Blood sugar and weight loss are closely related which means when one is improved, the other is soon to follow. Your blood sugar is a measure of the glucose in your blood, which acts as the primary fuel for the body. This glucose, however, cannot be used unless the body produces insulin. With impaired glucose tolerance, the body produces more glucose than what is needed which raises the blood sugar. As a result, the body produces more insulin so all the glucose can be used for energy. This insulin surge impairs the body’s ability to burn fat for energy and drops the blood sugar, stimulating the hunger hormones as well as stress hormones. Not only has the body stored more fat, but now the person feels a need to eat again despite the meal they just had. To burn stored fat, a person needs to lower insulin levels to a certain threshold. This is where many of the anti-diabetes medicines have come into play to help with weight loss.

The supplement Berberine has similar properties. It is a compound that is extracted from several plants and works by activating an enzyme inside your cells called AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). AMPK helps regulate how the body uses blood sugar and regulates metabolism. With a more regulated blood sugar, a person is less likely to feel hungry. Multiple studies showed supplementing with berberine twice a day for 3 months had a significant decrease in weight. You should talk to your doctor before starting berberine because it will interact with some medications.