Is berberine safe for babies?

Is Berberine Safe for Babies?
Berberine, a compound derived from various plants such as goldenseal and Oregon grape, has garnered attention for its potential health benefits, particularly in managing blood sugar levels and promoting heart health. However, when it comes to its safety for infants and young children, the consensus among health professionals is clear: berberine is not safe for babies.
According to experts, berberine poses significant risks for infants and young children. It is advised that this supplement should only be used by adults. Notably, there are concerns that berberine may cross the placenta during pregnancy, potentially leading to brain damage in fetuses or young children. This alarming possibility underscores the need for caution, as the developing brains of infants are particularly vulnerable to external substances.
Furthermore, the general recommendation is that supplements like berberine should not be administered to children unless specifically prescribed by a healthcare provider for a medical condition. Many supplements lack sufficient research regarding their safety and efficacy in pediatric populations, making it crucial for parents to consult with healthcare professionals before considering any supplement for their children.
In summary, while berberine may offer various health benefits for adults, its use in babies is fraught with risks. Parents should prioritize safety and seek professional guidance when it comes to the health and well-being of their children.

Can a child take berberine?

Berberine supplements appear relatively safe for most adults in doses up to 1.5 grams (1,500 mg) per day for up to 6 months. However, it should not be taken by children or by pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Why is berberine unsafe while breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding while taking berberine:
It is possible that berberine in breastmilk could cause a buildup of bilirubin in the infant brain, which can result in brain damage and other issues. This makes berberine exposure via breastmilk a concern, especially in newborns.

How quickly do you lose weight with berberine?

How long does it take for berberine to work for weight loss? As with all dietary supplements, how quickly berberine works and how much weight you lose depends on how your body reacts to it and how you change your life otherwise. One study showed that subjects had a five-pound weight loss over the course of 12 weeks.

Does berberine mess with hormones?

Does berberine affect hormones? Berberine does have an effect on hormones but in a positive way. Berberine is instrumental in decreasing androgen or male hormone levels for women with PCOS. Berberine is also known to reduce leptin levels.

What is the toxic effects of berberine?

The toxicity of pure compound is greater than the toxicity of plant extract or plant extract fractions. The sub-acute concentrations of berberine lead to altered liver function, gastric troubles, hepato and hematotoxicity, hemorrhagic inflammatory consequences, damage to immune cells and induced apoptosis.

Is berberine hard on your liver?

Dose dependent effects of berberine and sanguinarine. Sub-chronic toxicity of berberine has reported to damages lung and liver by increasing alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), significantly (Ning et al., 2015).

Does berberine cause organ damage?

Berberine may also have some negative effects. For example, it may cause digestive issues and low blood pressure in some people. It may also cause some drugs not to work as well due to its effects on the liver. More research is needed to understand berberine’s overall effects on health.

Who should avoid berberine?

We recommend the following groups avoid berberine in any form:

• Women of childbearing age, pregnant or breastfeeding. Berberine can cross the placenta and may cause harm to the fetus.
• Newborns and children.
• Those on prescription medication.

What supplements should I avoid while breastfeeding?

Dietary Supplements and Herbs to Avoid When Breastfeeding

• Answer: Certain herbals, high dose vitamins, and other dietary supplements can be dangerous to breastfed babies through breast milk.
• Aloe latex.
• Ashwagandha.
• Berberine/goldenseal.
• Bilberry.
• Black cohosh.
• Butterbur.
• Dong quai.

Can berberine damage kidneys?

Conclusion: Berberine protects the liver and kidneys against ferrous sulfate-induced toxicity by reduction in lipid peroxidation and ability to chelate iron.