Abdominal adiposity. Apple bodies. My best friend was just lamenting to me about what she was calling her “meno-belly”. Another friend told me that she was going to “throw up” if she heard the term “visceral fat” again. Belly fat, also known as visceral fat, refers to the fat that accumulates around the abdomen and internal organs. Unlike subcutaneous fat, which is found just beneath the skin, visceral fat is deeper within the abdominal cavity and surrounds vital organs such as the liver, pancreas, and intestines. Excess visceral fat has been linked to an increased risk of various health problems, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome.

Berberine is a bioactive compound found in several plants, including the roots, rhizomes, and bark of various herbs from the Berberis genus, such as Berberis vulgaris (barberry), Berberis aristata (tree turmeric), and Coptis chinensis (Chinese goldthread). It has been used in traditional medicine systems, particularly in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, for centuries due to its health benefits. In this blog, we discuss some of the benefits and a brief history of berberine's use in medicine.