Fuhrman B., Volkova N., Kaplan M., Presser D., Attias J., Hayek T. and Aviram M. Anti atherosclerotic effects of licorice extract supplementation to hypercholesterolemic patients: increased resistance of LDL to atherogenic modifications, reduced plasma lipids  levels, and decreased systolic blood pressure. Nutrition 18: 268-273 (2002). 

A study conducted at the Technion’s lipid laboratory with Rambam Health Care Campus and published in Nutrition in 2002 examined the effects of a patented licorice-root extract with reduced glycyrrhizic acid on atherosclerosis, blood lipids, LDL oxidation and systolic hypertension.

The placebo-controlled crossover study included 12 participants with hyperlipidemia, total cholesterol of 220–270 mg/dL and LDL of 120–170 mg/dL. They took 1 gram of licorice capsules daily during the first month and placebo during the second.

Study results:

During licorice supplementation, LDL oxidation decreased by 19%, platelet aggregation by 55%, total cholesterol by 5% and LDL by 9%. Triglycerides also fell by 14%, and systolic blood pressure by 10 mmHg.

After one month of placebo, the measures returned to baseline.

Conclusions:

Patented licorice supplementation acts as a moderate regulator in hyperlipidemia and as an antioxidant that reduces atherosclerotic processes in arterial walls and reduces cardiovascular disease.

Leave a Reply