A New Supplement that May Help with Diabetes, High Cholesterol and Obesity?

Naringenin provides bitter taste to grapefruits

At the The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, researchers have studied and developed naringenin into a supplement.  Naringenin, is the molecule found in grapefruits that induces a bitter taste of grapefruits. Naringenin is poorly absorbed into the body, however by combining naringenin within a cyclodextrin sugar molecule structure, the absorption of the supplement increased several fold. 

When given to rats before a high fat, high sugar meal, this supplement significantly decreased cholesterol levels and significantly increased insulin sensitivity.  More studies are necessary to determine the safety and effectiveness of this supplement, and presently clinical trials are occurring in the United States.  In time, naringenin may prove to be an excellent resource for the prevention diabetes, heart disease, and arteriosclerosis.

Pre-meal dietary supplement developed at Hebrew University can overcome fat and sugar problems

 Also, nargingenin is presently undergoing clinical trials to study effects against hepatitis C

A Pilot Study of the Grapefruit Flavonoid Naringenin for HCV Infection