Lipid-lowering effect of berberine in human subjects and rats

Researchers gave 32 adults with high cholesterol berberine twice a day for three months. Their LDL cholesterol, often called bad cholesterol, fell by about 25%, while triglycerides, another blood fat, fell by about 35%. The researchers also tested berberine in rats with high blood fats, and their levels fell too. The human study was small and mainly measured changes before and after treatment, rather than comparing berberine with a strong placebo group.

What this means for you: Berberine may lower cholesterol, but this small study is not enough to show that it works as well as proven treatments or improves health over the long term. Do not replace prescribed cholesterol medicine with a supplement based on this study alone.