For me Berberine works just about as well as metformin; I am on a reduced amount of met and supplement with Berberine. Aside from the GI issues with met it also inhibits your body's absorption of vitamin B12. Once your B12 goes to a very low level you will need B12 injections to bring it up to an acceptable level. According to my physician which he does not understand why I would be so concerned about my B12 level at this since it is still in the lower but safe range. His reply is once it gets to low then I would need to stop in his office maybe once a month to receive a B12 injection... so much for preventative medicine in my opinion.
Normal B12 vitamins when swallowed will not increase your B12 level since the absorption occurs in the terminal ileum. I am experimenting with talking B12 tablets that are quick dissolve sublingually (under your tongue). Based on a study in New Zealand; this version of B12 seems to be almost as effective as a B12 shot. I have my baseline results from last fall and will have it checked again later in the year or early next to see if there is improvement. I feel this is more preventative approach to management than what my physician is recommending.
This is the primary reason for taking Berberine and that is to reduce reliance on metformin.
Normal B12 vitamins when swallowed will not increase your B12 level since the absorption occurs in the terminal ileum. I am experimenting with talking B12 tablets that are quick dissolve sublingually (under your tongue). Based on a study in New Zealand; this version of B12 seems to be almost as effective as a B12 shot. I have my baseline results from last fall and will have it checked again later in the year or early next to see if there is improvement. I feel this is more preventative approach to management than what my physician is recommending.
This is the primary reason for taking Berberine and that is to reduce reliance on metformin.
