Michael Greger: Barberries Rather Than Berberine to Lower Cholesterol

Key Takeaways

• Eat dried barberries instead of taking berberine supplements to lower LDL cholesterol naturally.
• Aim for 2 tablespoons of dried barberries daily to match the effective dose of 900 mg berberine.
• Avoid berberine supplements if you take medications (especially blood thinners like Xarelto) due to drug interaction risks.
• If experiencing GI issues with berberine, try reducing the dose or switch to barberries.
• Be cautious with berberine supplement quality—many brands fail to meet labeled dosages.

Supplements & Protocols Mentioned

• Berberine: 900–1500 mg/day (but quality issues common; prefer whole-food source).
• Dried barberries: ~2 tbsp/day (5–8% berberine content; red or black varieties).

Notable Quotes

“80% of China’s clinical trial data were found to be fraudulent… though things may be improving, as researchers may face not a slap on the wrist, but rather execution for fraud.”

Bottom Line

Opt for dried barberries over berberine supplements to safely lower cholesterol, avoid contamination risks, and minimize side effects.

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