Citrus Extracts Found to Enhance Heart Health in Small Study

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(NaturalNews) A blend of citrus and tree bark extracts was found to improve several markers of cardiovascular health and to aid in weight loss, in a study conducted by researchers from the University of Yaounde I in Cameroon, the University of Mississippi, America's Gateway Health Alliances and Next Pharmaceuticals, and published in the Nutrition Journal.

In the study, funded by Next Pharmaceuticals, 40 overweight and 40 normal weight arthritis patients were dosed with either the company's proprietary NP06-1 blend of citrus and tree bark extracts or with a placebo for eight weeks.

"In a placebo-controlled pilot clinical study, NP06-1 offered several potential health benefits in normal and overweight subjects with osteoarthritis of the knee," the researchers wrote. "NP06-1 had a beneficial effect on cardiovascular risk factors; namely lipid levels, blood pressure and fasting glucose levels. Administration of NP06-1 was also associated with weight loss."

NP06-1 contains extracts from Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck peel and Phellodendron amurense Rupr. tree bark, each at a dose of 370 milligrams per day. The citrus contains a minimum of 30 percent polymethoxylated flavones, while the tree bark is at least 50 percent berberine.

Triglycerides and LDL ("bad") cholesterol fell significantly in both the experimental and control groups. Triglyceride levels among overweight participants receiving the extract decreased by 18 percent, and by 14.5 percent in the normal weight group. LDL cholesterol fell 44 percent in overweight participants taking the extract, compared with only a 14 percent decrease in the overweight placebo group. Among those of normal weight, the extract group experienced a 17 percent drop in LDL levels, compared with 14.5 percent in the placebo.

Levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol increased by 3.9 percent in the normal weight extract group, and by 11.8 percent in the overweight extract group.

Both normal and overweight participants also lost weight when given the citrus and tree bark extract, with the overweight volunteers losing five percent of their body weight over the course of the study.

Sources for this story include: www.foodnavigator-usa.com.

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