The Effect of a Supplement Containing Bergamot and Plant Sterols with or Without a Diet on Dyslipidemia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

In 30 seconds

This 12-week randomized controlled trial compared a cholesterol-lowering diet, a bergamot and plant sterol supplement, and their combination in 61 adults with dyslipidemia. The combined intervention produced significantly greater reductions than either intervention alone in total cholesterol (-53.9 mg/dL; -19.8%), LDL-C (-42.6 mg/dL; -23.3%), and triglycerides (-57.2 mg/dL; -29.7%) (P < .05). All groups improved total cholesterol and LDL-C, while triglycerides fell significantly only in supplement groups. Dietary intervention was associated with improvements in body weight, BMI, and fat mass; HDL-C and liver enzymes were unchanged.

Key findings

• The combined diet and supplement group had greater reductions in total cholesterol (-53.9 mg/dL; -19.8%) and LDL-C (-42.6 mg/dL; -23.3%) than either intervention alone (P < .05).
• Triglycerides decreased more with the combined intervention (-57.2 mg/dL; -29.7%) than with diet or supplement alone (P < .05); significant decreases occurred only in supplement groups.
• Diet-only and combined groups reduced body weight by 4.2 kg and 3.4 kg, respectively, and also improved BMI and fat mass.
• HDL-C and alanine and aspartate aminotransferase levels remained unchanged across groups.

Why it matters

The trial suggests that combining dietary change with bergamot and plant sterols may improve several lipid measures more than either approach alone over 12 weeks. It also indicates that dietary intervention contributes to improvements in body composition, outcomes not reported with the supplement alone. These findings help distinguish the observed lipid and anthropometric effects of the two components.

What to keep in mind

The trial included 61 adults and followed participants for 12 weeks, limiting conclusions about longer-term effects.