Berberine vs Inositol: What Are the Main Differences?

Over the last 30 years, the dietary supplement industry has exploded. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to the supplements our bodies require, it’s clear that they offer an additional boost for our health to be optimal. But to know which vitamins and minerals are best, you must first understand how they work. If you’re not familiar with inositol and berberine, it’s time to change that! Although slightly different, both of these supplements provide several impressive health benefits. In the article below, we explain everything you need to know about inositol vs berberine.

What is Inositol?

Simply put, inositol is a carbohydrate that can be found in food and also naturally exists in the human body. What’s interesting is that inositol’s molecules have a chemical structure similar to glucose. For this reason, it has become increasingly popular in recent years and has been the focus of many studies.

Since inositol has various forms (nine, to be precise), it plays a critical role in different bodily functions. The majority of supplements contain Myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol, which are helpful for a number of symptoms and health conditions.

What does Inositol do?

Taking inositol supplements can be advantageous for several reasons. According to research, the carbohydrate can be beneficial for mental health conditions (including anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, eating disorders, and others). That’s because Myo-inositol, one form of inositol, affects mood levels in the human brain. Moreover, it is linked with fewer side effects than other medications used for similar conditions.

Additionally, inositol is also known to reduce symptoms of PCOS, help with infertility, and improve glucose levels for people with type 2 diabetes.

What is Berberine?

Although berberine and inositol share similarities, they are different in their structure. Berberine is an alkaloid that can be found in a number of plants, including rhizome, European barberry, Oregon grape, and others. Thanks to its beneficial effects, the plant alkaloid has long been used in TCM, Ayurveda, and other medicinal traditions, mainly to treat digestive conditions and infections.

In fact, the earliest records of using berberine date back more than 3,000 years, when people mainly took advantage of berberine’s leaves and bark.

What is Berberine Used for?

Nowadays, people know that the bitter-tasting chemical compound is beneficial for more than just treating digestive conditions or infections. In fact, berberine supplements seem to be most effective for treating PCOS, diabetes (especially when combined with traditional therapies), high cholesterol, and canker sores.

Additionally, berberine is associated with small body weight improvements, better cognitive health (research suggests the supplement may prevent dementia), and even improved effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. However, more research is required to fully understand the positive effects of berberine.

Can You Take Berberine and Inositol Together?

If you’re wondering whether berberine and inositol can be taken together to maximise their positive effects, there’s no clear answer. Based on the currently available studies, there is no evidence that combining both of these supplements is beneficial or harmful. In fact, berberine and inositol have been studied with other substances, but not their interactions.

Interestingly, research shows that berberine, when combined with resveratrol, works more effectively. Inositol, on the other hand, seems to offer more benefits in combination with alpha-lipoic acid. So, if you’d like to improve the effects of either berberine or inositol, you may take them together with one of these supplements instead.

Inositol and Berberine Together for Weight Loss

Weight loss can be a challenging journey. To aid the process, many people turn to supplements like inositol and berberine, which are known to offer many health benefits. Berberine, for example, helps improve insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation, which are critical aspects of weight management. Inositol, however, is helpful for hormone regulation and healthy brain function – two factors that also play an important role in our well-being.

Although there is no evidence of adverse effects when taking berberine and inositol together, you should first consult with a healthcare professional before. Your doctor will also help you find the best product for your specific weight loss needs.

For more information on how berberine may support your weight loss journey, you can visit our blog, where we review whether berberine actually helps with weight loss.

Berberine and Inositol for Insulin Resistance

If your cells become too resistant to insulin, it can lead to a series of different health problems, including diabetes and PCOS. Thankfully, some dietary habits, like taking the right supplements, can help prevent issues.

Inositol, in particular, has been explored for its potential to improve the human body’s sensitivity to insulin (consequently reducing insulin resistance). According to research, the supplement produces molecules that play an important role in insulin’s action in your cells.

Berberine, on the other hand, helps control blood sugar by regulating how your body processes glucose. Moreover, it boosts insulin production and makes your cells more sensitive to it.

Berberine vs Inositol for PCOS

Did you know that polycystic ovary syndrome affects 7-10% of women of childbearing age? Moreover, it’s the most common cause of infertility. Since PCOS is associated with insulin resistance (it’s estimated that up to 75% of people with PCOS are insulin resistant), it may be beneficial to look into supplements that can improve this problem, like berberine and inositol.

Inositol for PCOS

Inositol is one of the most researched natural supplements for managing insulin resistance. According to research, inositol helps make your cells more sensitive to insulin, allowing more glucose to enter the cells and be used for energy. This lowers insulin and glucose levels in your bloodstream, which can improve ovulation frequency and function.

As mentioned before, there are nine forms of inositol, however, Myo-inositol (MI) and D-chiro-inositol (DCI) are the two forms that have the most significant impact on the condition.

Berberine for PCOS

Like inositol, berberine is also thought to be a great insulin sensitiser. A study in the European Journal of Endocrinology revealed promising results – women with PCOS who used 500 mg of berberine three times a day showed improvement in HOMA-IR, which is a marker of insulin resistance.

Still, more research is needed to understand berberine vs inositol for PCOS and whether it’s effective to combine both supplements.

Conclusion

With more supplements emerging every day, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. While berberine and inositol both offer impressive benefits, remember that what works for one person won’t necessarily work for another. To achieve the best results, make sure to talk to your healthcare advisor and discuss which of the products may be better for your specific needs.

Most importantly, remember that supplements are meant to supplement. Berberine and inositol should not be used to compensate for unhealthy habits!