Berberine is an herbal supplement with a long history of use in traditional medicine. Currently, it’s used to combat inflammation, treat arthritis, and support cardiovascular health. It’s also used to help control type-II diabetes.
Finally, berberine supports fat loss and even promotes nitric oxide production. That makes it a hit with weightlifters.
In this guide, we’ll look at the best berberine supplements on the market. Let’s get started!
In a Hurry? Here is our top pick:
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Quick Answer – The Best Berberine Supplements
- Toniq Berberine HCl – Best Overall
- Bulksupplements Berberine HCL Powder – Best Powdered Berberine Supplement
- Nutrivein Premium Berberine HCL – Best Combo
- Thorne Research – Berberine-500 – Best Purity
- Smart Nutra Labs Berberine HCL – Best Value
- NUTRA Lingual Berberine HCL – Best Sublingual
- We Like Vitamins Berberine – Best Socially Conscious
- Nutricost Berberine HCl – Best Easy To Swallow Capsule
- Doctor Recommended Supplements Berberine Plus – Best Anti Inflammatory
Reviews – The Best Berberine Supplements
Toniq Berberine HCl – Best Overall
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This is our pick for best overall. Toniq Berberine HCI provides 500mg per capsule and features an exceptional standardized purity of 97%. It’s more concentrated than other brands. Some berberine products provide only 70-85% active ingredients. That means Toniq Berberine HCI has more potency and purity, which increases bioavailability.
This product is 3rd party tested for purity and quality. One of the things that set it apart is that it’s tested twice. Unlike other brands, it’s tested both during and after manufacturing.
Toniq Berberine HCI is vegan, gluten-free, wheat-free, and contains no artificial ingredients.
PROS
- Features 97% Purity
- Enhanced Bioavailability
- 3rd Party Tested Before & After Production
CONS
- Some Users Don’t Like The Taste Of The Capsules
Bulksupplements Berberine HCL Powder – Best Powdered Berberine Supplement
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Here’s opick for best-powdered berberine. Bulksupplements Berberine HCL Powder contains no artificial ingredients and provides 500mgs per serving.
One of the benefits of this product is that it’s a good choice if you don’t like capsules. Additionally, the dosage can be easily adjusted.
Bulksupplements Berberine HCL Powder can be mixed with water, juice, or your favorite powdered supplement. This product is lab-verified and 3rd party tested for quality and purity.
PROS
- 500mg Per Serving
- High-Quality Powder That Can Be Mixed With Water, Juice & Other Powdered Supplements
- Good Choice For Users That have Difficulty Swallowing Pills
CONS
- Not All Users Like The Taste
Nutrivein Premium Berberine HCL – Best Combo
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Nutrivein Premium Berberine HCL provides 1200mg per 2 capsules. It also contains 200mg of organic cinnamon. This combination supports healthy blood sugar levels as well as a healthy metabolism. That makes it our pick for the best berberine combo.
The only other ingredient in Nutravein Premium Berberine HCL is vegetable cellulose. This is used to make the capsule. The capsules are designed to be tasteless and easy to swallow.
Nutravein uses berberine hcl because it’s a clinically studied form that absorbs well. Nutravein Premium Berberine HCL is 3rd party tested for purity and quality.
PROS
- 3rd Party Tested
- 1200mg Per Two Capsules
- Also Contains 200mg Cinnamon
CONS
- Some Users Don’t Like The Customer Service
Thorne Research – Berberine-500 – Best Purity
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This berberine supplement provides 1g per 2-capsule serving. Thorne Research Berberine-500 uses vegetarian capsules that contain only two ingredients.
Berberine helps maintain healthy levels of cholesterol and normal blood sugar levels. Additionally, it supports healthy GI and respiratory tracts.
Thorne Research uses only pure ingredients. Thorne Research Berberine is gluten-free and is non-GMO. There are no artificial preservatives, wheat, rye, barley, eggs, or nuts.
Also, there’s no dairy, soy, corn, yeast, or sugar. These benefits make this the best berberine for purity.
PROS
- 1g Berberine Per Two Capsules
- This Product Contains Only Pure Ingredients
- No Artificial Ingredients Or Allergens
CONS
- Some Users Feel It’s Too Pricey
Smart Nutra Labs Berberine HCL – Best Value
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Smart Nutra Labs Berberine HCL supplies 1200mg of berberine per 2 capsules. The capsules are made of cellulose, vegan, and easy to swallow, vegan.
This is a high-quality product that contains no artificial ingredients. It’s also free from common allergens such as dairy and soy.
Smart Nutra Labs Berberine HCL is our pick for best value. One container contains 180 capsules, which is more than most other brands.
PROS
- 1200mg Per Two Capsules
- Good Value – 180 Capsules Per Bottle
- No Artificial Ingredients
CONS
- Some Users Don’t Like The Taste Of The Capsules
NUTRA Lingual Berberine HCL – Best Sublingual
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This is our pick for the best sublingual form of berberine HCL. NUTRA Lingual Berberine HCL provides 3500mcg per 2 pumps. The superior absorption means a 2 pump serving is equal to a 500mg dose.
This is a fast, easy solution for users that do not like capsules. Being sublingual, it bypasses digestion, and it has an improved absorption rate of 98%. NUTRA Lingual uses a pump applicator instead of a glass dropper for safety.
Finally, while many sublingual products use alcohol, NUTRA Lingual uses distilled water.
PROS
- Sublingual – No Big Capsules To Swallow
- 3500mcg Per Two Pumps
- 98% Absorption Rate
CONS
- Some Users Don’t Like The Taste Or Smell
We Like Vitamins Berberine – Best Socially Conscious
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We Like Vitamins Berberine contains 1200mg per two capsule serving. There are no artificial ingredients, and We Like Vitamins is a certified manufacturer.
Also, there are no preservatives, sugar, sodium, yeast, corn, milk, or milk derivatives. Also, it’s gluten-free. We Like Vitamins Berberine is an anti-inflammatory. It supports blood pressure, and helps reduce cholesterol.
Finally, We Like Vitamins partners with other organizations to provide vitamins to people in need.
PROS
- 1200mg Per Two Capsules
- Contains No Preservatives Or Artificial Ingredients
- Manufacturer Certified For Purity & Quality
CONS
- May Be Too Pricey For Some Users
Nutricost Berberine HCl – Best Easy To Swallow Capsule
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Nutricost Berberine HCI provides 600mg per capsule. There are no artificial ingredients, the only other ingredients are the capsule components. The capsules measure .25” and are specifically designed to be easy to swallow.
This formula is vegan-friendly, non-GMO, and gluten-free. Nutricost Berberine HCL is 3rd party tested for purity, potency, and quality.
PROS
- 600mg Berberine HCL Per Capsules
- 3rd Party Tested For Quality
- Easy To Swallow Capsules
CONS
- Some Users Feel The Capsules Are Made Of Too Many Ingredients
Doctor Recommended Supplements Berberine Plus – Best Anti Inflammatory
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Here’s a berberine capsule designed to decrease inflammation. Two capsules contain 1200mg berberine plus 10mg royal jelly per serving. Royal jelly has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial benefits. They are made of only one ingredient and are easy to swallow.
This is a maximum potency berberine product that’s 3rd party tested for purity and quality. There are no artificial ingredients. Doctor Recommended Supplements Berberine Plus is free of common allergens such as wheat, egg, and milk.
PROS
- 1200mg Of Berberine HCI Per Two Capsules
- Royal Jelly Added For Absorption
- All-Natural – Free Of Common Allergens
CONS
- Some Capsules May Have Less Powder Than Others
Buying Guide – How To Choose The Best Berberine Supplements?
What is Berberine?
Berberine is a naturally-occurring substance. It’s found in plants such as barberry, Oregon grape, goldenseal, goldthread, greater celandine, and turmeric. In powder form, it’s bright yellow and looks similar to turmeric powder. Currently, it’s available in capsules, extracts, powder, and tablets.
What Are The Benefits Of Berberine?
Berberine has been used in traditional medicine for over 2,000 years. Some of its benefits include:
Anti-Inflammatory
Berberine is known as an anti-inflammatory. It stimulates an enzyme known as AMPK or adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase. This enzyme has been called a “master switch” because of its regulatory effects on metabolism. Inflammation can affect the entire body.
Over time, inflammation can damage healthy organs, tissues, and cells. Eventually, it can cause obesity, heart problems, arthritis, and type II diabetes. Also, it can negatively affect digestion and cause the growth of unhealthy bacteria in the gut. Berberine helps lower whole-body inflammation. Additionally, it has digestive-enhancing, antibacterial and immune-enhancing properties.
Diabetes
Berberine has shown potential as a diabetes remedy. In one study using a berberine supplement, it was found to help reduce blood glucose levels. This may help treat people with type II diabetes. (1) In a second study, berberine was found to be effective in controlling the typical symptoms of type II diabetes. (2) Finally, Berberine may help improve insulin sensitivity.
Cholesterol
Berberine may help reduce high cholesterol, especially in individuals with diabetic conditions. (2) Another clinical study combined berberine with red yeast rice. It was determined that this combination helped protect against cholesterol. (3)
Fat Loss
While clinical research is limited, berberine has been effective in helping to lower body fat levels. Therefore, it’s considered to be an effective tool for losing body fat. It can be used as part of a complete fat loss program. This program should include regular activity and a healthy eating plan. It should also include a good supplement plan designed for fat loss.
Heart Health
Berberine also has shown potential in supporting heart health and function. It may promote increased levels of nitric oxide, which improves blood flow for better circulation. This helps lower high blood pressure. Of course, this makes berberine a potential addition to nitric oxide supplements. These supplements are used by bodybuilders, weight trainers, and other athletes.
Who Can Benefit From Using Berberine?
People With Diabetic Issues
Users with diabetic problems can benefit from using berberine. It’s important to remember that you shouldn’t combine berberine with any prescription medicine. This includes medicine you might be taking for diabetes.
People With Cardiovascular Issues
This refers to the heart, arteries, and veins. The cardiovascular system pumps nutrients and oxygen through the bloodstream. Problems that can negatively affect cardiovascular health include high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. These factors impact heart health.
People Trying To Lose Fat
While not proven to effectively burn fat, berberine has metabolic benefits that support your fat loss program. It does this by stimulating the AMPK enzyme. As noted above, this enzyme can stimulate metabolism. This means the body’s ability to burn fat for energy is improved. Additionally, cellular energy is increased. As noted, berberine can be used as part of your exercise, diet, and supplement program for fat loss.
People With Digestive Issues
As noted above, your digestive health is affected by inflammation and bacteria growth in the gut. Inflammation can be a form of IBD or inflammatory bowel disease. Berberine can help balance gut bacteria, thereby easing inflammation. It does this by killing unhealthy bacteria such as candida yeast.
Weightlifters & Other Athletes
As noted, berberine may increase nitric oxide levels which is important to bodybuilders and other athletes. Nitric oxide promotes pumps, as well as increasing oxygen and nutrient delivery to muscles. Of course, the fat loss benefits of berberine can be helpful to athletes trying to lose excess fat.
How Do I Use Berberine?
Always read label directions before using. Berberine should be taken with a light meal. Since berberine stays in the body for several hours, users can spread out their dose over the day.
Can Berberine Be Taken With Other Supplements?
Berberine can be stacked with other supplements to create a better effect. Here are some good berberine and other supplement combinations:
Berberine And Red Yeast Rice
Red yeast rice is a common supplement that helps lower cholesterol. As mentioned above, clinical research has shown that the combination of red yeast rice and berberine helps lower cholesterol.
Berberine And Quercetin
Quercetin is an antioxidant that’s often included in vitamin C formulas. Like berberine, it’s also an anti-inflammatory. Finally, it’s a cardioprotective supplement. These benefits make it a good product to take with berberine.
Berberine And Goldenseal
The popular herb goldenseal contains low amounts of berberine. The addition of supplemental berberine enhances antioxidant and cardiovascular benefits. Goldenseal also has immune system benefits.
Conclusion
Berberine has quite a few nutritional benefits. It’s quickly becoming one of the most popular supplements on the market. If you’re looking for the best overall berberine supplement, it’s Toniq Berberine HCl. It supplies 500mg per capsule with a standardized purity of 97%. This is considerably higher than other brands. This brand is the only berberine supplement in this guide tested for quality and purity twice. It’s tested at the beginning of the manufacturing process, and again at the end.
Do you hate taking capsules? If you prefer a powder, Bulksupplements Berberine HCL Powder is the best choice. It’s 500mg per serving, and the dose can be easily adjusted. This product can be mixed with water, juice, or your favorite beverage.
Finally, would you prefer something easier than a capsule or powder? That leaves NUTRA Lingual Berberine HCL. This is sublingual berberine that supplies 3500mcg per 2 pumps. Sublingual means it bypasses digestion. That makes this the fastest absorbing berberine supplement in our guide. Plus, a 2-pump serving is the same as a 500mg one capsule dose.
As you can see, there are quite a few choices when it comes to berberine. The best berberine supplement is the one that fits your lifestyle and needs the most. Use our guide to help you find the right choice!
References:
- Ríos, J. L., Francini, F., & Schinella, G. R. (2015). Natural Products for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Planta medica, 81(12-13), 975–994. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0035-1546131
- Yin, J., Xing, H., & Ye, J. (2008). Efficacy of berberine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metabolism: clinical and experimental, 57(5), 712–717. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.metabol.2008.01.013
- McCarty, M. F., O’Keefe, J. H., & DiNicolantonio, J. J. (2015). Red Yeast Rice Plus Berberine: Practical Strategy for Promoting Vascular and Metabolic Health. Alternative therapies in health and medicine, 21 Suppl 2, 40–45.
