{"id":28771,"date":"2026-11-10T15:02:44","date_gmt":"2026-11-10T14:02:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/berberine-same-dose-different-effect-in-women-and-men-study-2026\/"},"modified":"2026-11-10T17:08:27","modified_gmt":"2026-11-10T16:08:27","slug":"berberine-women-men-study","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/berberine-women-men-study\/","title":{"rendered":"Berberine: same dose, different effect in women and men (2026 study)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A man and a woman take exactly the same berberine capsule, at the same dose, for three months. Logically, they should achieve the same result. <strong>A study published in October 2026 shows the opposite: in women, the decrease in cholesterol was almost three times stronger, and testosterone moved in the opposite direction depending on the sex.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I devoted a video to this study. This article follows its reasoning with the figures, the limitations, and the state of the file in Europe, where berberine is subject to a provisional unfavorable opinion. I am the founder of DIX, and our Fat Burner contains berberine: we therefore have an interest in this subject, and each figure below has its source.<\/p>\n\n\n        <div class=\"dix-callout dix-callout--key\" role=\"note\">\n            <span class=\"dix-callout__icon dashicons dashicons-yes-alt\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n            <div class=\"dix-callout__body\">\n                                    <p class=\"dix-callout__title\">The short answer<\/p>\n                                <div class=\"dix-callout__content\"><p><strong>The result<\/strong>: at 1 g per day for 12 weeks, berberine lowered apoB, total cholesterol, LDL, and Lp(a) in women, with an effect almost three times weaker in men. <strong>Testosterone<\/strong> decreased in women and slightly increased in men: it is not a booster. <strong>In Europe<\/strong>, the EFSA estimates in a provisional opinion of 2026 that no dose of berberine can be considered safe; the final decision has not been made.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        \n\n\n\n<figure><iframe class=\"w-full h-auto aspect-video\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Ge-7z443J3o?rel=0\" title=\"Berberine: same dose, but not the same effect in women and men. The video by Cyril Certain\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe><figcaption>Cyril&#8217;s video: the Hong Kong study, its two lines of explanation, its limitations, and the European opinion.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Berberine in a nutshell<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Berberine is a yellow molecule found in several plants, including barberry (<em>Berberis vulgaris<\/em>), and has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine. In the United States and the United Kingdom, it is freely sold as a supplement. On social media, it is nicknamed &#8220;the natural Ozempic.&#8221; However, no trial has directly compared it to this medication: the nickname stems from marketing, not science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/berberine-gelules-femmes-hommes.webp\" alt=\"Two identical berberine capsules, one lit in blue, the other in pink, next to a barberry root (generated image)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><figcaption>Same capsule, two responses: that&#8217;s the whole subject of the study. Generated illustration image.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What is better established is its effect on blood lipids. Several trials and meta-analyses support this, and according to the study authors, the 2019 European recommendations on dyslipidemias cite it among the options for people who poorly tolerate statins. <a href=\"#source-1\">[1]<\/a> <a href=\"#source-2\">[2]<\/a> One question remained that no one had really asked: does it act the same way in women and men?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The study: two trials conducted in Hong Kong<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A team from the University of Hong Kong conducted two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. The first involved 84 men and was completed at the end of 2020. The second, years later, involved 100 women. All were between 20 and 65 years old and had slightly elevated cholesterol or triglycerides. For 12 weeks, half took 500 mg of berberine twice a day, the other half an identical capsule without berberine. <a href=\"#source-1\">[1]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The interesting detail: the men&#8217;s blood had been frozen at \u221280 \u00b0C. The researchers took it out to analyze it exactly like the women&#8217;s, with the same technique and in the same laboratory. This is what makes the comparison possible. The main criterion was apolipoprotein B (apoB). The trials were funded by a public fund from Hong Kong, and the authors declare no conflicts of interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cholesterol: an effect almost three times stronger in women<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In women, the results are clear. Compared to the placebo, apoB decreased by 0.13 g\/L, from a baseline value of 0.9 g\/L: about 14% less. Total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, and lipoprotein(a) also decreased, and these effects remain significant after correction for multiple comparisons. <a href=\"#source-1\">[1]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In men, the direction is the same, but the effect is much smaller: almost three times weaker on apoB, and nothing significant on LDL or Lp(a). The gender gap is significant on apoB, total cholesterol, LDL, and Lp(a), with heterogeneity from 83 to 85%.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"dix-script\" id=\"dix-script-28753\" data-script-id=\"28753\" data-type=\"custom\" data-subtype=\"\" data-config='{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;custom&quot;,&quot;subtype&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'><div class=\"dix-script__container\"><div class=\"dix-script__title dix-script__title--center\" data-el=\"title\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"dix-script__description bfh2__desc\" data-el=\"desc\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"chart__sort-buttons flex-wrap gap-2 mb-4 bfh2__btns\" role=\"group\" data-el=\"buttons\"><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"chart__state chart__state--good bfh2__head\" data-el=\"head\">\n    <span class=\"chart__state-icon\" data-el=\"head-emoji\">\ud83d\udc8a<\/span>\n    <span data-el=\"head-name\"><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"chart__histogram bfh2__histo\" data-el=\"histogram\">\n    <div class=\"chart__y-label\" data-el=\"y-label\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"chart__y-axis\" data-el=\"y-axis\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"chart__grid-lines\" data-el=\"grid-lines\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"chart__bars-area\">\n        <div class=\"chart__bars\" data-el=\"bars\"><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"chart__bar-labels\" data-el=\"labels\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"chart__tooltip\" data-el=\"tooltip\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"chart__scale-note\" data-el=\"scale-note\"><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"dix-script__note dix-script__note--info\" data-el=\"note\"><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"dix-script__hidden\">\n<span data-t=\"title\">Same capsule, two responses<\/span>\n<span data-t=\"desc\">Choose a marker: the height of the bars shows the strength of the effect of berberine against placebo, after 12 weeks.<\/span>\n<span data-t=\"y-label\">Effect size (standard deviations)<\/span>\n<span data-t=\"scale-note\">100 women and 84 men, 500 mg of berberine twice a day for 12 weeks, against placebo. Effects in standard deviations: the higher the bar, the stronger the effect.<\/span>\n<span data-t=\"lab-f\">Women<\/span><span data-t=\"lab-h\">Men<\/span>\n<span data-t=\"btn-apob\">ApoB<\/span><span data-t=\"btn-ct\">Total cholesterol<\/span><span data-t=\"btn-ldl\">LDL<\/span><span data-t=\"btn-tg\">Triglycerides<\/span><span data-t=\"btn-lpa\">Lp(a)<\/span><span data-t=\"btn-testo\">Testosterone<\/span>\n<span data-t=\"head-apob\">ApoB, the main criterion: almost 3 times stronger effect in women<\/span>\n<span data-t=\"head-ct\">Total cholesterol: 2.6 times more effect in women<\/span>\n<span data-t=\"head-ldl\">LDL: clear in women, not significant in men<\/span>\n<span data-t=\"head-tg\">Triglycerides: decreased in both sexes<\/span>\n<span data-t=\"head-lpa\">Lp(a): decreased in women only<\/span>\n<span data-t=\"head-testo\">Testosterone: same capsule, opposite direction<\/span>\n<span data-t=\"note-apob\">In women, \u22120.13 g\/L for a starting value of 0.9 g\/L, about 14% less than under placebo. ApoB counts the particles of \"bad\" cholesterol.<\/span>\n<span data-t=\"note-ct\">Significant decrease in both groups, much more marked in women.<\/span>\n<span data-t=\"note-ldl\">In men, the confidence interval ranges from \u22120.74 to +0.11: no conclusion can be drawn about an effect.<\/span>\n<span data-t=\"note-tg\">This is the only marker where the gender gap is small. Since weight was not measured, a decrease in appetite could play a role.<\/span>\n<span data-t=\"note-lpa\">In men, +0.03: no effect. Lp(a) mainly depends on genes, which makes the decrease in women interesting.<\/span>\n<span data-t=\"note-testo\">Decrease in women, just significant increase in men, with an increase in SHBG. It is not a testosterone booster.<\/span>\n<span data-t=\"tt-f\">in women<\/span><span data-t=\"tt-h\">in men<\/span><span data-t=\"ns\">not significant<\/span>\n<span data-t=\"source\">Source: Zhao et al., JACC Asia, 2026, DOI 10.1016\/j.jacasi.2026.06.011.<\/span>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The results are expressed in standard deviations, a unit that allows different measurements to be compared with each other. Click on &#8220;Testosterone&#8221; in the chart: it&#8217;s the strangest part of the study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why apoB instead of LDL?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each particle of &#8220;bad&#8221; cholesterol, LDL, IDL, or VLDL, carries a single apoB. Measuring it is like counting the trucks rather than weighing the goods. It is these particles that are directly involved in artery diseases, hence the growing interest of cardiologists in this marker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The surprise of Lp(a)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lipoprotein(a) is a cholesterol mainly determined by your genes, which diet and exercise have little effect on. The kind of guest who settles on your couch and never leaves. Seeing it decrease in women is therefore an interesting signal. With a caveat: most participants already had normal Lp(a) levels (medians around 18 to 20 mg\/dL), and we don&#8217;t know what berberine would do for someone with very high levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Testosterone: the same capsule, the opposite effect<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The researchers also looked at hormones. After 12 weeks, berberine lowered total testosterone in women (\u22120.42 standard deviation) and increased it in men (+0.43). <a href=\"#source-1\">[1]<\/a> Same product, opposite effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In women, this is not necessarily bad news. In polycystic ovary syndrome, where testosterone is often too high, this is even what we seek to achieve, and this is where the only two previous trials in women had been conducted.<\/p>\n\n\n        <div class=\"dix-callout dix-callout--warning\" role=\"note\">\n            <span class=\"dix-callout__icon dashicons dashicons-warning\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n            <div class=\"dix-callout__body\">\n                                    <p class=\"dix-callout__title\">No, this is not a testosterone booster<\/p>\n                                <div class=\"dix-callout__content\"><p>In men, the increase is modest and barely significant: the lower bound of the confidence interval is at 0.004. It crosses the finish line, but in a decline. Moreover, berberine has also raised SHBG, the protein that holds testosterone in the blood. Free testosterone, the one that acts, has probably not changed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        \n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why the same dose does not have the same effect<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The authors propose two avenues, without deciding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What really happens in the blood.<\/strong> Another study, published in 2025, measured berberine after a single intake: in women, there was about 2.8 times more in total in the blood, with a peak 3.6 times higher. <a href=\"#source-3\">[3]<\/a> A liver enzyme that breaks it down, CYP2D6, might not work the same way depending on the sex. At the same dose, women would therefore retain much more. It&#8217;s a bit like ordering the same coffee as your partner and seeing her receive, without extra charge, a gourmet coffee.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"dix-script\" id=\"dix-script-28752\" data-script-id=\"28752\" data-type=\"custom\" data-subtype=\"\" data-config='{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;custom&quot;,&quot;subtype&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'><div class=\"dix-script__container\"><div class=\"dix-script__title dix-script__title--center\" data-el=\"title\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"dix-script__description bfe__desc\" data-el=\"desc\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"chart__sort-buttons flex-wrap gap-2 mb-4 bfe__btns\" role=\"group\" data-el=\"buttons\"><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"chart__state chart__state--good bfe__head\" data-el=\"head\">\n    <span class=\"chart__state-icon\">\ud83e\ude78<\/span>\n    <span data-el=\"head-name\"><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"chart__histogram bfe__histo\" data-el=\"histogram\">\n    <div class=\"chart__y-label\" data-el=\"y-label\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"chart__y-axis\" data-el=\"y-axis\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"chart__grid-lines\" data-el=\"grid-lines\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"chart__bars-area\">\n        <div class=\"chart__bars\" data-el=\"bars\"><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"chart__bar-labels\" data-el=\"labels\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"chart__tooltip\" data-el=\"tooltip\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"chart__scale-note\" data-el=\"scale-note\"><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"dix-script__note dix-script__note--warning\" data-el=\"note\"><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"dix-script__hidden\">\n<span data-t=\"title\">At the same dose, women retain more<\/span>\n<span data-t=\"desc\">Berberine measured in the blood after the same single intake, with men as the reference.<\/span>\n<span data-t=\"y-label\">Compared to men (\u00d7)<\/span>\n<span data-t=\"scale-note\">Pharmacokinetic study published in 2025, cited by the authors of the Hong Kong trial. A single intake, not three months of supplementation.<\/span>\n<span data-t=\"lab-h\">Men<\/span><span data-t=\"lab-f\">Women<\/span>\n<span data-t=\"btn-auc\">Total quantity<\/span><span data-t=\"btn-cmax\">Blood peak<\/span>\n<span data-t=\"head-auc\">About 2.8 times more total berberine in women's blood<\/span>\n<span data-t=\"head-cmax\">A peak 3.6 times higher in women<\/span>\n<span data-t=\"tt-h\">reference<\/span><span data-t=\"tt-f\">compared to men<\/span>\n<span data-t=\"note\">A lead, not proof: in the Hong Kong trial, no one measured berberine in the blood. The liver enzyme CYP2D6 could explain it. Source: Blocher et al., Clinical Pharmacology &amp; Therapeutics, 2025.<\/span>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The hormones.<\/strong> Berberine activates AMPK, a kind of energy switch for cells, which fasting and physical activity also stimulate. Estrogens activate this same switch. In women, the two effects could add up. The authors themselves write that this mechanism remains to be verified, and in this study, no one measured berberine in the blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The limits of the study<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before rushing to buy, let&#8217;s look at what these two trials do not say.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"dix-script\" id=\"dix-script-28751\" data-script-id=\"28751\" data-type=\"custom\" data-subtype=\"\" data-config='{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;custom&quot;,&quot;subtype&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'><div class=\"dix-script__container\"><div class=\"bfl\"><h3 class=\"bfl__title\">Five limits to keep in mind<\/h3><p class=\"bfl__sub\">The authors describe them themselves. None invalidate the result, all invite confirmation.<\/p><div class=\"bfl__grid\">\n<div class=\"bfl__c\"><div class=\"bfl__n\">1<\/div><div class=\"bfl__k\">Not at the same time<\/div><div class=\"bfl__v\">Men tested until 2020, women years later<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"bfl__c\"><div class=\"bfl__n\">2<\/div><div class=\"bfl__k\">Not made for comparison<\/div><div class=\"bfl__v\">Two separate trials, brought together after the fact<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"bfl__c\"><div class=\"bfl__n\">3<\/div><div class=\"bfl__k\">Markers<\/div><div class=\"bfl__v\">12 weeks of blood tests, no heart attacks counted<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"bfl__c\"><div class=\"bfl__n\">4<\/div><div class=\"bfl__k\">Weight not measured<\/div><div class=\"bfl__v\">Less appetite or direct effect? Doubt remains for triglycerides<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"bfl__c\"><div class=\"bfl__n\">5<\/div><div class=\"bfl__k\">8 stops out of 50<\/div><div class=\"bfl__v\">Against 2 under placebo, mostly for digestive disorders<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Men and women were not tested at the same time.<\/strong> The authors compare each berberine group to its own placebo, which limits bias, without eliminating it.<\/li><li><strong>The trials were not designed to compare sexes.<\/strong> The difference is clear, but it needs to be confirmed by a trial that includes both from the start.<\/li><li><strong>Twelve weeks, blood markers.<\/strong> Cholesterol was measured, not heart attacks. No one knows yet if this translates to fewer cardiovascular diseases.<\/li><li><strong>Neither weight nor waist circumference was measured.<\/strong> Twenty women reported digestive disorders under berberine, compared to eight under placebo. Does the lipid decrease come from a reduced appetite or direct action? For Lp(a), less sensitive to weight, the question is less relevant; for triglycerides, doubt remains.<\/li><li><strong>More dropouts under berberine.<\/strong> Among women, 8 out of 50 stopped in the berberine group compared to 2 out of 50 under placebo, mostly due to side effects, especially digestive. The main analysis only keeps those who completed it; redone with a more cautious method, it reaches the same conclusions, with slightly weaker effects.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let&#8217;s add that all participants were of Chinese origin. On the safety side, no serious effects were reported over these three months, and liver enzymes (ALT and AST) remained stable. Keep in mind that berberine is not suitable for everyone: your stomach may let you know very quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Europe thinks of berberine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While Hong Kong tests berberine against cholesterol, Europe is closely examining it. On January 29, 2026, the EFSA, the European Food Safety Authority, adopted a draft opinion on plant preparations containing berberine, at the request of the French agency, Anses. <a href=\"#source-4\">[4]<\/a> <a href=\"#source-5\">[5]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His conclusion: <strong>no dose can be considered safe<\/strong>. The EFSA relies in particular on genotoxicity signals observed in the laboratory, on data in rodents, on rare liver damage that cannot be predicted, and on missing studies.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"dix-script\" id=\"dix-script-28762\" data-script-id=\"28762\" data-type=\"custom\" data-subtype=\"\" data-config='{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;custom&quot;,&quot;subtype&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'><div class=\"dix-script__container\"><section class=\"bft\"><h3 class=\"bft__title\">Berberine in Europe: where is the case?<\/h3><p class=\"bft__intro\">The steps known as of November 10, 2026, and what may follow.<\/p>\n<ol class=\"bft__line\">\n<li class=\"bft__step\"><span class=\"bft__date\">2019<\/span><div class=\"bft__body\"><strong>An option mentioned in cardiology<\/strong><span>According to the study authors, European cholesterol guidelines cite it for people who poorly tolerate statins.<\/span><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"bft__step\"><span class=\"bft__date\">2022<\/span><div class=\"bft__body\"><strong>France requests an evaluation<\/strong><span>Anses refers the matter to EFSA regarding the safety of berberine plants (EFSA-Q-2022-00803 dossier).<\/span><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"bft__step bft__step--alert\"><span class=\"bft__date\">Jan 29, 2026<\/span><div class=\"bft__body\"><strong>Draft opinion: no dose deemed safe<\/strong><span>Signals on DNA in the lab, data in rodents, rare unpredictable liver damage, missing studies.<\/span><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"bft__step\"><span class=\"bft__date\">March 2 to May 4, 2026<\/span><div class=\"bft__body\"><strong>Public consultation<\/strong><span>Manufacturers, researchers, and authorities can provide data.<\/span><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"bft__step\"><span class=\"bft__date\">Oct. 2026<\/span><div class=\"bft__body\"><strong>The Hong Kong study is published<\/strong><span>It focuses on efficacy, not on the rare effects that concern EFSA.<\/span><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"bft__step bft__step--now\"><span class=\"bft__date\">Nov 10, 2026<\/span><div class=\"bft__body\"><strong>Pending<\/strong><span>Neither final opinion nor decision from the European Commission. Berberine remains authorized as a supplement.<\/span><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"bft__step bft__step--next\"><span class=\"bft__date\">Next<\/span><div class=\"bft__body\"><strong>Three possible outcomes<\/strong><span>Status quo, monitoring with a deadline to provide studies, or prohibition.<\/span><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p class=\"bft__foot\">Sources: EFSA, draft opinion of January 29, 2026; NutraIngredients, March and July 2026; regulation (EC) 1925\/2006, article 8.<\/p><\/section><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A nuance matters: &#8220;we cannot set a safe dose&#8221; does not mean &#8220;it is dangerous&#8221;: it means that we do not have enough data to assert that it is safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A three-month trial on 100 people may show the absence of frequent severe effects. It cannot detect a rare reaction that would affect one person in several thousand. It is precisely this type of reaction that concerns the EFSA.<\/p>\n\n\n        <div class=\"dix-callout dix-callout--warning\" role=\"note\">\n            <span class=\"dix-callout__icon dashicons dashicons-warning\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n            <div class=\"dix-callout__body\">\n                                    <p class=\"dix-callout__title\">Before taking it<\/p>\n                                <div class=\"dix-callout__content\"><p>If you have cholesterol or are undergoing treatment, talk to your doctor: berberine does not replace any medication and may interact with some of them, as it inhibits liver enzymes that eliminate many (CYP2D6, CYP3A4). It should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding; pregnant or breastfeeding women were actually excluded from the study.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        \n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">And our Fat Burner?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our Fat Burner contains 350 mg of berberine extract for 4 capsules, alongside nine other active ingredients: L-carnitine, L-tyrosine, ginger, mate, guarana, green tea, coleus, grapefruit, and cayenne pepper, plus a bit of black pepper. Each dose is indicated in milligrams on the label.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is a much lower dose than the gram of pure berberine given daily in the study. So we won&#8217;t tell you it lowers your cholesterol: no such claims are allowed, and the study didn&#8217;t test it. We keep berberine because it remains a relevant molecule, with more and more studies, and we closely follow the EFSA&#8217;s opinion. If the regulations change, our formula will change with it.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"dix-product-grid dix-product-grid--banner\">        <article class=\"dix-product dix-product--banner\">\n            <div class=\"dix-product__body\">\n                <a class=\"dix-product__media\" href=\"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/product\/buy-fat-burner\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Burleur-de-graisse-naturel-puissant-cellulite-400x400.png\" class=\"dix-product__img\" alt=\"Fat burner\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Burleur-de-graisse-naturel-puissant-cellulite-400x400.png 400w, https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Burleur-de-graisse-naturel-puissant-cellulite-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Burleur-de-graisse-naturel-puissant-cellulite-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Burleur-de-graisse-naturel-puissant-cellulite-600x600.png 600w, https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Burleur-de-graisse-naturel-puissant-cellulite-100x100.png 100w, https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Burleur-de-graisse-naturel-puissant-cellulite.png 675w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/>                <\/a>\n                <div class=\"dix-product__info\">\n                    <h3 class=\"dix-product__name\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/product\/buy-fat-burner\/\">Fat burner<\/a>\n                    <\/h3>\n                                            <p class=\"dix-product__excerpt\">10-in-1 Fat Burner: Ultra-complete formula combining L-Carnitine (1g), Berberine, and Forskolin to optimize fat\u2026<\/p>\n                                        <div class=\"dix-product__price\"><span class=\"woocommerce-Price-amount amount\">39,90&nbsp;<span class=\"woocommerce-Price-currencySymbol\" dir=\"auto\">&euro;<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n                    <p class=\"dix-product__stock dix-product__stock--in\"><span class=\"dix-product__stock-dot\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>In stock<\/p>                                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"dix-product__action dix-product__action--footer\"><a href=\"\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28771?add-to-cart=17825\" data-quantity=\"1\" data-product_id=\"17825\" data-product_sku=\"3770025533056\" class=\"btn btn--secondary dix-product__btn add_to_cart_button ajax_add_to_cart\" rel=\"nofollow\">Add to cart<\/a><\/div>\n                    <\/article>\n        <\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What we retain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Berberine does lower cholesterol in trials<\/strong>, and this study suggests it works better in women. It is a serious lead, which remains to be confirmed.<\/li><li><strong>It is neither a testosterone booster nor a replacement for your treatment.<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>In Europe, its future is not written.<\/strong> The doses or recommendations may change, and berberine may no longer be authorized as a simple supplement. As of today, it is.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ultimately, the most interesting lesson goes beyond berberine: the same dose does not mean the same effect. Before this study, there were only two trials on berberine in women, both in polycystic ovaries. A result obtained in men does not always copy-paste to women, and the vast majority of studies are still conducted on men.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"dix-script\" id=\"dix-script-28765\" data-script-id=\"28765\" data-type=\"quiz\" data-subtype=\"\" data-config='{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;quiz&quot;,&quot;subtype&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;questions&quot;:[{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Same capsule, same dose, for 12 weeks: in whom did apoB decrease the most?&quot;,&quot;options&quot;:[{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;In men&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:false},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;In women&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:true},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Equally in both&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:false}],&quot;explanation&quot;:&quot;The effect on apoB was almost three times stronger in women (\\u22121.18 vs. \\u22120.44 standard deviation). Source: Zhao et al., JACC Asia, 2026.&quot;},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Men\\u0027s testosterone slightly increased. Is berberine a testosterone booster?&quot;,&quot;options&quot;:[{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Yes, it is proven&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:false},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;No&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:true}],&quot;explanation&quot;:&quot;The increase is barely significant and SHBG, which retains testosterone in the blood, also increased: free testosterone probably did not change.&quot;},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Why would women react more?&quot;,&quot;options&quot;:[{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;This is proven by this study&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:false},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Two hypotheses, still to be verified&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:true}],&quot;explanation&quot;:&quot;Women may retain more berberine in the blood (2.8 times more in a 2025 study), and estrogens activate the same enzyme, AMPK. In the trial, no one measured blood berberine.&quot;},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Does a 3-month trial on 100 people without serious effects prove that berberine is safe?&quot;,&quot;options&quot;:[{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Yes&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:false},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;No, it cannot detect a rare reaction&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:true}],&quot;explanation&quot;:&quot;A reaction affecting one person in several thousand goes unnoticed in a trial of this size. It is precisely this type of reaction that concerns EFSA.&quot;},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;As of November 10, 2026, is berberine banned in Europe?&quot;,&quot;options&quot;:[{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Yes, since EFSA\\u0027s opinion&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:false},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;No, the opinion is only provisional&quot;,&quot;correct&quot;:true}],&quot;explanation&quot;:&quot;The draft opinion of January 29, 2026 does not set any safe dose, but neither the final opinion nor the Commission\\u0027s decision has been issued. It remains allowed as a supplement.&quot;}],&quot;scoring&quot;:null,&quot;results&quot;:{&quot;high&quot;:{&quot;minPercent&quot;:80,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;The right benchmarks are there&quot;,&quot;message&quot;:&quot;You differentiate between a trial result, a hypothesis, and a regulatory opinion. This result does not constitute medical advice.&quot;},&quot;medium&quot;:{&quot;minPercent&quot;:50,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;A few nuances to review&quot;,&quot;message&quot;:&quot;Reread the explanations: they summarize what the study shows and what it does not show. The quiz does not say if you can take berberine.&quot;},&quot;low&quot;:{&quot;minPercent&quot;:0,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Take the article back calmly&quot;,&quot;message&quot;:&quot;The sections on cholesterol, testosterone, and the European opinion answer each question. If you are undergoing treatment, talk to your doctor.&quot;}},&quot;recommendations&quot;:null,&quot;keyPoints&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Berberine: do you have the right benchmarks?&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;Five questions about the 2026 study and the European opinion. The result measures your knowledge, not your health or your ability to take a supplement.&quot;,&quot;causes&quot;:null,&quot;diagnosticResults&quot;:null,&quot;intro&quot;:null}'><div class=\"dix-script__container quiz-container\"><div class=\"quiz__header\"><h3 class=\"dix-script__title\">Berberine: do you have the right benchmarks?<\/h3><div class=\"quiz__progress-wrapper\"><div class=\"quiz__progress-text\"><span class=\"quiz__progress-current\">1<\/span> \/ 5<\/div><div class=\"dix-script__progress\"><div class=\"dix-script__progress-bar\" style=\"width: 0%\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"quiz__question\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n        <div class=\"dix-faq\">\n                            <p class=\"dix-faq__title\">Your questions about berberine<\/p>\n                                <details class=\"dix-faq__item\">\n            <summary class=\"dix-faq__question\">Does berberine lower cholesterol?<\/summary>\n            <div class=\"dix-faq__answer\"><p>In trials, yes. In the Hong Kong study published in 2026, 1 g per day for 12 weeks reduced apoB by about 14% in women compared to placebo, with an effect nearly three times weaker in men. It does not replace treatment: talk to your doctor about it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n        <\/details>\n                <details class=\"dix-faq__item\">\n            <summary class=\"dix-faq__question\">Does berberine increase testosterone?<\/summary>\n            <div class=\"dix-faq__answer\"><p>In the men of the study, total testosterone slightly increased, just significantly, but SHBG also increased: free testosterone probably did not change. In women, it decreased. This is not a testosterone booster.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n        <\/details>\n                <details class=\"dix-faq__item\">\n            <summary class=\"dix-faq__question\">Why does berberine act more in women?<\/summary>\n            <div class=\"dix-faq__answer\"><p>Two hypotheses: women may retain more in the blood (2.8 times more in a 2025 study), and estrogens activate the same enzyme as berberine, AMPK. Neither has been verified in this study.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n        <\/details>\n                <details class=\"dix-faq__item\">\n            <summary class=\"dix-faq__question\">Is berberine banned in Europe?<\/summary>\n            <div class=\"dix-faq__answer\"><p>No, not on November 10, 2026. EFSA published a provisional opinion in January 2026 stating that no dose can be considered safe. The final decision has not been made; it could range from monitoring to prohibition.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n        <\/details>\n                <details class=\"dix-faq__item\">\n            <summary class=\"dix-faq__question\">What are the side effects of berberine?<\/summary>\n            <div class=\"dix-faq__answer\"><p>Mainly digestive issues: in the trial among women, 20 reported digestive disorders under berberine compared to 8 under placebo. No serious effects were observed over 12 weeks. It may interact with medications and is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n        <\/details>\n                <\/div>\n        <script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Does berberine lower cholesterol?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"In trials, yes. In the Hong Kong study published in 2026, 1 g per day for 12 weeks reduced apoB by about 14% in women compared to placebo, with an effect nearly three times weaker in men. It does not replace treatment: talk to your doctor about it.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Does berberine increase testosterone?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"In the men of the study, total testosterone slightly increased, just significantly, but SHBG also increased: free testosterone probably did not change. In women, it decreased. This is not a testosterone booster.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Why does berberine act more in women?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Two hypotheses: women may retain more in the blood (2.8 times more in a 2025 study), and estrogens activate the same enzyme as berberine, AMPK. Neither has been verified in this study.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is berberine banned in Europe?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"No, not on November 10, 2026. EFSA published a provisional opinion in January 2026 stating that no dose can be considered safe. The final decision has not been made; it could range from monitoring to prohibition.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What are the side effects of berberine?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Mainly digestive issues: in the trial among women, 20 reported digestive disorders under berberine compared to 8 under placebo. No serious effects were observed over 12 weeks. It may interact with medications and is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding.\"}}]}<\/script>        \n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">To go further on berberine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To go further, this article covers the weight side.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"dix-article-grid dix-article-grid--card\">        <article class=\"dix-article dix-article--card\">\n            <div class=\"dix-article__body\">\n                                    <a class=\"dix-article__media\" href=\"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/weight-loss-berberine\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                                                    <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/berberine-1-400x400.jpg\" class=\"dix-article__img wp-post-image\" alt=\"Berberine and weight loss: myth?\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/berberine-1-400x400.jpg 400w, https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/berberine-1-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/berberine-1-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/>                                            <\/a>\n                                <div class=\"dix-article__info\">\n                    <span class=\"dix-article__type\">Article<\/span>\n                    <h3 class=\"dix-article__name\">\n                                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/weight-loss-berberine\/\">Berberine and weight loss: myth?<\/a>\n                                            <\/h3>\n                                            <p class=\"dix-article__excerpt\">Discover if berberine helps with weight loss: metabolic mechanisms, dosage, and scientific studies. Usage tips and side effects.<\/p>\n                                                                                    <div class=\"dix-article__action\">\n                            <a class=\"btn btn--secondary dix-article__btn\" href=\"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/weight-loss-berberine\/\">Lire la suite<\/a>                        <\/div>\n                                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <\/article>\n        <\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sources and studies cited<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li id=\"source-1\">Zhao JV, Chen B, Chan YH et al. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jacasi.2026.06.011\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sex-Specific Lipid, Apolipoprotein B, and Lipoprotein(a) Responses to Berberine Based on 2 Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials<\/a>. JACC: Asia, 2026;6(10):2204-2216. Trials NCT06782646 (women) and NCT03770325 (men).<\/li><li id=\"source-2\">Mach F et al. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/eurheartj\/ehz455\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2019 ESC\/EAS Guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias<\/a>. European Heart Journal, 2020, cited by Zhao et al.<\/li><li id=\"source-3\">Blocher JA et al. Sex-dependent effects of CYP2D6 on the pharmacokinetics of berberine in humans. Clinical Pharmacology &amp; Therapeutics, 2025;117:250-260, cited by Zhao et al.<\/li><li id=\"source-4\">EFSA. Draft opinion on the safety of plant preparations containing berberine (EFSA-Q-2022-00803), adopted on January 29, 2026, public consultation from March 2 to May 4, 2026.<\/li><li id=\"source-5\">NutraIngredients. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nutraingredients.com\/Article\/2026\/03\/10\/no-safe-intake-level-for-berberine-efsa-opens-consultation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">No safe intake level for berberine: EFSA opens consultation<\/a>, March 10, 2026, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nutraingredients.com\/Article\/2026\/07\/31\/safety-in-question-what-is-the-future-of-berberine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Safety in question: what is the future of berberine?<\/a>, July 31, 2026.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><small>Article from the video by Cyril Certain, supplemented by the full reading of the study. This content is informative and does not replace the advice of a healthcare professional.<\/small><\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A 2026 study shows a drop in cholesterol almost three times stronger in women, and testosterone moving in opposite directions depending on sex. Results, limitations and EFSA\u2019s opinion.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":28749,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_dix_linked_products":"","_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":true,"rank_math_title":"Berberine and cholesterol: why women respond more (2026 study) | DIX","rank_math_description":"Berberine: nearly 3 times stronger effect on cholesterol in women, testosterone in the opposite direction. The 2026 study, its limitations, and the opinion of EFSA.","rank_math_canonical_url":"","rank_math_robots":"","rank_math_focus_keyword":"berberine cholesterol,berberine testosterone,berberine efsa"},"categories":[975,945],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28771","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-nutrition","category-slimming-metabolism"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/berberine-banniere-v2-scaled.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28771","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28771"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28771\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28787,"href":"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28771\/revisions\/28787"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28749"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28771"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28771"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dixsupps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28771"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}