Evaluating the Tolerability and Effects of Berberine on Major Metabolic Biomarkers: A Pilot Study

Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥18 years and older * Current LDL-C of ≥80 mg/dL or higher * Current fasting triglyceride level of ≥300 mg/dL * Meets current criteria for metabolic syndrome (≥3 of the following): Waist circumference ≥ 35" female or ≥40" for male: Triglycerides ≥ 150 mg/dL: Low HDL-c \<40 mg/dL male or \<50 mg/dL female: Elevated blood pressure ≥ 130/85 mmHg (or on BP medication): Elevated fasting blood glucose ≥100 mg/dL * A male or a non-pregnant female * Mentally competent to understand study rationale and protocol * Able to speak and read English Exclusion Criteria: * Currently taking any lipid-altering agents including but not limited to statins, niacin (\>500 mg), bile-acid sequestrants, ezetimibe, fibrates, and Omega-3 fish/krill oils (\>1000 mg EPA/DHA). * Prior evidence of a vascular event (e.g. stroke, myocardial infarction, revascularization, peripheral vascular disease) * Current use of any oral hypoglycemia agent or parenteral medication for diabetes mellitus (e.g. GLP-1 agonists, insulin) * Currently taking any drugs with the potential to interact with berberine, including but not limited to cyclosporine, simvastatin, lovastatin, metformin, saquinavir, darunavir, tacrolimus, sirolimus. * Previous history of diabetes mellitus, HbA1c ≥ 6.5%, or FPG \> 126 mg/dL * Chronic disease involving, hepatic, renal, or coronary heart disease, systemic infection (e.g. HIV) or organ transplantation * Currently taking systemic steroidal drugs * Dependence on alcohol (\> 10 drinks per week) or illicit drugs * Pregnant or lactating * Participation in any other clinical trial within the last 30 days * Presence of any medical or psychological condition that in the opinion of the investigator will compromise safe subject participation for the duration of the study * Acute or chronic GI conditions (e.g. irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis)