BergaMet's Significant Effect in Fatty Liver Disease Prompts Call for US Research Proposals

DENVER, July 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent New York Times article ("Threat Grows from Liver Illness Tied to Obesity", June 13 2014) alerting millions to the growing prevalence and seriousness of fatty liver disease revealed a stark and very concerning reality about therapeutic options. There are currently no drugs approved for either NAFLD (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) or NASH (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis), the two faces of fatty liver disease. 

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Affecting 10% of children and 20% of adults in the United States, fatty liver disease is a risk factor for heart disease, diabetes and cirrhosis and is projected to become the most common reason for liver transplantations.  Other than recommendations to control risk factors by improving lifestyle, physicians have not been able to find a therapy that uniformly ameliorates the potentially devastating condition.

New published research from two European universities has proven that a highly concentrated proprietary extract of the Calabrian bergamot fruit (38% citrus bergamot extract, BergaMet™/Nathealthsolutions) powerfully improves both liver structure and function in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The magnitude of the beneficial effect of BergaMet™ on Italian patients with fatty liver disease has heretofore never been shown with any other product or drug. This has prompted a nationwide call for US based research proposals from academic liver specialists to confirm and extend the published results from Europe.

In a study conducted by Professor G. Rosano (San Raffaelle Pisana Clinic, Rome) involving investigators from the US, Australia and the University of Catanzaro (led by Professor V. Mollace), 107 patients with metabolic syndrome and NAFLD were treated for 120 days with polyphenol-rich 38% citrus bergamot extract (BergaMet™) in conjunction with olive leaf extract. Ultrasound of abdominal structures ("hepatorenal ratio") revealed a dramatic 50% reduction in liver fat, while a biochemical analysis ("steato test") demonstrated a 40% improvement in scores. Bergamot therapy converted the typical patient from severe steatosis (fatty liver) to the moderate category in 12 weeks. Standard liver function tests quickly normalized in most subjects.

According to Professor Rosano, "Based upon our research, bergamot polyphenol appears to be a clinically useful treatment for patients with fatty liver disease, especially in those with abnormal lipids."  The complete results of this study have been published in a peer reviewed journal and the liver data has been submitted in abstract form to the 2014 annual meeting of the American College of Gastroenterologists. More information about the studies is available at www.fattyliverbergamet.com .

A separate group of investigators led by Professor F. Andreozzi (Polyclinico Umberto I, Rome) evaluated the BPF/olive leaf extract formulation in 40 patients with fatty liver disease for a period of 60 days. Highly significant improvements in liver function tests were demonstrated in this study.

According to co-investigator Professor Vincenzo Mollace of the University of Catanzaro, "Our studies in both rats and humans have consistently demonstrated that therapy with BPF counters the accumulation of fat in the liver while prompting its elimination. We have proven that 38% BPF developed by our group from the locally grown polyphenol-rich bergamot citrus plant results in a significant and dramatic improvement in both liver function and structure in these patients while decreasing cardiometabolic risk…without any side effects."

Dr. James Ehrlich, an advisor to Nathealthsolutions states, "The New York Times piece brought needed attention to an underappreciated worldwide epidemic with significant health and economic consequences. We are very gratified that two scientific studies conducted in Europe imply that BergaMet may be the best currently available therapy for these alarmingly serious and common conditions. Our initial published results have attracted significant interest from the academic liver community. We are very confident that leading US based liver specialists will initiate new studies to further elucidate the proper roles of BergaMet for patients suffering from fatty liver disorders."

About Nathealthsolutions
Nathealthsolutions is the U.S.-based distributor of BergaMet MEGA BergaMet D and BergaMet PRO, the most powerful, natural agents for the management of lipid/metabolic disorders. Derived from the Citrus Bergamia Risso (bergamot) plant in the Calabria region of Southern Italy, BergaMet™ is the only product, drug or supplement that effectively addresses all the components of metabolic syndrome. Working with the Italian research team, Nathealthsolutions has recently provided a product specifically for patients suffering for fatty liver disease called BergaMet L. BergaMet L bottles contains 60 tablets, each containing 650 mg of bergamot polyphenolic fraction, 100 mg of oleopurein (olive leaf extract 20%), 50 mg. of magnesium amino acid chelate and 50 mg of ascorbic acid. Recommended dosage is one tablet twice daily, 20 to 30 minutes before the two largest meals of the day. For more information or to order online, visit www.fattyliverbergamet.com or call 855-556-2131.

SOURCE Nathealthsolutions