Berberine Weight-Loss Supplements: Is It Really ‘Natural Ozempic’?

Injectable GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are changing the way people manage their weight and blood sugar. But not everyone wants to use injectable medication. Some cannot afford them. And others may prefer a more natural approach. So it’s no surprise that people have been looking into berberine, a dietary supplement that’s been called “natural Ozempic.” Here’s what the science says about berberine and what it can really do. 

What is berberine?

Berberine is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in a variety of plants, such as Oregon grape and barberry. It has a bright yellow color and can taste bitter. Berberine-containing plants have been used in different parts of the world for centuries to treat different types of health conditions, ranging from digestive disorders to infections. 

Berberine isn’t approved by the FDA to treat any medical conditions. But there has been a growing interest around the role of berberine for treatment of diabetes and high cholesterol. And now studies are now looking at whether berberine can help with weight loss. 

What does berberine do and how does it work?

Based on animal and human studies, berberine seems to work in a few different ways. Current research suggests that it:

• Activates several enzymes that play an important role in metabolism

• Changes the activity of genes related to metabolism, making them turn on or off 

• Inhibits pathways in the body that lead to inflammation

These enzymes, genes, and pathways affect things like blood sugar and cholesterol levels. So it makes sense that experts are wondering whether berberine helps with weight loss. 

Does berberine help with weight loss?

There’s some evidence that berberine may help with weight loss, but research in humans isn’t strong enough to say for sure. 

In animal studies, berberine seems to do a few things that can help with weight loss. It can activate brown fat (a type of fat that burns calories), lower sugar production in the liver, and reduce how many carbs the body absorbs. 

In people, the results are promising but not conclusive. The most recent review of 23 studies on berberine and weight loss found that it helped lower weight and waist circumference. But the effect was small — about 2 lbs on average. 

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Can you increase GLP-1 naturally? Learn more about the supplements — and foods — that naturally increase GLP-1 levels without the need for medication.

• What is it like to take berberine for weight loss? Three people share their real-life experience with taking berberine. 

• Can probiotics help with weight loss? See how probiotics may influence fullness, calorie absorption, and fat storage — and whether they could play a role in weight changes.

Another review of studies noted a bigger effect. People taking berberine for weight loss lost an average of 4.5 lbs. But these results are more modest than what other obesity treatments provide. 

It’s still unclear how much these results are impacted by the dosage of berberine. A review of 18 studies found that people who took more than 1 g per day of berberine for 8 weeks or more lost weight. This included studies with a wide range of different dosages of berberine — and treated people with different health conditions. This makes it harder to draw any firm conclusions on how berberine might be used for weight loss.

Is berberine similar to Ozempic?

Berberine is similar to Ozempic (and other semaglutide medications) in a few key ways. Both have been studied for their effects on weight loss and blood sugar. Ozempic has strong research showing that it can help regulate blood sugar. Berberine also seems to lower blood sugar, especially in people who have diabetes.  

This is why berberine has been called “natural Ozempic.” But berberine and Ozempic aren’t the same. 

Ozempic works by mimicking a natural hormone, called GLP-1, which makes you feel full. Berberine works by influencing several chemical pathways in your cells. Ozempic has also been studied in large rigorous trials. And it has been approved by the FDA, which means it’s shown to be safe and effective. The same isn’t true for berberine. 

What are other potential health benefits of berberine?

Berberine has also been studied as a treatment for: 

• High cholesterol: Several of the studies that looked at berberine and weight loss noted that it also lowered cholesterol levels. And a larger review of 18 studies found that taking berberine lowered both low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides. 

• High blood pressure: Studies in animals suggest that berberine may be helpful for lowering blood pressure. But research in humans has shown mixed results, and the studies that exist are mostly low quality. 

• Type 2 diabetes: Berberine may help lower blood sugar and hemoglobin A1C levels in people who have Type 2 diabetes. In one study, people who took 1 g of berberine per day for 3 months lowered their fasting blood sugar by 20%.

• Infections: One study showed that berberine inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which can cause pneumonia. Berberine may also have anti-inflammatory properties that can help prevent viruses like the flu from causing disease. 

• Liver disease: A study of over 800 people with fatty liver disease found that berberine led to better liver function tests. Berberine seems to help liver function by directly affecting the liver, and also through its effect on cholesterol and weight. 

• Skin diseases: Studies in animals have found that berberine decreases inflammation that causes irritation and itching in atopic dermatitis. Mice studies also suggest berberine may be helpful for treating psoriasis. 

• Digestive problems: Lab studies and animal studies suggest that berberine increases the amount of good bacteria in a person’s gut while decreasing the amount of bad bacteria. But it’s still unclear how this impacts gut health down the line.

Berberine side effects

Since berberine is a dietary supplement, the FDA doesn’t regulate berberine-containing products. So the actual amount of berberine in any given supplement may be higher or lower than what the label says. This makes it hard to know what side effects to expect.

The most commonly reported berberine side effects include: 

• Diarrhea

• Constipation

• Bloating and gas

• Upset stomach 

While side effects may be mild, some people should avoid berberine since it affects metabolism and can interact with certain medications. We discuss this in greater detail next.

Medication interactions

Berberine can interact with prescription medications. Before taking berberine, talk with a healthcare professional if you take medications to treat:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Mood disorders 

• Seasonal allergies

• Erectile dysfunction

• Pulmonary hypertension

• Blood clots

• Sleep disorders, including insomnia

If you have a weakened immune system or an organ transplant, don’t take berberine without talking with a healthcare professional. Berberine can interact with immunosuppressive medications. 

Berberine dosage recommendations

There aren’t official guidelines for the correct dosage of berberine. But most studies on berberine used anywhere from 500 mg to 1,500 mg per day. A common dosage of berberine is to take 500 mg by mouth 3 times per day. Some experts recommend taking it before meals. 

Is berberine safe?

Berberine is considered safe for most people at dosages up to 1,500 mg per day. Berberine might not be safe for some adults, including people who have liver or kidney problems. You should also avoid berberine if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.

Frequently asked questions

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Cherilyn Davis, MD

Cherilyn Davis, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician in NYC. She's held local and national roles at the American Medical Women's Association, including board member of the physician division and physician chair of social media.

Edited by:

Katie E. Golden, MD

Katie E. Golden, MD, is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and a medical editor at GoodRx.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts