Posted 05 July 2023
Berberine, a compound found in several plants used in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine, is being hyped on TikTok as a natural alternative to Ozempic (semaglutide) for weight loss. However, Joe Schwarcz, PhD, who directs the McGill Office for Science and Society, notes:
(a) berberine is poorly absorbed from the intestine when taken as a dietary supplement,
(b) unlike semaglutide, it doesn’t act as an analogue of the hormone GLP-1 to suppress appetite, and
(c) scientific evidence is lacking to support its use for weight loss.
Reference: Schwarcz J. Berberine. Don’t swallow the hype. Or the pill. McGill Office for Science and Society, June 22, 2023
Source: Consumer Health Digest #23-27 July 2, 2023
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