Bergamot citrus plus wild cardoon may help support liver health

Using DolCas Biotech, LLC’s Bergacyn FF ingredient, the Italy-based researchers report that 12 weeks of supplementation with the polyphenol fraction of Bergamot and an extract of wild cardoon led to reductions in the liver fat content of in people over 50.

Data published in Frontiers in Endocrinology​ also found that the supplement led to statistically significant reductions in weight for the over 50s.

“An unexpected outcome of the study was Bergacyn’s impact on weight loss,” ​said Dr Shavon Jackson-Michel, Director of Medical & Scientific Affairs of DolCas Biotech.

“The absolute difference made by Bergacyn FF for body weight reductions over placebo was approximately 4 lbs. The total weight loss in the Bergacyn FF group over 12 weeks fell just under 10 lbs. The new research supports the traditional wisdom of botanical synergism and how standardized ingredient formulations could be the best way forward for multifactorial processes such as NAFL.”​

Bergacyn FF​

Bergacyn FF combines extracts derived from the Italian bergamot citrus fruit (Citrus bergamia​) and wild cardoon (Cynara cardunculus sylvestris​), also known as wild Italian artichoke thistle leaf.

The manufacturer and patent-holder of Bergacyn FF is Herbal and Antioxidant Derivatives, Srl. Dolcas Biotech, LLC is the exclusive, global distributor of Bergacyn FF and the exclusive licensee of the trademark.

Study details​

The new study included 102 people with liver steatosis (aged between 35 and 70) and randomly assigned them to receive either 600 mg/d of Bergacyn FF or a maltodextrin-based placebo for 12 weeks. Overweight and obese subjects in both groups also had to reduce their intake by 400-500 calories per day. Eighty-six subjects completed the study.

Results of the double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial indicated that liver fat accumulation was reduced by 9% in the active supplement group, compared to placebo. When the researchers focused their analysis on people over 50, they found that the reduction in liver fat was 15%.

The researchers also noted that, compared to placebo, Bergacyn FF was associated with a significant reduction in body weight.

“[The Bergamot-wild cardoon combination] was well-tolerated and was not associated with an increased risk for adverse events. [Bergacyn FF] would constitute a promising complement to non-pharmacological measures that are commonly used to counteract the onset and progression of NAFLD, at least in individuals over 50 years,” ​wrote the researchers.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease​

NAFLD is the most prevalent liver abnormality in Western countries and parallels the epidemic of metabolic syndrome, obesity and diabetes.  Frequently disabling and occasionally leading to cirrhosis, fatty liver disease has currently costs the US health care system about $32 billion annually​

Source:​ Frontiers in Endocrinology​
doi: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00494​
“Randomized Clinical Trial: Bergamot Citrus and Wild Cardoon Reduce Liver Steatosis and Body Weight in Non-diabetic Individuals Aged Over 50 Years”​
Authors: Y. Ferro et al.