Study: Widely Available, Cheap Herb May Reduce Atherosclerosis

PJ Media ^ | 04/12/2023 | Ben Bartee

[SeekAndFind]

Most medical textbooks claim that atherosclerosis — the process by which plaque accumulates inside blood vessels and slowly chokes off blood flow, eventually leading to heart attack or stroke — is irreversible.

This claim may not be accurate.

In a landmark study, research has established a therapeutic role for an obscure herb used in traditional Chinese medicine, berberine, for the treatment and even possible reversal of arterial plaque, one of the main drivers of heart disease.

The presumed mechanism by which berberine may reduce atherosclerosis is by tamping down production of a compound called trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) that has been tied to vascular inflammation and increased plaque.

Via Nature:

This study investigates whether or not berberine (BBR) could reduce TMAO production in the gut microbiota and treat atherosclerosis.

Effects of BBR on TMAO production in the gut microbiota, as well as on plaque development in atherosclerosis were investigated in the culture of animal intestinal bacterial, HFD-fed animals and atherosclerotic patients, respectively. We found that oral BBR in animals lowers TMAO biosynthesis in intestine through interacting with the enzyme/co-enzyme of choline-trimethylamine lyase (CutC) and flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) in the gut microbiota.

While berberine-administered patients in the experimental group decreased their plaque scores, the control groups treated with three commonly prescribed drugs for cardiovascular disease — aspirin combined with rosuvastatin, clopidogrel sulfate, and ticagrelor — experienced increased plaque scores:

21 patients with atherosclerosis exhibited the average decrease of plaque score by 3.2% after oral BBR (0.5 g, bid) for 4 months (*P < 0.05, n = 21); whereas the plaque score in patients treated with rosuvastatin plus aspirin, or clopidogrel sulfate or ticagrelor (4 months, n = 12) increased by 1.9%.

[SeekAndFind]

Berberine, aside from its potential to treat atherosclerosis, has numerous other health benefits of note related to the digestive system and metabolism.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

It has become a common supplement for weight loss

[Red Badger]

?????????.............

[Basket_of_Deplorables]

Thank you.

[gundog]

Cool.From the name, I was wondering if it could be found in Oregon Grape.

[nikos1121]

I think I saw this as one of Dr. Gundry’s power foods?

[Fresh Wind]

No, that’s the supplement that CAUSES weight gain. It forces you to consume chips, fries, donuts, pizza, soda, and other goodies.

[Bob434]

I don’t recall now, but I thi k there are some precautions with this herb.? Will have to look later- gotta run for now, but I seem to vaguely recall that- I might be wrong though

[Red Badger]

So, if I take BOTH, they will cancel each other, right?.................😉

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

FORCES? Hah,absurd!

[pas]

Ancient Chinese secret.

[SeekAndFind]

Not just Chinese, Indian and Australian Aboriginal secret too.

[Saintgermain]

Berberine also appears to be quite effective against diabetes 2

[daniel1212]

And what is the difference btwn Full Spectrum Barberry Root Bark $5.39 ( 60 servings 450 mg per serving) and Berberine as here (Swansons) Swanson

I also see 60 Capsules - Contains Berberine HCL 1000mg, Vitamin C 120mg & Zinc Gluconate 30 mg

[ConservativeMind]

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Thanks goes out to daniel1212!

[telescope115]

Interesting. Worth checking out!

[GaltAdonis]

Yowza!

I used to take berberine for diabetes or something... (years ago)

[ConservativeMind]

Do note there are other, possibly safer and less adulterated supplements that have studies showing plaque reversal, and I've posted about these, in the past.

Berberine and goldenseal products were found by ConsumerLab to be inadequately made, with fairly less active ingredient than expected. Also, a separate study of supplements in 2016 found that on average, supplements had 75% of their claims, with some as low as 33%.

Recently, ConsumerLab found that Solaray and Enzymatica met their stated amounts.

As an alkaloid, berberine may act in ways that conflict with other supplements or medicines. Strangely, if this current study found its proper mechanism, the effect is in the intestines, meaning absorbing it into the bloodstream is potentially not useful for atherosclerosis.

[matthew fuller]

Bestvite:
https://bestvite.com/products/berberine-500mg-120-vegetarian-capsules?_pos=1&_sid=0cd8a1c32&_ss=r

500 mg 120 capsules, $18.99.

Many sources say the recommended dosage is 1500 mg a day. That is too high for me, causes stomach distress.

[Zhang Fei]

Once again, many thanks for the informative and potentially life-saving posts. You are literally the most helpful poster on this board, in terms of news you can use. What are your thoughts, if any, on bee propolis?