Obesity is a complex and common metabolic disease, which disrupts the intestinal microbiota, alters energy metabolism, immune response, induces insulin resistance and endogenous metabolites (e.g., short-chain fatty acids and secondary bile acids), cthe development of various other health problems, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and depression.
The etiology of obesity is multifactorial and is associated with the input of energy that exceeds energy production. However, it is often induced by excessive food consumption, unbalanced nutrition, physical inactivity, and genetic predispositions. Other causes of obesity include endocrine dysfunction, mental illness, or iatrogenic etiologies.
Therefore in addition to nutritional intervention and encouraging physical activity, phytonutrients (natural compounds found in plants), may have very effective anti-obesity and anti-diabetes effects by modulating the physiological pathways that regulate appetite, metabolism and insulin sensitivity. The consumption of phytonutrients is generally considered a safe, widely available, and inexpensive approach treatment of obesity and diabetes.
Berberine
Berberine is a common traditional Chinese medicinal herb used for the therapy of inflammatory disorders and diabetes mellitus. Studies have shown that berberine improves systemic sensitivity to insulin by lowering blood lipids and reducing body fat accumulation. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties and contributes to cardiovascular health and intestinal health. Despite its low bioavailability after oral administration, it is a promising tool for weight management.
The anti-obesity effects of berberine are associated with its anti-diabetic activity. Many studies have identified it as an AMPK activator, which is, in addition to other effects, responsible for triggering glucose absorption and oxidation of fatty acids in skeletal muscles, and for regulating insulin secretion by secretory cells of the pancreas. Berberine effects were also observed in an increase in peptide 1 (GLP-1), promoting the feeling of satiety, consequently decreasing food intake.
Clinical practice
Studies in the last decade have shown that Berberine has several therapeutic effects on various cardiometabolic diseases and therefore contributes to a long-term weight loss. The efficacy of its use in the treatment of multiple diseases is mediated by its pharmacological profile to several targets, including the improvement of AMPK, SIRT1, NF-κB, the modulation of the intestinal microbiota, among others.
Berberine demonstrates that it improves the intestinal microbiota from a dosage of 500 mg/day. In addition, it was found to have a beneficial impact on cholesterol regulation at a daily dose of 300 mg/day, there was also an improvement in glucose accumulation at 1g daily dose. For all these reasons, berberine has an important report in the treatment and prevention of obesity.
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The Effects of Berberine on Weight Loss – Science Play
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Berberina
Urasaki Y, Le TT. A Composition of Phytonutrients for Glycemic and Weight Management
. Nutrients
. 2022; 14(18):3784.
