Citrus Bergamot · 90 capsules

What is citrus bergamot?

Bergamot is a citrus plant that originated as a cross between the bitter orange and other citrus plants and was first described in the 17th century. Since then, bergamot has been cultivated in Italy, mainly on the coast of Calabria. The extracts obtained from the plant give Earl Grey tea its characteristic aroma and the essential oils of bergamot are used in perfume production and aromatherapy. What was not known for a long time is that bergamot is very rich in polyphenols. Like the essential oils of bergamot, these have a variety of health benefits and, according to studies, also have pronounced antioxidant properties (4).

How can citrus bergamot improve cardiovascular health?

Citrusbergamot is an active ingredient that has been shown to improve cholesterol and blood lipid levels in study subjects. Elevated levels in these areas are two of the primary risk factors for cardiovascular disease (5). These risk factors are becoming increasingly important in today's world and affect not only people who do not exercise enough, but also athletes who have unhealthy eating habits (6). High levels of harmful LDL cholesterol promote deposits in the blood vessels, which can lead to constrictions or blockages and are therefore the primary trigger for a heart attack. Healthy HDL cholesterol counteracts such deposits by promoting the removal of LDL cholesterol. Scientific studies have shown that citrus bergamot was able to significantly reduce harmful LDL cholesterol levels. At the same time, it was able to significantly increase healthy HDL cholesterol levels (1,3, 8). In addition, a significant reduction in blood triglyceride levels was also observed. In contrast to statins, which are used in the medical field as cholesterol-lowering agents, citrus bergamot does not inhibit the body's own production of coenzyme Q10 (9). Another benefit that has been associated with the use of citrus bergamot in studies is its antioxidant properties, which can counteract the oxidation of LDL cholesterol (4). This is of particular interest as oxidized LDL cholesterol can contribute significantly more than intact LDL cholesterol to plaque formation in the blood vessels (i.e. calcification of the arteries) (1,3).

Other effects of citrus bergamot proven in studies

Citrusbergamot has been associated with helping to keep blood vessels healthy (10). Chronic systemic inflammation is common and is associated with an increased risk of many diseases, including cardiovascular disease (11). Particularly critical in this regard is the inner lining of the veins known as the endothelium, which is directly involved in vasodilation, blood pressure regulation, blood clotting and many other important processes. Citrus bergamot has been shown to reduce inflammation and plaque formation and improve the elasticity and responsiveness of the veins in test subjects. This is partly due to its pronounced anti-inflammatory properties, which are achieved by reducing the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (3, 12, 13). In addition, citrus bergamot has been shown to protect the cells of the endothelium from free radical damage through its antioxidant properties, which could also promote the health of the endothelium and consequently that of the blood vessels (4, 14). Another effect of bergamot is related to insulin sensitivity. Scientific studies have shown that citrus bergamot can improve insulin sensitivity by activating AMPK, resulting in a significant reduction in blood glucose levels (10,15).

CitrusBergamot is a supplement that has been shown to have numerous positive effects on subjects in various studies. It is therefore hardly surprising that the active ingredient is also becoming increasingly popular in Germany. As always, the effect of the supplement stands and falls with the quality of the ingredients. As usual, GN relies exclusively on raw materials of the best quality in order to always be able to guarantee an optimum effect. **Citrus Bergamot from GN Laboratories - because in the end only results count.