it is not yet considered a first-line therapy and should be used adjunctively with lifestyle interventions. Patients should consult healthcare providers before starting berberine, as it may interact with other medications.
Other ingredients used for Fatty Liver Disease
4-hydroxyisoleucine7,14-Hydroxy-Docosapentaenoic Acid
Acacetin
Adzuki bean
Akkermansia muciniphila
Algae
algal oil
Algal protein
Alisma
Alpha methyl tetradecylthioacetic acid
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-lipoic acid
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ampelopsin
Anemarrhena
anemarrhena asphodeloides
anthocyanins
Antrodia camphorata
apigenin
apocynin
arabinoxylan
argan nut oil
arjun tree
arjuna
Arjunolic acid
Aronia melanocarpa
artichoke
Ascophyllum nodosum
ashitaba
astaxanthin
astragaloside
avocado
baicalein
baicalin
banaba
barberry
barley
beet
berberine
Berberis (unspecified)
betanin
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium longum
bile acid
black garlic
Blakeslea trispora
borotutu
branched-chain amino acids
Brassica
Brown Algae
brutieridin
butyrate triglyceride
butyric acid
camelina oil
carnosic acid
carqueja
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
Caulerpa okamurae
cauliflower
chebulic acid
chia seed
chicory
Chitin-Glucan Complex
chlorella
chlorogenic acid
chokeberry
choline
coix
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
copalchi
coriander
corilagin
corosolic acid
crocetin
cruciferous
Curcuma
curcumin
cyclodextrin
cynarin
cynaropicrin
D-Pinitol
dandelion
danshen
decursin
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
diallyl sulfide
dihydromyricetin
diosgenin
dithiolthiones
DL-Methionine
eicosapentaenoic acid
Enicostemma littorale
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epicatechin
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
ergothioneine
eriocitrin
erythrodiol
Eucommia ulmoides
fatty acids
fenugreek
ferulic acid
fiber
fiber blend (proprietary)
fish oil
fish protein
flavanones
flavonolignan
flavonols
flaxseed
fucoidan
fucosterol
fucoxanthin
ganoderma
ginger
Glutathione
grape
hesperetin
hydroxycinnamic acid
hydroxytyrosol
isosilybin
Jaboticaba
jiaogulan
Job\'s tears
Jurubeba
Kefir
kelp
l-carnitine
L-glutathione
L-methionine
L-taurine
Lactobacillus plantarum
lecithin
Legume protein
licorice root
limonoid
lingzhi
liquid liver fractions
Lycium
mangiferin
Marine fat
Marine lipid
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
Milk thistle
Monounsaturated fat
Morus
Mulberry
Myricetin
Naringenin
Naringin
Niacin (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
nopal
oleanolic acid
oleic acid
Oleoylethanolamide
Oleuropein
Oligosaccharides
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
oolong tea
ornithine L-aspartic acid
Osthole
Oxymatrine
palmitoleic acid
perilla
Phaeophyceae
Phellodendron
phenolic compounds
phlorizin
phlorotannins
phosphatidylcholine
phospholipids
Phthalides
picrorhiza kurroa
Pinitol
Polydatin
polyphenols
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
psyllium
pu-er tea
Puerarin
punarnava
punicalagins
purple tea
rapeseed oil
Rebaudioside
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhubarb
S-allylcysteine
Salacia
Salvianolic acid
Schisandrins
Schizochytrium
Schizochytrium Oil
seaweed
sesame
Sesamin
Silybin
Silychristin
Silydianin
silymarin
Sinensetin
spirulina
Syringic acid
Tangeretin
Tanshinone
Taurine
Taxifolin
Tetradecylthioacetic acid
Theabrownin
Thistle
tocotrienols
Trans-pterostilbene
Trehalose
tributyrin
Trimethylglycine (TMG)
Triphala
turmeric
Tyrosol
Urolithin A
Ursolic Acid
Varuna
vitamin C
vitamin E
Wakame
Walnut
Wax Gourd
Yacon
Yin Chen
Zinc
Zucchini
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
Other health conditions supported by berberine
Abdominal PainAbscesses
Acid Indigestion
Acne
Addictions (sugar or refined carbohydrates)
Alzheimer's Disease
Angina
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Arrhythmia
Arteriosclerosis
Athlete's Foot
Bladder Infection
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cholesterol (high)
Diabetes
Dysentery
Fatty Liver Disease
Gastritis
Hypertension
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Liver Detoxification
Metabolic Syndrome
Triglycerides (high)
Urinary Tract Infections
Products containing berberine
Pure Encapsulations
A.C. Formula II
Integrative Therapeutics
Berberine
Thorne
Berberine - 1000 mg
Thorne
Berberine 200 mg
Douglas Laboratories
Berberine Balance
Designs For Health
Berberine-Evail™
Metagenics
Berberine GT
Designs For Health
Berberine Synergy™
Pure Encapsulations
Berberine UltraSorb
Metagenics
CandiBactin BR
Metagenics
CandiBactin-BR
Designs For Health
GI Microb-X™
Designs For Health
GI Microb-X™
Designs For Health
GlucoSupreme™ Herbal
Thorne
Liver Cleanse
Pure Encapsulations
Metabolic Xtra
Pure Encapsulations
MicroDefense with Oregano
Pure Encapsulations
MicroDefense with Oregano
Integrative Therapeutics
Para-Gard
Integrative Therapeutics
Para-Gard
Pure Encapsulations
Th1 Support
Metagenics
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