The Weekly Sugar Rush - what is Berberine?
This week one of my clients was asking about Berberine and I thought it might be useful to share some information here in the weekly Sugar Rush.
Berberine is a natural compound found in plants and it has been getting more than usual attention because it has been suggested that it could provide a natural alternative to the weight loss drugs like Monjaro or Ozempic.
Here's what Berberine actually does
It helps balance your blood sugar. Berberine activates an enzyme that is a bit like your body's metabolic master switch. This helps your cells use glucose more efficiently, which means fewer blood sugar spikes and crashes after meals.
It supports GLP-1 production. GLP-1 is a hormone your gut releases that tells your brain "I'm full, stop eating." It also slows digestion and helps regulate the blood sugar hormone insulin. Drugs like Ozempic create an artificial form of GLP1 in the body. Berberine naturally encourages your body to produce more of it.
My client asked it if is likely that it could help with weight loss. My answer was that it can but only as part of a bigger picture. And this is where I want to be really honest with you.
There are a growing number of patches on the market claiming to boost GLP-1 levels through the skin. The evidence for this form of delivery of GLP-1 compounds is still very limited.
Here is my take on it. Berberine is NOT a magic pill. If your diet has little to no fibre or protein, berberine won't do much at all.
Here's why:
✅ Fibre feeds the gut bacteria that help trigger GLP-1 release in the first place
✅ Protein slows digestion, keeps you fuller for longer, and stabilises blood sugar
✅ Berberine then amplifies these effects. It works with good nutrition, not instead of it
Think of it like this: berberine is the spark, but fibre and protein are the fuel. No fuel = no fire.
If you really want to get clarity on how to manage your weight in midlife then registration is now open for my Midlife Weight Loss 101 workshops. They are on 21st, 23rd and 28th April and you are going to learn everything you need to know to manage weight effortlessly in midlife.
And if you know anyone coming off the weight loss drugs then the workshops are especially good to help them to help understand how to manage weight long term.
Just click HERE to see more details on the workshops.
