Why Should I Take Berberine Phytosome?
If you’ve been around the nootropics and longevity block a few times already, then you are probably intimately familiar with berberine at this point! You will then also know that berberine has notoriously low bioavailability. While we can certainly overcome this to a certain extent with setting high dosages, in an ideal world we would want to apply some sort of bioavailability enhancement technology. That is exactly what we have been able to achieve with our berberine phytosome! A phytosome is a sphere of phospholipids which has the active compound embedded throughout its structure. This helps reduce berberine particle size, which leads to better absorption, in addition to the phospholipids helping to enhance absorption.
If you haven’t encountered berberine yet, you may be asking yourself at this point, why would I want to take berberine in the first place, let alone a novel cutting edge formulation of it? The answer to this question is quite simple, berberine is by far the most effective supplement for promoting metabolic health, while also helping to regulate glucose levels. In addition to these fantastic effects on metabolic health, berberine also has distinct nootropic effects, helping to dial in concentration, memory and mood!*
What is Berberine Phytosome?
Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid compound that is found in a variety of plants, namely those in the Berberis genus. The berberine in our berberine phytosome, specifically comes from the roots and bark of Berberis aristata. Berberis aristata is a shrub, also known as Indian barberry or tree turmeric, and has been used for many years in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese practices. Interestingly, Berberine was also often used as a textile dye, similar to how curcumin is used as a textile dye. While curcumin provides a deep orange color, berberine produces a vivid yellow color. One of the reasons both berberine and curcumin are used as textile dyes, is because they are notoriously hard to dissolve in water, meaning that they don't easily wash out. If you have ever worked with regular curcumin or berberine powder, you will already be very familiar with this property, because it can be very hard to get berberine and curcumin stains off of your fingers and clothing!
The dyeing properties of berberine also reveal something about its bioavailability. While poor water solubility doesn’t necessarily indicate bad bioavailability, what does indicate poor bioavailability of a compound is the partition coefficient (LogP) which indicates how readily a compound can switch between being dissolved in water and lipids. It’s the ability to switch between water and lipids that gives compounds their high bioavailability and berberine is quite lacking in this ability, while also being susceptible to effluxing by P-Glycoprotein. These two factors working in tandem, mean pretty bad overall bioavailability. One way to solve this problem is one, by reducing the particle size of berberine, and two, encasing it in phospholipids while adding in pea protein and grape seed oil as a carrier. This is what led to the berberine phytosome, which when compared to basic berberine chloride, sports a roughly 10-times higher bioavailability!
Berberine Phytosome Benefits & Uses
- Promotes metabolic function*
- Promotes cognitive function*
- Optimized bioavailability*
High Tech Metabolic Support
When thinking about berberine, the first thing that comes to our minds is its effects on the metabolic system! Berberine activates 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) which affects a lot of different processes centered around cellular energy. This is because AMPK responds to low levels of glucose, lipids and ATP. In fact, AMPK becomes activated naturally during fasted states, in which caloric intake has stopped for at least 8-12 hours. Once this happens, AMPK kicks on and signals to inhibit the synthesis of fatty acids, cholesterol and triglycerides while also inhibiting gluconeogenesis. AMPK activation then also causes a switch to beta-oxidation (the process by which fatty acids are turned into energy) while simultaneously stimulating fatty acid uptake. On top of this, AMPK activation causes increased uptake of glucose while stimulating glycolysis (the process by which glucose is turned into energy). Overall, it is quite clear to see why fasting can be so beneficial for metabolic health, but what’s fascinating about this mechanism is that berberine produces the same exact effects, sans fasting! Now, berberine and fasting certainly go well together, and we are huge advocates of caloric restriction, but berberine can lead to a lot of these benefits, even during periods where fasting isn’t possible.
Berberine also helps dial in glucose processing, and this is one effect berberine is most famous for. It does this via a variety of mechanisms, with one of the main mechanisms being AMPK activation. That being said, berberine also has a few other tricks up its sleeve. For example, it can help support insulin secretions by promoting the function of beta-cells. In addition to this unique effect, berberine also appears to subtly affect the absorption of glucose from food. All in all, it is quite clear why berberine is such a renowned metabolic health supplement!
Berberine is also neuroprotective and well-loved for its memory and mood boosting effects! Berberine achieves this via a few unique mechanisms. The first of which is enhancement of norepinephrine, dopamine and acetylcholine levels which are all crucial to memory formation. The most unique mechanism of action however, is that berberine acts as a positive allosteric modulator of sigma-1 receptors. This is quite a mysterious and elusive receptor, of which not a whole lot is known yet. However, what we do know is that activating sigma-1 receptors produces profound mood boosting effects, in addition to a major uptick in neuroplasticity. Taken together with the neurotransmitter modulating effects, AMPK activation and oxidation balancing effects, it is quite clear that berberine is a serious natural nootropic!
Berberine Phytosome Stacks
The Metabolic Stack: Berberine Phytosome + Nobiletin Capsules
Nobiletin is an O-methylated flavone that has been used since traditional Chinese practices for its effects on metabolic function! As a result of its interactions with circadian rhythms, Nobiletin is able to also support metabolic function. When combined with Berberine Phytosome, this is not one to miss!*
Nootropic Stack: Berberine Phytosome + Bacopa monnieri Tablets
Looking for even more ways to enhance cognitive function? Then look no further than stacking Berberine Phytosome and Bacopa for a well-balanced natural nootropic stack! Bacopa has fantastic effects on neuroplasticity, mood and memory but can be ever so slightly lethargy inducing during the day. However, when stacked with berberine, these lethargy effects are mostly offset, making this a perfect synergistic stack!*
The Memory and Learning Stack: Berberine Phytosome + Cognizin Citicoline Capsules
Berberine has fantastic effects on dialing in neurotransmitter function related to memory & learning, and this so happens to be cognizins forte too! The two together make for a simple yet highly effective stack for dialing in memory & learning!*
Berberine Phytosome Dosage
As a dietary supplement, take one 550 mg capsule of Berberine Phytosome twice daily.
Berberine Phytosome Reviews
To gain more insight, see the Berberine Phytosome reviews and experiences below.
Where to Buy Berberine Phytosome
Nootropics Depot offers 60ct. or 180ct. jars of high-quality Berberine Phytosome. Nootropics Depot’s Berberine Phytosome has been lab-tested and verified for both product purity and identity.
Natural Color Variations
Please keep in mind that Berberine Phytosome is based on a natural extract and, as is the case for all natural products, they can vary in color from batch to batch. This is not indicative of quality but is simply a normal and expected result of working together with nature to bring you the highest quality and natural, lab tested supplements!
| *Attention: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. |
