Could this citrus help your cholesterol?

Most people don’t think much about their cholesterol until a blood test shows that something has changed. Maybe LDL has crept up, triglycerides are higher than expected, or protective HDL has moved in the wrong direction.

Cholesterol is not inherently bad. Your body needs it to produce hormones, vitamin D, and healthy cell membranes. The concern is how much is circulating and whether LDL, HDL, and triglycerides remain in a healthy balance.

When cholesterol levels rise, statin medications are often the first option discussed. Statins work primarily by blocking an enzyme the liver uses to produce cholesterol. They can be effective, but unfortunately, they can also produce unwanted side effects that many look to avoid.

The good news is there are natural options that research shows can help without the potentially severe negative side effects. This is in part because instead of focusing on one pathway, natural options often have a more balanced approach - supporting how the body produces, absorbs, processes, and removes cholesterol.

One ingredient that’s becoming increasingly popular is bergamot. This small citrus fruit grows almost exclusively in Calabria, Italy, and contains a unique group of antioxidant compounds called polyphenols. Research suggests these polyphenols can help reduce cholesterol production in the liver while also limiting how much cholesterol is absorbed through the intestines and helping the body remove more of it.

Better yet, bergamot appears to have side benefits. Studies show it may also support triglyceride metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and healthy blood vessel function. Its antioxidant activity helps protect against oxidative stress, including the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, which is especially important for cardiovascular health. Research has even shown promising benefits for some of the metabolic and inflammatory markers associated with fatty liver.

Unlike a supplement for energy or sleep, bergamot is not something you are likely to feel working. The results show up in the numbers. Some studies have found measurable improvements in LDL, HDL, and triglycerides in as little as 30 days, although I generally think eight to twelve weeks is a more realistic window before repeating bloodwork.

One option we recently added is our Vital Choice Bergamot. It provides 500 mg of patented Bergamonte® bergamot extract, standardized to 38% total polyphenols. That means every capsule delivers a consistent 190 mg of the compounds associated with bergamot’s benefits, rather than an unspecified amount of ordinary bergamot powder.

If cholesterol, triglycerides, or metabolic health are on your radar, this is one worth learning more about.

Mike Ventresca is the owner of Vital Choice Health Store, located at 9243 W. Sprague Road in North Royalton’s Timber Ridge Plaza. Call 440-885-9505 or visit VChoice.com for more information.

This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.