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ConsumerLab.com Finds Supplements Lacking Effective Doses of Berberine and Goldenseal

Testing reveals the best and worst berberine and goldenseal supplements.

Berberine, a compound found in goldenseal root, may help to lower blood sugar in certain people, and may have other potential benefits. However, ConsumerLab.com’s recent tests of popular berberine and goldenseal supplements revealed that most goldenseal products, and one berberine product, do not contain the expected amounts of berberine. 

ConsumerLab.com found that 67% of goldenseal root powders and extracts selected for testing did not contain their minimum expected amounts of berberine based on United States Pharmacopeial (USP) standards. In fact, no berberine could be detected in one goldenseal supplement despite multiple seals of quality on its label. Among the few products that passed all tests and were well-priced, ConsumerLab.com identified its Top Picks. The findings are available online now in ConsumerLab.com’s Berberine and Goldenseal Supplements Review. 

Clinical evidence suggests that berberine may help lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome. Preliminary evidence suggests it may help lower cholesterol and benefit people with congestive heart failure and certain arrhythmias. There is insufficient evidence, however, to support the use of goldenseal supplements, which have much lower amounts of berberine than straight berberine supplements. 

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