Fatty liver disease affects nearly one in three adults and is closely linked to obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and alcohol use. Early stages often cause few or no symptoms, but progression can lead to liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and an increased risk of liver cancer.

Because fatty liver disease is driven largely by metabolic dysfunction and chronic inflammation, berberine has been studied as a potential supportive therapy. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis found that berberine supplementation was associated with improvements in liver enzymes, lipid profiles, and insulin sensitivity in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) [1]. These effects are consistent with berberine’s known actions on glucose metabolism, lipid regulation, inflammation, and the gut–liver axis.

By addressing several of the underlying contributors to fatty liver disease rather than a single pathway, berberine may offer a useful adjunct to dietary and lifestyle strategies aimed at restoring metabolic balance.

Reference 

  1. J Transl Med. 2024 Mar 1;22(1):225. The clinical efficacy and safety of berberine in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a meta-analysis and systematic review