It turns out that the inconspicuous bergamot fruit and red fermented rice have amazing properties. There is a natural solution to the problem of elevated sugar and cholesterol levels: extracts with clinically proven effects.
There is a moment in life when everyone talks about them. Your parents, friends, neighbors and finally your doctor: “We have elevated cholesterol and sugar here, watch out, follow a diet …”. When you hear these words, you immediately wonder what you really know about the problem. You scour the Internet for information and don’t know who to believe anymore. Then you try to get over it: after all, everyone has this “cholesterol and sugar”.
This is the experience of many of us. According to the Congress of the Polish Lipidology Society (2018), almost 19 million Poles have elevated cholesterol levels. This is half of our society, and only 7-8 million people receive treatment from this pool. About 3 million people in Poland suffer from diabetes, and it is estimated that 1 million Poles have prediabetes or do not know about their disease.
The problem is common, and it doesn’t just end with forgetting your medications. This is illustrated, for example, by the effects of chronic, unbalanced blood sugar levels and insulin resistance. These include: macroangiopathies, i.e. complications in the area of large blood vessels (especially dangerous: atherosclerosis, stroke and heart attack); microangiopathies – damage within small blood vessels, which include retinopathies (in the eyes) and nephropathies (in the kidneys), and neuropathies – damage to the nerves. As for high cholesterol, it can result in: atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke, erectile dysfunction and fertility problems.
Ms Marzena came back from a visit to a diabetologist with difficult information. Despite the introduction of the diet, her test parameters did not decline sufficiently. He does not want to take higher and higher doses of drugs. She has barely turned 50, she is professionally active, and her health problems take away the taste of life. – This is not an isolated incident! Even teenagers have problems with cholesterol and sugar. Ms Marzena found an advertisement on the Internet of a miracle remedy for burning fat and lowering sugar imported from abroad. He is afraid, however, of reaching for a preparation with low credibility. Is there any effective solution for this?
Science comes to the rescue. There are plant extracts with properties comparable to drugs that lower cholesterol and sugar. Among the best-studied are red rice extract and bergamot fruit extract.
Bergamot – orange’s cousin with surprising properties
bergamot (Citrus bergamia Risso) is a relatively new discovery in the field of phytotherapy. It is known for its amazing effects in lowering cholesterol and blood glucose, supporting the cardiovascular system and antioxidant. The latest research proves that a properly selected composition of natural bergamot polyphenols (BPF) can lower LDL cholesterol by up to 40%.
In a study by Mollace et al., In the group of patients taking 1500 mg of BPF daily while maintaining a diet of 1600 kcal, a significant decrease in LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) was observed with a significant increase in HDL “good cholesterol” compared to the placebo group.
In addition to the comprehensive effect on lipids, studies have also shown the extremely beneficial effect of bergamot polyphenols on glycemia. In the group taking BPF in a dose of 500 mg, a decrease in blood glucose was observed on average by 18,9%, and with a dose of 1000 mg it was as much as 22,4%.
What does this mean in practice?
The ability to reduce blood glucose levels by 15–25% offers a chance for a phytotherapeutic alternative to controlling pre-diabetes in patients with metabolic syndrome. In addition, according to scientists from the Italian Catanzaro, men with type 2 diabetes who suffer from erectile dysfunction can improve their potency by regularly using bergamot, thanks to the influx of bergamot polyphenols on the circulatory system.
What if I’m taking statins?
BPF supplementation is also recommended for people who are already taking statins. Bergamot may even potentiate the effects of statins, as confirmed in clinical trials involving cardiac patients at San Rafaele Hospital in Italy (2013). The study compared the effects of two doses of rosuvastatin alone (10 mg and 20 mg) with a combination therapy of 10 mg rosuvastatin and 1000 mg BPF. As a result of combining a lower statin dose with bergamot, triglycerides were reduced by over 36% and HDL increased by up to 37%. These results are comparable to a monthly treatment with 20 mg rosuvastatin!
The results of the research clearly indicate that the simultaneous use of rosuvastatin and bergamot polyphenol extract gives much better results in improving the lipid profile than treatment with a statin only. In the future, this could result in the use of lower doses of these drugs, reducing the undesirable effects of statin intolerance.
Monacolin K – a mysterious ingredient from the eastern medicine cabinet
Contrary to appearances, it has nothing to do with the Mona Lisa, but it has an unusual application that is worth getting to know.
The properties of Monacoline K were already used in the Ming dynasty. Traditional red yeast rice (RYR – Red Yeast Rice) is used in Chinese medicine and other currents in Eastern medicine.Oryza sativa) and mold fungus A purple monk. During this process, Monacolin K is formed, a complex substance with proven blood cholesterol lowering properties.
How does Monacolin K fare in research?
Currently, the effectiveness of Monacolin K is already confirmed by EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) and in clinical trials. Studies show that daily consumption of Monacoline K reduces the concentration of low-density lipoproteins LDL by 15 to 25% depending on the dose taken.
Supplementation with a preparation containing 10 mg of Monacolin K allows to reduce the level of “bad” cholesterol to the threshold values. The decrease in LDL is accompanied by a decrease in the amount of total cholesterol, and a decrease in the components responsible for the development of atherosclerosis (apolipoprotein B, matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9) and the inflammatory index (highly sensitive C-reactive protein).
Not only for cholesterol.
Dukrzyków should be interested in innovative research from a few years ago. Initial tests on red rice were found to lower blood sugar by improving glucose tolerance.
By using red yeast rice extract, you can also protect the pancreas from hyperglycemic and oxidative damage, suggest scientists from the University of Nanjing (China). According to their preliminary studies in mice, purified RYR extract improves glucose tolerance. Confirmation of these reports may open the way for new possibilities of using red yeast rice.
What about patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and severe intolerance to statins? 2013 research prove that their cholesterol levels can be normalized by introducing the Mediterranean diet with red yeast rice.
It is worth knowing about preparations with Monacoline K and bergamot.
Attention! Preparations with Monacolin K of doubtful origin may contain citrinin – a product of fungal metabolism that is toxic to the kidneys. It is good practice to test ingredients for the presence of citrinin. Pay attention to the manufacturer’s declaration of the content of this substance.
High levels of cholesterol and blood sugar needn’t be a concern. Prevention is important: regular blood tests, healthy eating habits and physical activity. However, if you want to use plant extracts – choose the proven ones.
Good examples are Bergamil ™ Forte and Monolipid K® Forte. These top-quality preparations contain bergamot extract, standardized to 32% BPF polyphenols in the highest possible dose of 500 mg – as we mentioned above, this dose allows you to lower blood glucose by up to 18,9%. Monacoline contained in Monolipid K® is constantly checked for the presence of citrinin.
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Bergamil ™ and Monolipid K® Forte are 100% natural, without sugar, salt, gluten or lactose – so they are safe in the case of various intolerances, and the combination of monokoline K and bergamot extract is an ideal support in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and an excellent remedy to fight too much sugar.
Literatura:
1. www.narodowytestzdrowia.medTvoiLokony
2. Deshpande A, Harris-Hayes M, Schootman M. Epidemiology of diabetes and diabetes-related complications. Physical therapy. 2008; vol. 88,11: 1254-64.
3. Gliozzi M, Walker R, Muscoli S, et al. Bergamot polyphenolic fraction enhances rosuvastatin-induced effect on LDL-cholesterol, LOX-1 expression and protein kinase B phosphorylation in patients with hyperlipidemia. International Journal of Cardiology. 2013;170(2):140–145.
4. Mollace V, Sacco I, Janda E, et al. Hypolipemic and hypoglycaemic activity of bergamot polyphenols: From animal models to human studies. Fitoterapia. 2011; 3(82): 309-316, ISSN 0367-326X,
5. Cheng-Chieh L, Tsai-Chung L, Ming-May L. Efficacy and safety of Monascus purpureus Went rice in subjects with hyperlipidemia. European Journal of Endocrinology. 2005; 153: 679–686.
6. Fujimoto M, Tsuneyama K, Chen S, et al. Study of the effects of monacolin k and other constituents of red yeast rice on obesity, insulin-resistance, hyperlipidemia, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis using a mouse model of metabolic syndrome. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine: eCAM, 2012, 892697.
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