Hesperidin

Hesperidin is a dietary supplement found in citrus fruits. It is a part of a large family of phytonutrients called bioflavonoids. As with others in this group, hesperidin treats and offers relief from hemorrhoids, endometriosis, lymphadema, PMS (postmenstrual syndrome) and fibroid tumors. It is also useful in treating weakening of the veins in the legs (chronic venous insufficiency). A study published in the Journal of Nutrition clearly shows that added amounts of hesperidin in the diet help prevent bones loss in postmenopausal women. (J Nutr. 2003 Jun;133(6):1892-7.) Based on this information, using hesperidin supplementation is something to look into.

Hesperidin, as mentioned above, occurs in citrus fruits. Adding or changing your fruit intake to include an orange, grapefruit, or other citrus fruit will help to significantly increase your body's levels of hesperidin. In addition, just drinking a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice or a glass of fresh lemonade will help add to your hesperidin intake.

Why should you supplement with this nutrient? The study cited above supports the fact that postmenopausal women should supplement with hesperidin as well as increase their citrus intake in order to prevent loss of bone density and the onset of osteoporosis. When combined with other bioflavonoids, hesperidin is effective in treating chronic venous insufficiency, which can be quite painful as well as dangerous to your health.

There is more good news about this nutrient. Study after study indicates that there is no risk to the fetus or pregnant mother when taking hesperidin during pregnancy. Despite all of the testing, hesperidin offers few side effects and there are no documented cases of overdose reported. Overall, this is a safe and effective supplement to take.

There can be some considerations before taking hesperidin. If you are taking prescription medication for blood pressure, high cholesterol, for cancer treatment or recovery, then check with your physician prior to starting a supplement regime. This is due to the fact that hesperidin may interact with these medications in an unpredictable manner.

Overall, hesperidin supplementation is a health alternative to drug therapy in many situations. However, if you are currently taking prescription medications check with you physician prior to stopping these drugs and to let them know that you are planning to start a supplementation routine that includes hesperidin. This nutrient is a safe and effective way to help prevent some common ailments, including loss of bone density, which can be debilitating to older women. A little prevention may save you the agony of stress fractures as you age. In addition, hesperidin seems to alleviate many circulatory issues. It is definitely worth adding to your supplement routine.