Case Study: Impact of Berberine on a Lipid Profile

Barberry Plant

When it comes to heart health, cholesterol is often the first word that comes to mind. While statins are the go-to prescription for lowering LDL ("bad") cholesterol, many people are turning to and/or supplementing with natural alternatives. One compound gaining attention is berberine—a plant-based alkaloid with powerful metabolic benefits.

Berberine is found in several plants, including barberry, goldenseal, and Oregon grape.  Traditionally used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, it has studies supporting its ability to regulate blood sugar, support gut health, and—reviewed in this case study—improve lipid profiles. Research has shown its ability to impact lipids in the following ways:

·      Activates AMPK: This enzyme helps regulate metabolism and encourages your body to burn fat instead of storing it. Think “nature’s Ozempic”

·      Boosts LDL Receptors: Berberine increases receptors in the liver that capture and clear “bad” LDL cholesterol from your blood. It also can reduce LDL particle number (LDL-P), a key marker of atherogenic risk.

·      Lowers Triglycerides: Studies show berberine can reduce triglyceride levels by 25–35%.  

·      Reduces Cholesterol Production: It helps the liver make less cholesterol, similar to how statins work—but naturally.

·      Improves Gut Health: Emerging research suggests berberine may positively influence gut bacteria.

·      Fights Inflammation: Chronic inflammation is linked to heart disease, and berberine may help calm it down.

When working with clients I implement a multifaceted approach to medical nutrition therapy combining both evidence-based nutrition programs with targeted supplementation. This specific case study illustrates the integrative approach of diet, supplements with specifically the addition of berberine supplementation, on a patient who presented with dyslipidemia.

Background:

• Patient: Male, 52 years old

• Medical History: Borderline metabolic syndrome, elevated cholesterol and LDL levels, family history of cardiovascular disease

• Lifestyle: Moderately active, anti-inflammatory diet, non-smoker, occasional alcohol use

• Supplement Regimen: Multi-vitamin, omega 3 fatty acids, probiotic and added Berberine in summer of 2024

  
  

In 2023, the patient was started on an anti-inflammatory diet and supplements to include multivitamin, omega 3 fatty acids and probiotics. In August of 2024, berberine (Thorne) was added to his regimen. He reported no adverse effects and maintained consistent dosing of 1000mg/day throughout the year. Berberine was the only addition to his recommendations in the last 12 months, and no additional lipid-lowering agents were introduced during this period.

Baseline Lipid Profile (Pre-Berberine Supplementation)

Marker	Value	Reference Range
Total Cholesterol	245 mg/dL	< 200 mg/dL
LDL-C	138 mg/dL	< 100 mg/dL
LDL-P	1739 nmol/L	< 1000 nmol/L

Results After 12 Months of Berberine:

Marker	Before	After	Change
Total Cholesterol	245 mg/dL	218 mg/dL	↓ 27 mg/dL
LDL-C	138 mg/dL	116 mg/dL	↓ 22 mg/dL
LDL-P	1739 nmol/L	1516 nmol/L	↓ 223 nmol/L

 Clinical Interpretation:

• Total Cholesterol: Decreased by 11%, moving closer to the optimal range

• LDL-C: Dropped by 16%, a meaningful reduction in a key cardiovascular risk factor

• LDL-P: Reduced by 13%, indicating fewer atherogenic particles and lower risk of plaque formation. This improvement in notable as it reflects a reduction in particle number rather than just cholesterol content.

• Overall findings: Patient’s lab results were consistent with cholesterol lowering results in various studies on berberine. 

Berberine is generally safe, but it can cause mild gastrointestinal side effects such as bloating or constipation. I recommend Thorne’s berberine to my patients as it is a trusted name in supplements and provides a dual form combining berberine HCl with a highly absorbable berberine phytosome for better effectiveness, enhanced absorption and broader health benefits. It is also sourced from non-endangered plants and third-party tested for purity.

You can order Thorne’s berberine HERE. As always, I recommended to consult your health care provider before starting any new supplement regimen.

https://s.thorne.com/IjIrv

Berberine may not be a magic bullet, but its impact on lipid profiles is hard to ignore. As research continues to unfold, it’s becoming clear that this ancient compound could play a modern role in heart health—one molecule at a time.

This article is not intended for the treatment or prevention of disease, nor as a substitute for medical treatment, nor as an alternative to medical advice. Use of recommendations in this and other articles is at the choice and risk of the reader.