Special types of citrus-derived flavonoids, known as polymethoxyflavones, especially nobiletin and tangeretin, are inversely associated with cardiovascular disease.  Previous studies have shown them to be effective in lowering cholesterol in humans as well as helping to prevent the accumulation of LDL cholesterol in the lining of arteries.  Even relatively small amounts of them can activate gene signals that help to correctly metabolize cholesterol.  A new study shows that nobiletin can boost adiponectin levels and reduce inflammation within white adipose tissue, thereby significantly improving insulin resistance and lowering high blood sugar.  Additionally, a significant body of research has been accumulating in the past few years showing that polymethoxflavones are powerful nutrients in cancer prevention.

There are at least 4000 flavonoids identified in nature.  These health-protecting substances are widely found in fruits, vegetables, and spices.  Sometimes flavonoids are naturally attached to other molecules that enhance their ability to be absorbed and utilized within your body.  These are often top choices for dietary supplements.  One such class of flavonoid, now generating extensive scientific research, is the polymethoxyflavones. 

A polymethoxyflavone is a nutrient structure with more than one methyl group (-CH3) already attached to the flavonoid.  The most active forms are found in the seldom-eaten peels and contain 5 – 7 methyl groups attached to one flavonoid.  This unique “package” enables the nutrient to be better absorbed as well as maintaining its biological activity for a longer period of time.  It also helps transport flavonoids to places that methyl groups like to go – which turns out to be incredibly important for protecting the DNA of your cells and thereby reducing your risk for cancer.

This topic is best understood by realizing the overall importance of the process of methylation within your body, which is a key to your health in the first place.  Vitamin B12 and folic acid work in harmony to orchestrate this process – which is yet another reason why the coenzyme forms of B vitamins are so vital to your health.  For example, when you take pre-methylated B12 (methylcobalamin), instead of cheap cyanide-producing B12 (cyanacobalamin), then you are using the form of the B vitamin that directly facilitates methylation processes within your body (not to mention far superior absorption of the nutrient). 

A recent study demonstrated that nobiletin was highly protective to the brain, inhibiting the brain tangles that cause Alzheimer’s.  Nobiletin had a specific impact on offsetting fear conditioning, indicating a unique benefit for those with anxiety.  Of course, nerve-related methylation is vital to normal nerve function which is also why B12 and folic acid are so vital to basic nerve health.

Scientists now recognize that an overall deficiency in methylation activity causes general DNA instability and increases the risk for DNA mutation, i.e., cancer.  Scientists have focused a considerable amount of research on the importance of methyl-containing compounds and their metabolism within your body. Three years ago a comprehensive review of nobiletin and tangeretin in their anti-cancer role was published by a researcher from the Medical University of South Carolina (read entire article by clicking here).

He reviews the science that demonstrates how nobiletin and tangeretin are able to stabilize DNA against exposure to carcinogenic environmental toxins (which all humans are continuously exposed to).  Furthermore, the science supporting the use of nobiletin and tangeretin to reduce the progression of cancer is reviewed.  These nutrients act at the gene level to lower excessive NF-kappaB and related gene signaling that is otherwise essential in the spreading of cancer.

In support of earlier research a recent study showed that nobiletin and tangeretin could protect the liver against exposure to cancer-causing carbon tetrachloride (solvent/cleaning chemical), acetaminophen (Tylenol), and highly inflammatory lipopolysaccharide (bacterial cell-wall toxins).  These nutrients lowered various inflammatory markers, TNFa and iNOS, which means there will be much less free radical damage (including potential DNA damage).

In a just published study an extract of polymethoxyflavones containing nobiletin and tangeretin killed five different human cancer cell types.  The researchers concluded that polymethoxyflavones “may help prevent cervical cancer and may potentially be a useful agent for the treatment of certain malignancies.”

In cases of chemotherapy drug resistance it is typical that cancer cells pump the toxic drug back out of the cell as fast as it goes in.  This is based on the activity of a transporter system known as p glycoprotein.  In a model of chemo drug resistance nobiletin and tangeretin were found to blunt the activity of p glycoprotein in this context so that cancer cells were forced to build up a higher level of the chemo drug.  Another new study showed that tangeretin can directly kill leukemia cells, an effect that was enhanced in combination with a chemo drug.  And yet another study showed that tangeretin makes ovarian cancer cells more susceptible to death from chemo drugs.  We are seeing more and more that many nutrients can drastically improve the ability of chemo drugs to work better – and these studies are several more examples of this helpful function.

Collectively all of this science shows that the polymethoxyflavones nobiletin and tangeretin are highly protective to your body in multiple ways and act to help our metabolize cholesterol and blood sugar, resulting in better leptin function and improved fat fitness – which is fundamental to a higher level of cardiovascular health.

Posted by Byron J Richards at 08:42 PM.

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