Safety of dietary supplements in the setting of lipid-lowering treatment. The role of bergamot-derived polyphenolic fraction Review article
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Published:
May 31, 2026
Keywords:
bergamot, bergamot-derived polyphenolic fraction, BPF, dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, lipid-lowering treatment, statin intolerance, nutraceuticals
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Abstract
Nutraceuticals may play a role in the management of dyslipidemia in selected patient groups including those who cannot or do not want to take statins. Bergamot-derived polyphenolic fraction is one of the most potent lipid-lowering nutraceuticals: at the dose of 500–1500 mg/24 h, it may lower LDL-C level by 15-40%, and short-term studies indicate a favorable safety profile of bergamot.
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How to Cite
Jędrusik, P. (2026). Safety of dietary supplements in the setting of lipid-lowering treatment. The role of bergamot-derived polyphenolic fraction. Medycyna Faktow (J EBM), 19(1(70), 39-44. https://doi.org/10.24292/01.MF.0126.5
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References
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10. Toth PP, Patti AM, Nikolic D et al. bergamot reduces plasma lipids, atherogenic small dense LDL, and subclinical atherosclerosis in subjects with moderate hypercholesterolemia: A 6 months prospective study. Front Pharmacol. 2016; 6: 299.
11. Cicero AFG, Colletti A, Bajraktari G et al. Lipid lowering nutraceuticals in clinical practice: Position paper from an International Lipid Expert Panel. Arch Med Sci. 2017; 13: 965-1005.
12. Banach M, Patti AM, Giglio RV et al. The role of nutraceuticals in statin intolerant patients. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2018; 72: 96-118.
13. Barylski M, Filipiak KJ, Okopień B et al. Stanowisko grupy ekspertów wsparte przez Sekcję Farmakoterapii Sercowo-Naczyniowej Polskiego Towarzystwa Kardiologicznego dotyczące miejsca standaryzowanej kompozycji polifenoli z bergamoty w terapii dyslipidemii oraz jej innego potencjalnego zastosowania w praktyce klinicznej. Folia Cardiologica. 2018; 13: 222-35.
2. Mollace V, Sacco I, Janda E et al. Hypolipemic and hypoglycaemic activity of bergamot polyphenols: From animal models to human studies. Fitoterapia. 2011; 82: 309-16.
3. Mollace V, Scicchitano M, Paone S et al. Hypoglycemic and hypolipemic effects of a new lecithin formulation of bergamot polyphenolic fraction: a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets. 2019; 19: 136-43.
4. Gliozzi M, Carresi C, Musolino V et al. The effect of bergamot-derived polyphenolic fraction on LDL small dense particles and non alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with metabolic syndrome. Adv Biol Chem. 2014; 4: 129-37.
5. Gliozzi M, Walker R, Muscoli S et al. Bergamot polyphenolic fraction enhances rosuvastatin-induced effect on LDL-cholesterol, LOX-1 expression and protein kinase B phosphorylation in patients with hyperlipidemia. Int J Cardiol. 2013; 170: 140-5.
6. Campolongo G, Riccioni V, Raparelli V et al. The combination of nutraceutical and simvastatin enhances the effect of simvastatin alone in normalising lipid profile without side effects in patients with ischemic heart disease. Int J Cardiol Metab Endocr. 2016; 11: 3-6.
7. Lamiquiz-Moneo I, Giné-González J, Alisente S et al. Effect of bergamot on lipid profile in humans: A systematic review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2020; 60: 3133-43.
8. Sadeghi-Dehsahraei H, Esmaeili Gouvarchin Ghaleh H, Mirnejad R et al. The effect of bergamot (KoksalGarry) supplementation on lipid profiles: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Phytotherapy Research. 2022; 36: 4409-24.
9. Osadnik T, Goławski M, Lewandowski P et al. A network meta-analysis on the comparative effect of nutraceuticals on lipid profile in adults. Pharmacol Res. 2022; 183: 106402.
10. Toth PP, Patti AM, Nikolic D et al. bergamot reduces plasma lipids, atherogenic small dense LDL, and subclinical atherosclerosis in subjects with moderate hypercholesterolemia: A 6 months prospective study. Front Pharmacol. 2016; 6: 299.
11. Cicero AFG, Colletti A, Bajraktari G et al. Lipid lowering nutraceuticals in clinical practice: Position paper from an International Lipid Expert Panel. Arch Med Sci. 2017; 13: 965-1005.
12. Banach M, Patti AM, Giglio RV et al. The role of nutraceuticals in statin intolerant patients. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2018; 72: 96-118.
13. Barylski M, Filipiak KJ, Okopień B et al. Stanowisko grupy ekspertów wsparte przez Sekcję Farmakoterapii Sercowo-Naczyniowej Polskiego Towarzystwa Kardiologicznego dotyczące miejsca standaryzowanej kompozycji polifenoli z bergamoty w terapii dyslipidemii oraz jej innego potencjalnego zastosowania w praktyce klinicznej. Folia Cardiologica. 2018; 13: 222-35.