Scientists from Western University have discovered that a natural compound called nobiletin, found in sweet oranges and tangerines, could play a role in reducing obesity and preventing diabetes and heart disease.
This finding offers hope for new approaches to managing these widespread health challenges.
In their study, researchers fed mice a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet to mimic the effects of unhealthy eating. Some of the mice were also given nobiletin, and the results were striking.
The mice that received nobiletin remained noticeably leaner, with lower levels of insulin resistance and blood fats, compared to those that were only on the high-fat diet. Insulin resistance is a key feature of type 2 diabetes, and high blood fats are a major risk factor for heart disease.
Even more promising, the researchers found that nobiletin could reverse the negative effects of obesity in mice that already displayed these symptoms. The compound reduced the build-up of arterial plaque, known as atherosclerosis, which is a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes.
The team suggests that nobiletin works by affecting the body's fat-regulating pathways. Typically, a system called AMP Kinase helps the body burn fat for energy and prevents the production of new fat.
Surprisingly, their research showed that nobiletin does not rely on AMP Kinase to achieve its effects. This unexpected finding suggests that nobiletin uses a different mechanism to influence how the body handles fat.
While the exact process remains unclear, the researchers believe this discovery is significant. Because nobiletin does not interfere with AMP Kinase, it may be safe to use alongside other drugs that target this pathway, which are commonly prescribed for metabolic conditions.
The next step in the research is to test whether nobiletin has similar effects in humans. If successful, it could lead to new treatments for obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. For now, the study highlights the potential of this natural compound to improve metabolic health.
The study was conducted by Murray Huff and his team and published in the Journal of Lipid Research. It represents an exciting step forward in understanding how natural compounds can support better health outcomes.
If you care about heart health, please read studies that apple juice could benefit your heart health, and Yogurt may help lower the death risks in heart disease.
For more information about health, please see recent studies that Vitamin D deficiency can increase heart disease risk, and results showing Zinc and vitamin B6 linked to lower death risk in heart disease.