Berberine vs. Ozempic: What’s better for weight loss and diabetes?

Key Points

• People on Ozempic can lose an average of 15% of their body weight, while berberine offers modest weight loss
• Ozempic is an FDA-approved medication for type 2 diabetes, while berberine is a dietary supplement without FDA approval
• Both help with blood sugar control but through different ways
• A healthy diet and regular exercise are key to losing weight on Ozempic or berberine 

Berberine has gained attention on social media as the "natural" alternative for blood sugar control. Nicknamed "Nature's Ozempic," it's being compared to the prescription drug that's famous for lowering blood glucose levels, making you full faster, and reducing your appetite.

But do these comparisons hold up?

Learn the real differences between berberine and Ozempic, how they affect your body, and what the science says about their effectiveness and side effects. 

Understanding your options is the first step toward making informed decisions about your health.

Berberine vs Ozempic: How do they work?

Ozempic, the prescription option

Ozempic is a medication that’s authorized by the FDA for type 2 diabetes in people with obesity. Its active ingredient, semaglutide, mimics a natural hormone called GLP-1 that your body releases after eating.

Ozempic is designed to:

• Lower your blood sugar by increasing insulin while you eat
• Prevent sugar spikes by reducing glucose production in your liver
• Help you lose weight by keeping you feeling full for hours after eating
• Control your appetite so that you’re satisfied with less food

Berberine, the supplement

Berberine is found in nature and has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. In recent years, it’s been discussed as a potential substitute for Ozempic and a “natural” way to lower blood sugar levels.

Berberine helps your body use insulin better. Think of insulin as a key that unlocks your cells so they can fuel up by absorbing sugar from your blood for energy. Berberine may help make this process work better, which could help bring down your blood sugar.

However, unlike Ozempic, berberine supplements are not considered diabetes medication. Also, while early small studies suggest berberine may help with blood sugar control, scientists still need to conduct more research on its long-term effects on the body.

Now that we understand how they work, let's compare how they affect various health conditions and weight loss.

Diabetes management

Ozempic for diabetes

In studies, about 7 out of 10 people on Ozempic reached their blood sugar goals. Most people start seeing better blood sugar readings within about two months.

Ozempic helps your body manage blood sugar by prompting your pancreas to make insulin when needed and reducing the hormone (glycogen) that raises blood sugar. This means your blood sugar stays more balanced after you eat.

Ozempic slows stomach emptying, which prevents blood sugar spikes after meals and maintains steadier glucose levels throughout the day. This delayed emptying creates a smoother overall blood sugar response, which is especially beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes.

Berberine for diabetes

In early studies, berberine helped lower blood sugar levels. Basically, your cells welcome the effects of insulin a little better so they can absorb sugar in your blood and use it to keep you alive and functioning.

Berberine also helps slow down how much sugar your liver makes and how quickly your body breaks down carbs like bread and pasta. This could help keep your blood sugar levels steady, increasing increases insulin sensitivity.

Takeaway: Berberine vs. Ozempic for diabetes

Gia Eapen, MD, elaborates, “Berberine is not a direct substitute for Ozempic to treat diabetes. It's best not to stop taking diabetes medicine like Ozempic, Mounjaro, or even metformin to try berberine without checking with your doctor first. However, berberine could play a role in your overall diabetes treatment plan. Please talk to your doctor about adding it to your routine.”

It’s important to remember that semaglutide, the main ingredient in Ozempic, has been well-researched and is backed by robust clinical evidence. On the other hand, berberine supplements have shown promise in early but limited studies, but we need more information before we can confirm its benefits.

Weight management

Ozempic and weight loss

While Ozempic helps control blood sugar, it’s a household name because it has helped many lose weight. Studies show that people can lose an average of 15% of their body weight on Ozempic. While it’s not officially approved by the FDA for weight loss, in some cases, it is prescribed off-label.

Plus, Ozempic helps reduce “food noise”—the relentless chatter in our heads urging, cajoling, and seducing us into eating refined and processed foods rich in carbs, sugar, fat, and salt. Silencing constant thoughts of food can make it easier to make nutritious choices during meals.

Berberine on weight loss

Berberine supplements, in comparison, appear to offer more modest weight loss results. Studies show that berberine helped reduce body weight by roughly 4 to 5 pounds, with modest improvements in BMI and waist circumference.

Berberine’s effect on weight is also indirect—it has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity, which, in turn, can help you lose weight.

And what about berberine’s effect on carb cravings? Some studies on animals have shown that it can help reduce food cravings, but research based on humans is needed.

Takeaway: Berberine vs. Ozempic for weight loss

“Ozempic offers an average of 15% weight loss, while berberine supplements may have a more gradual and indirect effect on weight by improving insulin sensitivity,” says Eapen, MD. “Although weight loss changes on berberine are not as dramatic as those seen with Ozempic, it can be a part of an overall weight loss plan, together with lifestyle changes.”

If you’re on prescription medication to treat health conditions related to excess weight, please consult a healthcare provider before adding berberine or other supplements to your diet.

Side effects: Berberine vs. Ozempic

Common Ozempic side effects include stomach problems like nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting, and constipation. In rare cases, more serious issues like pancreatitis can happen.

“Berberine supplements may cause milder stomach troubles—constipation, diarrhea, or stomach cramps but is generally safe for use, says Eapen, MD. “However, unlike Ozempic, berberine hasn't been studied in large, long-term research trials, so doctors aren't sure about its safety over many years of use. Always talk to your doctor about side effects before taking a new medication or supplement.”

Berberine can also interfere with how your liver processes certain medications, including metformin (a common diabetes drug). This means taking berberine along with these medications could change how well they work or cause unexpected side effects.

Making lifestyle changes for better results

Neither Ozempic nor berberine can help you lose weight without a nutritious diet and other healthy habits. Here's what you can do to get the most benefit:

Eating a balanced diet

To lower blood sugar levels and lose weight, you will need a diabetes-friendly diet filled with foods rich in dietary fiber, like whole vegetables and fruit, lean protein, whole grains, and a small amount of healthy fat.

Cutting back on processed foods and sugary drinks can make a big difference in how you feel.

But you may have already known this.

Many of us know we need to eat less sugar, processed foods, and fatty foods to lose weight and achieve our health goals. The real challenge is making it happen in daily life—when you’re busy, on a tight budget, stressed, fighting food cravings, urges to binge, or using food as a reward for being “good” or getting through tough times.

Here’s where getting help from an expert can make things easier. A registered dietitian can create an eating plan just for you and help you learn to fit it into your everyday life.

Stay active

After we eat, almost 60-70% of the sugar in our blood is used up by our command center, the brain. Next in line are skeletal muscles—the muscles that help us move.

So, when you exercise and move about all day, your muscles absorb more blood glucose to make energy. This helps keep type 2 diabetes or prediabetes in check.

You don’t have to start big. Even moderate activity for 30 minutes a day helps. Taking a stroll for even 5-10 minutes after you eat can help prevent blood sugar spikes. Eventually, you can try to add strength training to your routine to build muscle.

Final thoughts

Berberine supplements cannot replace a prescription for Ozempic or other diabetes medication. However, with medical supervision, they could be a part of diabetes treatment or a weight loss plan.

Whether you take berberine or Ozempic, the healthy habits you build play a huge role in managing blood sugar and weight. This includes a nutritious diet and regular exercise.

Your best approach is learning as much as you can about your options and talking with your healthcare provider and a registered dietitian about what may work for your specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the main difference between berberine and Ozempic?

Ozempic is an FDA-approved prescription medication for type 2 diabetes. The main ingredient in the drug is semaglutide, which mimics a natural hormone to regulate blood sugar and curb your appetite. Berberine, on the other hand, is a dietary supplement that, in early studies, improves insulin sensitivity by making it easier for cells to absorb blood glucose.

2. Is it safe to take berberine and Ozempic?

Berberine has known drug interactions, and it’s best not to take it with Ozempic without close medical supervision.

3. What is the best Ozempic diet for weight loss?

Incorporating a balanced diet and regular exercise can enhance the benefits of Ozempic and berberine by improving insulin sensitivity and overall metabolic health.

4. Should you talk to a doctor before taking berberine?

It is important to consult with your healthcare provider before taking berberine if you have been diagnosed with a medical condition like diabetes or are already taking prescription meds. You may also consult a registered dietitian to help you get a personalized Ozempic diet to help you hit your weight loss goals.

Start losing weight now. Find a registered dietitian who accepts your insurance.

The views expressed by authors and contributors of such content are not endorsed or approved by Fay and are intended for informational purposes only. The content is reviewed by Fay only to confirm educational value and audience interest. You are encouraged to discuss any questions that you may have about your health with a healthcare provider.