Having a cholesterol problem puts you at greater risk of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. Many people don’t adequately respond to the front line statin drugs, and those drugs have considerable side effects. The search is always on for effective, natural alternatives. Here’s one!
Bergamot is a seldom discussed herb. It is better known as an ingredient in Earl Grey tea. When it is discussed medicinally, it is usually as an essential oil used for calming and soothing.
But bergamot is a promising herbal treatment for cholesterol. It demonstrates impressive results, having been shown to lower total cholesterol by 24%, the heart harmful LDL cholesterol by 28% and triglycerides by 25%. It can raise the heart healthy HDL cholesterol by 26%.
A recent meta-analysis combined the data of five studies of bergamot and cholesterol. It found that bergamot significantly lowers total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, while significantly raising the good HDL cholesterol.
Phytother Res. 2022 Dec;36(12):4409-4424.