This study showed that berberine, a natural drug with low oral availability, significantly ameliorated chronic kidney disease by altering the composition of the gut microbiota and inhibiting the production of gut-derived uremic toxins, including p-cresol.
Berberine protects the liver and kidneys against ferrous sulfate-induced toxicity by reduction in lipid peroxidation and ability to chelate iron.
Which vitamins do I need to avoid if I have kidney disease? You may need to avoid some vitamins and minerals if you have kidney disease. Some of these include vitamins A, E and K. These vitamins are more likely to build up in your body and can cause harm if you have too much.
The high doses of berberine markedly improved histopathological findings, regulated kidney function via decreasing BUN and creatinine levels, and rearranged intercellular ion concentration via increasing Na+/K+-ATPase and Ca2+− ATPase levels.
When taken by mouth: Berberine is possibly safe for most adults. It's been used safely in doses up to 1.5 grams daily for 6 months. Common side effects include diarrhea, constipation, gas, and upset stomach. When applied to the skin: Berberine is possibly safe for most adults when used short-term.
Berberine can cross the placenta and may cause harm to the fetus. Kernicterus, a type of brain damage, has developed in newborn infants exposed to it. It's unsafe to take berberine if you are breastfeeding, as it can be transferred to the infant through breast milk.
“Berberine may interact with other medications and is not safe to take with blood sugar and blood lipid medications, as well as liver, blood clotting, and blood pressure medications,” said Retelny.
Can you take berberine long-term? Studies have shown that taking berberine for 12 months or longer is safe and well tolerated. Similarly, metformin is safe and well-tolerated with long-term use.
Berberine increased the urinary uric acid level and the fractional excretion of urate in a time-dependent manner in all three dosages. This effect was maximally shown by low dose berberine with a highly significant result (p-value <0.001).
Despite wide scale use as an herbal supplement, berberine has not been linked to published instances of clinically apparent liver injury.
Silybum marianum, known as “milk thistle” or silymarin, is a very safe herb that protects against kidney failure and end-stage diabetic nephropathy.
Research has suggested that berberine can help treat diabetes, obesity, and inflammation, among other conditions. However, side effects can include upset stomach and nausea. Berberine has been a part of Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years.
Berberine is a supplement that emerging research has shown can be effective in treating type 2 diabetes because of its blood-sugar-lowering properties. It's generally well tolerated and affordable, and it can be effective for some people, but it's not without side effects and risks.
Berberine reduced the risk of death from heart disease without apparent side effects. Berberine has also been shown to lower glucose levels in people with diabetes. Studies show that it helps your body respond better to insulin and prevents your liver from creating more glucose.
[12], berberine can promote the excretion of cholesterol from liver to bile and, as a result, blood lipid can be reduced.
Berberine slows signs of aging in heart cells, including decreasing cellular senescence – a critical state where cells can no longer divide and multiply (proliferate). Many beneficial effects of berberine require klotho, an anti-aging protein associated with extending lifespan and mitigating age-related diseases.
Depending on how healthy a patient's liver is, berberine's beneficial effects can persist for as long as 20 hours, meaning that a once-per-day dosing schedule is sufficient for most patients.
The recommended dosage of berberine is 500 mg three times a day. It should be taken half an hour before meals. It does not cause severe side effects, so taking it on an empty stomach should be ok. But be careful, as it can cause some stomach problems.
The effects of berberine are not immediately felt if you take it for only a few days. Instead, taking it for more extended periods is necessary to see its effects. Some studies suggest that berberine's effects can be seen when taking supplements for at least three months.
Recent research has shown that berberine has an effect of protecting heart failure, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, arrhythmias, and platelet aggregation.