Bergamot Extract Offers Possible Alternative to Statins
20 Jan 2015 --- GPs looking for alternatives to statins in the fight against high cholesterol levels could soon be prescribing a dose of bergamot to combat the condition.
As well as taking up a healthy diet, low in saturated fats, the health benefits of bergamot, a bitter but fragrant citrus fruit from Italy, are being promoted more following positive studies published in recent years.
Studies published suggest that bergamot extract can reduce cholesterol without the side effects often experienced with common statins, and it can also increase ‘good’ HDL cholesterol, reduce fatty deposits in the liver and can reduce blood sugar levels.
One recent study led by cardiologists Franco Romeo and Vincenzo Mollace, and published last year in the International Journal of Cardiology found that a highly concentrated proprietary extract of the Calabrian bergamot fruit called BergaMet (38% citrus bergamot extract, NathealthSolutions) enhances the effect of the lipid lowering drug rosuvastatin (Crestor™) when given to patients with elevated cholesterol.
Previous investigations have shown BergaMet monotherapy to be a powerful cardiometabolic regulator that routinely improves vascular health, lowers cholesterol, addresses all components of the metabolic syndrome and significantly normalizes liver function in patients with fatty liver disorders.
In the current study, 77 patients with elevated LDL and triglycerides were divided into four groups to investigate the lipid lowering and vascular protective effects of placebo, BergaMet alone, rosuvastatin alone and their combination. The combination of BergaMet 1000 mg with rosuvastatin 10 mg or 20mg demonstrated an enhanced effect on all lipid parameters and significant increments in biomarkers of vascular protection and reductions in oxidative stress.
As stated by Professor Vincenzo Mollace, "the paper shows, for the first time, that BergaMet leads physicians to a better management of statin-based treatment of hyperlipemia. Moreover the added value for using BergaMet in combination with statins is represented by significant improvement of serum triglyceride and glycemia leading to better vasoprotection."
Australian cardiologist Ross Walker, a study co-author states "This study demonstrates the powerful synergism between statin therapy and the natural BPF compound grown only in the southern ionic region of Calabria in Italy. Having used BergaMet for the last three years in close to three thousand patients, I have no doubt that all people taking statins should be adding BergaMet to enable powerful lipid lowering at a much safer, lower dose of statins. This study clearly reinforces this benefit."
Dr. James Ehrlich, a clinical associate professor from the University of Colorado believes the study has several exciting implications allowing clinicians to improve lipid-lowering and metabolic therapy. According to Ehrlich, the study suggests that bergamot polyphenols combined with statins provides several advantages due to their complementary properties. Compared to statins administered alone, BergaMet plus statins results in: an enhancement of LDL-cholesterol lowering; the opportunity to lower doses of statins potentially decreasing side effects; much lower triglyceride (TG) levels; much higher HDL-cholesterol levels; lower blood sugar (statins tend to elevate blood sugar); greater improvements in vascular health with further decreases in oxidative stress and vascular damage.
"As the CEO of NathealthSolutions, I am excited to learn of the publication of this important study in a prestigious cardiology journal," states Selwyn Barr. "This study opens the door to additional patient benefits from BergaMet allowing lower statin doses and better overall results. We are proud to distribute the product to clinicians as BergaMet Pro and directly to proactive citizens as BergaMet Mega."
