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Any experiences using Bergamot extract to lower LDL cholesterol?
3 weeks ago (edited)
Has anyone here successfully used Bergamot extract to lower LDL cholesterol – especially as a statin alternative?
My father is currently on statins but wants to switch to something more natural. We’re considering Bergamot based on its LDL-lowering potential (via HMG-CoA inhibition & PCSK9 modulation). I’d love to hear if anyone has personal experience, saw measurable results, or discussed it with their doctor.
Product recommendations are welcome 🙏
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Hey @karol
I have (moderate) high LDL cholesterol (130 to 190) as long as I can think, my brother has even higher levels and for sure, at least one of our parents also had – unfortunately we cannot ask them anymore.
Last year I got my carotid and heart arteries check for existing plaque by ultrasound. Lucky me, the result was good enough for my cardiologist to skip the planned CCTA, at least for now.
Why I write this, as you asked for supplements? Because LDL ist not the single holy biomarker and lowering LDL might not be the single holy grail to avoid arteriosclerosis.
Other biomarkers: ApoB (more specific than LDL), hsCRP and LP-PLA2 (specific inflammation markers), maybe also MDA-LDL (oxidative stress) and ADMA (indicator for a disturbed function of the endothelium), as well as Homocysteine, Triglycerides, TMA/TMAO, Uric Acid, HbA1c (long term blood sugar) and Insuline.
Regarding these levers to prevent arteriosclerosis (Triglycerides, Insulin sensitivity, LDL/ApoB, Inflammation, LDL oxidation, TMAO, Uric Acid) AND the question "how to decrease existing plaque" I did some research on supplements last year.
Maybe I will write down my insights in an article, but for now my recommendation is not only to focus on the one single biomarker LDL but to start from the outcome to be avoided: existing plaque (and the flexibility of the arteries).
If I should recommend my Top X remedies, here they are:
Workouts (Zone 2 and HIIT) – HIIT can even shrink existing plaque
Avoid saturated fatty acids (especially C12, C14 and C16 – while C18 could even lower LDL!) and replace as good as possible them with EVOO
Optimize your Omega 3-Index (10-11%) with focus on EPA if possible
Increase you NO with nose breathing, humming, singing and/or Arginine/Citrulline and Nitrates (e. g. Red Beet)
Fight (silent) inflammation and LDL-oxidation with antiinflammatory and antioxidative substances like polyphenols (e. g. in EVOO) or Cocoa, OPC, Curcumin, Astaxanthin, Hesperidine, Olive Leaf Extract and Gingko Biloba for example
For lowering LDL/ApoB you could try Red Yeast Rice (but it's a statin, too), Aged Garlic Extract, Beta Glucane, Phytosterols, high dose Niacine (be careful with blood sugar) or high dose Lecithine
To fight existing plaque you could try Nattokinase (I take high dose every day and will see in December if the little existing plaque in my carotid arteries will be decreased), Aged Garlic Extract again, Berberine (best for Blood Sugar/Insuline), pomegranate juice or high dose Vitamin K2 (which could also decrease LP-PLA2!)
Bonus: Kefir could decrease LDL-oxidation and Uric Acid
Bonus: Check for deficit in manganese!
No Bergamot on my list? I use it sometimes as I found it interesting, but the evidence was not so strong when I did my research.
One more thing: I am now taking a low-dose statin: rosuvastatin 5 mg, every two days. Supplemented with CoQ10, of course! I'm doing brilliantly and my LDL was recently around 110 with a downward trend.
I wish your father all the best!
Cheers/Heiko
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences, @heiko-bartlog. I’ll pass your thoughts and recommendations on to my dad and keep you posted on how it goes. He’s a biochemist himself and deeply interested in the topic from a scientific perspective.
