Bioperine (Allergy Research Group). Each bottle, 60 vegetarian capsules. Each tablet, 25 mg black pepper fruit extract (bioperine). Suggested use it to take 1 tablet, with a multi, coQ10, etc., once or twice per day (not more than that). If possible, about an hour or so before you eat to enhance absorption.

Bioperine is the brand name for an extract from the fruit of the plant that produces black pepper (Piper nigrum). It is known generically as piperine. According to research conducted by the manufacturer, bioperine substantially increases the absorption of selenium (30%), beta carotene (60%), vitamin B6 (140-250%) as well as coenzyme Q10. These studies measure the amount found in plasma of these nutrients, comparing the amount found with or without the use of Bioperine.

One theoretical concern is that using this may increase blood levels of some drugs as well. On the good side, could this be a replacement for help reduce the dose of a ritonavir boost for example?

Sabinsa researchers claim it has no effect on the absorption of drugs, stating that research in India found that, Bioperine taken for enhancing nutrient absorption does not significantly affect the level of prescription drugs. Why this would be so is not clear. They also indicate that it is important that the bioperine be taken at the same time as the nutrient supplements, emphasizing that with bioperine, TIMING IS EVERYTHING.

What its mechanism of action is is not clear to us (except they call it a thermonutrient). However, it is an inexpensive addition and may permit lowering dosages of various nutrients. This also conforms with the traditional use of black pepper in many different Ayurvedic recipes. In a study in India, it was shown to be protective of the liver through antioxidant activity but not as powerful as silymarin. It may be best to err on the side of safety and NOT use this with pharmaceutical drugs; however, by contrast, it may help with protease inhibitors which do not get into the plasma well. No studies have yet been conducted on this idea, as you might expect. Pharmaceutical greed precludes that!