Bergamot and wild thistle help reduce hepatic steatosis. This is shown by the randomized clinical trial conducted at the Department of Medicine at the University of Magna Graecia in Catanzaro and published 11.8.20 in Frontiers in Endocrinology. (1)
Hepatic steatosis, epidemic in progress
Nonalcoholic hepatic steatosis-Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), or ‘fatty liver syndrome’-is an asymptomatic condition that has been spreading like an epidemic for some years now. First in the U.S. and the Americas, then also in Europe and elsewhere. It ranks among theNon-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) whose prevalence is attributed to habitual consumption of junk food and unbalanced diets.
Sugar
and palm oil top the list of substances whose dietary intake is directly associated with the occurrence of steatosis. Which can degenerate intoNon Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis, with inflammation and damage to liver cells. Finally, liver cirrhosis and carcinomas.
In search of a cure
The only hope for salvation from steatosis lies in drastic dietary correction. Elimination of junk food and alcoholic beverages, weight reduction. Currently, there are no drugs to treat this disease, although research is proceeding and several clinical trials are still ongoing. Nor have individual phytocompounds been identified to date that are useful for this purpose.
The research under review evaluated the efficacy, in the treatment of NAFLD, of a nutraceutical capsule product containing a combination of a polyphenolic fraction of bergamot and artichoke cynarin(Cynara Cardunculus) extract. (2) Through a randomized, double-blind versus placebo controlled clinical trial involving 102 nondiabetic patients with hepatic steatosis. (3)
Bergamot and wild thistle, a promising contribution
The researchers administered one capsule of the bergamot and wild thistle nutraceutical (300 mg/day) for 12 consecutive weeks. Finding an appreciable reduction in the controlled attenuation parameter (PAC)-a measurement index used to assess, through noninvasive analysis, the degree of elasticity or stiffness of the liver (fibrosis) and the percentage of fat in the liver (the steatosis)-in participants older than 50 years. (4)
Bergamot
and wild thistle may therefore be a promising adjunct to the nonpharmacological measures commonly used to counteract the onset and progression of hepatic steatosis. Finally, research development is suggested to confirm the results and evaluate whether long-term treatment can actually reduce the severity of NAFLD.
Dario Dongo and Serena Lazzaro
Notes
(1) Yvelise Ferro, Tiziana Montalcini, Elisa Mazza, Daniela Foti, Elvira Angotti, Micaela Gliozzi, Saverio Nucera, Sara Paone, Ezio Bombardelli, Ilaria Aversa, Vincenzo Musolino, Vincenzo Mollace, Arturo Pujia. (2020). Randomized Clinical Trial: Bergamot Citrus and Wild Cardoon Reduce Liver Steatosis and Body Weight in Non-diabetic Individuals Aged Over 50 Years. Front. Endocrinol. 11.8.20 https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2020.00494
(2) Herbal & Antioxidant Derivatives, patents RM2008A000615, PCT/IB2009/055061 and 102017000040866. The products used in the study were provided by Herbal & Antioxidant S.r.l., Bianco (Reggio Calabria)
(3) Randomized controlled trials randomly assign participants to two groups. The experimental group, which receives the intervention, and a control group given a placebo (or conventional treatment).
Thedouble-blind (double-blind controlled) study is characterized because the person administering the product is also unaware of the nature of the product (test or placebo)
(4) However, the average age of the study participants is 51 years, + 9 years
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
Serena Lazzaro
