Why the Supplement Berberine Is Not ‘ Nature ’ s Ozempic ’

Social-media platforms like TikTok are full of people conducting their own one-person trials of what they’re calling “nature’s Ozempic.” The oral supplement berberine, a compound found in turmeric and several other plants, can dupe the appetite-suppressing and weight-loss effects of the popular injection, they say—but without a prescription, high copay, or shot. The only problem is that there’s really no such thing as “nature’s Ozempic,” because Ozempic is far from natural. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, Wegovy, and other prescription drugs, works in the body by imitating a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1, which is produced in the gut after eating and prompts the production of insulin. This makes semaglutide a great treatment for Type 2 diabetes and a promising one for weight loss, since it also mimics the feeling of fullness. But berberine just doesn’t work the same way. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] What is berberine? The plant-derived supplement comes from barberry shrubs and a number of other bushy plants. It has been used in traditional alternative medicine since its first documented use in China in about 3000 B.C. Berberine has garnered attention from researchers, who have looked into the compound as a potential way to help manage Type 2 diabetes. Some clinical trials have found that taking berberine can help reduce blood glucose levels and improve a number of c...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized healthscienceclimate Research Source Type: news