Is Berberine Kosher?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a supplement is kosher, we look at two main categories: the active botanical ingredients and the inactive excipients used to create the capsule. For this specific formulation of Berberine HCl, the source material is Berberis aristata, commonly known as Indian Barberry. This is a plant-based ingredient, which is inherently kosher provided it is free from insect infestation. Unlike gelatin-based capsules which are often derived from beef or pork, the ingredients listed here are plant-derived.

The inactive ingredients are equally compliant. Vegetable Cellulose is used as the capsule shell and filler; this is derived from plant fibers and is strictly kosher. Silica and Vegetable Magnesium Stearate are flow agents and lubricants. In the supplement industry, "Vegetable" Magnesium Stearate is the kosher standard, replacing animal-derived stearates (which are often sourced from pork or non-kosher beef). As long as the label specifies "Vegetable," it is safe for consumption.

Nutritional Value

Berberine is not taken for its macronutrient profile (calories, fat, protein) but for its active alkaloids. A standard capsule typically contains negligible calories—usually less than 5 calories per serving. It contains zero grams of sugar, fat, or carbohydrates. This makes it an excellent fit for strict diets like Keto, Paleo, and Kosher, as it does not interfere with daily caloric limits or sugar intake goals. It is purely a functional supplement.