NSF Contents Certified berberine in HCl and phytosome forms. Well made, but the average weight change in trials is about 2 lb and it interacts with many drugs.
Mixed
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Last reviewed September 29, 2026 by the Nutrition Reviews Editorial Team · How we review
Our verdict
Thorne Berberine is a well-made, NSF-certified version of the most researched 'metabolic' botanical, and a sensible choice if your clinician suggests berberine. Keep expectations in check, though: the average weight change in trials is about 2 pounds. Its drug-interaction profile also means it isn't something to add casually if you take prescription medications.
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Our five-factor score out of 10. Factors are weighted by how much they matter to the outcome you’re paying for. Methodology
out of 10
Key ingredients at clinically studied doses, and how strong the evidence is.
Third-party testing and certifications, manufacturing standards, contaminant testing, recall history.
Cost per effective serving compared with category peers.
Taste, mixability, texture and tolerability from aggregated buyer and creator feedback.
Full label disclosure (no proprietary blends), available COAs, honest marketing.
Thorne's Berberine is one of the best-known brands in a category that blew up on social media under the #naturesozempic tag. The current Dual Action formula, long sold as Berberine-500, provides 450 mg of berberine HCl from Indian barberry root plus 550 mg of berberine phytosome per two-capsule serving. The phytosome is a phospholipid-bound form meant to improve absorption, though Thorne doesn't state how much berberine it delivers. Thorne suggests one to two capsules twice daily with food, and NSF's listing gives a recommended daily serving of four capsules.
Berberine is better studied than most weight-loss botanicals, but its effect on weight is small. A 2026 meta-analysis of 23 randomized trials found an average weight reduction of just 0.88 kg (about 2 lb) versus control, with modest drops in BMI and waist size. The authors flagged weak reporting and blinding in many of the trials. Research is more consistent for blood sugar and cholesterol markers, which is where Thorne focuses its carefully qualified claims. It is not comparable to GLP-1 medications.
Quality is Thorne's strength. This product is NSF Contents Certified, meaning NSF has verified that the contents match the label and contaminants are within limits, and Thorne makes it at its own South Carolina facility. It's gluten-, dairy- and soy-free.
There are two cautions. Berberine can interact with many medications: Thorne's label says it decreases the activity of the liver enzymes CYP2D6, CYP2C9 and CYP3A4. Thorne also advises against using it if you're pregnant, nursing or trying to conceive. Gas, nausea, diarrhea and constipation can occur early on.
At $44 for 60 capsules, a bottle lasts 15 to 30 days depending on dose, or about $1.47–2.93 a day.
| Key ingredient | Per serving | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Berberine HCl (from Indian barberry root extract) The standard form used in most berberine trials, which often used about 500 mg two to three times a day. | 450 mg | The standard form used in most berberine trials, which often used about 500 mg two to three times a day. |
| Berberine Phytosome A phospholipid-bound form intended to improve absorption. Thorne doesn't state its berberine content. | 550 mg | A phospholipid-bound form intended to improve absorption. Thorne doesn't state its berberine content. |
Supplement Facts
Serving Size 2 Capsule(s)
Other ingredients: Calcium Laurate, Hypromellose (derived from cellulose) capsule
Testing & quality
Many products are NSF Certified for Sport (listed in NSF's database); others carry NSF Contents Certified status. Thorne states it tests ingredients and finished products for identity, purity, potency and contaminants.
Goals it supports
Independent creators reviewing Berberine (Dual Action Phytosome & HCl) on TikTok and YouTube.
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