Berberine, also known by its source, Coptis chinensis, is a powerful natural modulator of gut health and digestive aid. Many people experiencing gut disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and diverticulosis take Berberine to help manage their condition and maintain normal gut function.
Berberine is known to strengthen the integrity of the gut walls, through reinforcing tight junctions between the mucosal epithelial cells. Berberine also maintains balance in the gut microbiome, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria and reduction of colonization by pathogenic species.
How Berberine Might Help in IBS
Berberine is an ideal compound to help regulate IBS. IBS patients often experience increased permeability of the gut, with the impact of the leakage into other systems felt as symptoms worsening. Due to the ‘leakiness’ of the gut, the IBS patient may not absorb the necessary nutrients and materials from food to properly support their daily function. Additionally, with the increased permeability, there is an imbalance of water along the GI tract–this can lead to the abnormal bowel movements like diarrhea or constipation that many IBS patients experience.
Berberine helps by strengthening the gut walls, and decreasing these leaks. Berberine, when broken down, leads to the increase in tight junctions, proteins that clamp epithelial cells together, and forcing the gut wall to be tighter and less prone to spots of permeability. This upregulates digestive processes, may increase absorption of beneficial materials such as vitamins and minerals, and moderates the amount of water that can pass through the gut to improve bowel movements.
Another way that Berberine assists in IBS is by promoting the growth of butyrate-producing bacteria in the large intestine. Butyrate is a bacterial metabolite that helps modulate digestion, while also showing some efficacy in modulating self-reactivity to beneficial bacteria. Through keeping those gut bacteria in line and happy, Berberine reduces IBS issues caused by bacterial overgrowth or infection.
Combining Berberine With Other Herbal & Lifestyle IBS Tools
Supplementing your existing lifestyle with Berberine may not be enough to observe changes, though it certainly helps. If not complemented with IBS-friendly choices, the positive effect of Berberine might be lost in the noise of an ineffective lifestyle; therefore, we recommend the following to implement together with your Berberine protocol:
- Low FODMAP Diet: Heralded as the hallmark of helpful gut health dietary choices, the Low FODMAP Diet removes specific fermented sugars that are hard to digest. Through reducing consumption of these sugars, the diet intends to restore normative gastrointestinal balance while decreasing exposure to foods that are not conducive to maintaining proper gut health. There are many types of IBS and many alterations to this diet to fit them–therefore, visit our article on IBS-friendly diets to learn what’s best for you and your gut.
- Targeted Probiotics: Probiotics are a type of nutritional supplement containing bacteria that have demonstrated positive effects on gut colonization and digestion. It is essential to consult a medical professional such as a doctor or dietician to understand which strain is right for your IBS; not every bacteria helps every gut.
- Peppermint oil/tea for abdominal pain/cramping: In IBS, peppermint can help soothe an overactive GI tract. Dysfunctional movements of the gut to push food along the gastrointestinal tract are a common symptom of IBS, usually identifiable through cramping or abdominal pain. Peppermint oil or teas can help support the gut walls and better coordinate the peristaltic movements so they cause less aches and pains.
- Ashwagandha Supplement: Ashwagandha is a plant that can help reduce the impact of stress on the body. As an IBS patient, stress profoundly dysregulates the gut-brain axis, leading to worse symptoms; therefore, taking Ashwagandha and Berberine together can address a cause of worsening IBS symptoms at the root while supporting the gut to improve digestion.
- Curcumin Supplement: Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric root, can also improve digestion and the function of berberine through repairing damage in the gut and acting on the gastrointestinal microflora. Curcumin and Berberine are often combined together to improve symptoms of IBS, such as in Evinature’s DivertX protocol.
- Sleep: This should go without saying, but getting enough sleep is essential to maintain proper gut function. While you are always the center of care, when it comes to berberine supplementation, it is important to make sure that your gut bacteria are maintaining a circadian rhythm as well! Research shows that our microbiome’s activity fluctuates between day and night cycles–therefore preserving routine improves the ability of certain bacteria to produce butyrate.
Safety, Side Effects & Interactions
Berberine is usually well tolerated, though some people may notice mild digestive changes like nausea, cramping, or shifts in bowel habits such as looser stools or occasional constipation. Since it can interact with certain medications—particularly those that affect blood sugar—it’s always a good idea to check in with a healthcare provider before starting. Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding isn’t recommended, and for children it should only be given under medical guidance. If you ever experience stronger reactions, such as ongoing stomach upset, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or concerns with other medications, it’s best to pause use and reach out to a doctor.
Summer Pitocchelli-Schwartzman
