GLP-1 receptor agonists + Berberine contraindicated?

[Nathanologist]

I am thinking of researching a combination of Retatrutide 8mg weekly and Berberine 1500mg daily. My RS has concerns about potential for hypoglycemic interactions. Do any of you have experience with this combination or something similar to share? TIA.

Scholarly articles about the positive outcomes from 900-1500mg Berberine daily:

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2410097/ — Pilot RCT (type 2 diabetes): berberine (1.5 g/day) lowered fasting glucose, post-meal glucose, and HbA1c similarly to metformin and improved lipids; GI side effects were common but transient.
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15531889/ — Nat Med 2004 (hypercholesterolemia): 3 months oral berberine reduced total cholesterol ~29%, triglycerides ~35%, and LDL ~25% in humans and upregulated LDL receptor expression in liver cells/animals.
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23118793/ — Systematic review & meta-analysis (type 2 diabetes): pooled RCTs show berberine significantly lowers fasting glucose, HbA1c, and improves lipids versus control, supporting its glucose- and lipid-lowering effects.
4. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2022.1015045/full — Systematic review & meta-analysis (2022): berberine consistently reduces fasting glucose, HbA1c, triglycerides and LDL; authors note heterogeneity between trials and recommend larger high-quality studies.
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37522683/ — RCT of a phytosome (enhanced-absorption) berberine in overweight people with impaired fasting glucose: the phytosome formula (550 mg ×2/day) improved fasting glucose, insulin, lipids and reduced visceral fat versus placebo over ~60 days.
6. https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/11/2567 — Pharmacokinetic study of a new berberine formulation: the micellar/liposomal-style formulation raised plasma berberine AUC ~6–10× versus unformulated berberine in healthy volunteers, improving absorption and tolerability.
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38016844/ — Umbrella meta-analysis of RCTs: across multiple meta-analyses, berberine improves glycemic control and reduces inflammatory biomarkers in metabolic disorders, reinforcing consistent metabolic benefits.
8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36467075/ — 2022 meta-analysis (type 2 diabetes): berberine significantly lowers fasting glucose, HbA1c and improves lipid profiles; authors highlight short trial durations and call for longer, larger RCTs.

 

[miss-sanne]

I think berberine lowers the bloodsugar ? so why would you use it with reta ?

 

[Nathanologist]

I think berberine lowers the bloodsugar ? so why would you use it with reta ?

I appreciate your response, but I’d like to keep this thread focused on gathering firsthand or verified reports from others who have combined Retatrutide with Berberine. I’m not looking to debate the overall value of this line of research.

My research subject is already taking Berberine instead of metformin and has seen positive results in blood sugar control, cholesterol and triglyceride reduction, and lower inflammation. Some published animal studies suggest Berberine might help preserve muscle during weight loss, which could work well with Retatrutide’s fat-loss effect. The two compounds appear to act through related but distinct metabolic pathways, so they may support each other’s benefits.

The main risks I’m watching are potential liver strain and low blood sugar. My goal is to collect enough real-world data and observations to weigh whether keeping Berberine in the protocol makes sense while introducing Retatrutide, or if it’s safer to stop Berberine during that phase.

 

[50ShadesGreyMarket]

I am thinking of researching a combination of Retatrutide 8mg weekly and Berberine 1500mg daily. My RS has concerns about potential for hypoglycemic interactions. Do any of you have experience with this combination or something similar to share? TIA.

Scholarly articles about the positive outcomes from 900-1500mg Berberine daily:

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2410097/ — Pilot RCT (type 2 diabetes): berberine (1.5 g/day) lowered fasting glucose, post-meal glucose, and HbA1c similarly to metformin and improved lipids; GI side effects were common but transient.
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15531889/ — Nat Med 2004 (hypercholesterolemia): 3 months oral berberine reduced total cholesterol ~29%, triglycerides ~35%, and LDL ~25% in humans and upregulated LDL receptor expression in liver cells/animals.
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23118793/ — Systematic review & meta-analysis (type 2 diabetes): pooled RCTs show berberine significantly lowers fasting glucose, HbA1c, and improves lipids versus control, supporting its glucose- and lipid-lowering effects.
4. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2022.1015045/full — Systematic review & meta-analysis (2022): berberine consistently reduces fasting glucose, HbA1c, triglycerides and LDL; authors note heterogeneity between trials and recommend larger high-quality studies.
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37522683/ — RCT of a phytosome (enhanced-absorption) berberine in overweight people with impaired fasting glucose: the phytosome formula (550 mg ×2/day) improved fasting glucose, insulin, lipids and reduced visceral fat versus placebo over ~60 days.
6. https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/11/2567 — Pharmacokinetic study of a new berberine formulation: the micellar/liposomal-style formulation raised plasma berberine AUC ~6–10× versus unformulated berberine in healthy volunteers, improving absorption and tolerability.
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38016844/ — Umbrella meta-analysis of RCTs: across multiple meta-analyses, berberine improves glycemic control and reduces inflammatory biomarkers in metabolic disorders, reinforcing consistent metabolic benefits.
8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36467075/ — 2022 meta-analysis (type 2 diabetes): berberine significantly lowers fasting glucose, HbA1c and improves lipid profiles; authors highlight short trial durations and call for longer, larger RCTs.

I’m willing to try it with you at 1,200mg/day. I tend to be a hyper-responder with everything and will be a good at tracking side effects. Give me a week to get off everything else (GHK-Cu, NAD+, Sema).

I never eat breakfast anyway and can commit to at least 12-16 weeks. Do I need a continuous blood glucose monitor? The Stelo from Dexcom is $100/month.

 

[Mr. Blonde]

I’m willing to try it with you at 1,200mg/day. I tend to be a hyper-responder with everything and will be a good at tracking side effects. Give me a week to get off everything else (GHK-Cu, NAD+, Sema).

I never eat breakfast anyway and can commit to at least 12-16 weeks. Do I need a continuous blood glucose monitor? The Stelo from Dexcom is $100/month.

Have you noticed any positives with NAD+, if so what were your dosages like?

I got a kit of it on the way and looking forward to blasting off once it gets in!

 

[Nathanologist]

I’m willing to try it with you at 1,200mg/day. I tend to be a hyper-responder with everything and will be a good at tracking side effects. Give me a week to get off everything else (GHK-Cu, NAD+, Sema).

I never eat breakfast anyway and can commit to at least 12-16 weeks. Do I need a continuous blood glucose monitor? The Stelo from Dexcom is $100/month.

You don’t need to do that, although I appreciate the sentiment. I’m not going do it without at least one person out here who has tried it with no consequences.

 

[50ShadesGreyMarket]

Have you noticed any positives with NAD+, if so what were your dosages like?

I got a kit of it on the way and looking forward to blasting off once it gets in!

Both hubs and I do NAD+ nearly daily even though we are both under the age where it has the biggest impact. I take .5mg, he takes 1mg - I don’t notice a night an day difference because I’ve been on it since I stopped nursing my youngest. I’ll definitely let you know if I notice a difference not being on it though. I absolutely notice a difference with GHK-Cu/GLOW. I just feel my skin is brighter all over. Paired with a healthy diet and good skin hygiene it’s great for looking good. I noticed small scars are nearly non-existent. I’ll DM you a before and after of when I chopped my finger trimming hedges and you can judge for yourself.

 

[BioDad]

I am thinking of researching a combination of Retatrutide 8mg weekly and Berberine 1500mg daily. My RS has concerns about potential for hypoglycemic interactions. Do any of you have experience with this combination or something similar to share? TIA.

Scholarly articles about the positive outcomes from 900-1500mg Berberine daily:

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2410097/ — Pilot RCT (type 2 diabetes): berberine (1.5 g/day) lowered fasting glucose, post-meal glucose, and HbA1c similarly to metformin and improved lipids; GI side effects were common but transient.
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15531889/ — Nat Med 2004 (hypercholesterolemia): 3 months oral berberine reduced total cholesterol ~29%, triglycerides ~35%, and LDL ~25% in humans and upregulated LDL receptor expression in liver cells/animals.
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23118793/ — Systematic review & meta-analysis (type 2 diabetes): pooled RCTs show berberine significantly lowers fasting glucose, HbA1c, and improves lipids versus control, supporting its glucose- and lipid-lowering effects.
4. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2022.1015045/full — Systematic review & meta-analysis (2022): berberine consistently reduces fasting glucose, HbA1c, triglycerides and LDL; authors note heterogeneity between trials and recommend larger high-quality studies.
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37522683/ — RCT of a phytosome (enhanced-absorption) berberine in overweight people with impaired fasting glucose: the phytosome formula (550 mg ×2/day) improved fasting glucose, insulin, lipids and reduced visceral fat versus placebo over ~60 days.
6. https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/11/2567 — Pharmacokinetic study of a new berberine formulation: the micellar/liposomal-style formulation raised plasma berberine AUC ~6–10× versus unformulated berberine in healthy volunteers, improving absorption and tolerability.
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38016844/ — Umbrella meta-analysis of RCTs: across multiple meta-analyses, berberine improves glycemic control and reduces inflammatory biomarkers in metabolic disorders, reinforcing consistent metabolic benefits.
8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36467075/ — 2022 meta-analysis (type 2 diabetes): berberine significantly lowers fasting glucose, HbA1c and improves lipid profiles; authors highlight short trial durations and call for longer, larger RCTs.

Firstly to answer your question, no, I haven't tried that combo. Berberine is quite awesome though and very well studied.

I say go for it if you want to, with a few considerations.

1. If there is any slowing of GI emptying with your reta, that would theoretically leave berberine in the GI tract longer, and thus increase its chances of absorption. Not a bad thing given its relatively low bioavailability.

2. Berberine at high doses has been reported to cause GI symptoms, which incretin drugs can, too.

3. It might cause hypoglycemia. Berberine is a pretty potent hyopglycemic agent on its own, but one of its proposed mechanisms is to inhibit DPP-IV, which favors endogenous incretin release.

All that to say, if I were going to research this combo, I'd probably start at a lower dose of around 500mg/day, see how that does, and move forward accordingly.

 

[Mr. Blonde]

C

Both hubs and I do NAD+ nearly daily even though we are both under the age where it has the biggest impact. I take .5mg, he takes 1mg - I don’t notice a night an day difference because I’ve been on it since I stopped nursing my youngest. I’ll definitely let you know if I notice a difference not being on it though. I absolutely notice a difference with GHK-Cu/GLOW. I just feel my skin is brighter all over. Paired with a healthy diet and good skin hygiene it’s great for looking good. I noticed small scars are nearly non-existent. I’ll DM you a before and after of when I chopped my finger trimming hedges and you can judge for yourself.

Cool, thanks for the info.

 

[Cassie MKM]

I think Retatrutide works the best

 

[psycho_driver]

I take reta + berberine and have for about two months now with no ill effects. I took 2.1mg reta 2x per week through August with 1200mg berberine. Took a mix of tirz 3.3mg/reta 2.25mg in September with it. Didn't take berberine in October due to some medical testing I was having done, and am now back on it with only reta (tirz is still leaving my system). I will be upping my dose of reta to 3mg 2x per week starting with my Wednesday pinning. I take the berberine in the morning with most of my other supplements. Occasionally take it at night if I've had a lot of sugar (like Halloween night).

I'm late middle aged and have tested as pre-diabetic since my teens. In early July my A1C was 6.1 I think, in late August when I gave blood it was 5.7 and as of early October it was 5.4. My fasting insulin is still on the higher side though (14.x) so I'm going to keep taking it for a while. My liver enzymes were normal for the first time ever, as well. Some of that was probably due to learning that you should take a few extra days off from working out prior to the blood draw.

 

[ghreid]

have been on berberine 1200mg daily for years and A1C always hung around 6.1. Liver enzymes suggested fatty liver and abnormal fasting glucose. Started Reta 8mg with the berberine in Feb. Now down 95lbs with no side effects. LFT's have normalized and A1C now around 4.5. Able to D/c blood pressure meds but still need CPAP. Cholesterol & triglycerides also normalized so am going to taper off statins.

 

[Nathanologist]

have been on berberine 1200mg daily for years and A1C always hung around 6.1. Liver enzymes suggested fatty liver and abnormal fasting glucose. Started Reta 8mg with the berberine in Feb. Now down 95lbs with no side effects. LFT's have normalized and A1C now around 4.5. Able to D/c blood pressure meds but still need CPAP. Cholesterol & triglycerides also normalized so am going to taper off statins.

Awesome! I sincerely appreciate the engagement. I’m researching Retatrutide and other supplements in an attempt to keep my RS from having to go on statins, metformin, etc. Retatrutide alone is causing fatigue, skin sensitivity, and some muscle/joint soreness. Chronic sacrum, hip, low back nerve pain has 90% reduced however and as of this morning their weight is down 3% in 3 weeks. So we don’t want to increase fatigue and are worried Berberine might do that. Retatrutide was started during a lapse of their normal Berberine supplement, which as mentioned has improved their blood work materially.

 

[steel]

I take slow release dihydroberberine 150mg twice a day and berberine 500mg with dinner. Reta 4mg every 5 days. I also take Hgh 4iu every night. Im also careful with my diet. I don’t do keto but I watch my carb intake. I’ve never had hypoglycemia. I frequently check morning fasting blood sugar. It’s always 82-94. A1C perfect.

 

[Nathanologist]

I take reta + berberine and have for about two months now with no ill effects. I took 2.1mg reta 2x per week through August with 1200mg berberine. Took a mix of tirz 3.3mg/reta 2.25mg in September with it. Didn't take berberine in October due to some medical testing I was having done, and am now back on it with only reta (tirz is still leaving my system). I will be upping my dose of reta to 3mg 2x per week starting with my Wednesday pinning. I take the berberine in the morning with most of my other supplements. Occasionally take it at night if I've had a lot of sugar (like Halloween night).

I'm late middle aged and have tested as pre-diabetic since my teens. In early July my A1C was 6.1 I think, in late August when I gave blood it was 5.7 and as of early October it was 5.4. My fasting insulin is still on the higher side though (14.x) so I'm going to keep taking it for a while. My liver enzymes were normal for the first time ever, as well. Some of that was probably due to learning that you should take a few extra days off from working out prior to the blood draw.

Sounds like a familiar story, my RS is pre-diabetic, high triglycerides and LDL. Hoping his next annual WellCare visit yields similar reductions from the GLP triple agonist. I appreciate your data sharing! Every experience helps.

 

[psycho_driver]

Sounds like a familiar story, my RS is pre-diabetic, high triglycerides and LDL. Hoping his next annual WellCare visit yields similar reductions from the GLP triple agonist. I appreciate your data sharing! Every experience helps.

Yeah my cholesterol levels were highish and are improving, but not normal yet. I went from something like 180 LDL, 135 trig, 31 HDL to 140 LDL 110 trig and 34 HDL as of the last bloodwork. I'll be checking again in early December.