Berberine

Overview

Berberine is a polyphenolic alkaloid that supports glycemic control, has antimicrobial effects, and modulates the microbiome. It is part of glucose regulation strategies and SIBO suppression protocols. Note: Berberine is typically consumed as a supplement (from plants like barberry, goldenseal, or Oregon grape) rather than from common dietary foods in meaningful amounts, which is why no foods are listed below.

Recipes

no recipes found (no foods contain this substance)

Foods

no foods found

Biological Mechanisms and Implications

Biological Target	Therapeutic Areas	Mechanism of Action
Gut Microbiome	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD	Suppresses SIBO, Candida, and pathobionts; reduces LPS translocation; increases nutrient absorption (B12, iron, tryptophan); increases SCFA resilience
Inflammation	ADHD, Alzheimer's Disease, Anxiety & GAD, Bipolar Disorder, Depression & MDD	Reduces LPS translocation and dampens LPS-driven inflammation through antimicrobial effects on pathobionts
Insulin Response	ADHD, Anxiety & GAD, Depression & MDD	—

References

• Polyphenol antimicrobials including berberine suppress SIBO recurrence, reduce LPS translocation, and increase nutrient absorption of B12, iron, and tryptophan Sinha et al. 2024
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) impairs absorption of vitamin B12, iron, and tryptophan, depriving the brain of essential neurotransmitter precursors
• LPS translocation from gut barrier weakness fuels systemic inflammation and impairs insulin sensitivity Mohammad and Thiemermann 2021
• Inflammation from LPS translocation has been linked to disrupting dopamine and serotonin pathways and causing depression Batey et al. 2024
• Berberine improves insulin sensitivity and limits sympathetic activation as part of glucose regulation strategies