Effects of 12-week supplementation of Citrus bergamia extracts-based formulation CitriCholess on cholesterol and body weight in older adults with dyslipidemia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Backgrounds: Recent experiments suggest that Citrus bergamia extracts could benefit people with dyslipidemia and obesity but this needs to be further validated. Methods: A total of 98 people age-matched older adults (65 years) with elevated blood lipids were enrolled to receive 12-week supplementation of a Citrus bergamia extracts-based formulation (CitriCholess)(n = 48) and placebo (n = 50). Results: No group differences were found in baseline bodyweight, body mass index (BMI), blood cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and glucose levels. CitriCholess supplementation resulted in lower levels than placebo in TG (1.83 +/- 0.92 vs. 1.95 +/- 1.34 mmol/L, P = 0.612), TC (5.14 +/- 0.98 vs. 5.44 +/- 0.77 mmol/L, P = 0.097), and LDL-C (3.13 +/- 0.74 vs. 3.43 +/- 0.62 mmol/L, P = 0.032). Compared to placebo, CitriCholess also resulted in greater reductions in body weight (-0.604 +/- 0.939 vs. 0.06 +/- 0.74 kg, P < 0.01), waist circumferences (-0.60 +/- 1.349 cm vs. -0.16 +/- 1.503 cm, P < 0.01) and BMI (-0.207 +/- 0.357 vs. 0.025 +/- 0.274, P < 0.01). Additionally, females had a significantly higher level of HDL-C than males. TC was significantly correlated with LDL-C, and to a less degree, with TG. TG was inversely correlated with HDL-C. Body weight and waist circumference were negatively correlated with HDL-C and positively correlated with glucose. Conclusion: 12-week supplementation of CitriCholess could benefit lipid metabolism and weight management in old adults with dyslipidemia.