The History of Bergamot
Bergamot (Citrus Bergamia Risso) is a citrus plant that grows almost exclusively in the narrow coastal Calabria region in Southern Italy, due to sensitivity to the weather and soil conditions. Bergamot juice was traditionally recognized by the local population as a remedy for supporting healthy cholesterol level and cardiovascular health. The medicinal use of bergamot, forgotten for decades, is now being rediscovered.
The juice and albedo of bergamot has a unique profile of flavonoid and glycosides, such as neoeriocitrin, neohesperidin, naringin, rutin, neodesmin, rhoifolin and poncirin. Naringin have been shown to be beneficial in animal models of atherosclerosis, while neoeriocitrin and rutin have been found to exhibit a strong capacity to prevent LDL from oxidation. Importantly, bergamot juice is rich in brutieridine and melitidine with an ability to inhibit HMG-CoA reductase.
Standardized, Clinically Tested
Bergamonte® contains bioactive compounds of extract of the juice and albedo of citrus bergamia risso, standardized to > 30% polyphenolic flavanoids consisting of Naringin, Neohesperidin, Neoeriocitrin, 1% Melitidine, and 2% Brutelidine. Bergamonte® is produced using patented extraction technology through collaborative works of various Universities and research institutions in Italy. These flavanoids are clinically proven to help maintain healthy cholesterol level†, healthy blood glucose level, increase HDL-cholesterol, and promoting healthy weight management.
Benefits of Bergamonte®
- Cardiovascular Health
- Supports Healthy Cholesterol†
- Supports Healthy Blood Sugar
- Healthy Weight Loss
Citrus Bergamot differs from C. Aurantium as Citrus Bergamot does not contain Synepherine, N-methyltyramine, and octopamine, which have been shown in research to constrict arteries, increase blood pressure, increase heart rate, cause
heart-rhythm disorders, heart attack, and stroke.
Citrus Bergamot contains Melitidine and Brutelidine which is absent in C. Aurantuim. Research has shown that these compounds significantly reduce total cholesterol, LDL, Triglycerides†, blood glucose levels, while increasing HDL.
Melitidine and Brutieridine
A published research article in the Journal of Natural Products 2009 showed that bergamot juice contained novel compounds with statin like principles, having the 3-hydroxy3-methylglutaric acid (HMG) found to the naringin (melitidine) and neohesperidin (brutieridine).
These novel compounds interfere with the natural synthesis of the cholesterol pathway in the human body: The HMG-CoA substrate interferes with the synthesis of the mevalonate acid, blocking the cholesterol production.
Superior Full-Spectrum Antioxidant ORAC Potency
- Inhibiting HMG-CoA Reductase
- Inhibiting Phosphodiesterases PDEs
- 'Activating' AMPK
In an unpublished human clinical trial involving 192 patients, the following are the result after patients consumed 100ml of Citrus Bergamot juice for 30 days.
Hypolipemic and Hypoglycemic Activity of Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction
Fitoterapia 82 (Nov 2011) 309–316
237 patients with hyperlipemia, hypercholesterolemic (HC, cLDL, low cHDL), mixed dyslipidemic (HC and TG), or metabolic syndrome (HC, HT, and HG) were taking either placebo, 500mg, 1000mg.
 The
effect of Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction (500 and 1000 mg/daily) on
reactive vasodilatation in patients suffering from isolated
(HC) or mixed hyperlipidemia (HC/HT) and associated
hyperglycemia (HC/HT /HG).Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction reduces
total and LDL cholesterol levels (an effect accompanied by
elevation of cHDL), triglyceride levels and by a significant
decrease in blood glucose. Moreover, it
inhibited HMG-CoA reductase activity and enhances reactive
vasodilation. |
Supports healthy cholesterol level†, increase LOX-1 expression and Protein Kinase B phosphorylation
International Journal of Cardiology, 2013
In this open-label, parallel group, placebo-controlled study, 77 patients were randomly assigned either placebo, Rosuvastatin, Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction or combination of Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction with Rosuvastatin for 30 days.
Effects on LDL Small Dense Particles, Metabolic Biomarkers, and Liver Function
Advances in Biological Chemistry, 2014, 4, 129-137
107 patients with metabolic syndrome and non fatty liver disease were given either placebo or 650 mg of Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction twice a day for 120 days. Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction group showed significant reduction in fasting plasma glucose, rotal cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and increase of HDL cholesterol. Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction decrease IDL particles by 51%, increase large LDL by 38%, decrease small LDL by 35%, and 20% increase of total HDL particles. Hepatorenal index was significantly reduced by 46%, accompanied by reduction of hepatic ultrosonographic pattern of steatosis by 99%. This suggests Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction improves both liver function and inflammation as confirmed by reduction of TNF-α and CRP.
Product Comparison
† Already within the normal range
Retail Price: RM98 per bottle of 100s
Available in all Cosway store,
ID for Special Price : MY 517431A
RM85 per bottle of 100s
RM299 for 5 bottle of 100s
References
- Ross Walker, Elzbieta Janda and Vincenzo Mollace. The Use of Bergamot-derived Polyphenol Fraction in Cardiometabolic Risk Prevention and its Possible Mechanisms of Action. Cardiac Health and Polyphenols. Chp 84, Pg 1085-1103, 2014
- Micaela Gliozzi, Ross Walker, Elzbjeta Janda, Vincenzo Mollace. Bergamot polyphenolic fraction enhances rosuvastatin-induced effect on LDLcholesterol, LOX-1 expression and Protein Kinase B phosphorylation in patients with hyperlipidemia. International Journal of Cardiology Dec 2013, 170(2):140-5
- Vincenzo Mollace, Iolanda Sacco, Elzbieta Janda, Claudio Malara, Domenica Ventrice, Carmen Colica, Valeria Visalli, Saverio Muscoli. Hypolipemic and hypoglycaemic activity of bergamot polyphenols: From animal models to human studies. Fitoterapia 82 (2011) 309–316
- Celia C, Trapasso E, Locatelli M, Navarra M, Ventura CA, Wolfram J, Carafa M, Morittu VM, Britti D, Di Marzio L.. Anticancer activity of liposomal bergamot essential oil (BEO) on human neuroblastoma cells. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2013 Dec 1;112:548-53
- Delle Monache S, Sanità P, Trapasso E, Ursino MR, Dugo P, Russo M, Ferlazzo N, Calapai G, Angelucci A, Navarra M. Mechanisms underlying the anti-tumoral effects of Citrus Bergamia juice. PLoS One. 2013 Apr 16;8(4)
- Kang P, Suh SH, Min SS, Seol GH. The essential oil of Citrus bergamia Risso induces vasorelaxation of the mouse aorta by activating K(+) channels and inhibiting Ca(2+) influx. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2013 May;65(5):745-9
- Leopoldini M, Malaj N, Toscano M, Sindona G, Russo N. On the inhibitor effects of bergamot juice flavonoids binding to the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR) enzyme. J Agric Food Chem. 2010 Oct 13;58(19):10768-73
- Di Donna L, De Luca G, Mazzotti F, Napoli A, Salerno R, Taverna D, Sindona G. Statin-like principles of bergamot fruit (Citrus bergamia): isolation of 3-hydroxymethylglutaryl flavonoid glycosides. J Nat Prod. 2009 Jul;72(7):1352-4
- Mollace V, Ragusa S, Sacco I, Muscoli C, Sculco F, Visalli V, Palma E. The protective effect of bergamot oil extract on lecitine-like oxyLDL receptor-1 expression in balloon injury-related neointima formation. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther. 2008 Jun;13(2):120-9
- Natalizia Miceli, Maria Mondello, Maria Mondorte, Vasileios Sdrafkakis, Paola Dugo, Maria Crupi. Hypolipidemic effects of bergamot juice in rats Fed a Hypercholesterolemic Diet. J. Agric. Food Chem., Vol. 55, No. 26, 2007
