The best supplements to stock your medicine cabinet with are versatile, and support your natural health journey on many fronts. One such versatile option is the alkaloid berberine, which can be used to support digestion, cardiovascular health, brain function, and blood sugar levels already within the normal range. Many of today’s most beneficial supplements come from a centuries old Eastern, medicinal practice known as Ayurveda. Ayurvedic medicine treats ailments with a holistic approach and uses natural plant extracts as medicine.
Read on to learn more about the potential benefits of berberine and check out how it can support your natural, healthy lifestyle.
What Is Berberine
Berberine is a multi-use supplement classified as an alkaloid. Alkaloids are rich in nitrogen and have notable effects on the human body, some positive and some negative. The alkaloids in berberine support good health and may provide you with a wealth of potential benefits. Berberine extract comes from a range of Chinese and Indian plants such as barberry, oregon grape, goldenseal, phellodendron, goldenthread, and tree turmeric. In both powdered and capsule form, it is golden yellow in color and bears a strong resemblance to flower pollen or the kitchen spice turmeric.
What HCL or Hydrochloride Indicates
You may notice that you often see the letters HCL in the name of many medications and supplements, leaving you to wonder; what does that mean? Let’s go back to chemistry class to break this down: HCL stands for hydrogen (H) and chlorine (Cl). Hydrochloric acid can be a strong corrosive but the HCL in your medication is simply the salt version of an amine, which helps you digest the supplement evenly as well as extend its shelf life of the supplement.
The Potential Benefits Of Using Berberine HCL Supplements
Berberine is one of the more widely research Ayurvedic supplements and studies show that patients experience a myriad of potential benefits by integrating it into their wellness plan. Here are a few ways berberine may help you:
Uses For Gut Health
Research continues to grow on the foundational importance of gut balance for overall health and wellness. A recent study shows that berberine may help support healthy gut flora, doctors reported: Berberine may become a new drug candidate for the successful treatment of IBS-D in clinical conditions. While berberine is not a drug, it is interesting to note that doctors in the study referred to it as a drug candidate.
A Helpful Heart Support
Berberine may assist in keeping cholesterol levels in check, when already within the normal range. Lowered cholesterol has been shown to reduce the risk of obesity and heart damaging fatty build up.
Potential Blood Sugar Benefits
Diabetes is one of the fastest growing national health concerns in America. Regular use of berberine HCLÂ may help patients maintain blood sugar health, when already in normal range.
Possible Burn Uses
Some berberine HCL advocates use this supplement in paste form on minor skin burns, irritations and infections. It is also available in eye drop form could assist in soothing ocular  as well.
Give Berberine HCL A Try With These Products
For optimal benefits, berberine HCL should be taken severals times a day, between meals. It has a short half-life in the bloodstream so it is suggested you take it intermittently.
Berberine Balance by Douglas Labs combines berberine with alpha lipoic acid and grape seed extract for blood glucose and heart health support.
Give your diet and exercise plan a boost and support heart health with LipiCore by DesBio. With 500 mg of Berberine HCL as well as red yeast rice, phytosterol complex, coenzyme q10 and  Green Tea Aqueous Extract this supplement may support cardio wellness and blood levels already within the normal range.
Have you used berberine HCL in your natural health journey? Leave us your experiences and questions in the comments section below.
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Certified Nutritionist in Appleton, Wisconsin, Founder of Natural Healthy Concepts. Natural health and nutrition advocate. Enjoys gardening, biking, fitness, boating, animals (especially cats), and cooking.
