Understanding GLP-1: The Hormone Everyone Is Talking About

You’ve probably heard the term GLP-1 making headlines lately, thanks to the surge in popularity of pharmaceutical drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. These medications are based on a class of compounds known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which mimic a naturally occurring hormone in your body, GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1).

What is GLP-1 and Why Does It Matter?

GLP-1 is a hormone secreted by the gut in response to eating. It plays a key role in blood sugar regulation, metabolic health, and appetite control.1 Here’s what it does1,2: 

• Stimulates insulin secretion (only when blood sugar is high), which helps clear excess glucose from the bloodstream 
• Reduces glucagon levels (a hormone that raises blood sugar), which prevents unnecessary blood sugar spikes by keeping your liver from releasing extra glucose 
• Slows gastric emptying, helping you feel full longer 
• Acts on the brain to reduce appetite 

The net effect? Better blood sugar control, reduced hunger, and improved weight management.1,2,3 It’s no wonder drugs that mimic GLP-1 are generating massive attention. But there’s growing interest in natural ways to support GLP-1 levels and that’s where Provita’s Berberine TPGS stands apart.

Berberine TPGS: Supporting GLP-1 Naturally 

Berberine is a powerful plant compound that helps your body naturally produce more GLP-1,4 the same hormone that popular medications like Ozempic are designed to mimic. It works by stimulating specific cells in your gut (called L-cells) to release more GLP-1 in response to food intake.4,5 Berberine also helps your body make more of the building blocks needed for GLP-14,6 and protects it from being broken down too quickly,4 so it stays active longer. The result is better insulin response, steadier blood sugar after meals, reduced appetite, and longer-lasting feelings of fullness.7 Best of all, these effects are achieved naturally by supporting your body’s own GLP-1 pathway. 

The World’s First Optimized Berberine (launched in Canada in 2018) 

Berberine is a powerful natural compound shown in dozens of clinical studies to improve blood sugar, reduce insulin resistance, modulate lipid metabolism, support fat loss, reduce inflammation, and enhance gut health.7 However, traditional berberine suffers from extremely poor absorption—less than 1% of oral berberine HCl reaches the bloodstream.8,9 High doses (900–1500 mg/day) are required in studies, but often cause GI distress in 30–40% of users.10 

Provita’s Berberine TPGS, launched in 2018 as the world’s first optimized berberine supplement, overcomes this limitation with a synergistic support matrix of: 

• Tocophersolan (a water-soluble form of vitamin E): Increases solubility and absorption by inhibiting P-glycoprotein and enhancing intestinal uptake11,15 
• Chitosan: Opens paracellular pathways in the gut to increase permeability12,16 
• Caprylic acid: A medium-chain fatty acid that loosens tight junctions in the intestinal lining, improving transport across the gut wall13,14 

Together, this support blend delivers a 10x (1,000%) increase in bioavailability allowing users to achieve powerful results with just two capsules per day, without GI side effects.11-14 

Clinically Proven Metabolic Benefits of Berberine 

Berberine’s benefits are among the most extensively researched in the natural health world: 

• Blood glucose control: Improves fasting and post-meal blood sugar, lowers HbA1c, and enhances insulin sensitivity17,18 
• Lipid support: Reduces total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides while increasing HDL19 
• Weight management: Activates AMPK ("the metabolic master switch"), supports fat oxidation, inhibits fat storage enzymes, and promotes brown fat activation20,21 
• Anti-inflammatory action: Reduces NF-κB, COX-2, TNF-α, IL-6, and other inflammatory markers22 
• Gut microbiome support: Inhibits harmful bacteria while promoting beneficial strains linked to systemic metabolic improvements23,24 

Berberine has also been shown to promote insulin secretion, reduce hepatic steatosis, improve adipose tissue fibrosis, and improve glucose and lipid metabolism in multiple tissues.7,10 These multi-targeted actions make it a foundational nutrient for anyone seeking to optimize blood sugar, weight, and cardiometabolic health.7 

Thanks to its enhanced delivery system, Berberine TPGS unlocks the full potential of berberine with greater efficacy and fewer side effects.11-14 This specialized formula supports long-term use, helping you stay consistent and experience the full spectrum of metabolic health benefits over time. 

Provita: Real Innovation Rooted in Science 

At Provita, we don’t chase buzzwords. We deliver clinically inspired, science-driven formulations designed to solve real health challenges. Our Berberine TPGS was the world’s first optimized berberine supplement, launched in 2018, and remains the industry benchmark for absorption and efficacy. 

We believe in pragmatic innovation—building products that work because they’re rooted in biochemistry, absorption, and outcomes. If your customers are looking for the natural way to support blood sugar, weight loss, GLP-1, and full-spectrum metabolic health, Berberine TPGS is the one to trust. 

Other Metabolic Support Products from Provita 

Metabolix  

A multi-target metabolic support formula designed to complement Berberine TPGS: 

• Gynostemma: Adaptogen that activates AMPK for energy and metabolic balance 
• Hesperidin: Citrus flavonoid that may boost GLP-1 secretion and endothelial function 
• Goldenseal: Provides natural berberine alkaloids for glucose control 
• Fenugreek: May support GLP-1 modestly and help regulate blood sugar 
• Cordyceps: Supports ATP production, energy metabolism, and stress resilience 
• Alpha-lipoic acid: Antioxidant that improves insulin sensitivity 
• Vitamin B5: Supports adrenal and metabolic function 

Garcinia 5000 

A high-potency Garcinia cambogia extract standardized to 60% hydroxycitric acid, known to: 

• Inhibit ATP citrate lyase (fat-forming enzyme) 
• Reduce appetite and support healthy body composition 

References 

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2. 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. 
3. Drucker DJ. Mechanisms of Action and Therapeutic Application of Glucagon-like Peptide-1. Cell Metab. 2018 Apr 3;27(4):740-756. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2018.03.001. 
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5. Yang WL, Zhang CY, Ji WY, Zhao LL, Yang FY, Zhang L, Cao X. Berberine Metabolites Stimulate GLP-1 Secretion by Alleviating Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction. Am J Chin Med. 2024;52(1):253-274. doi: 10.1142/S0192415X24500113. Epub 2024 Feb 8. 
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11. 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. Epub 2011 Jun 3. 
12. 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. Epub 2011 Jul 20. 
13. Lv XY, Li J, Zhang M, Wang CM, Fan Z, Wang CY, Chen L. Enhancement of sodium caprate on intestine absorption and antidiabetic action of berberine. AAPS PharmSciTech. 2010 Mar;11(1):372-82. doi: 10.1208/s12249-010-9386-z. Epub 2010 Mar 17. 
14. 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. Epub 2012 Oct 1. 
15. Wong CN, Lee SK, Lim YM, Yang SB, Chew YL, Chua AL, Liew KB. Recent Advances in Vitamin E TPGS-Based Organic Nanocarriers for Enhancing the Oral Bioavailability of Active Compounds: A Systematic Review. Pharmaceutics. 2025 Apr 7;17(4):485. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics17040485. PMID: 40284480; PMCID: PMC12030195. 
16. Rosenthal R, Günzel D, Finger C, Krug SM, Richter JF, Schulzke JD, Fromm M, Amasheh S. The effect of chitosan on transcellular and paracellular mechanisms in the intestinal epithelial barrier. Biomaterials. 2012 Mar;33(9):2791-800. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2011.12.034. Epub 2012 Jan 9. PMID: 22230222. 
17. 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. 
18. 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. 
19. Ju J, Li J, Lin Q, Xu H. Efficacy and safety of berberine for dyslipidaemias: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Phytomedicine. 2018 Nov 15;50:25-34. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2018.09.212. Epub 2018 Sep 28. 
20. 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. 
21. 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. 
22. 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. Epub 2022 Jul 19. 
23. 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. 
24. 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. Epub 2020 Feb 24.