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The Opposite of Sugar (first edition)

Published online: August 6, 2020

written by András Csikai

IMUNE mentor, herbalist, Only Nature Knows co-founder, QQC chief engineer

A brief review at the risks of refined sugar consumption and one natural herbal compound

which counteracts most of these undesired sugar induced side effects.

Taking a closer look at this herbal compound the exact reverse opposite of sugar reveals.

Abstract

First part: Sugar Induced Damages

Refined sugar is a concentrated substance. Excess refined sugar consumption has recognized as a cause and

cofactor of serious health problems all over the world. Refined Sugars cause or contribute to a wide variety of

inflammatory responses, liver diseases, cirrhosis, hepatitis, coronary heart disease and cardiovascular risks,

Type 2 diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, depression and mood disorders (newest research) .

Second part: Defines the Sugar problem with TCM, spots the opposing element, names the herbs and the compound

which counteracts the Sugar Induced Damages

With the Traditional Chinese Medicine TCM five elements systematic correspondance I am going to spot the

opposite element of these aggrevated inflammatory symptoms and reveal a variety of herbs (Mahonia

aquifolium, Coptis chinesis, Phellodendron amurense and more) which can counteract the inflammation. I’m

going to show their sources and name the key compound (berberine) which counteracts Refined Sugars.

Third part: A collection of scientic studies proving that the compound counteracts all the Sugar Induced Damages.

With a collection of research articles, meta studies, systematic reviews I ’m going to prove that the compound’s

effects are the exact reverse opposite of Refined Sugar’s effects.

Where the compound (berberine) exerted: Anti-aging, Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-neuroinflammatory, Anti-

cancer, Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Anti-fibrotic, Hypotensive, Antidepressant, Anti-arrhythmic,

Renoprotective, Neuroprotective and a lot more effects.

IMUNE

The International Medical University for Natural Education

2 IMUNE | Review article | August 6, 2020 | All rights reserved.

The Opposite of Sugar (first edition) Published online: August 6, 2020

written by András Csikai

IMUNE mentor, herbalist, Only Nature Knows co-founder, QQC chief engineer

A brief review at the risks of refined sugar consumption and one natural herbal compound

which counteracts most of these undesired sugar induced side effects.

Taking a closer look at this herbal compound the exact reverse opposite of sugar reveals.

Refined sugar other names: dextrose, sucrose,

table sugar, common sugar, white sugar,

granulated sugar, brown sugar, cane sugar Refined sugar is a concentrated substance. Excess refined

sugar consumption has recognized as a cause and

cofactor of serious health problems all over the world.

Especially in the developed countries where the majority

of the foods contain the sugar. For example the processed

foods including diary products, sweets, soda and SSB

(sugar sweetened beverages), fruit based products and

even many salty, canned foods, pastry, prepared foods,

semi-prepared dishes, cereals, kethup, all kinds of sauces

in the stores contain the added refined sugar as sucrose

or high fructose corn syrup. Because of these

circumstances most people cannot spend a single day in

their lives without eating some of these refined sugars.

Thus people have been exposed to sugar spikes from fetal

age in their mother’s womb. The existing opposite of the

concentrated substance sugar was not even introduced to

people’s system since they cannot get it from the stores

they weren’t educated in a way that they can do more to

their health.

Sugar is the generalized name for a class of chemically-

related sweet-flavored substances, most of which are

used as food. They are carbohydrates, composed of

carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Simple sugars are

monosaccharides include glucose or dextrose and blood

sugar concentration or blood glucose level is the amount

of glucose (sugar) that is present in the blood. High Blood

Sugar hyperglycemia is a blood sugar that is higher than

130mg/dL after not eating or drinking for 8 hours. After-

meal hyperglycemia is when your Blood Sugar is higher

than 180mg/dL 2 hours after you eat. [1]

HCFS - High Fructose Corn Syrup

HCFS is a semi-synthetic sweetener made from corn

starch. It gives you more hunger after taking it, it has

similar and worse effects than Refined Sugars.

Damages and Diseases by Refined Sugar

The frequenty elevated or ongoing blood sugar can

cause nerve damages, blood vessel damages and organ

damages. [1]

The B cells in the pancreas create insulin to keep blood

glucose in a normal range. Elevated blood sugar levels

caused by sucrose led to the suppression or destruction

of pancreatic cells β-cells in pancreatic islets and this

contributes to the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes.

[22]

While the blood sugar is elevated it will attack the cells of

your weakest organ. Could be the kidney cells

(pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis), liver cells (fatty liver

disease and scarring, similar damages like alcohol

consumption), nerve cells, pancreatic cells, cells of the

blood vessels, heart tissue cells, cells of the reproductive

organs, tyroid cells...

Obesity is not a cause it is one of the wide variety of

symptoms Refined Sugars can cause. Focusing on obesity

instead of Sugar Induced Damages confuses people

because it supports a delusion that normal weight or light

weight people do not suffer from sugar damages

therefore they can eat it. Their weight gives them a false

sense that they eat right or their immunity is better and

they can assume that they probably do not suffer from a

fatty liver disease or a liver cirrhosis or prediabetes,

nephritis, diabetes or worse. They allow themselves to eat

the worst quality carbohydrates without thinking about

the health consequences. This false belief is supported by

the uneducated social environment and the media.

Medical doctors do not warn people about these dietary

risks and serious side effects and they avoid to make any

statement about sugar.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease NAFLD Just overeating can cause fatty liver disease. In Hungary

there is a traditional delicacy the goose liver when geese

get fatty liver disease and it is made in a spacial way.

Geese forcefully fed with corn then they held captive in

conditions where they are unable to

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move. Those geese are going to get the fatty liver disease

with 100% certainty their liver enlarges it becomes a large

piece of fat. Because the lack of the geese exercise the

process takes just 16-21 days. Their tasty fatty liver then

cooked (most of that liver is just fat and it melts in the

cookware) and served as a delicious Hungarian food

thereafter.

The liver uses fructose, to make fat. Too much refined

sugar and high-fructose corn syrup causes a fatty buildup

that can lead to liver disease. When fatty buildup happens

in the liver you do not necessarily see fatty buildup or

signs of obesity in other parts of the body. Some studies

have shown that sugar can be as damaging to the liver as

alcohol, even if you’re not overweight. It’s one more

reason to limit foods with added sugars, such as soda,

pastries, and candy. [32]

Dietary sugar consumption, in particular sugar-

sweetened beverages and the monosaccharide fructose,

has been linked to the incidence and severity of non-

alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) [6]

Non-alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis

With the continuous inflammation the next stage is when

the swollen fatty liver is hardening and scar liver tissue,

cirrhosis appears. Cirrhosis is an abnormal condition in

which healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue. In

cirrhosis, those cells will not function the liver no longer

works well to digest food or protect us from toxins.

Eventually, liver failure will occur when most normal parts

of the liver have been replaced by scar tissue. Then the

only treatment is liver transplant.

Liver recovery difficult even with improved diet, but faster

if sugar intake is low [33]

Non-Alcoholic SteatoHepatitis NASH

Some individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver

disease (NAFLD) can develop nonalcoholic steato-

hepatitis (NASH), an aggressive form of fatty liver disease,

which is marked by liver inflammation and may progress

to advanced scarring (cirrhosis) and liver failure. This

damage is similar to the damage caused by heavy alcohol

use. [8]

CHD Coronary Heary Disease, cardiovascular risks JAMA article in 2016 officially uncovered „Project 226”

the systematic misrepresentation of sugar consumption’s

dangers by Harvard University scientists who were paid

by the Sugar Research Foundation. [29] The sugar

industry sponsored it’s first CHD research project in 1965

to downplay early warning signals that sucrose

consumption was a risk factor in Coronary Heart Disease.

[29] The Sugar Research Foundation initially offered $500

to Professor Mark Hegsted (Harvard University)[51] and

$1000 to Dr. Robert McGandy (Harvard University)

nutritionists. “half to be paid when you start work on the

project and the remainder when you inform me that the

article has been accepted for publication.” [29] Their

falsified documents served as a basis and reference for

further dietary advices by nutritionists, medical doctors,

healthcare professionals and others worldwide for

decades. The directives of the whole healthcare industry

built on that, pharmaceutical developments, sales from

drugs and drug advices by medical doctors in the last 60

years (cholesterol drugs). They blamed fat and cholesterol

where the real correlating factors for CHD (professedly in

the document) is sugar consumption, blood sugar levels

and raised blood trygliceride levels.

A year after the uncover of Project 226 in 2017 The Lancet

wrote: Relationship between macronutrients and CHD is

„controversial” then they made a cohort study finding:

The high carbohydrate intake results higher risk of total

mortality while fat and total fat consumption were not

associated with Cardiovascular disease mortality,

myocardial infarction. [86]

If you eat a low fat diet studies have shown that the

quality of the carbohydrates you eat has a greater impact

on your health compared to a higher fat diet, means that

the damages from sucrose and HFCS are even more

severe with a low fat diet.

Prediabetes

Regularly eating foods with high sugar content can

overload the body's ability to produce enough insulin. It

can also limit the ability of cells to absorb the sugar. We

call that insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is the cause

of prediabetes. or glucose, they will gradually respond

less and less to insulin. [34] Insulin resistance when the

body does not respond properly to insulin. The pancreatic

B cells aren’t making enough insulin to keep blood glucose

in a normal range, blood glucose abnormally high which

damages cells. This highly increases the risk of serious

health problems, including type 2 diabetes and problems

with your heart, blood vessels, eyes, and kidneys.

Prediabetes diagnosed when Fasting plasma glucose

(FPG) 100-125mg/dL, Glucose tolerance test 140-

199mg/dL, A1C average estimated blood sugar over the

past 3 months 5.7%-6.4%.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the aggrevated version of the

prediabetic condition, when the destruction of pancreatic

cells β-cells are at a higher degree. Diagnosed when

Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) 126mg/dL or higher,

Glucose tolerance test 200mg/dL or higher, A1C average

estimated blood sugar over the past 3 months 6.5% or

higher. Raises your risk for heart disease, blindness,

nerve and organ damage, and other serious conditions.

Diabetic neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy is the most common complication of

diabetes mellitus and up to 90% of patients with type 1

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and type 2 diabetes mellitus have neuropathy. Diabetic

neuropathy remains an unmet clinical problem and is

poorly relieved by conventional analgesics. Neuropathy is

diagnosed when diabetic patients complain of symptoms

and/or show signs of peripheral nerve dysfunction after

the exclusion of other etiologies such as

pain, paraesthesiae and loss of sensation43. It has been

shown that activation of polyol pathway plays a key role.

in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy.Diabetic

neuropathy is a common complication of both type 1 and

type 2 diabetes, which affects over 90% of the diabetic

patients. Although pain is one of the main symptoms of

diabetic neuropathy, its pathophysiological

mechanisms are not yet fully known.

Diabetic nephropathy High blood sugar levels can damage the kidneys attacks it’s filtration system, damages the capillary walls and proteins might appear in the urine. Pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, proteinuria

Sugar cravings, dependency and withdrawal Studies shown that the same addictive behavior, anxiety

and withdrawal symptoms occured after excessive sugar

intake as with opioids, morphine or nicotine. „Repeated, excessive intake of sugar created a state in

which an opioid antagonist caused behavioral and

neurochemical signs of opioid withdrawal. The indices of

anxiety and DA/ACh imbalance were qualitatively similar

to withdrawal from morphine or nicotine, suggesting that

the rats had become sugar‐dependent.” [21]

„a diet of intermittent excessive sugar consumption

produces a state with neurochemical and behavioral

similarities to drug dependency” On top of that it causes

behavioral cross-sensitization to a low dose of ampheta-

mine [22]

Sugar increases inflammation

Low to moderate sugar-sweetened beverage

consumption impairs glucose and lipid metabolism and

promotes inflammation in healthy young men: a

randomized controlled trial [10] Raised inflammation

mark-ers in short-term exposed rats to 10% liquid sucrose

solution. [11]

Sugar consumption and elevated triglycerid levels

High blood lipids increase the clotting of blood „Yes.

Added sugars intake does appear to be connected

with increased triglyceride levels.” [49] Dietary glucose

caused increase in trygliceride production, dietary

fructose impaired the triglyceride removal from the blood

both caused elevated triglyceride levels. [105]

From the uncover of Project 226 the 2016 JAMA article

the systematic misrepresentation of sugar damages in the

50’s and 60’s we know that high triglycerides and

elevated blood sugar levels contribute to the

development of coronary heart disease while fat and

cholesterol is not relevant. [29]

Sugar consumption and High Cholesterol

Studies shown that the consumption of added sugar

lowered the HDL (good cholesterol) and increased the

LDL (bad cholesterol) in the blood. [36]

Sugar consumption and High Blood Pressure

Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, a significant

source of dietary fructose, is associated with higher

serum uric acid levels and blood pressure in adolescents.

[26]

Sugar consumption and tooth decay

„Ancient Romans 'had perfect teeth' thanks to healthy

low-sugar diet” [52] (IMUNE Library) , There is a

decreasing diversity of oral bacteria with more

processed foods introduced to our society compared to

the hunter-gatherers. After the change to agriculture

and especially after the Industrial Revolution the

diversity of oral bacteria has decreased. Streptococcus

mutans creates lactic acid while metabolizing sugar,

lactic acid eats away the mineralized enamel surface of

teeth. Thus more sugar creates more lactic acid cases

more decay. [52]

Sugar and Cancer

Cancer cells consume 200 times more sugar than normal

cells also refined sugar makes cancer cells grow faster.

[37]

Fructose-rich sweeteners like high-fructose corn syrup

(HFCS) are particularly offensive, as cancer cells have

been shown to quickly and easily metabolize them in

order to multiply. [53]

Discovery of Tumor M2-PK Proves Cancer Cells Shift

From Oxygen to Glucose as Source of Energy M2-PK (also

known as PKM2) is an enzyme that is important in tumor

metabolism, discovered in 2010 by Harvard Medical

School. Tumor M2-PK helps cancer cells shift to greater

glycolytic pathways. It is only found in cancer cells and

not in normal healthy cells, making M2-PK an excellent

marker for monitoring excelled growth or tracking

improvement in treatment, depending if levels are high

or low. [53]

„The high fructose corn syrup and other refined sugars

are the major cancer-causing food. The brown sugar is

highly refined sugar with the removed molasses added

back in it for flavor and color. Refined sugars and foods

prepared with them lead to major insulin spikes. The

sugar is the best feed for the growth of cancer cells. So

the oncologists are using diabetes medication to fight

cancer cells. Also the majority of the sugar is made using

genetically modified (GMO) sugar beets in USA. Organic

honey, coconut sugar, or maple sugar may be better

alternatives.” [63]

Sugar and mood disorders Heavy sugar consumption is connected to increased risk

of depression. Poor glycemic control is associated with

more diabetes complications, depression, and worse

quality of life. Data suggest that greater glycemic

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variability may be associated with lower quality of life

and negative moods. Implications include replication of

the study in a larger sample for the assessment of blood

glucose fluctuations as they impact mood and quality of

life. [90]

Sugar and the growth of pathogenic microorganisms

Sugar supports the growth of bad bacteria in the bowel

flora, also the overgrowth of candida which can cause

candidiasis. Sugar supports bad bacteria in the mouth,

throat and all parts of the body. Parasites thrive on sugar

too. Candida infections were observed at increased

frequencies among subjects with high blood sugar

levels and PPDs ≥ 5. [64]

Sugar and premature aging, aging processes

Sugar-induced premature aging in the skin [43] „Excess

added sugar plays a central role in age related diseases

and in the process of aging.” [44] Further evidence exits

that the type and amount of dietary carbohydrate can

significantly affect the health and life span of elderly

people. [91]

Sugar and neurdegenerative diseases High-sucrose diet is a mild model of neurodegeneration in wild-type female rodents, as evidenced by exaggerated glucocorticoid expression, spatial learning deficits, irregularities within the insulin pathway, and increased β-amyloid production and Tau phosphorylation. [88] A wealth of evidence indicates a strong link between type 2 diabetes (T2D) and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Although the precise mechanism remains unclear, T2D can exacerbate neurodegenerative processes. Brain atrophy, reduced cerebral glucose metabolism, and central nervous system insulin resistance are features of both AD and T2D. [89] Intake of Sucrose-sweetened Water Induces Insulin Resistance and Exacerbates Memory Deficits and Amyloidosis in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer Disease. [92]

Regarding to the literatures refined sugars are able to severly decrease the quality of life and health for people. By

definition a poison is „a substance that is capable of causing the illness or death of a living organism when introduced or

absorbed.” Sugar shouldn’t be a poison in a society with a balanced diet, but in this society with these circumstances it

satisfies the definition. To consider Refined Sugars as poisonous substances is well founded.

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Applying the Five Element systematic

correspondence from Traditional Chinese

Medicine (TCM)

Your food is your medicine -> Everything you eat has a

property. If some foods or herbs has an effect there is

something else which has the opposite effect.

In TCM Sugar belongs to the Earth element which acts on

Stomach – Spleen. Overconsumption of Sugar can damage

the spleen and it will lead to more sugar cravings. Your

spleen is responsible for the digestion of your food, water

metabolism, menstrual cycles, and controls the overall

peace and harmony in our bodies. Spleen has a function

that keeps the organs at their place. [87]

TCM damaged Spleen may cause: Weight gain, Fatigue,

Depression, Problems with water metabolism, Sugar

cravings, Irregular menstruation, diarrhea, acne

In female genital area spleen damage, excessive

dampness can cause foul-smelling discharge. In the

intestines, it results in loose stools. Other symptoms of

dampness include: bloating, nausea, vomiting, dizziness,

heaviness feeling in the body or limbs and a thick greasy

tongue coating.

Additionally the excess dampness in the Earth element

creates moist in the lungs (METAL element) may lead to

sinusitis, phlegm-type asthma. This contributes to the

upper respiratory symptoms among children.

Excess Earth requests excess Fire weakening it and the

related organs Heart, Pericardium, Small Intestine, Blood

vessels. Inflammation also appears where the solution is

the Water element with it’s Cold nature controls the Fire

and washes away the dampness in the Earth.

We can separate the problem to at least two stages. 1.

The spleen imbalance created at young ages. 2. Then the

imbalance was sustained, inflammation aggrevated the

conditions since most foods people consume is sugars and

sweeteners , dairy products, processed foods, alcohol,.

Imbalance 2 is vast and it was sustained for decades.

To undo the damages we need to apply Anti-inflammatory

herbs first which corresponds to the Water element and

they are cold in nature.

Then we need to balance the Spleen to counteract the

excessive dampness and the damage dealt to the spleen.

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1. The spleen imbalance, damage at young ages. 2. Then the imbalance was sustained, inflammation aggrevated and

multiplied the conditions since most foods people consume is sugars and sweeteners , dairy products, processed foods, alcohol

To undo the damages we need anti-inflammatory herbs they belong to the water element and cold in nature. need to be such

as Coptis rhizome, Phellodendron amurense, Berberis vulgaris, Mahonia aquifolium, Hydrastis canadensis. Then we can

balance the spleen and repair it’s damages with Ginseng, Codonopsis, Chinese Yam, Poria, Jujuba..

A simplified model of the branches of traumas starting with the Initial spleen damage as the first bifurcation point, besides

a trauma can branch in more than two ways. The Initial damage to the spleen caused by Sugar upsets the control of the

metabolism, all kinds of inflammation appear all over the body, depending on personal weaknesses.

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Cool down the inflammation with cold herbs

TCM Water element cold and cooling means anti-

inflammatory effects oppose the heat and excess heat

which is connected to inflammation. Our bodies kept in

inflammation states with high blood sugar levels which is

known and common in our westernized diet. To conteract

a substance which causes heat we need cold herbs. It will

cool down that inflammatory process with the cold herb’s

anti-inflammatory effects.

Copis Chinesis is the rhizome of the Chinese goldthread.

This is one of the 50 fundamental herbs in TCM and it is

one of it’s coldest herbs. It is an „extremely bitter” herb

Not just clears the excess inflammation but removes the

Earth element’s excess dampness caused by sugar which

responsible for weight gain and a lot other undesired

effects discussed above. On top of that it is a strong

antimicrobial. Phellodendron cortex has similar effects.

Their color is the same yellowish which refers to the same

bitter substance they contain.

Coptis chinesis– Huang Lian rhizome

Phellodendron amurense cortex

Tasting and action

Traditionally used bitter tasting herbs remove heat and

toxins they are antimicrobial and have anti-inflammatory

properties. Regarding to TCM Coptis Chinesis rhizome is

extremely bitter TCM connects the bitter taste to the heart

and pericardium, cardiovascular system. TCM also says

bitter flavour goes directly to the heart. One of our biggest

problems with sugar is the increased risk of Coronary

Heart Disease CHD therefore bitter flavoured plants could

be the right direction to continue the research.

The common compound

Looking at the pharmacognosy of these herbs the

substance which is common in all of them and which is

responsible for that bitterness and the related anti-

inflammatory effects is BERBERINE. Berberine is an

extremely bitter yellow substance derived from the

rhizome of Coptis chinesis, root cortex of Phellodendron

amurense (from China), root cortex of Mahonia

aquifolium and herba or root of Hydrastis canadensis

(from North America) or root cortex of Berberis vulgaris

(from Europe). These are traditionally used herbs in herbal

medicines all over the world. About the berberine

containing herbs the extracted natural berberine works as

well as the whole herb.

Mahonia aquifolium – Oregon grape (root cortex)

Goldenseal root – Hydrastis canadensis

Berberine is a natural herbal compound available from

many different herbs.It is probably in your backyard or the

bush that you pass every day on the street where you live.

Mahonia species, Berberis species are widely available

and there are a lot herbs with Berberine in every country

around the world.

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Berberine

I will take a look at the state of the art scientific research

about berberine. It is one of the most studied natural

substances in the world.

Pharmacist say berberine is almost as strong as synthetic

medications. While Berberine’s side effects are negligible.

Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid, Berberine based

formulations, are widely used in traditional systems of

medicine including, Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese

Medicine. Berberine has demonstrated wide range of

pharmacological activities including; antihypertensive,

anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidepressant,

anticancer, anti-diarrhoeal, cholagouge,

hepatoprotective and above all, antimicrobial. Recent

studies, have thrown light on antidiabetic and

hypolipidemic activities of the alkaloid. Berberine has

been tested clinically in the treatment of oriental

sore, diarrhea, trachoma diabetes mellitus type-

2, hypercholesterolemia, and congestive cardiac failure

and more [58]

Scientific studies about Berberine

Anti-inflammatory effects Anti-inflammatory activity of berberine in non-alcoholic

fatty liver disease, [55] Natural compound BBR has

antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities which might

contribute in part to its therapeutic efficacies against

diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance [54]

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease There is evidence, berberine can significantly improve

blood lipids and liver function in patients with NAFLD and

has good advantage in reducing blood glucose in patients

with NAFLD, which might be a new choice for the

treatment of NAFLD (META study) [82] [84] [104] [108]

Prediabetes, Type 2 diabetes, Blood sugar lowering

and stabilizing effects There is strong scientific evidence from the highest quality

(systematic reviews) about the side effect free treatment

of Type 2 diabetes with Berberine. Berberine was able to

lower glucose levels in liver cells. [39] Recent studies

suggest that berberine could have a direct action on

carbohydrate metabolism in the intestines. It affects

glucose metabolism, increases insulin secretion,

stimulates glycolysis, suppresses adipogenesis, inhibits

mitochondrial function. [41] Enhances insulin sensitivity,

resuscitates exhausted pancreatic islets. Extra beneficial

effects on diabetic cardiovascular complications [14]

Lowering triglycerid levels Berberine partially mediated by the up-regulation of

lipolysis gene expressions and down-regulation of

lipogenesis gene expressions through activation of the

AMPK signaling pathway.[112] Lipid-lowering effect of

berberine in human subjects: berberine treatment

produced a mild weight loss and significant lipid-lowering

effects without side effects. [114]

Blood Pressure Lowering Berberine has a hypotensive effect, at least in part, via the

inhibition of ACE and direct release of NO/cGMP in the

vascular tissues[108]

Cholesterol lowering Human experiment shown lipid-lowering effects of

berberine with significant cholesterol level decrease 9% in

the 12 weeks 500mg berberine orally 3 times a day

continous consumption. A mild weight loss effect in obese

patients were present. [114]

Antimicrobial effects of Berberine Starting with the strongest antimicrobial activity S. aureus >P. aeruginosa S (sensitive) >E. coli S>P. aeruginosa R (resistant) >E. coli R>B. subtilis>Z. ramigera>C. albicans>S. cerevisiae>A. pullulans B (black)>A. pullulans W (white)>T. viride Br (brown)>M. gypseum>A niger>F. nivale>P. chrysogenum>T. viride G.

[107] Berberine has shown strong antibacterial effects while it’s effect on funguses was weaker.

Caries tooth decay Berberine shown bactericidal against oral bacteria responsible for dental caries. Streptococcus mutans and other streptococcus species. [117]

Neuropathy -Inflammation of the nerves Berberine suppresses diabetic neuroinflammatory

response, Berberine shown anti-neuroinflammatory

effects Using berberine to treat diabetic neuropathy in

rats induced by STZ and in diabetic patients demonstrated

that berberine could significantly improve the median

nerve, peroneal in nerve conduction velocity (NCV) [46]

Nephropathy – Inflammation of the kidneys Berberine reduced renal injury, Berberine attenuated the

systemic and renal cortex inflammatory response [47].

Berberine shown renoprotective, decreased renal

inflammation [48]

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Anticancer

There is strong scientific evidence about the effectiveness

of Berberine for cancer. Anti-tumor effects in a variety of

tumors in vivo, especially breast cancer and lung cancer.

Has positive effects on colorectal cancer and gastric

cancer Berberine exerted anti-tumor mechanisms was

anti-angiogenesis and there was a dose-response

relationship in these anti-tumor effects..[85]

Antianxiety

With the decrease of 5‐HT, NE, and DA levels, Binding with

GABAA receptor, Inhibition of glutamate receptors,

Increase in turnover rates of monoamines, Activation of 5‐

HT1A and inhibition of 5‐HT1A and 5‐HT2 receptors [59]

Alzheimer’s disease

Berberine prevents brain damages. Berberine could

impede the development of dementia via multiple

mechanisms: preventing brain damages and enhancing

cognition directly in the brain, and indirectly through

alleviating risk factors such as metabolic dysfunction, ,

cerebral ischaemia, mental depression, schizophrenia and

cardiovascular, kidney and liver diseases. This study [83]

provided evidence to support the value of berberine in the

prevention of dementia associated with metabolic

syndrome. [83]

Depression Berberine has effects on neurotransmitters, antioxidation,

nitric oxide synthesis, neuroinflammation, neurotrophic

factors, hormonal regulation in depression. New

association found between irritable bowel syndrome and

depression, while berberine reversed the physical damage

brought about by stress within the gastric mucosa and

intestinal microvilli of the stomach, ileum, caecum, and

colon. [71] Dysregulation of neurotransmitters can cause

depression. Berberine can regulate brain

neurotransmitters, especially biogenic amines (NE, 5-HT,

DA) [12] [57]

Norepinephrine (NE), serotonin (5‐HT) and dopamine (DA)

are neurotransmitters released from neurons during

synaptic transmission in the nervous system. [12] Studies

demonstrated that berberine (10, 20 mg/kg, p.o.),

dramatically reduced the immobility time during the

forced swim test and the tail suspension test. [18] Either

acute or chronic administration of berberine at low doses

results in increased levels of NE, 5‐HT, and DA in whole‐

brain samples. Kulkarni et al showed that acute

administration of berberine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) in mice caused

increased levels of norepinephrine (31%), serotonin (47%),

and dopamine (31%). Chronic administration of berberine

(5 mg/kg, ip) for 15 days significantly increased the levels

of norepinephrine (29%), serotonin (19%) as well as

dopamine (52%). [59]

High concentrations of berberine can protect rats from

various symptoms of chronic stress and depression,

indicating its potential clinical use. [59]

„Our findings indicate that berberine may have

antidepressant effects, based on its ability to decrease the

immobility time in the forced swimming test in OVX mice

without affecting body weight. [57]

Cognitive impairment Berberine ameliorates cognitive impairment caused by

diabetes. with the activation of the cholinergic anti-

inflammatory and insulin signaling pathways

Ameliorated spatial learning memory impairment Berberine restored hippocampal synaptic plasticity which

is the changes of the synaptic conntection strength be-

tween neurons by it’s activity preferences. [106] [61] [60]

Bipolar disorders Berberine inhibits human prolyl oligopeptidase which is

associated with schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder,

and related neuropsychiatric disorders. Study suggests the

initiation of clinical trials in patients with schizophrenia,

bipolar affective disorder, or related diseases like

cognitive capabilities. [60]

Antiaging Chinese herb rhizoma coptidis and its main bioactive

components (berberine) has been used in aging-related

diseases widely, i.e. hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and

some neurodegenerative diseases. Berberine, has found

to extend life span, overall health, and attenuate

premature cellular senescence in animal models.

Berberine as a natural supplement that can potentially

combat aging. [56]

Scientists learn from berberine’s killer mechanism NorA is a drug efflux pump found in resistant pathogenic

bacteria such as MRSA. Berberine inhibits NorA action.

Berberine causes DNA damage: creates genomic lesions in

bacteria then Tumor suppressor P53 protein induces cell

cycle arrest causes the bacteria’s programmed death.

Berberine inhibits Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)

inflammatory response and COX-2 transcriptional activity

which has a key role in colon tumor cell growth.

Antimutagenic activity of berberine from the inhibition of

DNA Topoisomerase enzyme which participates in the

overwinding and underwinding of the DNA.

Induced cell cycle arrest in gastric cancer cells, leukemia

cells and many others.

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Refined Sugar Berberine

Aging Anti-aging, extends life span, overall health, and attenuates premature cellular senescence [56]

Inflammation Anti-Inflammatory [5] [54]

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease NAFLD Improves Liver Function, an effective treatment for NAFLD (Meta study),[82] [84] [104] [108]

Non-Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis Anti-fibrotic effect of berberin [110][112]

Non-Alcoholic SteatoHepatitis NASH Berberine Improves Steatohepatitis, Prevents progression of hepatic steosis to steatohepatitis Prevents non-alcoholic steatohepatitis-derived hepatocellular carcinoma, [97] [99][108]

Prediabetes, Type 2 diabetes Berberine affects glucose metabolism, increases insulin secretion, stimulates glycolysis, suppresses adipogenesis, inhibits mitochondrial function. Offers side effect free Type2 diabetes treatment 14] [39] [41],

Cancer Anticancer activites, strongest effects on breast cancer and lung cancer,colorectal cancer and gastric cancer, cell cycle arrest in a wide variety of cancer cell lines [80] (Systematic Review strong evidence)

Coronary Heart Disease CHD Berberine reduced the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia after coronary artery occlusion; [101] - Ameliorates inflammation in patients with acute coronary syndrome following percutaneous coronary intervention; [102], - Inhibits platelet-derived growth factor-induced growth and migration partly through an AMPK-dependent pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells, [103]

Cardiovascular risks Anti-arrhythmic, Prevents heart failure [100]

Congestive Heart Failure CHF Improvement of ventricular tachycardia with “torsades de pointes” morphology, Prolonged the duration of ventricular action potential [110] Berberine improved quality of life and decreased ventricular premature complexes , ventricular tachycardia and mortality in patients with CHF (no side effects) [96]

Diabetic Nephropathy Renoprotective, decreased inflammatory response [48]

Diabetic Neuropathy Anti-neuroinflammatory, Improves nerve conduction velocity [46]

Neurodegenerative diseases Alleviated synaptic loss, mitochondrial dysfunction, Prevented dopaminergic neuronal loss (Parkinson’s), [69] [70]

Alzheimer’s disease - dementia Prevented brain damage,prevents brain inflammation, enhances cognition, + improves Alzheimer’s indirectly through alleviating risk factors such as metabolic dysfunction, , cerebral ischaemia, mental depression, schizophrenia and cardiovascular, kidney and liver diseases. [68] [71] [83]

Growth of pathogenic microorganisms Antimicrobial, mostly antibacterial including MRSA

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High Blood Pressure Hypotensive by alpha adrenoceptor blockage [95][109] Improved vasodilation by activation of BKCa channel in smooth muscle cells [95]

High Triglyceride levels Triglyceride lowering effects [113], [114]

High Cholesterol Berberine Lowers Cholesterol [114]

Sugar crawings, dependency withdrawal

Reduced the acquisition and reinstatement from morphine [116] (sugar causes similar addictions)

Depression Antioxidation, Regulation of nitric oxide synthesis, neuroinflammation, neurotrophic factors, hormonal regulation in depression; regulates biogenic amines [12] [57]

Anxiety Significant anxiolytic effect , increased turnover rates of monoamines in the brain stem, decreased serotonergic system activity, berberine binds to benzodiazepine site on the GABAA receptor[59]

Bipolar disorders Berberine inhibits human prolyl oligopeptidase which is associated with schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder and related neuropsychiatric disorders[60]

Mood disorders Shown to alleviate mood disorders in a number of ways has the potential to become a mainstream drug for treating mood disorders [59]

Caries tooth decay Inhibited the growth of streptococcus mutans and other streptococcus species [117]

Probably most people suffer from smaller or bigger side effects of the Refined Sugars. It can be

acquired in younger ages and we know that the continuous eating of Refined Sugars and processed

foods just aggrevate the conditions every day.

Is there any other remedy that have broad benefits to human health, such as berberine?

I have examined part of this incredible literature of studies, review articles, research articles,

systematic reviews about berberine. For all of the examined side effects Refined Sugars caused can be

opposed with one or more effect of berberine. Berberine is the single substance which is able to

counteract all of the above conditions. Berberine is the Opposite of Sugar.

Safety: A review [115]presented that berberine is a safe Anti-cancer agent. Human and animal trials -

tests of hematological, cardiovascular, liver, and kidney function following berberine treatment

showed no detrimental side effects to this natural compound. [114]

Regardless how effective berberine was in the research articles there is no guarantee that it will work

for you. A lot depends on the quality of the herbs you can get, the way you take them and your

whole diet and lifestyle is a huge factor. Besides berberine is something worth to try for everyone.

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Get Well

Our complex Berberine formula offers you pure natural

biologically active berberine and an added absorbtion

booster. Includes multiple sources of Berberine.

Additive Free- We do not use synthetic Additives or

binders, fillers, whiteners other unnecessary chemicals

A special aroma protective packaging ensures the

freshness of these herbal ingredients.

https://onlynatureknows.com/product/get-well/

Spleen Balance

Spleen has the function to keep our organs in their right

places. It stores energy from the food also has key role

in gathering the nutrition from the food what we eat.

Because of the dietary imbalances we need to support

our spleen.

Balances the Spleen,

Alleviates Spleen deficiency

Counteracts dampness caused by

Refined Sugars and processed food.

COMING SOON

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