Ozempic is everywhere, it seems. The once weekly medication, which was first designed to help patients with Type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar, has been dubbed a “miracle” weight loss jab as it can help to suppress appetite and reduce food intake.
Yet, if you’re not too keen on injecting manmade chemicals into your body (unless recommended by a doctor), then there’s a more natural supplement you could try.
Berberine, which is a chemical derived from plants, is being dubbed as “nature’s Ozempic” thanks to claims that it can support metabolism, stabilise blood sugar, and increase energy levels.
The supplement has gone viral on TikTok, with videos mentioning berberine being watched over 82.8 million times. The videos range from nutritionists weighing in on the pros and cons of the supplement, to people taking berberine offering firsthand experiences. One user, @esther.andries has been taking the supplement for four weeks and says she feels a “huge difference” in her metabolism, she has seen less bloating, and says it’s helped her gut health overall.
“Berberine is a powerful phytonutrient with proven hypoglycaemic, anti-dyslipidemic and metabolism enhancing properties – in layman’s terms, it helps regulate blood sugar, fat storage and energy metabolism,” Artah founder Rhian Stephenson explains.
She adds that berberine has been “used in traditional medicines since 3000 B.C. and has over 20 years of clinical research to support its metabolic benefits”. A study from 2008 concluded that, for type 2 diabetes patients, berberine has “beneficial effects on lipid metabolism”, while a separate study from 2021 found that berberine can “improve obesity and hyperlipidemia” and reduce insulin resistance.
However, Stephenson warns that, unlike Ozempic, berberine does not have the weight loss properties that the jab does. “Berberine won’t lead to the rapid weight loss that Ozempic does,” she adds. “Finding something in nature that mimics the action of such an extreme drug is unlikely. Instead, berberine offers a healthier, effective way to activate cellular pathways that can improve metabolic health.”
Berberine is available on Artah, listed as its ‘Metabolic Fix’ supplements (£32 for a jar of 60 capsules). Along with berberine, the capsule contains chromium, alpha-lipoic acid and inositol, all of which support a healthy metabolism.
Several reviews on the site back up these claims, with one person stating they have more energy levels during the day, while another says it reduces their sugar cravings.
As berberine can have interactions with other medications, it is recommended that it is taken in eight week cycles, so eight weeks on and two to four weeks off. As with any supplement or medication, it is best to speak to your GP before starting anything new.
Artah’s Metabolic Fix
A blend of naturally occurring chemicals like chromium, alpha-lipoic acid, inositol, and TikTok favourite berberine, this supplement promises to support your metabolism, stabilise blood sugar and increase your energy levels.
Buy now £32.00, Artah
