Berberine supplements in Canada come in a handful of forms and strengths, and two bottles that both say "500 mg" aren't always giving you the same amount. This guide is about reading the bottle: where the berberine comes from, berberine vs berberine HCl, strength per capsule, servings and the capsule itself.
If you're comparing berberine labels in the supplement aisle, or you've been asked to pick up a particular strength, this will help you match what's on the shelf to what you're looking for. Whether berberine suits you is a question for your practitioner; our naturopathic doctors in Bedford are happy to help with that part.
What is berberine?
Berberine is a bright yellow, plant-based compound, an alkaloid, found in the roots, rhizomes and bark of several plants. It has a long history in traditional herbal use alongside other herbs. In Canada, berberine supplements are sold as licensed natural health products for adults. In supplements, it's almost always extracted and sold as capsules or softgels, and the label tells you which plant it came from.
| Plant | Botanical name | Part used |
|---|---|---|
| Indian barberry | Berberis aristata | Root |
| Barberry | Berberis vulgaris | Root bark |
| Oregon grape | Berberis aquifolium | Root |
| Chinese goldthread | Coptis chinensis | Rhizome |
Goldenseal also contains berberine, but goldenseal products are whole-herb supplements rather than berberine extracts, so they're labelled differently.
Berberine vs berberine HCl
Most berberine supplements use berberine hydrochloride (berberine HCl), a stable salt form of berberine. Labels list the amount in one of two ways:
- As berberine HCl. The number is the weight of the salt. Part of that weight is the hydrochloride, so the berberine itself is a little less.
- As berberine. The number is the berberine the capsule provides, with the HCl amount shown alongside.
Two examples from our shelf make it clear. Naka Berberine lists 500 mg of berberine per capsule, made from 553 mg of berberine HCl. NFH Berberine SAP lists 300 mg of berberine HCl per capsule, providing 271.5 mg of berberine. When you compare strengths, compare the same number on each bottle.
Berberine supplements in Canada: label facts compared
| Product | Per capsule | Source | Count | Capsule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naka | 500 mg berberine (553 mg HCl) | Coptis chinensis rhizome | 90 or 150 | Hypromellose (vegetable) |
| Preferred Nutrition | 500 mg berberine HCl | Barberry root bark | 120 | Cellulose (vegetarian) |
| CanPrev | 500 mg, standardized to 97% | Oregon grape root | 60 | Vegetable |
| Natural Factors | 500 mg | Barberry | 60 | Vegetarian |
| NFH | 271.5 mg berberine (300 mg HCl) | Berberis aristata root | 90 | Vegetable |
| Designs for Health | 400 mg berberine HCl | Berberis aristata root | 60 | Softgel (gelatin) |
500 mg berberine capsules
500 mg per capsule is the most common strength on the shelf. Naka Berberine comes in two sizes: 90 capsules or 150. Its serving is one capsule twice a day with a meal, so the 90-count lasts 45 days and the 150-count 75 days. Naka is a Canadian supplement maker based in Ontario, founded in 1991, and the label carries NPN 80129768.
Preferred Nutrition Berberine gives 500 mg of berberine HCl from barberry root bark in a cellulose capsule, 120 to a bottle. Adults take one capsule twice a day with meals, so a bottle lasts two months, and the only other ingredients are microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, silica and stearic acid.
NakaBerberine 500 mg, 90 caps500 mg berberine per capsule. A 45-day bottle.Shop →
NakaBerberine 500 mg, 150 capsThe larger size. A 75-day bottle.Shop →
Preferred NutritionBerberine 500 mgBerberine HCl from barberry root bark. 120 capsules.Shop →
CanPrevBerberine 500 mgFrom Oregon grape root, standardized to 97%. 60 capsules.Shop →
CanPrev Berberine is 500 mg per capsule from Oregon grape root, standardized to 97% berberine, in a vegan capsule that's gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free and non-GMO. CanPrev is a Canadian company. Natural Factors WellBetX Berberine gives 500 mg per vegetarian capsule, sourced from barberry, and Natural Factors is a British Columbia supplement maker.
Natural FactorsWellBetX Berberine 500 mg500 mg berberine per vegetarian capsule, from barberry. 60 capsules.Shop →
Practitioner lines and softgels
Some berberine comes from professional lines that practitioners often recommend by name. NFH Berberine SAP provides 271.5 mg of berberine per capsule from Berberis aristata root, in a capsule made of vegetable carbohydrate gum and water, 90 to a bottle.
Designs for Health Berb-Evail (now labelled Berberine-Evail) is the softgel option: 400 mg of berberine HCl per softgel from Berberis aristata root, in an oil base of MCT oils, non-soy lecithin and vitamin E tocotrienols. The softgel is gelatin, so it isn't vegetarian; it's gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free and non-GMO.
NFHBerberine SAP271.5 mg berberine per capsule. 90 capsules.Shop →
Designs for HealthBerberine-Evail400 mg berberine HCl per softgel, in an oil base. 60 softgels.Shop →
Compare like with like: berberine to berberine, or HCl to HCl.
How to read a berberine bottle
- Find the medicinal ingredients. On a Canadian label, this section names berberine or berberine HCl, the plant source, such as Berberis aristata or Coptis chinensis, and the quantity per capsule.
- Check the amount per capsule. Note whether it's berberine or berberine HCl, and whether a serving is one capsule or two.
- Read the directions. Each bottle states how many capsules to take and when. The 500 mg bottles from Naka and Preferred Nutrition are taken one capsule twice a day with meals.
- Work out the days per bottle. Divide the capsule count by the capsules per day: 120 capsules at two a day is 60 days.
- Look at the non-medicinal ingredients. They tell you the capsule type (vegetable, cellulose or gelatin softgel) and any fillers such as microcrystalline cellulose. Many labels also list free-from claims: gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free, non-GMO or no artificial colours.
- Look for the NPN. An eight-digit NPN on the label shows the product is licensed for sale in Canada. Every label also has a cautions section that tells you when to consult a health care practitioner prior to use; read it before you start.
Good to know
Keep berberine in a cool, dry place with the lid tight, and out of reach of children. Leave any freshness packet in the bottle.
Questions we get a lot
Is berberine sold in Canada?
Yes. Berberine is sold as a licensed natural health product, and each bottle carries an eight-digit NPN. We carry it from Naka, CanPrev, Preferred Nutrition, Natural Factors, NFH and Designs for Health.
Where can I buy berberine 500 mg in Halifax?
At both of our stores, in Bedford and Dartmouth. Naka, Preferred Nutrition, CanPrev and Natural Factors all make a 500 mg capsule, and you can also order online for same-day delivery in HRM or shipping across Canada.
What's the difference between berberine and berberine HCl?
Berberine HCl is the salt form used in most capsules. Its weight includes the hydrochloride, so 553 mg of berberine HCl provides about 500 mg of berberine.
Do I take berberine with food?
Follow the directions on your bottle. The 500 mg capsules from Naka and Preferred Nutrition are taken with meals, one capsule twice a day.
Is berberine vegan?
Most of the capsules we carry are vegetable or cellulose capsules, and CanPrev's is labelled vegan. The Designs for Health softgel is gelatin, so it isn't vegetarian.
Which berberine should I choose?
Start with the strength and serving you've been asked to take, then choose the source plant and capsule type that suit you. If you'd like advice for your own situation, book with one of our naturopathic doctors.
Buying berberine: Canada-wide shipping or either store
Want help comparing labels?
Bring your list to the supplement aisle at either store, and we'll help you read the bottles side by side.
You'll find berberine with our heart health supplements in the supplement aisle at both stores: 486 Starboard Drive in Bedford and 590 Portland Street in Dartmouth, open seven days. In HRM, order by 11 am with Luminate Express for same-day delivery, or choose pickup. Anywhere else in Canada, orders over $80 ship free.
Sources: product labels and listings for the items shown. This article is general information, not medical advice.
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