Flavanoids in Tangerines Fights Obesity

Natural Flavonoid In Tangerines

Fights Obesity and Protects

Against Heart Disease

New research from The University of Western Ontario has discovered a substance in tangerines not only helps to prevent obesity, but also offers protection against type 2 diabetes, and even atherosclerosis, the underlying disease responsible for
most heart attacks and strokes.

Research scientists at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry studied the effects of a flavonoid in tangerines called Nobiletin. Their research is published in the journal "Diabetes."

In a model of metabolic syndrome developed by the Huff laboratory at the Robarts Research Institute, lab subjects
were fed a "western" diet high in fats and simple sugars.
One group became obese and showed all the signs associated with metabolic syndrome: elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, high blood levels of insulin and glucose, and a fatty liver.
These metabolic abnormalities greatly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

The second group of subjects, fed the exact same diet but with Nobiletin added, experienced no elevation in their levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin or glucose, and gained weight normally. The subjects became much more sensitive to the
effects of insulin. Nobiletin was shown to prevent the buildup
of fat in the liver by stimulating the expression of genes involved
in burning excess fat, and inhibiting the genes responsible for manufacturing fat.

The Nobiletin-treated subjects were protected from obesity.
And in longer-term studies, Nobiletin also protected these subjects from atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in arteries, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. The researchers claimed this study paves the way for future studies to see if this is a suitable treatment for metabolic syndrome and related conditions in people.

The team's research has focused on the pharmacological properties of naturally-occurring bio-active molecules. Two years ago, similar research drew international attention when the team discovered a flavonoid in grapefruit called Naringenin offered similar protection against obesity and other signs of
metabolic syndrome. They explained "What's really interesting to us is that Nobiletin is ten times more potent in its protective effects compared to Naringenin, and this time, we've also shown that Nobiletin has the ability to protect against atherosclerosis."

The research was funded primarily by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, with additional grant support from the Pfizer Canada Cardiovascular Research Program.