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- Are you considering including a berberine or an inositol nutritional supplement in your diet?
- Do you know how berberine and inositol support glucose metabolism?
- Berberine and inositol — Which one is more effective for supporting your endocrine health?*
Both berberine and inositol are known for their therapeutic benefits on endocrine health.* Both are considered safe when taken as nutritional supplements, with mild or infrequent side effects. But berberine and inositol—which one of these have superior health benefits? Get the answers to common about these two nutrients, how they support endocrine health,* and ways to incorporate them into your diet. Use the links below to jump ahead to different topics on this page.
What is Berberine?
Berberine is a nitrogenous compound extracted from the roots, rhizomes, and stem bark of barberry and similar trees of the barberry family, including tree turmeric, yellowroot, Oregon grape, Californian poppy, and goldenseal. Berberine’s antioxidative and immunomodulatory properties support glucose and lipid metabolism, liver detoxification, and weight management.*
What is Inositol?
Chemically, myo-inositol or inositol is a cyclic carbohydrate molecule with six hydroxyl groups. For a long time, it was mistakenly thought to be vitamin B8. Inositol is formed from glucose and is produced naturally by various organs in the body, including the kidneys, liver, and brain. Inositol serves as the structural base of many hormonal secondary messengers, thereby supporting, among other things, normal cell growth, insulin signaling, and reproductive health.
Berberine’s Therapeutic Benefits on Endocrine Health
The therapeutic benefits of berberine are attributed to its antioxidative properties and its ability to help maintain the body’s natural inflammatory response.* In addition, berberine’s benefits in promoting insulin homeostasis and healthy lipid profiles support a wide range of endocrine health functions.* The following table highlights how berberine benefits the body’s endocrine system.*
| How Does Berberine Support Endocrine Health? | |
| Lipid Metabolism |
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| Glucose Metabolism |
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| Liver Detoxification |
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| Reproductive Health |
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| Weight Management |
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Inositol’s Therapeutic Effects on Endocrine Health
Chemically, myo-inositol or inositol is a cyclic carbohydrate molecule with six hydroxyl groups. For a long time, it was mistakenly thought to be vitamin B8. Inositol is formed from glucose and is produced naturally by various organs in the body, including the kidneys, liver, and brain. Inositol serves as the structural base of many hormonal secondary messengers, thereby supporting, among other things, normal cell growth, insulin signaling, and reproductive health.
| How Does Inositol Support Endocrine Health? | |
| Glucose Metabolism |
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| Lipid Metabolism |
|
| Weight Management |
|
| Reproductive Health |
|
Berberine and Inositol: A Comparison
Berberine and inositol work through separate metabolic pathways to support endocrine organs and maintain the optimal hormone levels in the body.* Over-the-counter berberine and inositol nutritional supplements are widely used to provide nutritional support for insulin insensitivity issues arising due to certain health conditions. The following table highlights some of the key similarities and differences between berberine and inositol.
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Berberine and Inositol: Similarities and Differences | ||
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Berberine |
Inositol | |
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Origin |
Roots, rhizomes, and stem barks of barberry, Oregon grape, tree turmeric, goldenseal, yellowroot, Californian poppy, and similar trees. |
All living cells contain inositol phospholipids in their cellular membranes. |
|
Benefits |
Both help maintain normal lipid and glucose profiles, which supports healthy weight management and positively influences endocrine health.* | |
|
Chemical composition |
Berberine (C20H18NO) is an alkaloid. |
Inositol (C6H12O6) is a sugar alcohol. |
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Safety |
The safety profiles of berberine and inositol are well-established. However, minor side effects, such as upset stomach, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating might occur with taking a higher than recommended amount. | |
Research4 on the comparative efficacy of berberine and inositol in individuals having adverse reproductive conditions suggests that berberine has a greater potential to enhance lipid profile and hormone status, thereby benefiting endocrine functions.*
Absorption Challenges of Berberine
The efficacy of berberine supplementation is largely hindered by its poor absorption in the body. Berberine displays a poor absolute bioavailability of less than one percent owing to its extensive metabolism, followed by rapid efflux. Although Dihydroberberine (dhBBR)—a reduced form of berberine under the action of gut microbiota shows a higher intestinal absorption rate, dhBBR is unstable and is oxidized back to berberine in gastrointestinal tissues.
To address the absorption challenges of berberine, a majority of supplement formulations using conventional delivery methods use higher amounts of berberine chloride salt—a key ingredient of berberine supplements. However, the berberine chloride salt is intensely bitter and the inability to mask its taste in such formulations resulted in failed patient compliance.
Novel Berberine Formulations for Enhanced Bioavailability
The lipophobicity (fat-repelling property) of the berberine molecule hinders its crossing of the plasma membrane of intestinal cells. Novel formulations enhance the bioavailability of berberine through:
- Intake with other compounds: When berberine is taken along with nutrients such as Silymarin from Milk Thistle or sodium caprate, it helps in passive diffusion of berberine.
- Nano strategies: Nanoparticulate approaches, such as polymeric nanoparticles, cyclodextrins, solid-lipid nanoparticles, micelles, liposomes, and others help optimize the solubility of berberine.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Glutathione Supplements
Can I take berberine and inositol supplements together?
Because berberine and inositol are both insulin sensitizers, taking them simultaneously might drastically lower blood glucose levels, resulting in potential complications. Consult with your health-care provider before including both supplements in your diet simultaneously.
Can I take a berberine supplement when pregnant or breastfeeding?
Although berberine is considered safe as an oral supplement, there is limited data about the effects of berberine in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Therefore, it is recommended to consult with your health-care provider to evaluate the need for a berberine supplement in your diet when pregnant or breastfeeding.
Can I take a berberine supplement with a prescription medication?
Berberine might have side effects when taken along with a prescription medication for maintaining blood glucose levels, cholesterol levels, or blood thinning. Consult with your health-care provider before taking a berberine supplement with a prescription medication.
How do I select a berberine supplement formulation that works?
When considering a berberine supplement to include in your diet, consider factors such as enhanced palatability, bioavailability, and absorption in the body. Tesseract’s BerberActiv® is an innovative berberine nutritional supplement that uses nutrient delivery nanotechnology for optimal absorption of the active ingredient.
The proprietary CyLoc® – DexKey® technology enables the unprecedented absorption of billions of berberine molecules in the intestinal tract. The CyLoc® matrix encases each berberine molecule to mask its bitterness. The accompanying DexKey® reactors release the CyLoc® molecules at the desired point in the intestinal tract. The enhanced absorption of berberine means you ingest a lesser amount of berberine than previously required, to achieve rapid physiological responses that support endocrine health functions.*
The power of Tesseract supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing bioavailability and absorption, and micro-dosing of multiple nutrients in a single, highly effective capsule. Visit our website for more information about how Tesseract’s products can help support your neurological health and promote healthy aging.*
Citations
1Richie JP Jr, Nichenametla S, Neidig W, et al. Eur J Nutr 2015 Mar;54(2):251-263. doi: 10.1007/s00394-014-0706-z. Epub 2014 May 5. PMID: 24791752.
2Sinha R, Sinha I, Calcagnotto A, et al. Eur J Clin Nutr 2018 Jan;72(1):105-111. doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2017.132. Epub 2017 Aug 30. PMID: 28853742; PMCID: PMC6389332.
3Mischley LK, Vespignani MF, Finnell JS. J Altern Complement Med 2013 May;19(5):459-463. doi: 10.1089/acm.2011.0673. Epub 2012 Dec 16. PMID: 23240940; PMCID: PMC3651682.
