Rhonda Patrick on Berberine
2 episodes · 7 references · 2023–2025
- Patrick views berberine as a promising adjunct for cardiovascular health, citing benefits for LDL cholesterol, atherosclerosis, and stroke outcomes - She plans to supplement with berberine herself, timing it in the evening to avoid blunting exercise-induced inflammation - No evidence of current personal consumption; her references focus on research findings and future supplementation plans
Benefits
- Berberine lowered LDL cholesterol independently and reduced statin side effects (myopathy), potentially helping those with statin intolerance - Significantly reduced NIH Stroke Scale scores, a quantitative measure of stroke-related neurologic deficit - Reduced intima media thickness, a quantitative index of atherosclerosis used to monitor disease progression
Best Practices
- Patrick plans to take berberine in the evening, many hours after exercise, to avoid dampening the post-exercise inflammatory response - Dosage range across studies was 0.3 to 1.8 grams per day - Timing relative to exercise is a key consideration for preserving training adaptations
Cautions
- Berberine interacts with a number of prescription drugs, particularly blood pressure medications - Combining berberine with antihypertensives may cause blood pressure to drop too low - Consultation with a physician is warranted before combining berberine with any prescription medications
“Berberine could have a potential adjunctive role for people with statin intolerance because it might improve the efficacy of statins by lowering the dosage and perhaps even reducing the side effects.”
Should You Supplement With Berberine? - Rhonda Patrick
“Berberine alone was lowering the LDL cholesterol. It also lowered the side effects of statin myopathy and lowered the effective dose of statins needed.”
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“Berberine alone significantly reduced the NIH Stroke Scale, which is a quantitative measure of stroke-related neurologic deficit.”
Should You Supplement With Berberine? - Rhonda Patrick
“The way I plan on supplementing with berberine is I will take it in the evening, many hours after the exercise, so I'm not going to be dampening the inflammatory response.”
Should You Supplement With Berberine? - Rhonda Patrick
