John Arts Abundant Living www.johnarts.co.nz

Last week we discussed the health benefits of tangerine skin extract. The beneficial compounds are called polymethoxylated flavones, fortunately abbreviated to PMFs. Flavones are yellow-coloured molecules used by plants to colour their flowers. When we consume food or supplements with flavones they provide numerous health benefits.

While research into PMFs continues, there is evidence these compounds have several benefits for heart health. Deep in your liver tissues are a series of enzymes that create the cholesterol we need. For a variety of reasons these enzymes can become imbalanced, producing more cholesterol than we need. Clinical trials of a blend of PMFs and vitamin E compounds show significant improvements in cholesterol balance, especially the ratio between Low-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol and High-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol.

Statin cholesterol medications are very effective at blocking these enzymes, therefore reducing cholesterol. However there are a reasonably large group who cannot tolerate the side effects, especially muscle pain and low energy. Only a few manufacturers use PMFs in supplements and there's only one I know of in NZ. The most researched is Sytrinol, a US-patented formula that combines PMFs with vitamin E tocotrienols.

When used in supplements, the main role of PMFs is to help cholesterol balance. They do have additional benefits. They are also potent antioxidants and help prevent oxidation of cholesterol, which is generally regarded as the first step in artery plaque formation.

Most people can tolerate PMFs well and can be taken with most medications. For those who prefer natural methods to balance cholesterol, I recommend a three-month trial followed with a cholesterol test to determine your progress. Give me a call or email john@abundant.co.nz if you need more information. Join my full weekly newsletter at www.abundant.co.nz

John Arts is a qualified nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health. Contact John on 0800 423 559. To read more go to www.sunlive.co.nz