Bergamot Phytosome Improves Visceral Fat and Lipids in Subjects with High Cholesterol

by | Feb 16, 2021 | 2020, Blood Lipids, Botanicals, Cardiovascular Health, Obesity

Written by Angeline A. De Leon, Staff Writer. Thirty days of bergamot phytosome supplementation provided beneficial effects such as decrease in visceral fat and improved lipid profiles in participating  obese and overweight subjects.

blood lipidsAmong the greatest known risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) is dyslipidemia (abnormal elevation of blood lipids), specifically hypercholesterolemia 1. Primary strategies for CVD prevention have generally included targeting low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) 2, but research suggests that visceral adipose tissue (VAT) also plays a critical role in CVD risk 3, with the distribution of fat, rather than just its sheer amount, predicting clinical outcomes 4,5. Bergamot, a plant producing fragrant citrus fruit, contains a number of bioactive phytochemicals associated with oxidative damage reduction 6, as well as hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic properties 7,8. Bergamot phytosome, a standardized formulation of bergamot polyphenols designed for optimal bio-absorption, demonstrates the ability to modulate parameters of lipid profile, including total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL-C, and triglycerides (TGs) 9 A recent phytochemical characterization of bergamot phytosome suggests that the cholesterol-lowering effects of the herbal formulation may be attributed to its unique and abundant composition of phytonutrient sources, which allow for a multi-target mechanism of action 10. In a 2020 study 11    published in Phytotherapy Research, the cardioprotective benefits of bergamot phytosome were explored in obese and overweight subjects with hypercholesterolemia, specifically looking at its impact on VAT and lipid profile.

A total of 64 participants (aged 18-60 years) with mild hypercholesterolemia and a body mass index (BMI) of 25-35 kg/m2 completed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Subjects were randomized to receive 500 mg standardized bergamot phytosome formulation or identical placebo once daily for 12 weeks. At baseline and at the end of every 30 days, blood samples were collected and analyzed for lipid and glycemic parameters. Anthropometric measurements were also taken and body composition, including fat mass, fat free mass, and VAT volume, estimated.

In terms of within-group differences, a statistically significant decrease was observed for the bergamot group, but not controls, in VAT (p < 0.0001), TC (p < 0.0001), and LDL-C (p = 0.0008), as well as apolipoprotein B (ApoB, protein found in LDL) (p = 0.04) after 30 days. As for between-group differences, VAT (p = 0.005), TC (p < 0.0002), and LDL-C (p = 0.004) were found to be significantly diminished in the supplemented group, compared to placebo, after 30 days. The effect of supplementation on VAT, TC, and LDL-C also remained significant until the end of the 12-week treatment period (p = 0.02, p < 0.0001, p = 0.0002, respectively).

Evidence from the current trial demonstrates the beneficial effects of bergamot phytosome for cardiovascular health. Supplementation in overweight and obese patients with mild hypercholesterolemia resulted in significant improvement of VAT and lipid profile, beginning at the 30-day mark and remaining stable through to the end of 12 weeks. In line with previous research suggesting a statin-like effect in association with bergamot phytosome 9, current findings highlight bergamot’s propensity for hypolipidemic activity, indicating its promise as a cardioprotective nutraceutical. Key limitations of the present study include its limited sample size and a lack of more specific analyses on study subjects (e.g., subanalyses based on BMI and/or cholesterol levels). Further trials are warranted to replicate findings in other populations at risk for CVD and/or other forms of it and to test the longer-term effects of supplementation.

Source: Rondanelli M, Peroni G, Riva A, et al. Bergamot phytosome improved visceral fat and plasma lipid profiles in overweight and obese class I subject with mild hypercholesterolemia: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Phytotherapy Research. 2020; 1-12. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6950.

© 2020 The Authors. Open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License.

Click here to read the full text study.

Posted February 16, 2021.

Angeline A. De Leon, MA, graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2010, completing a bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a concentration in neuroscience. She received her master’s degree from The Ohio State University in 2013, where she studied clinical neuroscience within an integrative health program. Her specialized area of research involves the complementary use of neuroimaging and neuropsychology-based methodologies to examine how lifestyle factors, such as physical activity and meditation, can influence brain plasticity and enhance overall connectivity.

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