The plant-based supplement that could slash visceral fat

Dr Zoe Williams discusses visceral fat on This Morning

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Unlike subcutaneous fat, which is found just under the skin, visceral fat is stored deep within the belly. A certain amount is needed to protect and insulate vital organs. However, having too much of it is known to lead to serious health problems such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Your diet plays a role in how much visceral fat you have.

Making healthier choices and cutting back on calories is one way to see results.

However, there is a certain supplement you could take to help aid weight loss.

Tony Pemberton, founder of Epic Genetics, recommended berberine as a way to slash visceral fat.

Berberine is a compound found in the barks, leaves, twigs, roots, and or stems of various plants.

It can be found in many health stores in powder or capsule form.

Mr Pemberton explained: “Berberine improves visceral fat cells’ insulin sensitivity and inhibits fat storage in the belly, so has the potential to reduce belly fat.

“Lowering your blood sugar level benefits your health countless ways, but a reduction in visceral fat is a major one.

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“Think of your fat like an organ. It is there to protect you from diabetes, if your muscles aren’t able to utilise the glucose from food then your fat is there to cushion blood sugar spikes.”

What does research say?

Various studies have shown the effects of berberine on blood sugar, however, one study, published in Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy journal in 2020 examined its impact on obesity.

To do so it analysed 35 existing studies on berberine conducted between 2006 and 2019, which tested berberine on both humans and animals.

It found that taking between 200mg and one gram of the supplement daily was most effective for lowering blood sugar and between 100mg and 500mg a day was best for lowering obesity risk.

The study said: “This review highlighted that berberine effectively prevents the development of obesity through the modulation of gut microbiota, gene regulation, intestinal permeability and Hepatic Gluconeogenesis.

“In fact, obesity is always linked to high levels of lipids and lipid metabolism modulation is a focus of metabolic syndrome.

“Berberine at a dosage from 200mg/kg to one gram daily is found to be effective for reducing blood glucose, as at this dosage it targets α-glycosidase and causes inhibition.

“The inhibition of this enzyme causes the limited amount of glucose absorption needed by the body.

“Therefore, berberine contributes to the prevention of being overweight.”

It concluded: “Berberine is not only effective for obesity, but also for other systems and consequences of obesity such as diabetes and cancer.”

Health bodies warn that no more than 2,000mg of berberine should be consumed each day.

Side effects of taking too much can include stomach upset, cramping, and diarrhoea.

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