Helps lower cholesterol too!
Chios mastic gum modulates serum biochemical parameters in a human populationAngeliki Triantafylloua, Nikolaos Chaviarasa, , , Theodoros N. Sergentanisa, Evaggelia Protopapab, John Tsaknisb
Purchase a Department of Biochemistry, Medical School, National University of Athens, 75, Mikras Assias str., Athens 115 28, Greece
b Department of Food Technology, Technological Education Institutions (TEI) of Athens, Ag. Spyridonos str., Egaleo 12 210, Athens, Greece
Received 16 March 2006; revised 23 October 2006; Accepted 26 October 2006. Available online 6 November 2006.
Abstract
Introduction: Current research suggests that Chios mastic (Pistacia lentiscus var. chia) possesses beneficial (antimicrobial, antioxidant, hepatoprotective) properties. This study aims to assess its effects on cardiologic and hepatic biochemical indices of human subjects. Materials and methods: Subjects (n = 133, aged over 50) were randomly assigned to two groups, the first (high-dose group) ingesting daily 5 g of mastic powder and the second receiving daily a Chios mastic solution (low-dose group). Serum biochemical parameters were determined on a monthly basis for an 18-month (high-dose group) and a 12-month (low-dose group) follow-up period. Generalized least squares random-effects linear regression was performed. Results: The group ingesting Chios mastic powder (high-dose group) exhibited a decrease in serum total cholesterol, LDL, total cholesterol/HDL ratio, lipoprotein (a), apolipoprotein A-1, apolipoprotein B (apoB/apoA-1 ratio did not change), SGOT, SGPT and gamma-GT levels; in the second (low-dose) group, glucose levels decreased in males. Discussion: Chios mastic powder could have a hepatoprotective/cardioprotective role in vivo in humans.
