Healthnews24South Africa's supplement answer desk

Is berberine really a natural Ozempic?

Healthnews24 editorial deskUpdated 2 min read
Answer first

No. Berberine is not a natural Ozempic. It is a plant alkaloid that may lower weight and blood glucose slightly in some studies, mostly at 1 g or more a day for over eight weeks, but trials are small, inconsistent and often biased. It does not work like semaglutide, can cause stomach upset, and interacts with some medicines. Speak to your doctor before using it in South Africa.

  • NCCIH: a 2022 review of 18 weight studies found significant weight loss, mainly at doses above 1 g/day for more than 8 weeks, but with high risk of bias and inconsistent results.
  • Semaglutide 2.4 mg produced about 15% average weight loss over 68 weeks in the STEP 1 trial; berberine studies show far smaller changes.
  • Berberine interacts with cyclosporine and may be unsafe in pregnancy and breastfeeding (NCCIH).
  • As of August 2026 SAHPRA had registered no complementary medicines in South Africa (Spotlight, August 2026).

Where does the "natural Ozempic" claim come from?

Ozempic and Wegovy contain semaglutide, a prescription medicine that mimics the gut hormone GLP-1. In the main trial of semaglutide 2.4 mg (STEP 1), participants lost about 15% of their body weight on average over 68 weeks. The "natural Ozempic" label for berberine is social-media marketing: berberine is not a GLP-1 drug and the weight changes seen with it are far smaller.

What does the evidence say about berberine?

Berberine is a compound found in plants such as barberry and goldenseal. The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) summarises the evidence like this:

  • A 2022 review of 18 weight studies and 23 BMI studies found statistically significant decreases, mainly at doses above 1 g a day taken for more than eight weeks.
  • Many of the included studies had a high risk of bias and the results were inconsistent.
  • Doses and formulations varied widely, most participants had conditions such as diabetes or fatty liver, and most studies were done in Asia, so the findings may not apply to healthy South Africans wanting to lose a few kilograms.

NCCIH's conclusion is that the evidence is not conclusive. We rate it emerging to weak for weight loss in healthy people.

What are the risks?

  • Digestive side effects are the most reported: nausea, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation or diarrhoea.
  • Drug interactions: berberine has been shown to interact with cyclosporine, and it can affect how the body handles other medicines. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you take.
  • Blood sugar: berberine can lower glucose, so people with diabetes on medication need medical supervision.
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding: NCCIH describes berberine as likely unsafe for infants and possibly unsafe in pregnancy because of bilirubin effects in newborns. Avoid it.
  • Quality: in South Africa, herbal and "health supplement" products are not pre-approved. As of August 2026 (the latest report we found) no complementary medicines had been registered by SAHPRA, and many labels carry a disclaimer that the product has not been evaluated. Dose and purity on the label are the brand's own statement. See what Category D means.

What actually works better for weight?

The strongest levers are unchanged: a sustained calorie deficit, protein of about 1.6–2.0 g/kg, resistance training and sleep (how much protein to lose fat). If you struggle with obesity or type 2 diabetes, ask your doctor about registered options, including prescription GLP-1 medicines where appropriate. Anyone already on such a medicine should also read protein supplements on GLP-1 medication.

Bottom line

Berberine may have a small effect on weight and glucose, but it is not a substitute for semaglutide, the dose and product quality are uncertain, and the interaction risks are real. See your doctor first, particularly if you take any prescription medicine, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have liver or kidney problems. Drug-tested athletes should also remember that no supplement is cleared by SAIDS (supplement testing).

Sources

  1. NCCIH (US National Institutes of Health): Berberine and weight loss, what you need to know
  2. Spotlight (14 Aug 2026): Inside the Box with Dr Andy Gray, are complementary medicines effectively regulated in South Africa?
  3. SAHPRA Guideline 7.04: Complementary Medicines, Health Supplements safety and efficacy (Mar 2022)
  4. Wilding JPH et al. (2021) Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity (STEP 1). NEJM

Educational information only, not medical advice. Speak to a doctor, pharmacist or registered dietitian before using supplements if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, under 18, taking medication, or living with kidney, liver or heart disease.

Cite this page: Healthnews24, “Is berberine really a natural Ozempic?”, updated 27 October 2026, https://www.healthnews24.co.za/answers/is-berberine-nature-s-ozempic/. Plain-text version: /answers/is-berberine-nature-s-ozempic.md