Berberine Directly Affects the Gut Microbiota to Promote Weight Loss via Bile Acid Metabolism and FXR Activation

Researchers gave mice a high-fat diet and treated some with berberine, a compound found in several plants. The treated mice gained less weight and had changes in their gut bacteria. They also had changes in bile acids, chemicals that help digest fats, and greater activity of FXR, a protein that helps control bile acid use and metabolism. The study was done in mice, not people.

What this means for you: This does not show that berberine causes weight loss in humans. You can ignore it when deciding whether to buy a berberine supplement until well-designed human trials show benefits and safety.