About one in every 10 women belonging in the reproductive age deals with Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This health condition causes metabolism problems and hormonal imbalance. It is also one of the most common causes of infertility. It is also associated with other severe health conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes, mood disorders, and obstructive sleep apnea. Other studies also link it to several fatal ailments like heart disease and endometrial cancer.
While the cure for PCOS remains unknown, several studies claim that berberine supplements can help alleviate the symptoms of this condition. Berberine is a compound found in a mixture of different Chinese herbs, including barberry (berberis vulgaris), Oregon grape (berberis aquifolium), tree turmeric (berberis aristata), huanglian (coptidis rhizome), and goldenseal (hydrastis canadensis). Here are several essential benefits that berberine supplements can do for women dealing with PCOS.
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Improves Fertility
One of the most concerning symptoms of PCOS to women is the difficulty in conceiving a child due to infertility. But according to a study, women with PCOS have higher chances of ovulating and getting pregnant with the help of berberine compared to those who do not take it. The study found out that the ovulation of women with PCOS improved by as much as 25% after regular intake of berberine supplements for four months.
Normalize Insulin Levels
Women with PCOS also have higher levels of insulin in their bodies compared to other women without the same health condition. Because of this, doctors often prescribe the intake of insulin-sensitizing drugs like metformin to correct the body’s insulin and glucose levels. But many PCOS patients report different types of side effects from taking insulin-like nausea, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. More women are starting to use berberine tablets as an alternative to metformin to avoid experiencing these problems. This natural treatment can reportedly improve insulin signal transduction through stimulating the glucose intake through awakening the pathway of the protein kinase through activated AMP.
Aids In Weight Loss
Losing weight can be a problem for women who deal with PCOS due to their insulin resistance, flawed appetite regulation, and intense carbohydrate cravings. By taking berberine supplements, women struggling with weight due to PCOS will finally have better chances of losing their excess pounds. The berberine compounds can lessen the production of leptin, the hormone that increases a person’s appetite. It can also reduce the creation of the enzyme called lipoprotein lipase, known for storing fat in the body. Because of this, PCOS women can finally have better chances of shedding the extra weight.
Reduces Fatty Liver
Most of the time, PCOS patients are at risk of acquiring the fatty liver disease because of their high insulin levels. But if they take berberine supplements, they can reduce the chance of getting this illness. The supplement reportedly lowers the triglycerides and other liver function enzymes. It can also improve the body’s liver function enzyme and the organ’s overall health.
Berberine supplements can be an effective way to combat the symptoms of PCOS in a woman’s body. But like any other treatments, women with PCOS need to consult with their doctors to make sure that it will not have any adverse effect, especially if they are taking other medicines. Since this plant-based compound exists in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, those who intend to use it will possibly get the right effects that they want to achieve.
