Berberine and PCOS

🌿 Berberine is a Chinese herbal supplement that has been used to treat diabetes.

It’s benefits for PCOS include:

⭐️ Improving blood sugar levels & insulin sensitivity

⭐️ Improving cholesterol

⭐️ Improving non-alcoholic fatty liver disease markers

⭐️ Lowering blood pressure

⭐️ Reducing androgens

⭐️ Lowering inflammation

⭐️ Can improve gut health

⭐️ Improving cycle regularity

💊 Ozempic is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, which helps stimulate the release of insulin and suppress release of glucagon (our hormone that helps break down stored sugar in response to low blood sugar levels), thereby helping reduce blood sugar levels.

This is different than the mechanism of action of berberine which focuses on specifically improving insulin receptor expression and glucose uptake.

However, both work overall to lower blood sugar levels which is why the two are being compared.

The main difference between PCOS & Ozempic for PCOS, is that berberine has actually been studied for PCOS and is a supplement that is often recommended to help PCOS, and though weight loss is a potential “benefit” for those looking to lose weight, it is NOT the primary benefit for PCOS and its benefits for PCOS can be seen without weight loss as well

📑 In a study comparing metformin, myo-inositol, and berberine, berberine showed the most positive results in improving clinical, hormonal, and lipid levels compared to metformin and myo-inositol.

❗️Berberine is NOT intended as a weight loss supplement, so the comparison to Ozempic specifically for weight loss is just another misinformed TikTok trend.

Berberine CAN help with PCOS, but because of it’s glucose lowering effects, always good to check with your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking.

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Hey, I'm Ariella!

Registered dietician, PCOS cyster, & mom of two

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