No established dosage guidelines related to the use of bergamot for cholesterol have been set by recognized health agencies. Citrus bergamot supplements typically contain 500 milligrams of extract in gelatin capsules. They should be taken on an empty stomach , and without other medication, which might cause adverse reactions.
Our chosen answer is high levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood (hyperlipidemia). Taking bergamot extract seems to lower cholesterol levels in people with high cholesterol . It might work about as well as taking a low dose of the cholesterol-lowering drug called rosuvastatin ( Crestor) when used for 30 days.
You should be asking “How much bergamot should I take to lower cholesterol?”
One study published in 2013 showed that cholesterol dropped significantly among 77 patients who took 1,000 mg of bergamot extract daily for one month, enabling them to cut their statin dose in half. Bergamot also has been shown to raise HDL (“good”) cholesterol .
Is bergamot juice good for cholesterol?
Bergamot juice was found to reduce cholesterol (29.27% ), triglycerides (46.12%), and LDL (51.72%) and an increase in HDL (27.61%) levels versus hypercholesterolemic controls. The atherogenic index was 1.09 ± 0.10 in the C. Bergamia-treated group as compared with 3.09 ± 0.20 in the hypercholesterolemic group.
One source claimed some research suggests that an extract of the citrus fruit bergamot can lower cholesterol much as red yeast rice does. Is it right for you?
My favorite answer is we were surprised to learn that Citrus bergamia, the bergamot orange, acts on the same enzyme as red yeast rice and statins to lower cholesterol ( Mollace et al, Fitoterapia, April 2011 ).
Does bergamot lower LDL-C and cholesterol?
The results of five different clinical trials (Table 1) using bergamot in various forms suggest the polyphenol fraction can lower LDL-C and total cholesterol. Several studies suggested that bergamot polyphenols can reduce triglycerides and increase HDL-C, however, the results were not consistent across all studies.
My answer was LDL was reduced by 23% (500 mg bergamot) and by 38.6% (1,000 mg of bergamot). HDL was increased by 25.9% (500 mg of bergamot) and by 39% (1,000 mg of bergamot). In 6 patients treated daily with 500 mg and in 11 patients taking 1000 mg of BPF, a moderate gastric pyrosis was observed.
What are the health benefits of bergamot?
There are a variety of phytochemicals that have been found in the bergamot including brutieridin and melitidin as well as other flavonoids, flavones O-glucosides and C-glucosides. Multiple clinical trials have provided evidence that different forms of orally administered bergamot can reduce total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol .