Can You Take Magnesium And Berberine Together?

Magnesium and Berberine are two substances that bring many health benefits. Wherein, Magnesium helps increase bone density, improve resistance... and Berberine helps support digestive health (such as diarrhea, dysentery...), supports healthy blood pressure levels... So, can you take Magnesium and Berberine together to receive all of these useful effects? Don't miss the following article if you want to know the answer!

About Berberine

What Is Berberine?

Berberine is a bioactive compound (or natural substance), yellow in color, with a bitter taste, found in several plants such as European barberry, Indian barberry, goldenseal, Oregon grape, Chinese goldthread, and turmeric.

Over 3,000 years ago, people in China and South Asia cultivated and used these plants containing Berberine (including the stems, leaves, and bark) for their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antidiarrheal properties. Furthermore, in 650 BC, Karimov (study in 1993) discovered the oldest evidence of using barberry fruit (documented on clay tablets in the library of Assyrian Emperor Ashurbanipal), which contains Berberine, as a blood purifier [3].

Recently, several studies have demonstrated additional beneficial effects of this compound, such as its ability to lower blood pressure, reduce arrhythmias, fight cancer, and reduce pain (as noted by Battu et al., 2010; Bhutada et al., 2010; Kulkarni and Dhir, 2010). It also inhibits the activity of the H1N1 influenza virus (according to Cecil et al., 2011) and the HIV virus (Zha et al., 2010)... [4].

Not only in South Asia, but in Southern South America, the leaves and bark of Berberis species (which contain Berberine) have also been used in traditional medicine to reduce altitude sickness, infections, and fever (San Martín, 1983; Houghton and Manby, 1985; Anesini and Perez, 1993) [3].

Accordingly, you can supplement Berberine in the form of dietary supplements, with a recommended dosage of 250 - 500 mg (divided into 2 - 3 doses per day). Alternatively, you may use it in a cream form and apply it directly to the skin. However, to ensure safety, consult a physician before use.

How Does Berberine Work?

Berberine works by directly interacting with enzymes in the body. Specifically, the compound binds to relevant enzymes (or parts of cells) and alters how they function, including affecting DNA and RNA. This enables the body’s nervous system to recognize, eliminate, and remove harmful bacteria and viruses. For example:

• Support for healthy blood sugar levels:

In the “Meta-analysis of the effect and safety of berberine in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipemia, and hypertension,” researchers pointed out that Berberine appears to activate AMP-activated protein kinase (*), which helps regulate how the body uses blood sugar. As a result, it stabilizes blood sugar levels and supports metabolic function and related health issues, such as obesity and high cholesterol [5].

(*) Protein kinase is an enzyme responsible for signaling cell growth and proliferation, ensuring that metabolic processes occur stably and normally.

Additionally, according to “Berberine, a Herbal Metabolite in the Metabolic Syndrome: The Risk Factors, Course, and Consequences of the Disease,” researchers assert that Berberine is a plant alkaloid that plays a positive role in increasing fasting and post-meal blood sugar levels. It reduces insulin resistance by stimulating glucose breakdown, improving insulin secretion, and inhibiting glucose and fat production in the liver [6].

• Anti-cancer effects:

In the same study, “Berberine, a Herbal Metabolite in the Metabolic Syndrome: The Risk Factors, Course, and Consequences of the Disease,” Berberine induces apoptosis (or cell self-destruction) in a controlled manner, minimizing its impact on MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) and eliminating harmful factors [6].

• Gut microbiome protection:

Berberine has also been shown to affect bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids and bile acids in the gut microbiota. Bile acids play a role in regulating cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and energy balance, as well as blood sugar levels. This means that Berberine can directly impact and modify the gut microbiome to maintain its optimal function, reducing harm to other organs.

About Magnesium

What Is Magnesium?

Magnesium is an essential mineral for normal human physiological functions. It is naturally present in foods such as whole grains, fatty fish, tofu, and legumes, or available as a dietary supplement and found in some medications (like antacids and laxatives). The primary functions of Magnesium include maintaining blood pressure stability, strengthening bones, regulating heart rhythms, and controlling blood sugar levels.

Thus, when the body lacks the necessary amount of Magnesium (on average, children aged 1-13 require 80-130 mg/day, while adults need 360-420 mg/day) [11], you may experience symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, loss of appetite, and nausea. The groups most at risk of Magnesium deficiency include individuals with digestive disorders, the elderly, people with diabetes, and those with kidney disease.

How Does Magnesium Work?

Magnesium is a cofactor present in over 300 enzyme systems, playing a crucial role in regulating various biochemical reactions in the body. Specifically:

• For maintaining stable blood sugar levels:

Magnesium helps regulate insulin and facilitates the transfer of sugar from the blood into cells for proper storage, to be used later when energy is needed. This is highly beneficial for people with diabetes.

• For protecting brain health:

Magnesium acts as a "gatekeeper" for N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors on nerve cells, which are responsible for transmitting signals between the brain and other parts of the body (and vice versa). This supports brain development and enhances memory function.

• For supporting cardiovascular health:

Magnesium competes with calcium in the bloodstream. When calcium enters heart muscle cells, it triggers strong contractions, while magnesium helps relax these cells, ensuring appropriate heart contractions. Additionally, some analyses show that consuming an extra 100 mg of Magnesium daily can reduce the risk of stroke and heart failure

• For relieving muscle cramps:

Similar to its function in the heart, Magnesium binds with proteins (such as troponin C and myosin) to counteract the effects of calcium, reducing excessive muscle contractions that can lead to cramps or spasms.

Berberine And Magnesium For Weight Loss

Berberine and Magnesium can both support weight management and maintain a fit physique, but overall, their effectiveness is still not reviewed by research.

In the case of Berberine, there isn't much compelling evidence that it directly promotes weight loss. However, some studies suggest that the compound may reduce the excessive growth of fat molecules in the body, which leads to fat accumulation and weight gain. Additionally, Berberine supports metabolism, helping the body fully absorb nutrients from food rather than storing them as fat or excess energy.

This includes studies such as The effect of Berberine on weight loss in order to reduce obesity: A systematic review (Zahra Ilyas et al., 2020); The effect of berberine supplementation on obesity parameters, inflammation, and liver function enzymes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (Omid Asbaghi et al., 2020); Berberine, a Herbal Metabolite in the Metabolic Syndrome: The Risk Factors, Course, and Consequences of the Disease (Anna Och et al., 2022)...

As for Magnesium, a 2013 study showed that the mineral helps regulate insulin and blood glucose levels, which not only benefits individuals with diabetes but also limits excessive weight gain.

Overall, if you're aiming to lose weight and stay in shape, it's still best to maintain a balanced diet and engage in regular physical activity.

Berberine And Magnesium For Perimenopause

Menopause marks the end of a woman's reproductive ability, typically beginning about 12 months after her last menstrual cycle, usually between the ages of 40 and 58.

This is a completely natural and inevitable process, but the symptoms of perimenopause can cause distress, including sleep difficulties, discomfort, vaginal dryness, irritability, reduced sexual desire, and more. Additionally, low estrogen levels during menopause create favorable conditions for chronic diseases (including heart disease) to rise, potentially shortening women's lifespans.

To date, more and more studies have confirmed that Berberine has the ability to reduce discomfort associated with perimenopause in women. Specifically, the compound promotes metabolism, stabilizes blood sugar levels, and enhances natural resistance, so perimenopausal women no longer have to worry about weakened health or increased susceptibility to illness [9].

In addition, Magnesium is recognized for offering numerous benefits to women, including pregnant women, as it can help reduce preeclampsia or premature labor by limiting abnormal muscle contractions (as mentioned earlier).

Moreover, Magnesium and the hormone estrogen are closely linked (when Magnesium levels increase, so does estrogen). Therefore, during menopause, supplementing with appropriate amounts of Magnesium can alleviate symptoms such as insomnia and anxiety by stabilizing hormone levels to normal.

Can You Take Magnesium And Berberine Together?

Although both Magnesium and Berberine offer great health benefits and boost the immune system, the answer to the question of whether they should be used together is NO.

This is because Berberine has been shown to interact with certain medications (such as Metformin for diabetes and cytochrome P450 (CYP) inhibitors used for reducing depression), as well as with dietary supplements. Similarly, while Magnesium is safe and can be obtained through food or supplements, it may interact with antibiotics, calcium channel blockers, muscle relaxants, diuretics, and bisphosphonates [10].

To avoid potential interactions between these two substances, it's best to use them separately and consult your doctor for detailed advice. In addition, if you plan to use Berberine in the near future, you should prioritize products with a content suitable for your body's daily needs, as well as not causing a negative reaction with Magnesium. Furthermore, prioritize reputable brands, certified for safety and sources of raw materials that are carefully tested for quality.

Conclusion

Through the above analysis, we hope to answer the question “Can You Take Magnesium And Berberine Together?” of readers. In general, both substances are beneficial to the health of users, but you should be really careful when using both at the same time and do not hesitate to consult a specialist for guidance on the most appropriate use.