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Is Citrus Fruit Helpful in Lowering Triglycerides?

Apr 19, 2011 | By Janet Renee
Is Citrus Fruit Helpful in Lowering Triglycerides?
Photo Credit glass with orange juice and knife and orange and orange skin image by percent from Fotolia.com

Nutrition plays an important role in your your health. Your body uses vitamins and nutrients for optimal body function. According to the American Heart Association, a healthy diet consists of a variety of protein, carbohydrates and fats, received from vegetables, grains, meats and fruits. Citrus fruits, for instance, contain flavonoids, or plant antioxidants that a growing body of research suggests are beneficial to your health, including lowering cholesterol.

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy lipid, or fat substance. On its own, cholesterol is not bad, in fact, it is necessary for body function. Cholesterol is produced in your liver and found in your diet. It is excess cholesterol that can harm your health by accumulating in your arteries, blocking blood flow. Triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein are forms of cholesterol. According to the American Heart Association, elevated triglyceride levels are linked to coronary artery disease.

AHA Guidelines

The AHA describes cholesterol as a controllable risk factor in coronary heart disease. It advises that desirable cholesterol levels are less than 200 mg, and recommends aiming to keep triglycerides below 150 mg, LDL below 100 mg and HDL above 60 mg. HDL, or "good," cholesterol, is a protective lipid that helps scavenge and remove excess cholesterol, while LDL, or "bad," cholesterol, transports excess cholesterol throughout your body.

Citrus Flavonoid Research

According to a study published in the November 2007 issue of "Alternative Therapy," citrus flavonoids and tocotrienols help reduce cholesterol levels. A tocotrienol is a nutrient in the vitamin E family. The study divided men and women ages 19 to 65 with high cholesterol into three groups. The subjects were randomized to consume either 270 mg of citrus flavonoids plus 30 mg of tocotrienols or a placebo daily for four or 12 weeks.

Cholesterol-Lowering Results

The study concluded that citrus flavonoids and tocotrienols significantly lowered cholesterol levels. After four weeks, those given the citrus flavonoids and tocotrienols showed a 20 to 30 percent increase in total cholesterol, including a 24 to 34 percent decrease in triglycerides, and a 19 to 27 percent reduction in LDL. In addition, HDL levels remained the same in those in the first and second groups who received treatment for four weeks, however, after 12 weeks, participants in the third group showed a 5 percent increase in HDL.

Additional Studies

The U.S Department of Agriculture agrees with these findings and cites additional studies that suggest citrus flavonoids have cholesterol-lowering benefits. One such study published in the February 2008 issue of "The Journal of Nutrition," isolated two citrus flavonoids, hesperetin and nobiletin, from tangerines and concluded that they differentially regulate LDL in liver cells.

References

Article reviewed by Christine Brncik Last updated on: Apr 19, 2011

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