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# Another statin alternative: Berberine lowers cholesterol in people at low cardiovascular disease risk
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/berberine_cholesterol_1002130802/
- Published: 2013-10-02T21:01:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:05:38.000Z
- Description: In a double-blind trial of 144 people at low cardiovascular risk, 500 mg of berberine twice a day for three months lowered total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL and raised HDL, which the researchers offer as an alternative for people for whom statins may not be cost-effective.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Nutrition, #vivvo-import

Wednesday Oct 2, 2013 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new study in Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy suggests a better option for healthy people at a low risk of cardiovascular disease to lower their cholesterol level, that is, taking berberine, an herbal supplement.

Some studies suggest taking statin medications to lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease is not cost-effective in healthy people. Statin treatments can also cause some severe side effects such as cataracts and [bleeding ](https://www.foodconsumer.org/statins%5Fraise%5Fstroke%5Frisk%5F0131110739/)when used for a long term. Alternatives are always desired.

Berberine is a plant-derived salt from the protoberberine group of isoquinoline alkaloids, which are found in plants like Berberis (Oregon grape), Berberis vulgaris (barberry), Berberis aristata (tree turmeric)\], Hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal), Xanthorhiza simplicissima (yellowroot), Phellodendron amurense (Amur cork tree), Coptis chinensis (Chinese goldthread), Tinospora cordifolia, Argemone mexicana (prickly poppy), and Eschscholzia californica (Californian poppy). 

Giuseppe Derosa from Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo in Pavia, Italy and colleagues conducted the study and found berberine reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides or blood fat and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and increased high density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol after three months of supplementation. 

High cholesterol is believed to be a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease or specifically heart disease.

For the double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 144 Caucasians were randomized to take placebo or [berberine ](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berberine?ref=foodconsumer.org)in a dose of 500 mg twice a day for 3 months. Then all participants stopped taking placebo or berberine for two months and then resumed the intervention for another three months. Anthropometric and metabolic parameters were measured a few times during the study.

The researchers found the berberine supplement reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol and increased HDL cholesterol after three months. After the study group stopped taking berberine, lipid profile got worsened, but when they resumed the supplementation, lipid profile improved again. 

The study concluded "Berberine is effective and safe to mildly improve lipid profile in subjects with low risk for cardiovascular disease."

Berberine is traditionally used to treat fungal infections and it may also treat MRSA because it acts like an antibiotic. It can be found in some eye drop formulations and it is considered useful in the treatment of trachoma. The supplement can also help fight inflammation. 

Modern science suggests that berberine can help treat diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemias and cardiovascular disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver, congestive heart failure, cancer, mental disorders, intestinal disorders, and HIV infection among other things.

Another statin alternative is red yeast rice, which is as effective as statin medications. On the market, red yeast rice extract powder is available as a dietary supplement. This red yeast rice is commonly used in Asia to brew rice wine, which is very popular in China and other Asian countries. This food ingredient is very safe to use. (DL)