Is Berberine Bad for Kidneys?

Berberine, a staple in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been mainly used to treat diarrhea and other gastrointestinal infections.

And while it’s a popular supplement that may also cause weight loss and reduce blood pressure, you may be worried about its potential side effects and risks.

Is berberine bad for kidneys?

For most people, berberine doesn’t appear to cause harm to your kidneys.

“Berberine use doesn’t seem to affect the kidneys in a negative way, including early stages of kidney disease (CKD 1 and 2), and research doesn’t show any major concern about using berberine with the recommended dose,” says functional medicine specialist Layth Tumah, MD. “However, regular monitoring with either a blood or urine test is recommended.”

But Dr. Tumah adds that if you have severe chronic kidney disease and are on dialysis, you should avoid using berberine. Dialysis affects your kidneys’ ability to filter and remove substances from your body.

Benefits for kidneys

Research shows that berberine may have some potential benefits for your kidneys.

“It’s not clear if berberine improves kidney health directly,” notes Dr. Tumah. “It’s likely more due to the other benefits of berberine.”

Berberine benefits that may indirectly improve or support your kidney health include:

• Reduces inflammation
• Lowers lipid levels
• Reduces blood pressure
• Regulates blood sugar management
• Increases good gut bacteria

Research also shows that berberine could potentially help manage Type 2 diabetes for people who can’t take certain anti-diabetes drugs because of kidney problems. But more research is needed.

Berberine and kidney function

A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis notes that in lab studies, berberine may improve renal function by reducing creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels, which can be beneficial for kidney health.

These waste products are filtered out through your kidneys, and high levels can indicate that your kidneys aren’t working properly. These beneficial effects of berberine may be related to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress properties.

Another study shows that berberine can impact your gut health, which results in a reduction of substances that can make kidney disease worse.

But it’s important to note, again, that more research is needed to fully understand how berberine can affect your kidneys.

Possible side effects and risks

Like other supplements, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t review or regulate berberine. That means no one checks what’s sold to ensure it’s safe and effective.

Berberine side effects may include:

• Nausea
• Abdominal discomfort
• Constipation
• Diarrhea

But not everyone experiences berberine side effects. If you do, Dr. Tumah suggests lowering your dosage (500 milligrams once or twice a day before meals), which should help minimize side effects.

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you shouldn’t take berberine. And berberine isn’t recommended for children or babies.

Bottom line

Make sure you talk to your healthcare provider before taking berberine, especially if you take other medications. Berberine may interact with certain medications.