Berberine Has Been Dubbed ‘Nature’s Ozempic’ – But What Does It Actually Do?

If you have always been sceptical or even intimidated by the world of supplements, I’m here to remind you that you are not alone. Having always found myself in a mental tug of war between ‘will they or won’t they work’, I only very recently decided to take the plunge in an attempt to heal my adult acne (which I have suffered with since college) from the inside out. Now a religious user, I supplement daily with the likes of collagen sachets, electrolyte powders and magnesium pills, and, yes, I have noticed a difference in everything from my skin to my energy levels. Armed with that reassurance, I’ve started to branch out and explore more of what makes this side of the booming wellness industry tick. And, I’ve recently landed on JSHealth Vitamins’ newest offering Berberine+, £36.99.

If the name rings a bell, it is likely because Berberine has been trending since March 2023 when it first began to make noise in the wellness scene. More recently, monthly Google searches for Berberine have increased by 123%, while TikTok is buzzing with millions of views and personal stories of its transformative results; in fact, #Berberine currently boasts 22.8K videos on the app and counting.

The hero ingredient may have caught the eye of online wellness warriors after being dubbed ‘nature’s Ozempic’, but Berberine is more than that and JSHealth Vitamins’ offering proves why. Far from being a passing fad supplement, Berberine+ is crafted with quality ingredients to support overall health, in particular gut health. It is loaded with berberis aristata and chromium to provide extra support when it comes to metabolic health, body composition, healthy blood sugar and overall wellbeing.

A bioactive compound that can be extracted from several plants, including barberry, goldenseal, goldthread and tree turmeric, berberine is a bright yellow plant extract with roots in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine. This naturally occurring alkaloid can have a number of influences on the body. Jess Sepel, founder of JSHealth Vitamins, explains, ‘It is trending now, but I have loved and used this botanical for years. Berberine is a natural botanical compound that derives from a plant with bioactive properties that influence the body's metabolic processes. It works by interacting with certain enzymes and cellular pathways, helping to turn on a "switch" in the cells that helps the body use sugar and fat more efficiently - potentially impacting blood sugar control, fat metabolism and gut health.’

It’s seriously clever stuff. Technically speaking, berberine activates an enzyme inside our cells called AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which play a key role in regulating metabolism and energy levels. So, while the internet has been quick to liken its benefits to that of Ozempic, it’s far more complex than that. In fact, Sepel adds: ‘It's a great supplement if you're looking for extra support when it comes to your metabolic health, cholesterol levels, body composition, healthy blood sugar and overall wellbeing as part of a balanced lifestyle.’ Plus, the inclusion of mineral chromium only works to amplify the benefits by helping to maintain normal blood glucose levels, improve insulin sensitivity, support energy use and reduce inflammation.

While the benefits of improved metabolic health have been found to include a reduction in excess belly fat, my experience of the on JSHealth Vitamins’ Berberine+ so far has expanded the conversation further afield to include more energised days, better mood and an overall feeling of wellness. I am particularly keen to see how this renewed internal balance (which is key in the treatment of acne as far as your gut and hormones are concerned) fairs in the journey to good skin. Watch this space.

Shop: JSHealth Vitamins Berberine+

Sameeha Shaikh is Grazia's beauty writer, covering all categories to bring you insights on the latest trends, industry news and the products you need to know about, viral or not (most probably viral).