For all you you guys asking whether you can take both, when I was in Costa Rica with David Sinclair, he told me that he recommended both to several of his patients. I've also read several studies where they administered both and reported no ill effects, beyond those common to one or the other.
@@spartaleonidas540 -- He doesn't need to be a medical dr to have patients, obviously. -- He could be a paid health advisor at worst, or a Naturopathic Dr at best aside from an MD.
Anything D.Sinclair says... you can be sure it is useless and/or quackery. Guy has been all over the internet on his NMN and previously resveratrol. His scientific achievements are astonishingly weak and vague.
I was 65 and was put on Metformin. I did research and found out it inhibited brain clarity plus allot of other things - and I was studying for a 3 hr university exam, so I threw it out post haste. My research uncovered Berberine which did not induce brain fog + other benefits with exercise, which I was also doing. My blood sugar was 14.4 (I passed my exam btw) after 3 months I was down to 7.2 and then 6.2 a month later. My endocrinologist said whatever you are doing keep doing it. Berberine 500mg morning and 500mg evening. Works like a dream, for me at least.
Ty..im not happy dr may ask me to take metformin..I exercise alot and daily I have 40 pounds to loose..I've gained weight which increased my aic..but I'm exercising alot n watching my diet...I can not tolerate the gi stuff since I have acid reflux n hiatel hernia..think it's berberine
The reason why there’s a lack of studies/research on Berberine is because it cannot be patented therefore pharmaceutical companies cannot make a dime from it. End of Story
I rejected my doctor's prescription for metformin 15 years ago, the doctor is not responsible for my health, I am! I don't take prescription drugs and I am almost 60 years old, my doctor also prescribed blood pressure lowering medications, I did one month only, never got it refilled. I take care of my own health, if I need a big pharma sales representative or a butcher, then I might visit a doctor, meanwhile I will continue to find alternatives, to avoid them altogether.
Anecdotally I can say Berberine did far more for me than Metformin. Berberine does far more than just lower blood sugar. It has contractility effects on the heart, increases neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. It reduces inflammatory cytokines, is an Id01 inhibitor. It's far more multidimensional than Metformin. Berberine also allowed me to exercise harder...and it felt like I was getting fitter.
My personal anecdote is as follows: I was bordering on metabolic syndrome so my naturopath put me on metformin. I took it for about a year, and it brought down my A1C from 7.2 to 5.6, but did nothing for my fasting blood glucose which averaged 105 across the entire year. The other negative was that I lost significant endurance during exercise ( hiking, mountain biking ) and would top out way earlier than ever before. It was like metformin made my entire body weaker, my muscles would stop working long before prior times on the same hikes/routes I had been doing for many years. So, to say metformin makes more glucose go into the muscles? I cannot imagine how that could be the case, it certainly made my performance worse and made me more tired overall.
I’ve been experimenting with a very small dose of metformin for anti-aging purposes. I didn’t realize it caused muscle weakness but I have been noticing that I’ve been feeling much weaker than usual at Pilates and I had to take more breaks. Glad I saw your comment or I may not have made the connection. Thank you.
Metformin lowers your natural testosterone by 50%. So if you’re not on TRT it will make you weak as shit. And tired and depressed. So take testosterone with it and your fine.
A very interesting discussion. I've recently started taking berberine for Type II diabetes. Anecdotally, it seems to have some benefits. I agree that a lot more research has to be done. But you provide a very good perspective. Keep it up. I'm a 70's senior and interested in factors that seem to have an impact on both diabetes and aging.
There is a growing amount of Published studies on Berberine's Oncological / Anti - cancerous affects alongside it's well established use with treating Diabetes. Worth looking into. Oncologists in the US and China who have used protocols including Berberine have reduced the use of Chemo compounds by up to 16x when used in conjunction with Berberine. Dramatically reducing the risks of Chemo
I've been on a keto diet since January and I have lost weight, but my fasting blood glucose was still too high, between 100 to 115mg/dl. 10 days ago I started taking berberine 500mg twice a day. My blood glucose readings improved noticeably after a couple of days. I've not changed my amount of physical activity, but now my typical fasting BG is 85 to 95 mg/dl. That's a big difference. Berberine seems to work. I'll increase my exercise routine and see how it does.
Metformin causes me severe gastric disturbances. I started researching berberine and decided to start taking it. I don't experience the gastric upset as with Metformin, so the question of M vs. B as it relates to exercise is a moot point for me, but glad to know that exercise will count. Thanks
@@badkarma6181 Berberine is great when on calorie restriction. No cravings or feeling weak. Metformine has sides and you need prescription. And Berberine has been used for hundreds of years.
@@Followyourpassions I’d love to get off of ALL my scripts and go natural! But I’m in pretty bad health for being 65. I’m on powerful pain meds Oxycodone, Meloxicam. Pill for BP. Pills for cholesterol and triglycerides (off scale). Spine pain, hip pain. Left arm and shoulder are worthless due to 2 neck surgeries. Nerve pain from neck and lower back. On and on and on. I just wanted to retire and do a little traveling with my wifey and play some golf. Now I’m just lucky if I can get some sleep! So much I can’t do as far as exercise goes. Which I need to help with the other health issues that plague me. OK, enough poor me… Thank you for caring and taking the time for that info. I will ask my PA about this next visit. God bless you snd take good care of your spine, and family! Happy Independence Day too!
Very interesting content. I have taken Berberine for just under 2 years. I was diagnosed with T2D just over 4 years ago and put on Metformin. After a couple of months, I was on the the full 2000mg a day dosage. Well, I just couldn't get on with it. Terrible stomach cramps, flatulence and loose bowels in general. I just stopped taking the Metformin, and, to be perfectly honest, I didn't notice any difference in my blood sugar control. I'd already switched to a low carb way of eating,, along with intermittent fasting - aka late breakfast - and found that if I went for a short walk after my evening meal, I was just fine. I discovered berberine later and thought I'd give it a go. I exercise regularly - resistance training and HIIT -and can't say I've noticed it having any detrimental effect on my fitness. Studies are interesting, but the best study is N=1. My blood sugars are almost always normal, and have been since I changed my lifestyle and diet. If you are keen on fighting the effects of aging, well, sarcopenia is definitely one aspect of aging that is best postponed as long as possible. Thank you for sharing!
@@GDixon-ch3ylHi, I take one 500mg capsule a day. I might up that to two, and take one at night, but so far, in combination with low carb, intermittent fasting, and regular exercise it keeps my A1c at non diabetic levels. Best of luck!
@@whomadethatsaltysoup thanks. Last July my A1C was 8.3 and I got so angry that it never improved. I knew it had to be food and somebody not telling me the truth, and it lead me to Ketogenic, Low carb and intermittent fasting and in one year I went to 5.9 and it's getting lower. I just want to get off metformin. Ugh.
@@faisal-ca Absolutely! The question: what is making us sick? Once we arrive at the correct answer, be it stress, sugar, alcohol or nuts, well, the answer is to eliminate the cause - not take pills, powders or potions to cover up the symptoms!
Its under appreciated that metformin blocks the B vitamine absorbsion, not just b-12. There's newer videos giving many many good benefits of B1/thiamine + variants on many low energy (etc) applications. Just mentioning for those taking metformin to test test test your B's and supliment.
I supplement with nutritional yeast in bone broth to make sure I have enough B vitamins. I take 500 mg 2x a day of metformin and follow keto/low carb. I have zero problems with metformin. Labs, cholesterol and blood sugar are all stellar. I was pre diabetic when I asked my doctor for metformin and a glucose meter. I've also lost 60+ pounds in the last 2 years. IMHO, I think metformin causes digestive issues when carbs and sugar are still a big part of the diet. I had never really heard of berberine until recently tho. It's good to know we have options.
Absolutely fascinating! I have been taking Berberine for about a year. The prescription drugs for type 2 diabetes made me feel awful and I had been taking them for years, when it reached the point where insulin was mentioned, for me it was a step too far. I decided to try Berberine and I now feel so much better. I am not sure that Berberine works as quickly as prescription meds and I have no one to consult with regarding dosage, long term etc. But I feel so much better! A word of warning though, I desperately need a new hip, have been told they won't operate if I am taking Berberine, I will have to stop taking it for at least a week prior to the operation and I know my blood sugar will rise to a point where they won't operate anyway. I am 68 and live in the UK.
Should only take BERBERINE long term for 6-8wks anyway then need to give it a nice long break or may affect liver. BERBERINE supposedly helps the Hba1c which supports weight loss. Whilst Metformin doesn’t affect the Hba1c. Just do the NO CARBS (no sugar, pasta, rice, potatoes, bread) for that week. I had to go off Hormone Theraphy (HRT) before a hysterectomy. To control my sugar they gave me a shot of insulin in hospital one or two times before surgery if memory serves me right. My sugar level was approx 10 when I had the surgery but that’s maybe an Australian number.
Excellent evidence-based video, very thorough and accurate on molecular detail (my lab studies diabetes). I would also like to see SGLT2 inhibitors studied in aging. Nobody should start on metformin without first having a basic metabolic panel to assess kidney function.
I started Berberine 500 mgs. for neuro-Lyme, since it is reputed to be able to kill the pathogen. It dropped my pulse to 40 bpm, and though I stopped taking it right away, it took me 3 days to recover, during which time I could barely walk from one room to another. On the off chance that it was a freak occurrence, I waited 3 weeks and tried it again, with the same result. Like you say, it has great promise, but be careful since we don't know that much about it.
Within a week of increased dosage of metformin I experienced severe pain in my kidneys and now hover between 3a and 3b. Two years of Berberine and my A1C is at an ideal level.
I'm a huge fitness and exercise freak. Recently I've been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I was put on 1000mg of Metformin and my workouts went to crap. Fast forward a few months, and I have suggested Berberine, I split my meds in two, morning Berberine and evening Metformin. My exercise is back to optimal.
I was diagnosed with Type two Diabetes at age 56 and immediately went on Metformin, at age 63 I started having stomach and digestive issues because the dosage of Metformin was now too much. I switched to three 500 mg Berberine per day and three Tumeric capsules per day, Blood sugar has remained controlled with a A1c under 7, with no digestive or stomach issues. I also walk 20,000 steps a day.
I started taking Lipo Berberine 6 weeks ago. As a side note my limp and stiffness from my osteoarthritis went away! I actually had to Google the two to read some promising papers on Berberine efficacy in osteoarthritis. I take only one 150mg Lipo Berberine/day- Renue By Science. I’m thinking this Liposomal delivery system is more bioavailable. I just know I can walk normally again.
@@sandrah6321 I would be very surprised if your doctor knows anything about it. If he does he's a rare one- most of the MDs are just not trained in the nutrition/ natural practices.
YEAH YOU!!! GREAT TO FEEL GREAT!!! I AM 73 AND ROCKING IT! I went for whole food plant based to carnivore next day! Wowza! 16 ozs. of meat, sardines, eggs/butter a day c with one "guest" vegeatble. I will nerver willingly go back to vegan again. I knew upon first bite when I actually felt my body respond to the nutrients missing from my diet so long (only respond to whole food scorced...not to supplementation) 180° change from one day to next apparently triggered an xenobiotic obsenegen dumping from lipids I call the GREAT RENEDERING akin to what happens to bacon. Wiyhing less then 6 days I went from a 22 pant size to a 2-4...like stepping out of a sumo wrestlers fat suit costume...w/in days I stepped out tiny me! Wilder still by day 3 all my inner organs were compression bruised by sooo sudden viseral fat shrinkage. Beyond bizzare. I have been flouritoxic from birth I now know. It's highest electonegativity has squirred with lots of stuff since flouride is the #1 chemical antigonest to the body's master antioxidant...GLUTHIONE. Lordy! It is a YEAH ME for me too. Decade's journey. Whew! Am I blessed to have recovered my cognition/wit & wherewithal and/recouped my abilities. I am Rockin it now!
Took Metformin and it put me into the bathroom, for hours. Switched to Berberine and it dropped my bs numbers by 50 points. Been taking it 3 years, I exercise regulary, no side effects. Tis an easy call for me. Good video. I am 75.
@Jay Dee Brand I use is produced by Amazing Formulas, dose is 1,000 mg, take it right after lunch and before I go to bed. Taken it over 3 years, continuously and it is still working. Also do keto, IF and one and a halh meals every day. so one pill each time or two pills per day.. Good luck.
Lance, You're an excellent speaker. I really liked this video my friend, excellent work. Here's my opinion. I feel "almost" everyone above the age of 40 should consider taking Metformin and NOT berberine. Note: I've been taking Metformin for about a year now however, I took berberine for about six months prior to taking Metformin. It's important to note, I'm not a diabetic. 1. Berberine didn't change my blood work much. 2. Berberine didn't change my appetite much. 3. I didn't lose any weight taking berberine. 4. I found it difficult and "chore like" to take berberine because you have to take it 3-4 times per day (not easy to do). Metformin: 1. My blood work definitely improved significantly especially my triglycerides. 2. My appetite went down. You almost have to remember to eat sometimes. 3. I lost weight (pretty quickly). Went from 270 to 235 within about four months. Note: 235 is a really good weight for me. I went from getting no female attention to having to triage who I wanted to date. Guys, if you're having difficulty getting women, your weight is likely the culprit. 4. I did get loose stools for a few weeks after i began taking Metformin however, it shrank my bloated belly so it wasn't a bad thing. It goes away after a while. 5. It's easier to take (less chore-like). Dose is usually once or twice per day. Here's a list of the known benefits of taking Metformin. There's probably more so please chime in to this list if I missed something.... 1. Lowers bad cholesterol. 2. Lowers triglycerides. 3. Makes the insulin your pancreas produces more effective. 4. Anti-cancer properties. 5. Prevents type II diabetes. 6. Lowers blood pressure (over time). 7. Improves constipation. 8. Reduces your chances of having a stroke or heart attack. 9. Weight loss (less fat storage with more effective insulin, maintaining normal blood glucose levels and lower appetite). 10. Anti-aging properties with AMPK stimulation (still unclear on this particular benefit). 11. Lower cholesterol and triglycerides will likely improve sexual health. Less likely to experience impotence and will definitely allow your ED medication to work better. Triglycerides and Viagra do not mix well. Also, weight loss will help as well. Note: Metformin can reduce testosterone levels so be aware of that. 12. Lower cholesterol and triglycerides can improve eye sight and slow deterioration. 13. Lower blood pressure equals less stress on your kidneys. 14. Decreased depression and anxiety (studies proved this). 15. Improved cognitive function and decreases chances of developing dementia. 16. Improves liver health. Can treat and reverse fatty liver disease via improved lipids. 17. Keeping blood glucose in a normal range and staving off diabetes could prevent gum disease. Why aren't we all taking Metformin??
That's great to hear, Seth. However, please remember that everyone's different, with different biochemistry. What works for you might work differently on someone else. That's why I feel it's so important for everyone to figure out what works for them, rather than just jumping on board because everyone else is. Glad to hear that metformin work so well for you. Keep up the great work!
@@LanceHitchings I'm definitely not saying not to take berberine, I'm just pointing out that if you're looking for the benefits of Metformin, you're probably better off taking Metformin and not a weaker substitute. The first two weeks were kind of rough on me. I had borderline diarrhea the entire time which as a field paramedic, it was challenging. But those symptoms subsided fortunately. Some people consider that a side effect however considering most of us are chronically constipated (and don't even know it) I actually consider it another benefit. I mentioned Metformin to my sister who is 47 (chunky, not fat) and she went on it to see if she could reap some of the benefits I've gotten and it's been a miracle for her. Her blood work was always pretty good so she got on Metformin primarily to lose weight and diabetes prevention. She started at 200 lbs and she just told me she's down to 190. Her optimal high school weight is 150. She says her appetite has significantly changed and doesn't crave sweets like she used to. There's just so many benefits with very few side effects/risks. And it's very affordable. Keep the videos going Lance. You're excellent...
Because using a drug, instead of making diet & lifestyle changes isnt a solution, it's a crutch and long term use of Metformin is linked to depression, and dementia.
I have tried berberine and it definitely lowers my blood sugar I don’t exercise a lot I do some but not much I don’t know about Met Forman but I can tell you that berberine definitely lowers sugar.
I don't take either but have been doing my homework and what I'm finding is about what you are saying... The top anti aging researchers like Sinclair are just taking metformin on days they don't workout or do any exercise.. so they may only take it 1 to 3 times per week.. I say take berberine on workout days and metformin on days off... that's the study I want to see
I think taking berberine after your workout or before bed would not impact gains but im sure that taking it before your workout would make your workout harder since inhibition of mtor pathway
Wow isn't a year a long time! Since I commented below, I found myself with a diabetic foot ulcer and was in a bit of trouble. My issue was that even though my numbers seemed OK, the damage was done. Now on Berberine and dealing with the ulcer with the help of a hospital podiatry clinic. MRI for infection testing, blood tests (3) all come back good though. Plenty to consider but importantly now on Berberine and it seems to be keeping things under control. Diet and exercise alone as it would seem need a helping hand if you get it late! Thanks to the Australian government for the free health care as well.
@@tigressnsnow It's called Berb-Evail. It is available in Australia in health stores, but you need a prescription. Really works for me. BTW foot completely healed
@@michaeljackson2838 I’m seeing my doctor tomorrow. Seems he has to register with Designs for Health Australia first. Don’t know how keen he will be to do that? He had me taking Ozempic but had no idea of side effects or how it worked. He didn’t believe me when I told him it holds onto waste matter to give you a full feeling and I have an umbilical hernia so a really bad idea. I did a simple Google search on Ozempic and found how it works. That was just one thing it does. It also restricts the oesophagus. It’s quite evil. It basically wants people to stop eating.
I used metformin for 9 years and I had to live with what I thought was fibromyalgia. One year ago, money was short and didn't take metformin for 10 days. My pain was gone. Restarted it and it came back. Stopped it and it was gone again. I stopped it once and for all. After researching I discovered berberine and I have been using it since May last year. I am up for my health check up and I will see its effect over my insulin (also reduced carb consumption). Besides, no need for prescription.
Berberine works great without sides. Also used for hundreds of years. We can learn a lot from Chinese herbs. Especially on a diet. No cravings or feeling weak. Metformine has sides and is a med.
Willowy13 - Would you mind sharing how much berberine you took? I assume it was in tablet form? Whatever form, can you be specific? I want to give it a try. Do you have diabetes or prediabetes? (I have prediabetes just edging over the line into diabetes and I don't want to start metformin unless I have to.) Thanks and best wishes.
A good friend of mine and myself took Metformin for years. We both ended up with Bladder cancer. I'm still in the battle and he is no longer with us. I am now taking Berberine. As far as my A1c, both worked the same. I will not go back to Metformin. I've heard there was a class action lawsuit. I'm not interested in that drama but I'm just happy controlling my type 2 with the Berberine.
Often neglected side effects of Berberine are the inhibition of platelet aggregation and thrombin inhibition. For many that would be beneficial. If already on ASA or other platelet agents or anticoagulants perhaps a problem. When added to the bit of platelet aggregatiion inhibition from omega 3 fatty acids, I had an unpleasant hemorrhagic event.
6 years ago I was put into ICU due to dehydration. I got so thirsty that I drank TOO MUCH water, depleting enzymes and electrolytes faster than I could assimilate them. BP went to 60/40. Lost 24 lb just from water loss. Doctor told me that metformin was a contribution factor to dehydration. I stopped metformin and reverted to "normal" water consumption. Took 3 days to regain BP and weight. My theory: If you eat a healthy diet devoid of inflammatory oils and excessive carbs you don't need any of these chemicals. I stopped taking ALL meds when I got out of the hospital and my health couldn't be better at age 75.
It’s important to note that the way you take berberine in traditional Chinese medicine is by grinding it into a powder and rubbing it on your tongue, chewing, and swallowing it. Western medicine has this fascination with taking pills but the bitter taste is important in how it is absorbed and utilized in the body.
you don't actually link taste and absorption though , do you ? rather "putting up with the bitter taste is requisite to ingest Berb transdermally, in the traditional fashion ? " . I don't mean to nitpick I'm just curious if anyone suggests taste is linked to efficacy.
It's not the "taste" that is helping, it's the simple fact that activating it in the mouth can begin absorption in the mouth slightly instead of only ingesting it. Some things absorb in the mouth, and the saliva may also begin the breakdown process different from just stomach acids. There are some drugs you can take by rubbing them into your gums as well.
The same thing applies to most Indian ayurvedic herbs. That they work better when you actually taste them, the bitterness etc. Versus taking in a capsule. However I have taken many in capsule form over the years (taste of many of these powders is just horrible) and they were still very effective.
I've been on metformin for about 5 years now. Other than the severe damage covid did to my endurance, I've felt no negative effects on my exercise regime. I'm 52 now. I've been able to mostly reverse the affects of a 2 month covid/pneumonia period with exercise while on metformin. Just my experience
One side-effect about Metformin that scares me is that it blocks nutrients from entering the muscles, particularly Vitamin B12. To block nutrients from entering muscles will lead to muscle deterioration, and to think of it, our heart is 100 percent muscles; so here, we can connect the dots. My wife's aunt took Metformin for many years, and at the tail end of her life she was physically disabled. No doubt her muscles were being slowly/totally ruined over time.
I am a long-time type two diabetic. I found Berberine about 5 or 6 years ago and started taking it (Swanson Berberine Complex with cinnamon, gymena, and fenugreek). I’ve been taking metformin for years and finally had to add insulin in 2016. It wasn’t til I added the Berberine that I started having better blood sugar control. (Most mornings my fasting glucose readings are between 70s and 120 compared to before Berberine-200s to 300s or more. I had to deal with stomach problems ever since taking metformin and didn’t know it was the problem. I take 2 1000 mg a day of metformin. I am going to wean myself from it and add regular exercise as well. I am told that I look younger than my age. Possible it’s a Berberine side effect. Also, my cholesterol has normalized due to taking psyllium husk (Amazon). Thank you for the video.
I completely reversed my type 2 with change in diet, getting into the gym and taking Berberine and Alpha Lipoic Acid. The ALA was primarily to reverse the nerve damage to my right foot (took 2 years but I got all of the feeling back) but ALA is also Insulin mimicking so it can help take some of the burden off of your Pancreas.
@@nosirrahx This gives me hope! Can you clarify what your change in diet entailed? What did you decrease? What did you cut out? Did you go with more protein? Less protein? Did you go Keto or Whole Food Plant Based? Please expound as I’m desperate to find out what to do.
@@bkfrance2 I got super into vegetables, I actually love them now. High protein is also the cornerstone to getting into shape. Lifting weights on a calorie deficit without going high protein will give you pretty terrible results. I also got super into walking. I do cardio 7 days a week now and when I am really pushing it I go for 10 or more miles in a day. Usually its 1 to 3 though but it is 7 days a week. Short term Keto is fantastic to reset insulin sensitivity and to break sugar cravings but I found that after a few months it becomes counterproductive. Currently I am low carb but absolutely do eat carbs pre and post gym, it really makes a difference for gym performance and recovery. Intermittent fasting was also a great tool for me in the beginning because I was never more than 24 hours away from a very satisfying meal. Eventually though I needed to eat protein a lot more often to keep up with the gym but when I started it was a fantastic tool.
Swanson has good stuff no doubt and their products seems to work. Though I tried Berberine and Fenugreek seed and has the same glucose after several months though. I wonder why it didn't lower. Otherwise their other products seems to work better for me. I just found the Berberine dosage and cost expensive with them and prefer Amazon (Unfortunately) But otherwise Swanson has many products you cant get elsewhere and is hence a must. They got stuff that you can only get from them in whole Europe.
Good comprehensive presentation about metformin and berberine. I cannot take metformine as prescriptions that contain significant amounts of sulfur trigger an allergy. Berberine provides less of a inflammation risk. We desperately need more research into berberine as it is enormously promising.
Eggs have a lot of nutrition. I eat one scrambled egg with 1 tbsp of peanut butter 3 times a day alternating with a low carb vegetable dish and also 2 yogurt and cottage cheese and 1/2 fiber cookie.
Last night my glucose level was 266, after a meal. Took 3 capsules of Turmeric and 2 capsules of Berberine and drank a cup of black tea (of course, I didn't take them all in one shot). About 4 or 5 hrs. later my glucose level dropped to 130!! I stopped taking metformin a couple of years ago due to the nasty side effects of bloating, stomach discomfort and diarrhea. So yes, Berberine is the one for me, but I hope they do further studies on Berberine :)
Glucose should be measured just bf meal or 2 hrs after. 4-5 hrs after a meal 130-150 seem pretty standard. Cinnamon capsules have great affects of lowering Glucose levels.
hello there. if your sugar is that high 266 after a meal too high cut the carbs go KETO way of eating.. wow... I was only 130 so and it goes to 100 after three hours, yes, I checked at 1 n 2 n3n 4 hours that is normal drop, now I have been of medication for 7 yrs. sugar is normal, please do more get off all fake sugars and process foods. and any medication that covers the real problem food is and food can reverse it. good luck. look at dr robert lustig videos.
Metformin on rest days as far from exercise timewise (24h at least), and Berberine on training days. Berberine is, unfortunately, very expensive compared to metformin (10 times more), over here, so taking only berberine is not viable for me right now. To reduce side effects from Metformin, you should supplement with B12, folate and NAC. As for the stomach problems, by not taking it daily, switching it out with berberine, your gut gets time to recover. Also prebiotics and *soluble* fiber (oatfiber for example) supplements will help.
@@mariammathew7435 Nausea is said to be more likely if you take berberine on an empty stomach. But (according to my N.D.) taking it on an empty stomach is usually for the antibacterial benefits, so if you don’t need that feature, you may not need to take it on an empty stomach. Good luck!
I take metformin and berberine. My doctor recommended it because I don't want to take a statin for cholesterol. I'm having some stomach problems. However, I see that this berberine is working and I would rather take it than metformin.
Thank you for getting this info out there! While I’m a Nurse, I prefer anything more homeopathic in nature, not a fan of big Pharma. While some prescription meds are a necessity esp if the are life saving for immediate use.
Solid video. I’ve been looking into Berberine and a glucose disposal agent in conjunction with calorie restriction. Like the sound of the short half life as well as potential athletic enhancements. 🐀 stay tuned
@@LanceHitchings I used GlycoHD by muscle tech. I noticed some headaches while on this supplement regime so I discontinued; however, there’s an abundance of ingredients so really hard to put the finger on a culprit. I’m going to try light exercise after my morning breakfast to manually regulate faster glucose to muscle uptake, probably the healthier option anyways. Also “The Glucose Goddess” trick to put clothes on carbs worked well for me, so that’s another interesting finding. Although post HIIT I will take carbs laden in fructose and sucrose for immediate muscle absorption, but in healthy moderation.
As you get older, by the time you figure out all this, you've likely already done a lot of damage to yourself. This vid is the best and most elaborate and effective out there.
The company EuroMedica has a new product called Berberine Ultra Absorb that requires smaller dosages, better delivery etc. They also have plain Berberine, which seems obsolete now. Thanks for all you do.
I've been on metformin for years. It doesn't cause any issues for me at all but maybe it's because my doctor gave me such a low dose every day (only 1 gram per day). My blood is pretty much normal because I watch what I eat and I do intermittent fasting, but I begged my doctor to continue giving me metformin prescription because I wanted to tap its longevity abilities. Recently, I added berberin so now I take both at 1 gram each per day. I don't see any difference with berberin either but it could be that it takes years for the effect to be shown. Wish me luck.
25 years on metformin for me, 2x1000mgs daily...no problems and not kidney damage. I have no reason to change to anything else. Also, I'm 78 now.....maybe it will even work as a longevity drug?
Berberine, I took it years ago as a drink from a herbalist as she used the root of wild barberry. She used it to treat acne and seemingly worked very well., not for me for that. For years afterwards when we met she would say I was her second failure to treat acne over her years of using it. I didn't mind : It did improve my overall health and immune system incredibly at the time.
Amateur powerlifter here. I have taken metformin on and off for about 3 years. I never take it before going to the gym to lift. It lowers blood sugar. When I do a set, I exhaust a lot of the glycogen in the muscles and it takes time to restore that in my muscles from the available sugar in the blood stream. This means that my set to set recovery is slowed and reduced, which increases rest time between sets or reduces the total training capacity I am capable of. However, I have not yet started to take berberine. I am likely going to take berberine at night before bed. This is the same way I would take metformin on a day I was training.
Metformin- does not help with excessive urination. My father has been on Metformin for close to 20 years, for the last 10 years he goes to the bathroom constantly. He was over here yesterday for three hours and I bet he got up to pee 8 times. He told me during the night he’s up going pee 8 times during the night. And I read where another lady said Metformin gave her husband stage four kidney disease. I am here investigating berberine for my father. My mom was on metformin and insulin before she had a major stroke at 69 and died. I will say she started Metformin first before insulin and she blew up like a balloon with weight gain. I’ve heard others say that Metformin makes you gain weight .
Interesting. Need to slow your presentation down with so much content. Also, making any conclusions from poorly done studies is not helpful. Making causal correlations needs to be differentiated from making connections. Because two events occur doesn't mean one caused the other. That's basic. Guessing just confuses people. I advise against it. As a licensed healthcare clinician and researcher for over 35 yrs, I feel that we need to be able to tolerate being left with questions to be answered...instead of guessing and adding confusion to an issue.
For someone who is "not a doctor, a researcher, or scientist" he seems to know what he is talking about. Also refreshing is discussing the downsides as well as the upsides, and talking about dosages and absorbtion issues. Well done!
Read Pub Med (from NIH) is free to the public whereas the other line journals have a pay wall and you have to go to a university that subscribes to them to get access. Pub Med is on the Internet with no pay wall. I say anyone who is really interested can read the abstracts from the various papers and learn a lot from them.
I was recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in Oct. I was put on insulin and Metformin. I was on MF for 3 days and took myself off of it myself because of the side effects. By January, I hope to be off all meds through change in diet and exercise.
@@epicroyal01 - Hello👋- at my last appointment, my A1C was down to 6.7 from 11.7 in Oct. I'm still taking insulin tho. They've only decreased my units but I'm still on it. They want me to take Jardiance, but the side affects have me concerned, so we shall see on that one. Thanks for asking! I hope all goes well for you.
Thank you for this wonderful video. Regarding berberine lowering cholesterol: The 'total cholesterol' is irrelevant since it is a mixture of good and bad stuff. Gerald "Jerry" Reaven established the triglyceride (bad stuff) : HDL (good stuff) ratio as the best lab test for coronary heart disease. Ratios above 2.5 in Caucasians and above 1.5 in African-Americans are concerning. LDL matters but not nearly as much as triglycerides and HDL.
Metformin cause me terrible pain in my hands and joints my blood sugars changed a little I changed to berberine and my blood sugars lowered more and the pain disappeared
One peer-reviewed study doesn't make science. It takes a minimum of two independent -peer-reviewed studies. However, this said, the study mentioned towards the end of the video may be right, since science tends to be counterintuitive.
I've been taking berberine and chromium and it is doing fantastic but I also do woe which is eating basically only real food you know what our earth provides and I'm feeling so much better
I started taking Berberine and Apple Cider vinegar, and my blood sugar is now lower than when I just used Metformin. I feel better too, but that is just my opinion or perspective. As for exercise, I seem to have more energy now that I am using Berberine. Since using Berberine, I really have a lot more energy for exercise. Of course I can't prove any of that, it is just my perspective.
I can only speak of my own experience, but I have been taking metformin for over 25 years. I have found that, when I am exercising, regularly, my A1C numbers are always lower than when I have stopped going to the gym.
May be true for some people, but my mom was on medformi for more the 2 decades, I give her B12 suplement sublingual and her B12 was sooo high even after stoped the suplement it was over 3000 .
I will never take Metformin ever again. Made me tired, did not want to exercise, burned through B12, and running to the bathroom before I crapped my pants and I had to be close to a restroom! I couldn’t go hiking, walks, etc. driving on long trips was a challenge too. Always planning on where are restrooms!!!! Made me weak! Now I’m taking Berberine, just recently added Gymnema Sylvestre, Ceylon Cinnamon and yesterday I started with Moringa! Moringa leaf powder I put into low carb smoothies. I’ve also stopped the Jardiance too! Also I’ve lowered my carb intake and do intermittent fasting 12-16 hours. I’m Back to exercising and no uncontrollable bowel movements! I have energy to burn! Also in my smoothies I add organic black chia seeds & cold milled organic golden Flax. One table spoon of Omega 3-6-9 flax, Borage, Algae oils. At night Camomile tea, and sometimes with 1/2 tablespoon ACV, 8ozs boiling water, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and half packet of Truvia one hour before bedtime. Five days ago fasting blood sugar ranged 147-161. But last 2 days 126 day before yesterday and this morning 138. This evening at 7 pm I had 107! My feet and toes are feeling much better! My smoothies contain in small amounts of the 4 berries, 1 scoop vanilla protein powder, unsweetened almond/coconut milk, 1 tablespoon of each flax/chia seed mixture, 5-6 small carrots, 1/4 cup chopped Granny Smith apple, small amount of leafy greens, 1 tablespoon of moringa powder, 1/2 of a small banana not very ripe, 1 tablespoon of MCT oil and 1/4 cup no sugar added in water peaches. Sometimes I’ll add a piece of celery and/or 2” piece of cucumber. Occasionally I’ll add some pieces of washed raw beets. Also before making these changes my fasting blood sugar was 200-250! Taking metformin! I was at taking (2) 500 mgs SA = Sustained Action. It was a horrible time! I thank God for leading me & guiding to where I’m at now! I’m still a work in progress but now I believe I’m moving in the right direction! March 1st this year I started with my smoothies! Diagnosed in August 2004 with Type 2 diabetes! The medicine was horrible but so was my diet! Diet much better now. I have lost weight and feeling much better. I’m taking Ozempic once per week. I’m suppose to take .50 mgs but this past Monday I only took .25 mgs. We have got to ways to get away from the Rockefeller AMA American Medical Association which he started in 1870’s-1880’s and the pharmaceuticals instead of the natural medicines we’ve used for thousands of years! Foods & drugs make us sick! Cures doesn’t make big pharma or the medical industrial complex any money! Let that burn across your brain! Nearly stopped drinking diet soft drinkssince April 10th I’ve only drank a total of (5) 16 oz bottles of Diet Coke! I’m gradually working towards none. My can believe how things have turned around! But I know, I have prayed for God to help me and he has lead me down paths wher I’m getting great information and help. On RU-vid Sugar MD. has helped me!
Lance... I am so impressed with this presentation Naturopathic doctor here... et al thumbs up - shared and Hit that Bell!! I will be following you... Thank you Love In The Light of God!
Thank you lance, very good podcast, I am 89, now, I have a methyl age of 69, and I am making plans to live beyond 200 with a 25 yr old body, Hahaha, youtube took off the part where I told how I plan to do this.I guess they don't like food ,exercise and supplements to be my medicine.
I take berberine 0.5g before sleep following some recommendations that claims that berberine at first stage hindering the work of mitochondria that results in their division. So it should not be taken before exercises. I do regular training and monitor VO2Max. Just training did not change it much, training + NMN 1g forced it to grow, adding berberine visibly improved the speed of growing of VO2Max. I am 55
Berberine has been around for over 3,000 years, what do you mean we don't know enough about it... yet we already know, and I mean those who have tried Metformin, that it not only causes stomach upset but a sever depression along with nerve damage. On some it's mild and subtle but increases with continued use and on others it can hit them pretty hard after a few weeks of use. You can not compare Metformin with what Nature has perfectly created
@@MishMacky that's not what my point was about. It was in contrast to the statement that berberine is naturally occurring. Metformin is as well. I didn't say whether its good or bad
I had NO idea metformin caused depression. I’ve been on Metformin for several years (don’t recall how many years… probably about 8) and over that time span my depression has gotten worse and worse!!! I’m now on the antidepressant Nortriptyline. I just recently (one month) discontinued the use Metformin as my latest blood work showed my A1C was at 5.7 Hoping depression decreases now that Metformin is out of the picture.
Both metformin and berberin inhibit MTOR, with the slew of benefits that come with that, but one major issue: loss of muscle mass. The latter may not appear in any short or mid-term studies but it's a risky game if you're hoping for pleasant 80s/90s. Not enough muscle, and here goes your balance, the fun you can have outdoors, and also it's a vicious cycle of burning less calories and therefore needing stronger interventions to keep pounds off...
I don't know about metformin or berberine, but I do know about rapamycin. And rapamycin can actually prevent sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass because it only targets mTOR Complex 1, which is associated the loss of muscle mass. It leaves mTOR Complex 2 alone, and that's associated with building muscle.
I take 1500 mg of Berberine a day & it has brought my blood sugar (upon waking) down from 151 to 108. Also C60 Complete with curcumin & black seed oil helped too. Heard many type 2 diabetics suffer from congested liver so the C60 helps to cleanse the live. Just saying that has been my experience, dont know if it will help u or not.
Berberine is the way to go. Metformin is like a laxative to me. It makes me feel so bad. I can't workout and it makes me feel like all my energy is gone. But Berberine helps me to get it done. It doesn't keep me in the restroom. I will continue to take Berberine.
Honey I just have to tell you this. I took Berberine for the first time yesterday. I took 2 capsules twice. I did not take the usual 2,000 mg of Metformin. Metformin was causing me weakness, mental fog, poor sleep quality, loose bowels and frequent urination. I had to do something different. After taking the Berberine just one day -- last night I slept like a baby for the first time in several years. I did not wake up at all. No night bathroom visit. Fell asleep with ease. Praise God for the confidence to try it alone. I trusted your comments because you are a person of God also. Thank you again for letting your light shine by honoring our Holy Father, God Almighty. Our hope for tomorrow. "If we acknowledge Him in all our ways, He will direct our path."
I bought 3 bottles of berberine last year, but haven't touched it. My current approach is simply to eat low carb - no grains or sweets, only chicken, eggs, fish, legumes and vegetables - and hopefully that means the glucose isn't an in issue anyway. My A1c is 5.3, so I'm not (and never have been) pre-diabetic. I've been trying many different supplements now, and maybe once I feel I have consistent biomarker results, I'll add in the berberine and see what happens.
@@Yourdeadmeat69 I'm not doubting you, but do you have evidence to back up that claim? I'd be really interested to see it. Because I'm slim, eat a very healthy diet, don't drink or eat processed foods, and exercise almost every day, and my a1c hovers between 5.2 and 5.5. I have diabetes in the family, so I think it must be genetic.
@@aquamarine99911 So -- get you a blood glucose ketone meter -- you need documentation. FOR YOU. "Healthy" or "nutritious" is not the same as "chemically optimal" for disease fighting, or preventing. I suspect you'll score 110 to 120 in the morning and hover over 100 day long. To break the cycle, google Dr Annette Bosworth and research KETO. During the Depression, the average blood sugar was A1V 4.6 to 5. Smoking and drinking had them dying like flies before their time. And for the record, a low A1C just means your pancreas is cranking out insulin enough to just barely tamp down the harmful effects of higher blood sugars. Hint: Cut processed foods, starches and sugars to ZERO and slowly tighten your eating window to less than 8 hours. 2 meals day. last meal no later than dinner with family. See if you can crack A1C 5 in 90 days.
My blood sugar is higher than I would like it to be, but not so high as to qualify me as being prediabetic. I took a heaping 1/4 tsp of berberine 3X per day for months. My pillowcase has yellow stains to prove it. Berberine did not do anything for my marginally high blood sugar. I have now quit taking berberine.
Apparently, another major (natural) AMPK trigger - is "Jiaogulan" (plant: Gynostemma pentaphyllum). Do you have an opinion on the usefulness of this herb? Thank you.
"But it also lowers blood sugar levels by accelerating the uptake of glucose." Do you know what that means? How do we get fat? Too many calories? No. We get fat because insulin turns glucose into fat. So accelerating the uptake of glucose in the blood simply means that it triggers insulin production. Now, is the constant production of insulin in our bodies a problem? Yes. Why? Because, as a hormone, the body can (and does) develop a resistance to insulin - a condition known as insulin resistance, which leads to type 2 diabetes. So the solution is NOT to stimulate the production of more and more insulin. The problem is insulin resistence due to an over production of insulin. The solution is to stop putting sugar (glucose) into the system and give the body time to reset. So whether its berberine or metformin or whatever it is, promoting the uptake of more and more glucose is NOT the solution. Stopping the intake of sugars (which includes starches (bread, pasta, potatoes, etc.)). You can do that through a keto diet or by fasting. Adding an insulin stimulant to your system is foolishness.
I don't say that it accelerates the uptake of glucose INTO the blood. I say that it lowers blood sugar levels (meaning glucose that is already IN the blood) by accelerating the uptake of glucose OUT of the blood, the exact opposite of what you're referring to. It's not an insulin stimulant, rather the opposite. It improves insulin resistance. If you'd watched my other videos, then you'd know that I'm a huge fan of both keto and fasting, and that I prefer fasting to taking a CR mimetic.
I really enjoyed this. You put things in laymen’s terms and explained it well. Thank you. I’ll have to check out your other discussions. Thank you Lance!
I just started taking Berberine and already seeing some results. My fasting blood sugar with a meter is usually in the mid to high 90s. In lab work it’s in the mid to high 80s. However, I’ve had A1c’s in the 5.6-5.8 range the past 5 years or so. Today, FBG a was 95. I took 1000 mg of Berberine, went light hiking, had brunch and 3 hrs later my blood glucose was averaging 76! I took my BG about six times because I thought it was a mistake! I was expecting it to be maybe 135-140. The highest it would go was 80! 😮
@@GO0994 you’re correct….I’m not diabetic but I’ve had some borderline pre-diabetic A1c results so I’m working on managing BG spikes before it gets out of control.
Interesting because it’s obvious that different treatments don’t work for everybody - but it’s necessary to share what both products Actually do to the body. And since Metformin is a Pharmaceutical Experiment Drug, I would definitely select the Natural Medical Drugs first
I stopped taking metformin because it was interfering with my being able to lift weights. Once I stopped taking it my strength levels returned to normal.
Lance, exercise is good for the bones, but what will 100 percent prevent and treat bone issues after age 50 is HRT. just get yourself on some Testosterone and DHEA. you dont need to kill yourself at the gym! as a woman I have been on HRT since 2010. I ride my bike everywhere, and so some stretching. no need for heavy workouts anymore, I exercise for fun now.
There is no replacement for several aspects of a longevity lifestyle. There's no pill replacement for good nutrition, for a good night's sleep, for social interaction. And there's no pill replacement for exercise. HRT will never be able to provide all the benefits that working out does. Besides, my T levels are around 850, naturally, so I don't really need it. But I know that for a lot of people, HRT is their only choice. I guess that I'm one of the lucky ones.
I intermittent fast. I workout in the morning in a fasted state. My first meal after workout is low carb. I'm trying to extend the fast by implementing a "Fasting Mimicking" technique. With my first meal containing significant carbs, I take 750mg of Berberine. But, I only do this about 2-3 times per week, on my rest days or easy days. I don't want my mTor pathway inhibited after a hard workout. It seems counterproductive to me.
True. Works great when on calorie restriction. Less cravings and feeling weak. Used for hundreds if years without problems. But don't use it on workout days.
Did anyone else experience shortness of breath while taking Metformin? I'm pre-diabetic and was put on 2 Metformin a day. I started having shortness of breath. So i stopped taking it and feel much better. No shortness of breath.
Since digestive issues have been an occasion problem over time I’d go with berberine. There’s been more studies on metformin because that’s where the money for big pharma. You talk about longevity, but in terms of what? The amount of money you’ll spend on metformin over berberine is the real key factor for these tests. I’m one who believe these test may be skewed towards the pockets of those producing a synthetic drug. But what if, there has been tests on berberine, and those finding have been suppressed, because those results result are more beneficial in treating diabetes than metformin. Don’t tell me this is not a cut throat culture or industry to be the drug of choice. Now except for the vaccine for this pandemic a truce has been made, but that’s where it ends. Just look what they did with the drug for peanut allergies. But my opinion should NOT be used as a determining factor to use one over the other, because I’m not a medical practitioner either.
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