Berberine's weight loss effect is modest at around 1-2 kg, which is dramatically less than the 15 kg average weight loss seen in trials for the actual drug Ozempic.

Despite some promising head-to-head studies, the quality of evidence for Metformin is vastly superior to Berberine, with much larger trials and longer follow-up periods.

Berberine helps reduce LDL cholesterol by both decreasing its absorption from food and by blocking the PCSK9 protein, which allows the liver to clear more LDL from the blood.

The speaker only recommends Berberine for cholesterol as a last resort for patients who are intolerant to statins, Ezetimibe is not effective enough, and PCSK9 inhibitors are not a financial option.

By activating the AMPK enzyme to conserve energy, Berberine may limit muscle gains by dialing back the protein synthesis process essential for muscle growth.

Evidence suggests Metformin, which works similarly to Berberine, does not counter the effects of aging in healthy people but rather helps prevent diseases that cause early death.