supplement × Metabolic Health
Berberine for Cholesterol
Isoquinoline plant alkaloid that activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK); trials show blood-glucose-lowering effects in type 2 diabetes approaching those of metformin, though GI side effects are common.
3published research: study records
17published research: findings
Not formally gradedcertainty of the research
Published research
What studies found
Berberine for Cholesterol
15 of 16 results reported a benefit, from 3 published studies.
3 studies, including a review of trials · the chart counts everything measured
- 15 reported a benefit
- 1 no clear benefit
Colour keyReported a benefitNo clear benefitUnclearPossible harmAmber is for highlights, such as where the most research is. It never means a result was good.
- 'Good' (HDL) cholesterol0.06 mmol/Lhigher1 review of trials2 of 2 results reported a benefit2023 study ↗
- 'Bad' (LDL) cholesterolFell from 3.23 to 2.55 mmol/L1 randomised trial2008 study ↗
- Total cholesterolFell from 5.31 to 4.35 mmol/L1 randomised trial2008 study ↗
- Triglycerides (blood fats)Fell from 2.51 to 1.61 mmol/L1 randomised trial2 of 2 results reported a benefit2008 study ↗
Also measured in these studies (4)
These were measured alongside, but they are not what this condition is about.
- Fasting blood sugarFell from 7.0 to 5.6 mmol/L1 randomised trial2 of 2 results reported a benefit2008 study ↗
- Long-term blood sugar (HbA1c)Fell from 7.5% to 6.6%1 randomised trial3 of 3 results reported a benefit2008 study ↗
- Blood sugar after glucose testFell from 12.0 to 8.9 mmol/L1 randomised trial2008 study ↗
- Blood sugar after mealsFell from 19.8 to 11.1 mmol/L1 randomised trial, compared with the start of the study2008 study ↗
3 laboratory markers also measured
- Fasting insulin · lab marker28.1%reduction compared with the start of the study1 randomised trial, compared with the start of the study2008 study ↗
- Insulin resistance · lab marker44.7%reduction compared with the start of the study1 randomised trial, compared with the start of the study2008 study ↗
- Insulin sensitivity (glucose disposal) · lab markerNo clear benefit foundsee exact figuresBerberine did not significantly improve glucose disposal rate compared to placebo.1 randomised trial2008 study ↗
Side effects: measured in 1 result. 1 result reported more side effects than the comparison group.
These are the figures the studies reported, not a prediction for any one person. Where several studies measured the same thing in the same unit, we show a simple average and say so. Every result is listed below.
See every resultWhy Berberine for Cholesterol?
The connection
LDL, HDL, triglycerides and lipid profile.
Also known as: Berberine HCl
Published research
Berberine × Cholesterol: at a glance
Every published result for this pair, extracted and audited.
These charts count reported findings from published studies, grouped by reported benefit and study design. Study design is not a certainty grade.
Berberine / Cholesterol: reported findings; one study may contribute several findings.
What the evidence shows
What this means: Counts describe research quantity, not treatment effectiveness or certainty.
| Category | Findings (count) |
|---|---|
| Harm / risk | 1 |
| Benefit | 15 |
| No benefit | 1 |
Study designs behind these findings
What this means: Counts describe research quantity, not treatment effectiveness or certainty.
| Category | Findings (count) |
|---|---|
| Meta-analysis | 3 |
| Randomised trial | 14 |
- Studies
- 3
| Study | Outcome | Reported result | Uncertainty (as reported) | Study duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall and Sex-Specific Effect of Berberine for the Treatment of Dyslipidemia in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials. (PMID 36941490) | Gastrointestinal adverse events | 2-23% vs 2-15% | Not reported | 4 to 24 weeks |
| Overall and Sex-Specific Effect of Berberine for the Treatment of Dyslipidemia in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials. (PMID 36941490) | HDL cholesterol (overall) | 0.06 mmol/L | 95% CI 0.00 to 0.11 | 4 to 24 weeks |
| Overall and Sex-Specific Effect of Berberine for the Treatment of Dyslipidemia in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials. (PMID 36941490) | HDL cholesterol (women) | 0.11 mmol/L | 95% CI 0.09 to 0.13 | 4 to 24 weeks |
| Treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia with the natural plant alkaloid berberine. (PMID 18397984) | Fasting plasma glucose | 5.6 mmol/L | P < 0.0001 | 3 months |
| Treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia with the natural plant alkaloid berberine. (PMID 18397984) | Glucose disposal rate | Not reported | P = 0.063 | 3 months |
| Treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia with the natural plant alkaloid berberine. (PMID 18397984) | HbA1c | 6.6 % | P < 0.0001 | 3 months |
| Treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia with the natural plant alkaloid berberine. (PMID 18397984) | Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol | 2.55 mmol/L | P <0.0001 | 3 months |
| Treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia with the natural plant alkaloid berberine. (PMID 18397984) | Postload plasma glucose | 8.9 mmol/L | P < 0.0001 | 3 months |
| Treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia with the natural plant alkaloid berberine. (PMID 18397984) | Total cholesterol | 4.35 mmol/L | P < 0.0001 | 3 months |
| Treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia with the natural plant alkaloid berberine. (PMID 18397984) | Triglyceride | 1.61 mmol/L | P = 0.001 | 3 months |
| Efficacy of berberine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. (PMID 18442638) | Fasting blood glucose in study A | 6.9 mmol/L | P<.01 | 3-month |
| Efficacy of berberine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. (PMID 18442638) | Fasting plasma insulin in study B | 28.1% reduction | P<.001 | 3-month |
| Efficacy of berberine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. (PMID 18442638) | Hemoglobin A1c in study A | 7.5% post-treatment value | P<.01 | 3-month |
| Efficacy of berberine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. (PMID 18442638) | Hemoglobin A1c in study B | 7.3% post-treatment value | P<.001 | 3-month |
| Efficacy of berberine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. (PMID 18442638) | Insulin resistance index in study B | 44.7% reduction | P<.001 | 3-month |
| Efficacy of berberine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. (PMID 18442638) | Postprandial blood glucose in study A | 11.1 mmol/L | P<.01 | 3-month |
| Efficacy of berberine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. (PMID 18442638) | Triglycerides in study A | 0.89 mmol/L | P<.05 | 3-month |
Study results, as reported by the publications
Every measured outcome, one row per finding - numbers exactly as reported. Units are preserved where supplied; missing units are not inferred.
| Study and type | Reported sample and duration | Outcome measured | Reported result | What studies found |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PMID 36941490 2023 Meta-analysis | Sample (as reported): Not reportedDuration: 4 to 24 weeks | Gastrointestinal adverse events | 2-23% vs 2-15% | Harm / risk |
| PMID 36941490 2023 Meta-analysis | Sample (as reported): 1471Duration: 4 to 24 weeks | HDL cholesterol (overall) | 0.06 mmol/L (95% CI 0.00 to 0.11) | Benefit |
| PMID 36941490 2023 Meta-analysis | Sample (as reported): Not reportedDuration: 4 to 24 weeks | HDL cholesterol (women) | 0.11 mmol/L (95% CI 0.09 to 0.13) | Benefit |
| PMID 18397984 2008 Randomised trial | Sample (as reported): One hundred sixteenDuration: 3 months | Fasting plasma glucose | 5.6 mmol/L (P < 0.0001) | Benefit |
| PMID 18397984 2008 Randomised trial | Sample (as reported): Not reportedDuration: 3 months | Glucose disposal rate | Not reported (P = 0.063) | No benefit |
| PMID 18397984 2008 Randomised trial | Sample (as reported): One hundred sixteenDuration: 3 months | HbA1c | 6.6 % (P < 0.0001) | Benefit |
| PMID 18397984 2008 Randomised trial | Sample (as reported): One hundred sixteenDuration: 3 months | Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol | 2.55 mmol/L (P <0.0001) | Benefit |
| PMID 18397984 2008 Randomised trial | Sample (as reported): One hundred sixteenDuration: 3 months | Postload plasma glucose | 8.9 mmol/L (P < 0.0001) | Benefit |
| PMID 18397984 2008 Randomised trial | Sample (as reported): One hundred sixteenDuration: 3 months | Total cholesterol | 4.35 mmol/L (P < 0.0001) | Benefit |
| PMID 18397984 2008 Randomised trial | Sample (as reported): One hundred sixteenDuration: 3 months | Triglyceride | 1.61 mmol/L (P = 0.001) | Benefit |
| PMID 18442638 2008 Randomised trial | Sample (as reported): 36Duration: 3-month | Fasting blood glucose in study A | 6.9 mmol/L (P<.01) | Benefit |
| PMID 18442638 2008 Randomised trial | Sample (as reported): 48Duration: 3-month | Fasting plasma insulin in study B | 28.1% reduction (P<.001) | Benefit |
| PMID 18442638 2008 Randomised trial | Sample (as reported): 36Duration: 3-month | Hemoglobin A1c in study A | 7.5% post-treatment value (P<.01) | Benefit |
| PMID 18442638 2008 Randomised trial | Sample (as reported): 48Duration: 3-month | Hemoglobin A1c in study B | 7.3% post-treatment value (P<.001) | Benefit |
| PMID 18442638 2008 Randomised trial | Sample (as reported): 48Duration: 3-month | Insulin resistance index in study B | 44.7% reduction (P<.001) | Benefit |
| PMID 18442638 2008 Randomised trial | Sample (as reported): 36Duration: 3-month | Postprandial blood glucose in study A | 11.1 mmol/L (P<.01) | Benefit |
| PMID 18442638 2008 Randomised trial | Sample (as reported): 36Duration: 3-month | Triglycerides in study A | 0.89 mmol/L (P<.05) | Benefit |
Published research
Berberine × Cholesterol: the evidence base
Hand-selected PubMed studies, linked to the originals.
6studies referenced
6journals
2023–2026publication range
Ordered by strength of evidence, then result direction.
01Adjunctive berberine for schizophrenia with metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysisXie K, et al. · Frontiers in psychiatry · 2026PMID 42433212 ↗02Clinical Efficacy of Curcumin, Resveratrol, Silymarin, and Berberine on Cardio-Metabolic Risk Factors Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systemic Review and Bayesian Network Meta-AnalysisMiao R, et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR · 2025PMID 40439602 ↗03Efficacy and safety of berberine on the components of metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trialsLiu D, et al. · Frontiers in pharmacology · 2025PMID 40740996 ↗04The Effect of Berberine Supplementation on Glycemic Control and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Metabolic Disorders: An Umbrella Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled TrialsNazari A, et al. · Clinical therapeutics · 2024PMID 38016844 ↗05The clinical efficacy and safety of berberine in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a meta-analysis and systematic reviewNie Q, et al. · Journal of translational medicine · 2024PMID 38429794 ↗06Overall and Sex-Specific Effect of Berberine for the Treatment of Dyslipidemia in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled TrialsBlais JE, et al. · Drugs · 2023PMID 36941490 ↗Community experiences
Contributors volunteered; this does not establish treatment effectiveness or population incidence.
Reported changes
No publishable community breakdown is available. This does not establish that no reports exist.
Important: This page reflects observational, aggregate-only community reporting and independent published research. It is not medical advice, and it does not claim any compound treats, cures, or is effective for any condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or treatment.