Potential benefits of berberine

 

There are a plethora of over-the-counter supplements filled with promises of better health. But one in particular stands out from the rest:  berberine . Based on the attention it's been getting recently, it may seem like berberine just crashed onto the supplement scene. But it's far from new. Typically used in traditional Chinese medicine, the natural supplement is a yellow compound found in the roots, rhizomes, and stem barks of many plant species, including goldthread, Oregon grape, and barberry. The bright yellow compound, which is a class of isoquinoline alkaloids, is getting lots of buzz for its potential health benefits. It has a cholesterol-lowering effect, which may help prevent heart disease. And it has the potential to help lower blood sugar, which may help prevent type 2 diabetes and manage other types of diabetes. Berberine  may even help fight cancer, improve symptoms of ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome, and more. Here's everything you need to know about berberine and its potential health benefits. Potential benefits of berberine It's no wonder berberine has stood the test of time. It's a promising treatment for a variety of health foods. “Berberine is also quite antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory, and it is used to treat bacteria, fungus, parasites, viruses, and other microbes,” says Rosia Parrish, a licensed naturopathic doctor and functional medicine specialist at Boulder Natural Health in Boulder, Colorado . Because it has antimicrobial properties, berberine has an effect on the digestive tract. “Plus, it helps with bile and bilirubin secretion,” says Parrish. Bile is a fluid released from the liver to aid in digestion. The waste product bilirubin is a pigment found in bile. Lower blood sugar One in 10 people in the United States has diabetes, 90 to 95 percent of whom have type 2. Recent studies on the potential health effects of  berberine  have caught the attention of health care professionals and people looking for natural ways to treat diabetes. “It seems that berberine may slightly reduce blood glucose levels and may be as effective as [the diabetes drug] metformin,” says Dana Hunnes, a senior dietitian at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and professor at the Fielding School of Public Health in Los Angeles. In a 2018  Oncotarget  review, researchers found berberine could be an effective treatment for people with type 2 diabetes. Its blood sugar-lowering effects, they wrote, were comparable to metformin, a common drug prescribed to regulate high blood sugar. An earlier meta-analysis found  berberine  to be just as potent a glucose-lowering therapy as prescription meds like Avandia and Glucotrol. Take all of this with a grain of salt, though. Many of the studies on berberine and diabetes are reviews of previously published studies, not randomized, controlled trials that put berberine head to head with a diabetes medication. The few studies we do have are fairly small, so it's hard to say for sure whether the supplement can really help. More research is needed, but the researchers say a combination of berberine and metformin might allow a reduction in the dosage of each drug and have fewer side effects from using one or the other drug. Before you try berberine, you'll need to talk to your doctor—especially if you take insulin. You want to be sure you don't experience low blood sugar as a result. Lower cholesterol Heart disease  is the leading cause of death in the United States, and high cholesterol is a major culprit. When fatty deposits build up from high cholesterol, they can cause  clogged arteries  and impede blood flow to the heart and body. Lowering cholesterol assists in fighting heart disease. Studies have shown that berberine can help reduce cholesterol levels in some individuals. In a study in  Phytomedicine , obese participants were given 500 milligrams of berberine three times a day for 12 weeks. The results revealed a reduction in blood lipid levels and mild weight loss. This is just one study, of course. Researchers will need to conduct more human studies to determine whether the supplement can really lower cholesterol. But it's a promising sign that berberine may help you keep your ticker healthy. For people who don't tolerate statins, the most common type of drug for treating high cholesterol, berberine may be a safe alternative to consider. Prevent recurring UTIs and cystitis Berberine might help women avoid the pain and burning of  recurring urinary tract infections  (UTIs) and bladder inflammation known as cystitis. “I typically use it for infections, including urinary tract infections and cystitis,” says Parrish. In a 2018 randomized controlled trial, published in the  Journal of Chemotherapy , a combination of different plant extracts (including  berberine ) was used to evaluate the effectiveness in preventing the recurrence of UTIs. Group A received berberine, arbutin, and birch. Meanwhile, Group B got berberine, arbutin, birch, and forskolin. Group C received proanthocyanidins, plant compounds that researchers believe are responsible for cranberry juice's ability to treat UTIs. Participants in the groups A and B had a lower number of recurrent cystitis during treatment and follow-up, with a lower median bacterial load than the Group C. Lose weight Maintaining a healthy weight protects us from heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke,  osteoarthritis , and certain types of cancer. Berberine may help with weight loss and assist in shrinking belly fat. In a small study published in the journal   Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine , 37 men and women with metabolic syndrome took 300 milligrams of berberine three times a day for three months. At the end of the study, their body mass indexes (BMIs) dropped from an obese range to an overweight range. They also lost an average of two inches around their waists. Again, this study had limitations, including its small sample size. Further research is needed, particularly with larger groups, to validate the findings. Overweight or obese people may want to try berberine in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise regimen to enhance weight loss. Just know that you won't be able to pop a supplement and  lose the weight quickly . Find digestive relief The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial aspects of  berberine  may support the gut microbiome of people with gastrointestinal ailments, diarrhea, and bacterial overgrowth due to irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, and other inflammatory bowel diseases. In a randomized, placebo-controlled study published in  Phytotherapy Research , patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome took 400 milligrams of berberine a day for eight weeks, resulting in improvements in diarrhea frequency and urgency, and abdominal pain. Parrish says she prescribes berberine for digestive microbial imbalances when treating small intestinal bacterial overgrowth or pathogenic digestive bacteria. May help prevent certain cancers Supplemental berberine might reduce colorectal polyps, according to a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial published in 2020 in  The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology . The study included nearly 900 people in China between the ages of 18 to 75 who had polyps removed during a colonoscopy. (Most intestinal polyps are benign, but some can become cancerous.) After the procedure, the people were randomly assigned to take 300 milligrams of berberine twice daily or a placebo, and followed up one and two years later. None of the participants developed colorectal cancer during the study, but those taking berberine had fewer recurrent polyps (36 percent) compared with placebo takers (47 percent). According to the researchers,  berberine  could be a low-cost and safe option to help prevent colorectal cancer. Also, no serious side effects were reported. How do people use berberine? Berberine is available as an extract and in powder or capsule form. (Parrish prefers the capsules.) Most of the time, berberine supplements include other botanicals and herbs aimed at treating a given condition. For example, people with diabetes might buy a berberine supplement with  cinnamon , which has been associated with lowering blood sugar. “Many herbs have synergistic effects when taken together, so I may use more than one ingredient to create a botanical supplement blend,” Parrish says. Numerous studies on  berberine  cite dosages between 900 to 1,500 milligrams per day. Typically, the dosage is 500 milligrams, three times per day. Click here  to see iHerb's selection of Berberine products. New to iHerb? Use Coupon Code FIW102 to get $10 off any first time order.

Best Collagen on iHerb – Top 4 Supplements

 

In this article, I will review the best collagen supplements from iHerb. Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body. It performs a number of very important functions, including giving structure to our skin and helping the blood to clot. It has recently become popular to take it as a health and beauty supplement. There are a huge number of products on the market right now, but not all of them are effective.

What kind of collagen to drink?

There are 16 types of collagen. The four main types are types I, II, III and IV.

• Type I. This type makes up 90% of our body. It provides the structure of skin, bones, tendons, cartilage, and teeth.
• Type II. This type consists of loose fibers and is found in the elastic cartilage that softens the joints.
• Type III. This type supports muscles, organs, and arteries.
• Type IV. This type helps with filtration and is in the layers of skin.
• Type II is good for joints, but if you need to remove wrinkles, Type I and III can do it.

There are many studies that prove the benefits of collagen or on the contrary trash it, proving that it is not absorbed and does not help in any way. But still more and more people, especially women, begin to drink it and see the result on their skin. In Japan, every other woman drinks collagen. And as we can see Japanese women look very young. I also did not believe in its benefits, until I tried it myself. After six months of regular supplementation with amino acids I have seen a difference in my skin – wrinkles, especially on the forehead have disappeared somewhere, the skin is soft all over the body, I already forgot how it is to apply cream to my feet and hands, which suffered from constant dryness. I can definitely say that the decision to buy collagen from Aicherb was the most reasonable and correct all year.

Types of collagen on Iherb

Marine collagen, also called fish collagen, is made from the skin and scales of deep sea fish. It is considered to have a very high bioavailability, i.e. it is better absorbed through the intestinal walls. There is also collagen of animal origin, which is made from the bones and skin of animals. I drank both types. I didn’t see any difference between them. They both help. It is best to buy collagen in a powder, as it is much more profitable. It is correct to drink in the morning on an empty stomach, I pour regular water, you can also stir it in juice. Juice helps the amino acids absorb better because it contains more vitamin C. But if you stir in water, drink an extra vitamin C capsule if it is not in the collagen powder.

Which collagen to buy on iHerb? Review and rating of the best supplements

California Gold Nutrition, CollagenUP, Unflavored

This supplement from California Gold Nutrition contains not only marine collagen peptides, but also hyaluronic acid and vitamin C. There are 18 different amino acids in one serving, such as Glycine, Tyrosine, Lysine, Leucine and others. I took this complex for 4 months, and in that time I saw results not only on my skin, but also on my joints – my legs stopped hurting and pulling at the weather. Facial wrinkles have not completely smoothed out, but one large wrinkle on my forehead has become much smaller. The price for collagen powder on iHerb is $20, which is enough for 2 months of daily supplementation. I think if you have not yet drank any collagen, you can start with California Gold. You will definitely see the result!

Sports Research, Collagen Peptides, Hydrolyzed Type I & III Collagen

My favorite and I think the best hydrolyzed collagen from Eicherb. Importantly, it’s type 1 and type 3, which means it will work for the skin’s benefit. Of course, it goes to help the joints too, but it solves more of the problems of wrinkles and dry skin. I drink it all the time. It does not contain vitamin C, so you need to buy it separately. The price is $32 for 41 servings. Not cheap, of course, but it is worth every penny. Plus, don’t forget to read about discounts iHerb and enter promo code EVH0057 for maximum benefits.

Vital Proteins, Collagen Peptides

Collagen from Vital Proteins is made from the skin of grass-fed cattle. It contains Glutamic Acid, Hydroxylysine, Serine, Valine and other important amino acids. This product is great for the joints, my mother, after taking it for 2 months, she noticed that the joints stopped crunching. It also works very well on wrinkles, as well as hair and nails. My hair growth at my standard growth of 1 cm per month increased to 1.6 cm as well as they stopped falling out and my nails became strong. I really like this collagen powder from iHerb, except the price in my opinion is not cheap – $50 for 28 servings. You should agree that it is not a lot. But if this does not bother you, and you do not know what good collagen to buy on iHerb, then take this one, you will not regret it.

Neocell, Super Collagen + C

The only collagen in tablets on iHerb that I’ve had. I generally take a lot of vitamins, like vitamin D, C, liver complexes, and others. I’m honestly a little tired of shoving a lot of capsules in, so if there’s an option to buy collagen in a powder without the shell, I’ll choose that. But if capsules are the only thing that works for you, Super Collagen is great for you. I like that it has type one and type three collagen in it, which means that it will not only help your joints, but also your skin, hair, and nails. The great thing is that the capsule already has vitamin c in it, you don’t have to take it additionally. The serving size of as many as 6 pills, so it is advantageous to take a large jar with 360 capsules. Its price is quite budget-friendly – $31, and with promo code EVH0057 will be even cheaper.

You can check here the complete range of Collagen (over 412 products) at iherb.

IHerb Collagen

https://www.iherb.com/c/collagen-supplements

Why Organic MCT Oil Should Be Part of Any Diet

Why Organic MCT Oil Should Be Part of Any Diet

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Nutrition Now PB8 Probiotic

Nutrition Now PB8 Probiotic with 8 Strains of Beneficial Bacteria, 14 billion good bacteria per serving!
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▶Probiotics which are processed in Drinks or Yogurt are difficult to absorb for our body, due to added sugars which can undermine our intestinal flora. This probiotic is pure so your body can fully benefit from it.
▶Supports Digestive Health, helps to ease and prevent Diarrhea. Indispensable for IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) & Crohn's disease.
▶Regulates Immune System
▶Reduces the risk of Colon Cancer ▶Supports Good Hart Condition
▶Prevents Infections & Cold (due to better natural Defense)
▶Helps lower Blood Pressure Level
▶Eases Lactose Intolerance & Prevents Stomach Ulcers
▶Suggestion: Take 1 cap before sleeping, so your body can absorb the good bacteria during the night.
▶You can take this for several weeks to get your intestinal flora back on track (for example after heavy meals) or together with an antibiotics treatment to prevent messed up intestinal flora/ diarrhea.

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