Produced by Integrative Therapeutics, Berberine Complex is our next product up for review. Providing the recommended dosage of 400mg Barberry Root extract, Berberine Complex also contains 400mg of Oregon Grape and 100mg Goldenseal. But is a product that focuses only on various forms of Berberine as effective for SIBO as a product with a greater variety of ingredients?
We appreciated that Berberine, one of the active constituents proven to help with symptoms of SIBO, is the star ingredient of this formula. We took into account that while SIBO is not specifically mentioned in Integrative Therapeutic’s marketing of this product, we felt that it qualified for our product comparison nonetheless; not only was it formulated to support the healthy balance of bacteria, but with a diverse array of 38 products solely focused on gastrointestinal support, this company demonstrates a comprehensive understanding and expertise in the field of gut health, thus deserving significant attention and consideration.
Is Integrative Therapeutics Berberine Complex Effective?
This product checks a few important boxes: it is formulated with natural ingredients only, is third-party tested, and manufactured in a GMP certified facility. It is also vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free. To answer the essential question about whether the formula is actually effective, we now turn to the ingredients themselves.
Berberine Complex contains a daily dose of 400mg Barberry extract. This is significantly more than the amount found in almost every other SIBO support supplement on the market, and equal to the amount contained in our #1 Pick. We were impressed! The beneficial Berberine compound it contains is the most well-known and studied alkaloid in the plant which has shown diverse anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity. In fact, Berberine appears to support the elimination of all the major bacteria found in SIBO. Regrettably, Integrative Therapeutics has not chosen to disclose the standardization of Berberine contained in its Barberry extract, meaning that it may be less effective for alleviating SIBO symptoms than it could be.
The next ingredient in this formula is Oregon Grape extract, also in a high dosage of 400mg. Oregon grape was used historically in Native American medicine for addressing digestive system disorders such as stomach ulcers and diarrhea. Its main active constituent is also Berberine, hence its inclusion in a Berberine complex! But similarly to the Barberry extract in this formula, there is no mention of the standardization, therefore no indication as to its efficacy. We look out for transparency in labeling, so the failure of Integrative Therapeutics to disclose this extra information let this product down. Nevertheless, it is a relevant ingredient in a significant dose and therefore likely to help in ensuring the efficacy of this supplement.
The third and final ingredient in this supplement is 100mg Goldenseal, a popular natural herbal ingredient for a variety of health concerns including digestive issues. Again, it is ideal to use in this kind of supplement due to its high content of Berberine. Goldenseal exhibits antimicrobial properties that can help combat harmful bacteria associated with SIBO. However, its use in SIBO supplements should be approached with caution for a variety of reasons: it may disrupt the natural balance of gut flora, it has a high risk of drug interactions, and can potentially lead to antibiotic resistance. Overall, though, its benefits appear to outweigh its drawbacks.
The directions for taking Berberine Complex say that 2 capsules should be taken three times daily – that’s 6 capsules a day, more than twice as many as most of the competitors we researched! This dosage could indicate that the supplement has lower bioavailability, meaning that the body is not able to absorb and use the nutrients as efficiently. It also suggests that the formula could be less potent, requiring a higher dosage to achieve the same beneficial effects as a more concentrated supplement. Confusingly and contradictorily, the serving size is stated as “2 capsules”, not 6. What we can say for certain is that, unfortunately, Integrative Therapeutics did not recognize the value of adding a bioavailability enhancer, such as BioPerine®, to this formula, unlike our #1 Pick.
Is Integrative Therapeutics Berberine Complex Safe?
There are no mentioned side effects of taking this product, but there is a warning not to use it if you are pregnant or nursing. When incorporating any new supplement or diet into your daily routine, we always advise talking to your healthcare professional about possible contraindications of any pre-existing medical conditions or medications that you are taking. Supplements work differently for everyone and the effects vary between individuals, so it is always a good idea to run any health changes with a professional.
In addition, it is important to be mindful of the inclusion of Goldenseal in this product in terms of safety, as mentioned above. Fortunately, Integrative Therapeutics have been transparent about this on their website, with an extended section of information disclosed. Goldenseal is widely considered safe for short-term use, but nonetheless, they recommend that consumers should not take Berberine Complex for more than eight weeks without consulting their licensed healthcare practitioner.
Integrative Therapeutics states that all of their high-quality supplements have been formulated by a team of experts in science and nutrition, and manufactured following strict GMP guidelines. They are informative on the rigorous examinations that their products undergo, including both internal and third-party testing, which is certainly one of the strongest indicators of a supplement’s safety levels and gives us a lot of confidence.
Summary
Integrative Therapeutics Berberine Complex certainly seems to be an effective Berberine supplement. It contains three different types of herbs that all contain Berberine, and this may well be effective for some, especially for health benefits such as improved blood sugar control and cholesterol management – as is confirmed by some positive customer testimonials we read. The complex contains a higher quantity of Berberine-rich herbs than many competitors, but because there is no disclosure of the standardization of Berberine in these botanicals, we can’t know for sure that their ingredients are as potent as they could be. A supplement for targeting SIBO symptoms would be more effective if it contained a variety of ingredients with antimicrobial properties, such as Garlic, Oregano, and Caprylic acid to reduce the growth of bacteria in the small intestine and address the root cause of SIBO.
In short, we like this product and think it rightly deserves the third spot on our list of top products. In addition to the positive attributes mentioned above, it is vegan, free of harmful substances, and third-party tested with cGMP certification. However, a satisfaction guarantee, an improved money-back policy and a wider variety of ingredients would have helped propel Berberine Complex to a higher spot on our list of top products.
