How Piperine Increases Bioavailability—And Why It Matters
Piperine, an alkaloid found in black pepper, increases bioavailability. Learn how it does this, its effect on drugs, and how it contributes to good health.
Published August 8, 2022.
Piperine, the alkaloid responsible for the pungency of black pepper, has a long history of being used in traditional medicine. Today, it is commercially used in modern herbal medicines and supplement formulas.
The main reason for its popularity is that it increases the bioavailability of drugs and nutrients.
What Is Drug Bioavailability?
Bioavailability refers to the rate at which a drug enters the systemic circulation and the extent to which it enters. That is, how much of a drug or nutrient is absorbed and how quickly it reaches the area in the body where it is needed.
The higher the bioavailability, the more effective the drug will be, as more of it can be used by the body, and it can start working faster.
The bioavailability of a drug is mainly determined by its dosage form, but piperine can help increase its bioavailability.
How Piperine Enhances Bioavailability
There are two reasons why piperine acts as a bioenhancer. Firstly, it can increase the absorption of the drug by enhancing its solubility, modulating membrane dynamics, and improving blood flow in the gastrointestinal tract (1).
Additionally, piperine can delay the metabolism of the drug, and its molecular structure is suitable for enzyme inhibition, which can be beneficial for the body. In some cases, piperine can achieve a combination of both processes.
According to studies, piperine can increase the bioavailability of drugs by between 30% and 200% (2).
Improve Your Health With Piperine
Taking care of yourself is about more than exercising and eating right. You should also help out your body by taking supplements that assist in keeping you healthy.
An excellent supplement is BioPerine, a concentrated form of piperine. The main benefit of BioPerine is that it increases the bioavailability of drugs. Several drugs and supplements contain piperine for this reason, for example, CoQ10 and keto pills.
Boosting bioavailability can therefore improve metabolism, aid nutrient absorption, raise dopamine and serotonin levels, improve memory, and build a better immune system.
