Hello Anca! You may see that I answered this question below, but I’m happy to copy what I wrote:

We currently do not have strong, long-term human research on indefinite berberine use. Most clinical trials showing benefits for blood sugar and cholesterol have run for a few months, generally somewhere in the range of three to six months, rather than years. So while short- to medium-term use appears reasonably well tolerated for most people, we simply do not have the kind of long-term safety data that would let anyone say with confidence that taking it indefinitely is risk-free.

There are a few reasons for caution with long-term use specifically. Berberine is processed by the liver, so some practitioners recommend periodic liver enzyme checks if it is used for extended periods. It can also affect gut bacteria, since part of how it works is by influencing the microbiome, and the long-term effects of that shift are not fully understood. On top of that, because it can interact with a number of medications, any ongoing use really benefits from periodic check-ins with a healthcare provider to make sure everything is still working well together. I hope this helps! –Ina, Food Revolution Network Team

Thanks for this great question, NR! The honest answer is that we do not have strong, long-term human research on indefinite berberine use. Most clinical trials showing benefits for blood sugar and cholesterol have run for a few months, generally somewhere in the range of three to six months, rather than years. So while short- to medium-term use appears reasonably well tolerated for most people, we simply do not have the kind of long-term safety data that would let anyone say with confidence that taking it indefinitely is risk-free.

There are a few reasons for caution with long-term use specifically. Berberine is processed by the liver, so some practitioners recommend periodic liver enzyme checks if it is used for extended periods. It can also affect gut bacteria, since part of how it works is by influencing the microbiome, and the long-term effects of that shift are not fully understood. On top of that, because it can interact with a number of medications, any ongoing use really benefits from periodic check-ins with a healthcare provider to make sure everything is still working well together. –Ina, Food Revolution Network Team

Hello Prophetess, and thank you for this question! Berberine is a natural compound. It is a bright yellow, bitter-tasting alkaloid, and it is found naturally in the roots, stems, and bark of several plants, including barberry, goldenseal, Oregon grape, and tree turmeric. People have used these plants in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, and now it is extracted into supplement form. –Ina, Food Revolution Network Team

He doesn’t mention that because then it would be more difficult to hawk the berberine supplements he gets a commission for selling 😉

I’d notice a drop in hunger if I was taking bourbon, too! 🙂
(just joking)

I guess if you take enough bourbon you don’t care what’s happening 😝