Berberine: The Full Context

We hear a lot about berberine for blood sugar, digestion, and metabolism. But not all berberine is created equal. Dan explains what berberine actually is—a natural alkaloid found in herbs like Oregon grape, goldenseal, and barberry—and why its form matters. Traditionally, in the context of the whole herb, berberine has been used to support digestion by helping eliminate harmful bacteria while allowing beneficial bacteria to thrive, creating balance in the microbiome and strengthening immune and metabolic health.

However, most berberine products today are standardized to 95%, a highly isolated compound that doesn’t naturally occur in that concentration. Dan explains that once isolated and purified, berberine functions more like a pharmaceutical—still powerful, but no longer full-spectrum. While it may have a stronger impact on blood sugar and act as a broad antibiotic, it can also eliminate beneficial bacteria and lose the natural synergy found in whole herbs. The key difference isn’t potency—it’s balance.