There are few things worse than growing old and not having the body you used to have.
But there is something worse, and that’s being old with ill health, especially ill health that could have been prevented.
Can you imagine having a heart attack or a diabetic hypo and leaving this life before your time? It doesn’t bear thinking about.
However, if you ensure that you take the supplements you need, you could live a healthy lifestyle to a ripe old age.
Berberine is an excellent all-round supplement. It strengthens the heartbeat, lowers bad cholesterol, and it even helps to regulate blood sugar too. It’s the perfect supplement for those whose excess weight is causing them health problems.
In this article, I will be reviewing 5 of the best berberine supplements out there so that you can decide which one best suits you. I tried them all myself and I explain my personal experiences of each of them.
Then I’ve got a buying guide for you that will walk you through everything you need to consider before you buy. And I’m going to top that off with a section where I answer your most frequently asked questions on the subject.
And without further ado, let’s get straight to it!
In a hurry? Check out my number one pick!
BEBEFEN – 5050 mg Berberine Capsules
If you’ve been told that 1200 mg is a high dose, then check this out – it’s the highest dose of berberine that I’ve ever seen anywhere, a whopping 5050 mg!
There are 90 capsules in a pack, so at one capsule per day that’s enough to last almost 3 months.
What’s more, the berberine is combined with black pepper, which helps the berberine to be absorbed into the bloodstream.
The capsules are third party lab-tested to ensure that they’re of the utmost quality, and it’s good manufacturing practice certified, made with non-GMO ingredients, and is 100% vegan.
It’s available on Amazon’s Subscribe And Save scheme, and you can save up to 5% on automated repeat deliveries.
Amazon occasionally has deals on this supplement. When this article was written, you could save almost 20% of the list price. Why not check if there’s a deal now?
My experience with it:
- I had a double motive for trying this supplement, lowering my bad cholesterol and regulating my blood sugar (I’m not diabetic, but I am pre-diabetic), and if there were to be any weight loss that’s just a bonus.
- I tested my blood sugar regularly and found that it did seem to help, I couldn’t tell if it helped with cholesterol, and I did lose some weight, but I don’t know if that was down to the berberine or other factors or a combination
- With such a high dosage, I prepared myself for severe side effects, however I didn’t have any!
Pros
- Extremely high potency at 5050 mg
- Each pack has a 3-months supply
- Black pepper for better absorption
- Great price and value for money
- Suitable for vegetarians & vegans
- Available on Subscribe And Save
Cons
- It’s not recommended to have one high dose capsule per day for controlling blood sugar, you should spread the dose throughout the day (and blood sugar levels are not even referred to on the label)
Also available to buy at:
BulkSupplements.com Berberine HCl Powder
This supplement has earned the title of Amazon’s Choice in the category of Berberine powder supplements. Such a title is only given to products that are not only of excellent quality but are also available at a good, reasonable price.
There are many benefits to taking this supplement in powder form, 1) you get quicker absorption into the bloodstream, 2) you don’t have to swallow a big pill, you can just stir it into a drink, and 3) you can increase or decrease your dosage as you see fit.
This particular berberine powder supplement also features hydrochloric acid, and this has double benefits, 1) you get even faster absorption into the bloodstream, and 2) it also helps with liver function.
Each 100 gram pack of this powder supplement holds a whopping 200 servings. And the guidance says to take between one and two servings per day, which means it can last up to 6 months or more.
The powder is third party lab-tested to ensure that they’re of the utmost quality, and it’s manufactured to high cGMP standards.
It’s also allergen-free, with no additives, gluten, soy, dairy and so on.
My experience with it:
- Since I was using the supplement to better control my blood sugar levels, I was able to spread a 500 mg dose over the course of each day
- This did seem to help with my blood sugar, but I decided not to stick with it because I just didn’t like the taste, even when mixed with fruit juice.
Pros
- Fast absorption into bloodstream
- Best berberine for glucose levels
- It can be taken in a drink form
- It also helps with liver function
- No additives or other allergens
Cons
- The powder a bitter taste whereas capsules don’t
- Not available on Amazon’s Subscribe And Save scheme
Also available to buy at:
Berberine Plus 1200 mg Per Serving
Just like the previous review, this supplement has also been awarded with the title Of Amazon’s Choice. (This time for berberine supplements in general, rather than berberine powder specifically.) It’s also a bestseller in the category of royal jelly nutritional supplements.
It has a berberine dosage of 1200 mg which is considered a high dose. There are 120 capsules per pack, and the guidance says to take capsules per day, so one pack should last you for about 2 months.
The supplement is all-natural, and there are no artificial ingredients whatsoever. It’s also free of several different allergens, including soy, gluten, milk, and more.
It comes from a good, trusted brand, Doctor Recommended Supplements, and is made right here in the US, in premises that meet high manufacturing practice standards.
What’s more, it comes backed by a no-risk, money-back satisfaction guarantee.
It’s available in packs of one, two, or three, and you can save a considerable amount of money if you bulk buy and get three.
It’s also available on Amazon’s Subscribe And Save scheme, and you can save up to 15% on automated repeat deliveries.
My experience with it: I found these capsules easy to swallow, and I didn’t have any issues with my blood sugar for the whole time I was taking it. The capsules are a bitter pill to swallow, however, but I found that if I take it with zero sugar syrup, it goes down just fine.
Pros
- Earned title of Amazon’s Choice
- Each capsule provides 1200 mg
- It comes from a trusted US brand
- Available on Subscribe And Save
- Great value if you bulk buy 3 packs
Cons
- Some customers have reported mild side effects
Also available to buy at:
Nutrivein Premium Berberine HCL With Organic Ceylon Cinnamon
This supplement has been selling in its thousands on Amazon, and with good reason, too. It’s a potent one, with 1200 mg of Berberine HCL per capsule.
But it also has another ingredient that sets it apart from its alternatives, namely Ceylon cinnamon. And this serves to improve the absorption of the berberine into the bloodstream, and hence its potency.
I can also confirm that this all-natural supplement is 100% vegan-friendly, has zero sugar content, is non-GMO, is gluten-free, and is also soy and dairy free to boot.
It’s made right here in the US and meets good manufacturing practice standards.
There are 120 capsules per pack, and users are instructed to take 2 capsules per day, which means that the pack should last you about 3 months in total.
What’s more, it comes backed by a no-risk, 30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee.
It’s available on Amazon’s Subscribe And Save scheme, and you can save up to 15% on automated repeat deliveries, which is pretty cool.
My experience with it:
- Surprisingly, these capsules really are tasteless and leave no aftertaste
- The capsules were also smaller than I expected, making them even easier to swallow
- My blood sugar levels remained quite stable the whole time I was taking it
- I lost a little weight while taking it too
Pros
- It has been selling in its thousands
- Each capsule has 1200 mg berberine
- Has Ceylon cinnamon to boost absorption
- Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
- No additives or other nasty allergens
- Available on Subscribe And Save
Cons
- They have been a very small proportion of negative customer reviews online, but that’s quite common with any product available online
Also available to buy at:
GlucoVantage® Super Berberine Supplement
Now, this is a berberine supplement with a difference – instead of being composed of Berberine hydrochloride, it features Dihydroberberine, and consequently it’s 5 times more absorbable as its counterpart.
And that’s not all – the effect lasts twice as long as its berberine HCL counterpart as well.
Another thing that stood out to me about this supplement was how well suited it is for anyone following the keto diet. Not just because the capsules are keto-friendly, but also because they increase plasma BHB ketones, which helps with the ketosis method of weight loss and fat loss.
It’s a plant-based formula which is non-GMO and has no gluten, or preservatives, no dairy, and is 100% allergen free.
But what I really love about this supplement is that for every bottle you purchase, Peak Performance will supply a child at risk of malnutrition with vitamins for a whole year! This is thanks to its partnership with the non-profit organization Vitamin Angels.
There are 30 capsules per bottle, and users are instructed to take 1 capsule per day, so one bottle should last you about a month. It works out kinda expensive if you ask me.
It’s made right here in the US, is third party lab-tested, and meets US good manufacturing practice standards.
It’s available on Amazon’s Subscribe And Save scheme, and you can save up to 15% on automated repeat deliveries, which is pretty cool.
My experience with it:
- I was hoping that this supplement would do more for my weight loss goals than the others did because it features Dihydroberberine rather than Berberine hydrochloride, but my weight loss results were about the same as on the other supplements
- It did help to keep my blood sugar levels fairly even throughout the day
Pros
- 5x more absorbable than berberine HCL
- Perfect for followers of the keto diet
- Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
- No additives or other nasty allergens
- Available on Subscribe And Save
Cons
- This one is relatively expensive in my opinion
Also available to buy at:
Buying Guide
As promised, here’s your buying guide. Allow me to walk you through everything you need to consider when buying your berberine supplement.
Reason For Taking It
Since berberine has so many benefits, different berberine supplements are designed with different end goals in mind…
For example
- If you’re using it for weight loss, you will need 300 mg per day
- If you’re using it to control your blood sugar, you will need 500 mg spread out throughout the course of a day
- If you are using it for either heart or circulation problems, you should consult your family doctor about how much to use
Side Effects
The next thing to be concerned about is side effects. Just like medicinal drugs, dietary supplements can have side effects, and if you are already in ill health, you don’t want to make things worse for yourself by experiencing any unwanted side effects. So please do look at what the side effects may be before you make your purchase.
The most common side effects of berberine supplements are listed in the FAQ section shortly.
Dosage And Potency
Berberine supplements differ in their levels of strength. A higher dose of the supplement is generally more effective than a smaller dose.
Doses tend to start at around 300 and 500 mg, but you often get ones offering a dosage of 1200 mg. Meanwhile, the maximum allowed dosage of berberine supplements appears to be 5050 mg, which is quite the difference.
Additional Beneficial Nutrients
Dietary supplements often come as a package deal, with additional nutrients in there besides the main one, and that’s something worth looking out for.
For example, hydrochloric acid or HCL helps the berberine to be absorbed into the bloodstream more quickly.
Brand
It’s always good to go with a well-established brand that you know and trust, such as my number two pick, Doctor Recommended Supplements.
Vegetarian Or Vegan Friendly
You may also want to consider what your supplement is made from altogether, and how ethically your berberine supplement is produced, for example whether it’s vegan or whether there was any animal cruelty as part of its production.
Quality
I recommend that you concentrate on supplements that are third party lab tested, that way you can be sure of the quality.
You may also be interested in supplements that are produced in the US, and meet good manufacturing practice standards.
Taste
Unfortunately, berberine tastes really bitter, which can be quite off-putting for some. It’s rarely tasteless, which is why I recommend taking it with a sweet but sugar-free drink, whether it’s in powder form or as a capsule.
Value For Money (Price Per Capsule)
You can expect to pay anywhere from about $10 to about $60 for your berberine supplement, depending on the brand, how many capsules are in the jar, and so on.
For that reason, I worked out the price per capsule, so you can better see which one gives you the best value for money.
Subscribe And Save Scheme
What could be more convenient than signing up to a Subscribe And Save scheme, you will get your supplements regularly delivered to your door, right when you need them, as directed by you, and you get to save money on all your repeat purchases!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Berberine Get Rid Of Belly Fat? Does Berberine Speed Up Your Metabolism?
I am very pleased to report that there have been studies which show that taking berberine supplements for 3 months can result in significant weight loss, with some. This is likely because it activates an enzyme called AMPK, which is kind of a metabolic master switch, making your metabolism soar.
How Much Berberine Should I Take To Lower Blood Sugar?
The recommended dosage of berberine supplement for blood sugar control comes in at 500 mg, two to three times per day. It is also recommended that if you are using it for this specific purpose that you spread the dose throughout the course of each day.
How Long Does It Take Berberine To Start Working?
Sadly, it may take as long as 6 months before you can see the full effects of the supplement.
What Are The Most Common Side Effects Of Berberine?
Here are some of the more common side effects:
- Headaches
- Digestion issues
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Flatulence
- Stomach cramps
