Over the past year, conversations about GLP-1 have exploded, thanks in large part to injectable drugs like Ozempic® and Wegovy®. But behind the hype is a much deeper issue: rising rates of insulin resistance, weight gain, and type 2 diabetes are signaling a metabolic crisis.
GLP-1 receptor agonists are just one tool in the toolbox. But for those seeking a more sustainable, natural approach, there’s a powerful plant compound that’s gaining attention for its ability to support GLP-1 levels, improve blood sugar control, and enhance metabolic function, without the side effects of pharmaceuticals.
That compound is berberine, and Provita’s Berberine TPGS takes it to a whole new level.
The Metabolic Dysfunction Behind Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes isn’t just about high blood sugar. It’s the result of a tangled web of dysfunction involving:
- Insulin resistance: cells stop responding to insulin, leaving glucose in the bloodstream
- Excess glucagon: the liver keeps pumping out sugar, even when it’s not needed
- Low-grade inflammation: which damages tissues and disrupts metabolic signaling
- Impaired appetite regulation: driven by hormone imbalances and gut-brain miscommunication
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) helps untangle this web. Secreted by the gut in response to food, this powerful hormone:1,2
- Boosts insulin secretion when blood sugar is high
- Lowers glucagon, thereby reducing sugar release from the liver
- Slows digestion, helping you feel fuller, longer
- Communicates with the brain to reduce appetite
It’s no wonder pharmaceutical GLP-1 mimickers are so popular. But what if your body could naturally do more of that on its own?
Berberine: Nature’s Metabolic Multitasker
Berberine isn’t new, it’s been used in traditional medicine for centuries. But modern science now shows it acts on multiple metabolic pathways, including:
- Stimulating your body’s own GLP-1 secretion by activating L-cells in the gut3
- Improving insulin sensitivity in muscle and liver cells4,5
- Reducing inflammation and oxidative stress6
- Activating AMPK (adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase) which is known as the “metabolic master switch”7,8
- Modulating the gut microbiome to support growth of beneficial bacteria that are associated with metabolic improvement9,10
Put simply, berberine supports the body on multiple levels, touching several of the root factors behind metabolic dysfunction.
What Sets Provita’s Berberine TPGS Apart
There’s a catch with standard berberine supplements: less than 1% gets absorbed.11,12 This leads to two major issues:
- You need large doses to see effects
- Those doses often cause digestive upset13
Provita’s Berberine TPGS was designed to overcome both challenges. This breakthrough formula includes:
- TPGS (Vitamin E tocophersolan) – a solubility-enhancing compound that dramatically boosts absorption11
- Chitosan and caprylic acid – ingredients that open the intestinal wall and improve uptake12,14
The result? Up to 10x more bioavailability and better tolerance, so you can experience the full benefits of berberine with just two capsules per day.11,12,14
Why Natural GLP-1 Support Matters
GLP-1 medications work, but they’re not for everyone. Many people experience nausea, fatigue, or plateau effects. And while results can be impressive in the short term, the long-term picture is more complex: in one clinical study, participants regained two-thirds of their lost weight within a year of stopping treatment. Many who had reached normal blood sugar levels during the intervention reverted back to prediabetic ranges, highlighting that the benefits often fade once the medication is discontinued.15
Berberine offers a different approach. Rather than overriding the body’s natural systems, it supports them—helping stimulate GLP-1 production, improve insulin sensitivity, and regulate blood sugar in response to food.
It’s about working with your body—gently and consistently—to restore balance and support lasting change.
From Root Cause to Real Results
At Provita, we believe in science that works for real life. Berberine TPGS was the first optimized berberine product of its kind in Canada, and remains the benchmark for effective, well-tolerated metabolic support.
Whether you’re managing type 2 diabetes, navigating insulin resistance, or simply want to take control of your metabolic health, Berberine TPGS offers a powerful and natural way forward.
Note: Always consult a healthcare provider before beginning any new supplement regimen, especially if you have a medical condition or take medications.
References
- Moiz A, Filion KB, Tsoukas MA, Yu OH, Peters TM, Eisenberg MJ. Mechanisms of GLP-1 Receptor Agonist-Induced Weight Loss: A Review of Central and Peripheral Pathways in Appetite and Energy Regulation. Am J Med. 2025 Jun;138(6):934-940. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2025.01.021.
- Meloni AR, DeYoung MB, Lowe C, Parkes DG. GLP-1 receptor activated insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells: mechanism and glucose dependence. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2013 Jan;15(1):15-27. doi: 10.1111/j.1463-1326.2012.01663.x.
- Araj-Khodaei M, Ayati MH, Azizi Zeinalhajlou A, Novinbahador T, Yousefi M, Shiri M, Mahmoodpoor A, Shamekh A, Namazi N, Sanaie S. Berberine-induced glucagon-like peptide-1 and its mechanism for controlling type 2 diabetes mellitus: a comprehensive pathway review. Arch Physiol Biochem. 2024 Dec;130(6):678-685. Doi: 10.1080/13813455.2023.2258559.
- Xie W, Su F, Wang G, Peng Z, Xu Y, Zhang Y, Xu N, Hou K, Hu Z, Chen Y, Chen R. Glucose-lowering effect of berberine on type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Pharmacol. 2022 Nov 16;13:1015045. Doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1015045.
- Yin J, Xing H, Ye J. Efficacy of berberine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metabolism. 2008 May;57(5):712-7. doi: 10.1016/j.metabol.2008.01.013.
- Izadparast F, Riahi-Zajani B, Yarmohammadi F, Hayes AW, Karimi G. Protective effect of berberine against LPS-induced injury in the intestine: a review. Cell Cycle. 2022 Nov;21(22):2365-2378. doi: 10.1080/15384101.2022.2100682.
- Asbaghi O, Ghanbari N, Shekari M, Reiner Ž, Amirani E, Hallajzadeh J, Mirsafaei L, Asemi Z. The effect of berberine supplementation on obesity parameters, inflammation and liver function enzymes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2020 Aug;38:43-49. Doi: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2020.04.010.
- Wu L, Xia M, Duan Y, Zhang L, Jiang H, Hu X, Yan H, Zhang Y, Gu Y, Shi H, Li J, Gao X, Li J. Berberine promotes the recruitment and activation of brown adipose tissue in mice and humans. Cell Death Dis. 2019 Jun 13;10(6):468. Doi: 10.1038/s41419-019-1706-y.
- Zhang L, Wu X, Yang R, Chen F, Liao Y, Zhu Z, Wu Z, Sun X, Wang L. Effects of Berberine on the Gastrointestinal Microbiota. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2021 Feb 19;10:588517. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.588517.
- Habtemariam S. Berberine pharmacology and the gut microbiota: A hidden therapeutic link. Pharmacol Res. 2020 May;155:104722. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104722.
- Chen W, Miao YQ, Fan DJ, Yang SS, Lin X, Meng LK, Tang X. Bioavailability study of berberine and the enhancing effects of TPGS on intestinal absorption in rats. AAPS PharmSciTech. 2011 Jun;12(2):705-11. doi: 10.1208/s12249-011-9632-z.
- Chen W, Fan D, Meng L, Miao Y, Yang S, Weng Y, He H, Tang X. Enhancing effects of chitosan and chitosan hydrochloride on intestinal absorption of berberine in rats. Drug Dev Ind Pharm. 2012 Jan;38(1):104-10. Doi: 10.3109/03639045.2011.592531.
- Xu X, Yi H, Wu J, Kuang T, Zhang J, Li Q, Du H, Xu T, Jiang G, Fan G. Therapeutic effect of berberine on metabolic diseases: Both pharmacological data and clinical evidence. Biomed Pharmacother. 2021 Jan;133:110984. Doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110984.
- Fan D, Wu X, Dong W, Sun W, Li J, Tang X. Enhancement by sodium caprate and sodium deoxycholate of the gastrointestinal absorption of berberine chloride in rats. Drug Dev Ind Pharm. 2013 Sep;39(9):1447-56. Doi: 10.3109/03639045.2012.723219.
- Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Davies M, et al. Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: The STEP 1 trial extension. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2022;24(8):1553-1564. doi:10.1111/dom.14725
