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Dr Laure Martinat (Anesthesiologist-resuscitator)
After touting the weight loss drug Ozempic for several weeks, some TikTok users explain that the new trend would be to take berberine capsules. The warning of Dr Laure Martinat, expert in phytotherapy and micronutrition, member of the committee of experts of Doctissimo.
This is the new viral trend on TikTok: videos boast, photos in support, the spectacular weight loss resulting supposedly from taking a dietary supplement based on berberine.
What is berberine?
This active substance of natural origin is derived from various plants including barberry. Its berries can be eaten dry or in certain foods, such as jam, without problem.
Where the shoe pinches is when taking a dietary supplement that can be easily purchased on the Internet. Already in 2019, the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES) was concerned about the consumption of berberine in root or bark extracts sold in the form of capsules. “The safety of use of these food supplements cannot be guaranteed to date.“ estimated then the Agency.
Experts warn against these types of products
But some users of the TikTok platform have no use for these calls for caution. They praise the taking of these dietary supplements to lose weight and report spectacular effects in videos shared millions of times.
Some have even gone so far as to call berberine “nature’s Ozempic.” Faced with this worrying trend, doctors are trying to alert the general public.
Potentially serious side effects
The experts therefore recall that if the operating principles of Ozempic and Wegovy, two slimming drugs, are well known, those of berberine are not. It is therefore wrong to speak of natural Ozempic for these capsules.
Preliminary research suggests it may increase the body’s metabolism, but with no real effect on appetite. In addition, some people also report side effects after taking this substance, such as stomach pain, constipation, nausea or diarrhea.
The point of view of Dr Laure Martinat, expert in phytotherapy and micronutrition, member of the Doctissimo expert committee
“Berberine is an extract of vegetable plants, which is used against diabetes. It has been shown to be effective in fighting insulin resistance and therefore may improve diabetes.
But in the context of taking for weight loss, it is a diversion of its use. We must therefore remain very careful, because no solid study has formally demonstrated any effect of berberine on weight loss.
In the context of an overweight person, who would like to improve his metabolic syndrome and fight against pre-diabetes, taking berberine under medical supervision could certainly be relevant. But erecting the dietary supplement into a miracle pill for weight loss is dangerous!”.