Four simple letters that make every woman concerned for her health.
This dreaded abbreviation is the common shorthand for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
This health condition affects as many as five million women across the U.S., according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
The symptoms associated with PCOS include unnaturally high levels of androgens (male hormones), and a resistance to insulin.
The excess male hormones affect the release of egg cells from the ovaries, causing them to become stunted and cyst-like in appearance.
Other health complications for women experiencing PCOS include irregular ovulation, infertility, and a higher likelihood of contracting type-2 diabetes.
It’s a lifelong health condition that can persist even after a woman’s child-bearing years have passed.
Berberine stimulates the release of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) within cells.
Your body needs AMPK to regulate metabolism and energy levels by activating glucose and fatty acid uptake and oxidation.
Studies have determined that berberine also performs other actions, interacting with many molecules within the cells to influence their behavior.
The complete extent of Berberine’s effects on the body has yet to be determined.
Still, it has proven effective in countering the effects of several metabolic diseases, like type-2 diabetes, obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hyperlipidemia, and gout.
In what is great news for women with PCOS, Berberine supplements have shown the potential to treat the symptoms.
This is due to how Berberine triggers several positive changes within your body that directly counteract PCOS symptoms.
PCOS can cause hyperinsulinemia, in which the body produces too much insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels.
This leads to insulin resistance, which leads to unhealthy, high blood sugar levels. Studies have found that Berberine can increase your body’s insulin sensitivity, countering insulin resistance and controlling blood sugar levels.
What’s even more impressive is that Berberine’s results were found to be comparable to metformin, a chemical drug approved for PCOS treatment by the FDA.
Insulin resistance is just one of the many symptoms of PCOS, which are all linked to the underlying cause of high androgen levels.
The balance between male hormones like testosterone and female hormones like progesterone is skewed heavily towards the male side, causing most of the complications linked to PCOS.
This condition is called hyperandrogenaemia.
Clinical studies have found that Berberine intake reduces androgen levels in women.
PCOS wreaks havoc on a woman’s menstrual cycle.
This is because the cysts that form in the ovaries are actually stunted, immature egg sacs.
Since these eggs do not develop to maturity and form a cyst instead, this can disrupt the menstrual cycle.
When the cysts prevent ovulation from occurring, the condition is called chronic anovulation and can cause infertility in women.
Multiple studies have found that Berberine supplements restore regular ovulation, allowing women with PCOS to become pregnant.
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One more side effect of hyperandrogenaemia is weight gain.
However, Berberine has been found to target fat cells and reduce fat storage.
Not only does it interact with the fat cells directly, but it also suppresses levels of leptin, an appetite-stimulating hormone.
Regular intake of Berberine leads to weight loss and reduced body mass index (BMI).
Plants containing Berberine have been touted in schools of traditional medicine for their anti-inflammatory properties for centuries.
Berberine supplements also boast anti-inflammatory properties that counter the chronic, low-grade inflammation that accompanies PCOS.
The health benefits of Berberine also provide a boost to the immune system.
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Berberine supplements are safe for adults to consume.
However, you should still consult your doctor before starting since possible side effects include diarrhea, constipation, and other gastrointestinal issues.
Berberine could also react with certain medications and drugs, which is why you need your doctor’s approval.
Current research states that the ideal dosage of berberine is 500 mg three times a day.
Berberine is most often taken in capsule form.
Some supplements also come as powders and liquids.
The best time to take berberine supplements is with meals.
The dosage should be staggered: Take only 500 mg for the first week, add another 500 mg the next week, and finally work up to three doses the week after.
This will prevent stomach issues if your body is unused to the supplements.
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The benefits of Berberine will only take hold if the dosage is consistent.
Consult your doctor on how long you should take Berberine supplements; most regimens last three to six months.
Check with your doctor to determine which Berberine supplement you should use to treat PCOS.
You can judge whether a product is right for you by these criteria:
Dealing with PCOS can be difficult, but you don’t have to do it alone.
At Nourished Natural Health, we’ve made it our mission to help women overcome PCOS.
Our range of Berberine-enhanced supplements helps our Cysters attain their goals, be it weight management, skin and hair health, or menstrual cycle regulation.
Shop for Berberine supplements on our website and conquer PCOS together.
Berberine is a naturally occurring alkaloid compound extracted from plants from Berberidaceae, Annonaceae, Menispermaceae, Papaveraceae, Ranunculaceae, and Rutaceae.
Berberine has multiple benefits for women with PCOS, including hormone regulation, improved insulin sensitivity, menses restoration, improved fertility, weight loss, and better skin and hair health.
The ideal dosage for berberine supplements is between 500 mg to 1,500 mg per day.
The best time to take Berberine supplements is with meals.
Berberine is not a long-term solution.
You should take Berberine for between three to six months to see results.
Multiple studies have found that Berberine is comparable to Metformin in treating hyperinsulinemia, hyperandrogenaemia, and chronic anovulation.
Berberine supplements are most effective when taken consistently over a fixed period.
You can expect to see results within 90 days, or three months, from starting a berberine regimen.
While Berberine is considered safe for general consumption, some side effects have been recorded.
These include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and gastrointestinal pains.
Yes, it is safe to take Berberine supplements during your menstrual cycle.
However, you should not take Berberine if pregnant or breastfeeding an infant.
Berberine is a promising treatment for PCOS.
Since it works on combating so many of the syndrome’s symptoms, all women who are experiencing PCOS may consider Berberine to manage their condition once checking it over with their health care professional.
