Hesperidin

Hesperidin

Hesperidin, also known as vitamin P, is a naturally occurring bioflavonoid found primarily in citrus fruits such as orange peels. Hesperidin is not actually a vitamin because your body doesn’t produce it naturally; you need to obtain it through dietary intake or synthetic supplements. As a potent antioxidant, hesperidin helps protect against harmful free radicals and various chronic diseases.

Benefits of Hesperidin

Although hesperidin is not a true vitamin, studies show that it offers a wide array of health benefits:

Improves Blood Circulation and Treats Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)

Normally, veins return blood to the heart from different body organs. In some cases, the valves in the veins become damaged, allowing the blood to leak backward. This condition is known as CVI. CVI is linked to various problems like ankle swelling, varicose veins, cramping, leg ulcerations and delayed wound healing. Interestingly, when researchers administered Daflon 500 mg (contains 10% hesperidin) in patients with CVI, a significant improvement in leg swelling and ulcer healing was observed following the treatment.^[1] The researchers therefore concluded that hesperidin may help treat CVI by improving blood flow to the affected body part.

Treats Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins located around the anus which can cause severe pain, itching, and difficulty sitting. In one study conducted on 150 patients suffering from an acute hemorrhoidal attack, treatment with Daflon 500 mg two to three times a day resulted in a quicker and more pronounced relief of signs and symptoms of acute hemorrhoids compared to placebo.^[2] The use of pain relievers and topical medications was also diminished following the treatment.

Prevents Cardiovascular Diseases

When patients with confirmed metabolic syndrome received 500 mg of hesperidin for three weeks, there is a significant decrease in inflammatory markers associated with cardiovascular disease.^[3]  Additionally, other studies have shown consistent findings that hesperidin supplementation at a dose of 500 mg was able to bring down the levels of inflammatory markers such as Apolipoprotein B and low density lipoprotein, indicating less risk for cardiovascular diseases.^[4-6]

Lowers Blood Sugar Levels

Daily supplementation of 500 mg hesperidin for three weeks in patients with high blood sugar levels related to metabolic syndrome trends towards improving the body’s response to the hormone insulin.^[3] Hesperidin supplementation in these patients appears to have a mild effect in lowering blood sugar levels.

Helps Lose Weight

Hesperitin has been noted to stimulate the secretion of adiponectin in the body.^[7] Adiponectin is a hormone that accelerates the rate in which the body breaks down fat.

Improves Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

In one clinical trial assessing the effects of daily hesperidin supplementation at a dose of   3000 mg in 19 patients with RA, a significant improvement in the core symptoms of RA was observed following the treatment.^[8]    

Prevents Cancer

Numerous studies suggest that bioflavonoids have anti-cancer properties. The bioflavonoid hesperidin actually reduces the proliferation of many cancer cells, particularly human colon and breast cancer cells, by inducing programmed cell death (apoptosis).^[9-10]  

References:

1. Bergan JJ, Schmid-schönbein GW, Takase S. Therapeutic approach to chronic venous insufficiency and its complications: place of Daflon 500 mg. Angiology. 2001;52 Suppl 1:S43-7.
2. Cospite M. Double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of clinical activity and safety of Daflon 500 mg in the treatment of acute hemorrhoids. Angiology. 1994;45(6 Pt 2):566-73.
3. Beckman JA, Creager MA, Libby P. Diabetes and atherosclerosis: epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management. JAMA. 2002;287(19):2570-81.
4. Yamamoto M, Suzuki A, Hase T Short-term effects of glucosyl hesperidin and hesperetin on blood pressure and vascular endothelial function in spontaneously hypertensive rats . J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). (2008).
5. Griffin BA, Furlonger N, Iversen A Plasma apolipoprotein(b) to LDL cholesterol ratio as a marker of small, dense LDL . Ann Clin Biochem. (2000).
6. Chen ZP, et al AMP-activated protein kinase phosphorylation of endothelial NO synthase. FEBS Lett. (1999).
7. Shen J, et al Effect of 4G-alpha-glucopyranosyl hesperidin on brown fat adipose tissue- and cutaneous-sympathetic nerve activity and peripheral body temperature . Neurosci Lett. (2009).
8. Felson DT, et al. The American College of Rheumatology preliminary core set of disease activity measures for rheumatoid arthritis clinical trials. The Committee on Outcome Measures in Rheumatoid Arthritis Clinical Trials . Arthritis Rheum. (1993).
9. Park HJ, Kim MJ, Ha E, Chung JH. Apoptotic effect of hesperidin through caspase3 activation in human colon cancer cells, SNU-C4. Phytomedicine. 2008;15(1-2):147-51.
10. Lee CJ, Wilson L, Jordan MA, Nguyen V, Tang J, Smiyun G. Hesperidin suppressed proliferations of both human breast cancer and androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells. Phytother Res. 2010;24 Suppl 1:S15-9.