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Buy Now on Amazon *Glyco-X 500, Glyco-X 400 and Glyco-X 250 are dietary supplements that contain a yellow, bitter alkaloid called berberine.
According to the manufacturer, the Good State Glyco-X supplement is “designed to help support healthy blood sugar levels” and “can help support healthy heart system.”
The product is also touted to support normal cholesterol levels and to help maintain a “healthy weight manage with ZERO Jitters or stimulants.”
Berberine possesses several pharmacological properties which are beneficial to health. Berberine HCL products like Glyco-X 500 are often marketed for purposes including weight loss support, blood-glucose management and improvement to athletic performance.
There has not been a lot of research completed on berberine in the past, but various studies are now underway. Berberine is known to be helpful for fighting infections, balancing blood lipids – and cleansing the liver and gallbladder.
Glyco-X 500 can be purchased on Amazon or from a number of other health supplement retailers. In addition to Berberine HCL sourced from Phellodendron Amurense root extract, this product also contains 24 mg of Banaba Leaf.
Heart Health
Immunity
Gut Health- Supports immune function & digestion
- Supports blood sugar metabolism
- Maintain cardivascular health & lipid levels
Glyco-X 500 with Berberine
Glyco-X supplements are manufactured by Good State, Inc., a company based in Pennsylvania, USA.
According to the company’s website, Glyco-X 500 with Berberine: [1]
- Supports weight loss without causing jitteriness;
- Increases cellular absorption of nutrients;
- Helps to support blood sugar levels;
- Helps lower cholesterol;
There is some evidence that supports these uses, but more research is needed to understand exactly how this supplement works in the human body.
Clinical research on berberine suggests several other benefits as well.
According to Dr. Joseph Mercola, “berberine’s beneficial effects may cascade into helping many different conditions”. Some of these are purported to include:
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD);
- Cardiovascular disease;
- Numerous infections;
- Metabolic syndrome;
- Depression;
- Diabetes;
- Cancer;
Dr. Mercola says that if you are searching for a broad-spectrum natural compound to support your health, then berberine may be a good choice. [2]
However, the Glyco-X line of supplements have not been approved by the US FDA as a medicine for the treatment of any health conditions. This means it cannot be promoted as a drug to prevent, ameliorate or treat diseases or health problems.
Glyco-X 500 for Weight Loss
Some people use berberine HCL dietary supplements like Glyco-X 500 to promote weight loss and healthy weight management.
Some people use There is some clinical evidence that supports this use, but large-scale, reliable research is still lacking.
In one 12-week study, researchers concluded that three daily 500 mg doses of berberine caused weight loss in obese individuals. Treatment subjects lost an average of 5 pounds and 3.6% of their stores of body fat. [3]
In a different study, 37 women and men with metabolic syndrome were given 300 mg berberine doses three times daily.
In 90 days, the average participant decreased BMI (body mass index) from 31.5 (obese) to 27.4 (overweight). Subjects in this study also reduced belly fat, and improved various other health markers. [4]
More research is needed on the weight loss effects of berberine in humans. Note that these results were conducted with generic supplements containing the same ingredient as Glyco-X 500.
Benefits of Banaba Leaf Extract
Glyco-X supplements also contain banaba leaf (Lagerstroemia speciosa) extract.
Banaba contains corosolic acid which has been shown to protect against microbes, reduce inflammation, balance blood-glucose levels and protect/repair cells. [5]
As an alternative medicine, banaba is used for hypertension (high blood pressure), hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol), kidney disease, metabolic syndrome, infections and cleansing the liver. [5]
Also like berberine, there is insufficient reliable data to rate the efficacy of banaba as a weight loss agent.
Glyco-X 500 Reviews
On Amazon, 66% of 357 reviews on Glyco-X with Berberine HCL 500 mg rate this supplement as 5 out of 5 stars.
The majority of reviews are focused on improvements to blood-glucose management. Some users state that they were able to stop using metformin, a commonly-prescribed antidiabetic drug.
According to the International Journal of Endocrinology, [6] berberine activates an enzyme called AMPK (adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase) in those with type 2 diabetes mellitus. AMPK activation by berberine:
- Stimulates glycolysis (glucose breakdown) in peripheral tissues;
- Decreases the liver’s production of glucose (gluconeogenesis);
- Decreases glucose absorption in the intestines;
- Improves cellular sensitivity to insulin;
- Increases cellular uptake of glucose;
- Modulates microbiota in the gut;
According to Dr. Julian Whitaker, berberine “is used to treat diabetic nephropathy (DPN), diabetic neuropathy (DN), and diabetic cardiomyopathy due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.”. [7]
While there is research suggesting a positive effect, the FDA has not approved the use of berberine as a drug for the treatment of diabetes, metabolic syndrome or related conditions.
Other positive user reviews for Glycox-500 on Amazon report improvements to energy, mood, athletic performance, cholesterol levels and libido.
7% of the reviews on Amazon rate it as 1 out of 5 stars. These negative reviews cite that either the product did not work for them, the product arrived damaged somehow, side effects like constipation and high bilirubin levels or that the product made them feel sick.
One negative review say that this product was not as potent as other formulations used, such as the Thorne Research Berberine-500 supplement.
Glyco-X 500 Side Effects
According to Dr. Mercola, berberine has an outstanding safety profile. He says some minor digestive effects are possible; like cramping, flatulence, constipation and/or diarrhea. [2]
Berberine and banaba may interact with certain drugs and herbal supplements. Use extra caution using Glyco-X 500 with antiplatelet, anticoagulant, antidiabetic, antihypertensive and/or CNS depressant substances.
What is the Best Dosage of Berberine to Use? some studies have used daily doses between 900 mg and 1200 mg.
Because of a short half-life, it is generally recommended to take berberine 2 or 3 times daily in smaller doses rather than in one larger dose. [2]
As with any natural medicine, it is best to start using a berberine supplement at low doses. Monitor the effects closely and step up the dosage, if necessary, slowly and in small increments.
You should seek medical advice about using Glyco-X 500, Glyco-X 400 or Glyco-X 250 before beginning. Be sure you understand the possible side effects and drug/disease interactions that are possible.
- Yueshan Hua, b, , , Erik A. Ehlia, b, Julie Kittelsrudc, Patrick J. Ronanb, c, Karen Mungerc, Terry Downeyc, Krista Bohlenc, d, Leah Callahanc, Vicki Munsonc, Mike Jahnkec, Lindsey L. Marshalle, Kelly Nelsona, Patricia Huizengaa, Ryan Hansena, c, Timothy J. Soundyb, Gareth E. Daviesa, b, f Lipid-lowering effect of berberine in human subjects and rats. Phytomedicine Volume 19, Issue 10, 15 July 2012, Pages 861–867
- Yang, Jing et al. “Berberine Improves Insulin Sensitivity by Inhibiting Fat Store and Adjusting Adipokines Profile in Human Preadipocytes and Metabolic Syndrome Patients.” Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine?: eCAM 2012 (2012): 363845. PMC. Web. 23 Nov. 2016.
- Jacob Schor, ND, FABNO Clinical Applications for Berberine. Potential therapeutic applications in metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Natural Medicine Journal. December 2012 Vol. 4 Issue 12
Article last updated on: July 22nd, 2018 by Nootriment