Berberine is a natural compound found in various plants that is gaining growing interest for its health benefits. In this article, we will tell you more about this active ingredient that can help alleviate various PCOS symptoms.
What is Berberine?
Berberine is an alkaloid molecule naturally present in various plants, notably barberry (Berberis vulgaris), goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), and Mexican poppy (Argemone mexicana). It has been used for millennia by Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. In Chinese medicine, it is traditionally used to relieve digestive disorders, regulate blood sugar, and manage blood cholesterol. It continues to attract researchers' attention due to its numerous health benefits!
Berberine offers several advantages for women with PCOS. We’ll highlight recent scientific studies that shed light on its use.
(Curious to know if you may benefit from berberine? Take our PCOS product quiz to receive a personalised recommendation.)
What are its benefits?
Managing Insulin Resistance
Insulin is an essential hormone produced by the pancreas, and its main role is to regulate blood sugar levels, i.e., the amount of sugar (glucose) present in the blood. Insulin facilitates the absorption of glucose by the cells, allowing them to use glucose as a source of energy. When insulin sensitivity is impaired, cells do not respond as well to insulin, which can lead to various issues, as we’ll see below.
With PCOS, women often have reduced insulin sensitivity. Insulin resistance means that the body's cells do not respond effectively to insulin, forcing the pancreas to produce more insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels.
This can lead to several consequences:
- Hyperglycemia: Insulin resistance can lead to higher blood sugar levels, which may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Fatigue: Cells do not receive the necessary amount of glucose, leading to a feeling of fatigue and lack of energy.
- Weight Gain: Insulin is also involved in fat metabolism, and insulin resistance can contribute to weight gain and accumulation of body fat.
- Hormonal Issues: Insulin resistance can impact other hormones, including sex hormones. This resistance can lead to menstrual cycle disturbances, fertility problems, and exacerbate some PCOS symptoms, such as hyperandrogenism.
A 2020 pharmacology thesis (Vanhoebost, 2020) suggests that berberine improves insulin sensitivity, particularly in patients with type 2 diabetes. It helps restore cells' ability to respond to insulin more effectively.
Thus, berberine can help reduce symptoms related to insulin resistance in women with PCOS, including reducing hyperglycemia, alleviating fatigue, promoting better weight control, and improving hormonal balance.
👉 If these symptoms sound familiar, you might want to look into Sugar Balance — our advanced formula with berberine and chromium designed to support metabolic balance in women with PCOS.
Promoting Weight Loss
If berberine improves insulin sensitivity, it also helps control weight gain in women with PCOS. Additionally, berberine has shown abilities to reduce blood sugar levels, influence fat metabolism, and decrease appetite. In 2022, a study (Xie et al., 2022) demonstrated that using berberine in patients with type 2 diabetes improved sensitivity to leptin, the satiety hormone. It could help reduce hunger caused by insulin resistance, thereby improving blood sugar management.
Improving Ovulatory Function
If you have PCOS, you know that having regular cycles is not easy. The study conducted by Zhi Wang et al. in 2021, titled "Berberine Improves Ovulation and Endometrial Receptivity in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome" and published in Phytomedicine (Vol. 91), explores the effects of berberine on PCOS.
It revealed that berberine optimizes endometrial receptivity or, in other words, it helps support and maintain pregnancy, reducing the risk of miscarriage.
The study also notes that berberine can improve menstrual cycle regularity and increase the frequency of ovulation. It suggests that berberine might offer a more effective treatment option than metformin for women with PCOS undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) or assisted reproductive technology (ART).
Reducing Androgen Hormones
According to another study conducted in 2021 by Rondanelli et al., berberine appears to reduce levels of testosterone and free androgens while increasing sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels. This significantly reduces symptoms related to hyperandrogenism, such as hirsutism, acne, and obesity.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects
The same study highlights berberine’s anti-inflammatory properties. In the context of PCOS, women can suffer from chronic, low-grade inflammation. This manifests itself as elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, leukocytes, and other markers of inflammation.
Chronic inflammation can impair cells' insulin response, thereby promoting insulin resistance.
Berberine has shown effectiveness in reducing these inflammatory markers. It works by inhibiting cell apoptosis (programmed cell death) and modulating the expression of various proteins involved in inflammation.
The study suggests that berberine can help reduce inflammation in women with PCOS, which can improve symptoms such as acne and obesity.
(➡️ We explore this in detail in our article on inflammatory PCOS.)
How to Supplement with Berberine
We wanted to develop a dietary supplement incorporating berberine. This led SOVA to the creation of Sugar Balance! It is a formulation that includes berberine, NAC, cinnamon, chromium, green tea, and other antioxidants.
We particularly recommend it for women with marked insulin resistance characterised by sugar cravings, rapid and unexplained weight gain, and post-meal fatigue.
If you're unsure which product suits your symptoms best, take our 3-minute quiz for personalised guidance and an exclusive discount.
Contraindications of Berberine
Like any supplement, berberine requires some precautions. It is important to remember that Sugar Balance is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or women prone to hypoglycemia or on anti-diabetic treatment. People with heart or liver problems should consult a healthcare professional before considering supplementation.
Berberine as Part of a Suitable Diet
For a comprehensive approach to managing PCOS, we advise integrating dietary supplements like Sugar Balance alongside a suitable diet, preferably rich in low-glycemic index and anti-inflammatory foodstuff.
Additionally, monitoring your insulin resistance, ideally through a medical test, can help you better understand your insulin resistance profile. This will allow you to adjust your berberine intake accordingly.
(👉 Want to know more? Read our guide: PCOS & Nutrition – The Key rules of a diet adapted to your type of PCOS.)
Final Word
In the context of PCOS, supplementing with berberine can be a real asset, particularly for managing your blood sugar levels. Of course, your lifestyle should also be adapted to your potential insulin resistance levels. For this, do not hesitate to seek guidance from a healthcare professional!
💬 Still unsure which product is right for you? Take our quiz or contact us — we're here to help.
Scientific references
