Dal pompelmo, possibile integratore contro diabete

A group of researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Massachusetts General Hospital have studied the effects of naringenin on hepatocytes. The flavonoid, contained in grapefruit, activates a family of nuclear receptors which in turn increase the oxidation of fatty acids and decrease the production of bile acid and cholesterol. It also increases sensitivity to insulin. According to the research, published in the Public Library of Science (PLoS) One journal, naringenin mimics the action of drugs such as fenofibrate, a lipid-lowering substance and rosiglitazone, a blood glucose lowering substance. If the results on humans confirm those published, naringenin may become a dietary supplement for treating hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes and possibly the metabolic syndrome. “The potential use of a naturally-occurring supplement is interesting,” the researchers point out, “since this by-product of grapefruit is non-toxic, cheap and has proven anti-inflammatory properties.”

(source: Dal sito Farmacista 33)