A dietary supplement called Nature’s Ozempic is taking the internet by storm, with thousands of people hailing its weight loss benefits.
Derived from the barberry plant, the weight-loss compound is believed to help treat inflammation, high cholesterol, and diabetes. However, there is limited evidence to support these claims – and it is not yet clear if long-term use of the supplement is safe.
As people take to social media to rave about the changes they’ve seen in the form of looser pants and a lower number on the scale, they’re also reporting uncomfortable side effects, including diarrhea and constipation.
With berberine’s growing popularity, has compiled all the facts you need to know about its purported effects and effectiveness.
What is this exactly?
Berberine is extracted from the barberry plant shown here. The berries, which are rich in berberine, are also said to have antioxidant properties
The bitter-tasting chemical is found in certain plants, including European barberry, goldenseal, goldthread, Oregon grape, phellodendron, and turmeric.
The compound has been a staple of Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years to treat a myriad of conditions including pink eyes, itchy skin, high blood sugar and urinary tract infections, as well as other bacterial infections.
However, these benefits have not been confirmed in large-scale clinical studies.
A bottle of 60 supplements, taken before each meal, can be bought for around $30 on major retail sites like Amazon.
With thousands of positive reviews and rave reviews on TikTok, the chemical is quickly gaining popularity as a natural alternative to expensive Wegovy or Ozempic, prescription drugs that aren’t always covered by health insurance.
But it works very differently than the prescription medication, also called semaglutide.
Wegovy is a higher-dose version approved for weight loss in people with a body mass index of at least 30 or in overweight people with a BMI of 27 or more who also have a weight-related disorder.
Ozempic is now approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but is prescribed “off-label” for obesity.
Semaglutide promotes weight loss by mimicking the action of GLP-1, or glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone in the brain that regulates appetite and feelings of satiety.
What are the advantages?
Despite anecdotal evidence that berberine can help users lose weight — including a woman on TikTok who lost seven pounds in six weeks — its weight loss benefits have not been confirmed in large peer-reviewed studies.
The mechanism behind berberine’s purported effects as a weight loss supplement is also unclear.
Still, the evidence is mounting. A 2017 study published in the Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences found that patients who took two 750-milligram capsules daily for three months had “a significant weight loss.”
A separate study published in the American Journal of Translational Research suggested that the supplement activates brown adipose tissue, or fat cells, which tell the body to turn food into energy by burning calories.
The chemical also has several other uses.
A 2019 analysis published in the Endocrine Journal found that taking berberine supplements was more effective at lowering blood sugar levels than a placebo.
Research also suggests that the supplement may help treat polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition that occurs when the ovaries produce much more of a certain type of hormones called androgens, leading to irregular menstrual cycles and unpredictable ovulation.
And research has also shown that berberine can lower hemoglobin A1C, a measure of blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
What are users saying?
In an update five weeks after starting the supplement berberine, Savannah Crosby posted another before and after photo detailing her weight loss
In another clip that has been viewed more than 83,000 times, @briana_parra2 posted before and after photos of seven months of taking berberine. “I use Puritans Pride 500 mg,” she told a user who commented on her video. Before she started taking berberine, she weighed 129.2 kg.
The hashtag #berberine has garnered 58 million views on TikTok, with one dedicated to weight loss hitting 1.7 million.
Savannah Crosby, a 34-year-old TikToker from Texas, has lost about seven pounds by taking the supplement.
She started using berberine about two months ago. At the same time, as recommended, she also changed her diet and lifestyle. Even though they ate healthily and exercised almost every day, the number on the scale didn’t change.
Before she started losing weight, she weighed 85kg and described herself as “frustrated”.
To lose weight, she used TikTok to record her experience with the supplement, taking three 600mg capsules daily – one 30 minutes before each meal.
Sharing her weekly progress with before and after photos, she revealed she weighed 82kg after six weeks.
“I’ve definitely just seen a change in my body and the way my clothes fit me.” “I’m probably losing inches,” Crosby said.
Another TikTok user said, “Week 9 on berberine and lost 18 pounds,” while a second boasted, “Two weeks on berberine and lost 8 pounds.”
In another clip, posted via the @daphnunez account, with 1.7 million views, reads, “Berberine is my favorite supplement for my clients interested in weight loss simply because it is extremely transformative.”
“It has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries to treat a range of metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity.”
“Overall just a really great supplement if you’re looking to lose weight.”
Is it safe?
Berberine supplements, like all dietary supplements, are not subject to Food and Drug Administration regulations. Individuals interested in taking it, particularly those already taking prescription medications to treat other medical conditions, should consult their doctor first
Scientists are still trying to answer this question with certainty. Since it is of plant origin, it is easy to get the illusion that it must be harmless. It is not recommended for pregnant women due to the risk of brain damage to the fetus or young children.
Taking as directed on the bottle could adversely affect the metabolism of prescription medications used to treat diabetes or other conditions.
It remains unclear whether it is safe to take it over a longer period of time. Users who stop taking it may also regain weight quickly.
Stopping Wegovy or Ozempic abruptly is believed to cause the pounds to come back.
Common side effects of berberine include diarrhea, constipation, and stomach upset.
Crosby, for example, has complained about the capsule’s gastrointestinal side effects, and overall says the benefits outweigh the costs.
She also said, “I’m noticing that some of my hunger is coming back a little bit and I don’t know if that means I need to up my dose, but it’s fine, I’m working on it.”