Lowering Cholesterol Naturally with CholestOff®

Lowering Cholesterol
Naturally with
CholestOff
®
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PLANT STEROLS AND STANOLS
FOR CHOLESTEROL MANAGEMENT
What is CholestOff ?
CholestOff® is a dietary supplement that contains a blend of plant sterols and stanols that help
prevent the absorption of dietary cholesterol. This supplement is backed by scientific studies that
demonstrate that this form and dosage of plant sterols and stanols help lower cholesterol safely and
naturally. Recent studies have shown that plant sterol and stanol supplements, such as CholestOff,
lower LDL and non-HDL cholesterol in men and women with primary hypercholesterolemia.
Reductions of LDL-C (-4.9 percent) and non-HDL-C (-3.6 percent) were demonstrated. CholestOff
provides a dosage of 1800 milligram (mg) of plant sterols and stanols in line with what is suggested
for Americans to meet the recommended levels of sterols and stanols given in the guidance
document of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP).
DOSAGE
✽
WHO SHOULD TAKE CHOLESTOFF?
CholestOff is ideal for patients who:
✽
Experience high cholesterol
due to diet, lifestyle or genetic
predisposition toward high
cholesterol
✽
Are watching their total caloric
intake and recognize that CholestOff
would be a convenient option that
has no calories compared to some
fortified foods
✽
Are seeking an alternative to statins
✽
Have borderline high and/or mildlyelevated total cholesterol levels
✽
People on the go—CholestOff is
a convenient source of sterols and
stanols to take
How do Plant Sterols and Stanols Work?
Plant sterols and stanols, referred to as phytosterols, are plant-derived compounds that are similar
in structure and function to cholesterol, and competitively block the absorption of cholesterol from
the digestive tract. As a result of this activity, sterols and stanols help contribute to lower LDL and
non-HDL cholesterol levels in the blood.
Phytosterols occur naturally in small amounts in many plant-based foods. Some foods and
beverages, such as margarine and orange juice, are fortified with phytosterols, but the caloric price
of these alternative fortified food sources can be high. Fortunately, the dietary supplement form
offers approximately 1.8 grams (g) of phytosterols per day with no additional calories. This may be
a convenient form for use.
What Does the Science Say?
There is a large body of supportive research surrounding plant sterols and stanols as an alternative
for lowering cholesterol.
Meta-analyses suggest LDL-C reductions of approximately three to four percent per gram of
plant sterols/stanols (1.0 to 3.0 g per day). Although most of these studies have administered
plant sterols/stanols in food forms, one study that analyzed dietary supplements found LDL-C
reduction rates consistent with those for food forms. The results from the study indicated that daily
incorporation of four dietary supplement tablets containing a total of 1.8 g of plant sterols/stanols
(non-esterified) into the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) diet (outlined below) resulted in
favorable changes in concentrations of LDL-C and non-HDL-C levels in men and women with high
cholesterol.
What are the Current Guidelines and Recommendations for Cholesterol Management?
Recent studies have shown that there has been a significant increase in the use of statins
(cholesterol-reducing drugs) in the last several years.* While statins are certainly effective, patients
are also encouraged to incorporate a healthful diet and lifestyle modifications as part of their
cholesterol management efforts.
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Take two caplets two times daily with
a glass of water or other beverage
at meals
WHO SHOULD NOT TAKE
CHOLESTOFF WITHOUT
CONSULTING A HEALTHCARE
PROVIDER FIRST?
✽
CholestOff is not for use in pregnant
or lactating women
✽
It should always be used with
caution when combined with statins
✽
Speak with your physician if you are
currently taking other medications to
lower your cholesterol
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ABOUT NATURE MADE®
Nature Made® is the number one vitamin
and supplement brand in the grocery, drug,
club and mass channels. Manufactured by
Pharmavite, Nature Made was the first line
of dietary supplements to earn a third-party
quality seal of approval through the United
States Pharmacopeia’s Dietary Supplement
Verification Program. The dietary supplement
industry is regulated by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration and the Federal Trade
Commission, as well as by government
agencies in each of the 50 states. Nature
Made is a Proud Partner of FamilyDoctor.
org, an award-winning website featuring
physician-reviewed information on more than
900 health and wellness topics provided in
English and Spanish, including vitamins and
supplements. Visit NatureMade.com for the
latest news and offerings.
ABOUT PHARMAVITE LLC
Pharmavite LLC is the manufacturer of
CholestOff Complete® and CholestOff with
Reducol®.
For over 40 years, Pharmavite LLC has
earned and maintained the trust of
healthcare professionals, consumers, and
retailers by manufacturing high-quality
vitamins, minerals and other dietary
supplements, and all-natural foods under its
Nature Made® and SOYJOY® brand names.
Nature Made vitamins is the number one
supplement brand in the food, drug, club
and mass channels. SOYJOY is an all-natural,
nutrient-rich food baked with whole soy and
real fruit. Based in Northridge, California,
Pharmavite LLC operates as a subsidiary of
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. For more
information, please visit Pharmavite.com.
To help patients manage their cholesterol levels, the NCEP, an umbrella program under the National
Institutes of Health (NIH), issued recommendations, advising a decrease in dietary intake of total
saturated fat, cholesterol and trans fat in their diets and an increase in soluble fiber (10-25 g/day), and
consumption of plant sterols or stanols (two grams/day).
These recommendations came as an adjunct to the TLC program issued by the NIH in 2005 for
additional LDL-C lowering when LDL-C is not at target levels. These therapeutic lifestyle changes
included:
Weight management
Diet
✽ Physical activity
✽
✽
How Can I Get Plant Sterols and Stanols in My Diet?
Plant sterols and stanols occur naturally in small amounts in plant-based foods such as unrefined
vegetable oils, whole grains, nuts and legumes. However, in order to meet the recommended
guidelines for cholesterol reduction through food alone, one would need to eat 55 bananas per day (a
total of 3,960 calories), or 13 cups of almonds (8,840 calories) to obtain the recommended two grams
of sterols and stanols.
If I Have High Cholesterol Based On My Genetics, Can I Take CholestOff ?
Nature Made has two CholestOff formulas: CholestOff and CholestOff Complete. CholestOff
Complete contains Pantesin®, which works on the genetic source by reducing the body’s production
of cholesterol in the liver, and is ideal for patients who have high cholesterol due to genetics while
reducing cholesterol absorption via the sterol and stanol portion of the supplement.
Is CholestOff Safe?
Significant research has been conducted in support of CholestOff and its strong safety profile. It
is guaranteed to meet Nature Made’s high quality standards and is made from carefully-selected
ingredients under strict manufacturing processes. It contains no artificial flavors, no preservatives and
no yeast, starch or gluten.
How is CholestOff Regulated?
The dietary supplement industry is regulated by the FDA and the Federal Trade Commission, as well
as by the government agencies in each of the 50 states.
Check with Your Healthcare Professional
CholestOff should be used with caution when combined with statin drugs.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Belinda Jenks, Ph.D., FACN, RD
It is always advisable for you to consult your physician or healthcare professional regarding the use of
dietary supplements, as it is important to understand dosing and any potential interactions with other
medications.
Director of Scientific Affairs
and Nutrition Education
PHARMAVITE LLC
REFERENCES
E bjenks@pharmavite.net
1 Maki, K.C., Lawless, A., Reeves, M.S., Dicklin, M.R., Jenks, Belinda H., Shneyvas, E., Brooks, J. “Plant
Sterol/Stanol Supplements in Tablet and Softgel Capsule Forms Lower LDL and non-HDL Cholesterol
in Men and Women with Primary Hypercholesterolemia.
D 818-221-6371
www.pharmavite.com
2 Micronutrient Information Center. Linus Pauling Institute. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/
phytochemicals/sterols/. Accessed on August 11, 2011.
* A study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found that the percentage of adults 45
years and older who use statins (cholesterol-reducing drugs) increased from two percent in 1988-1994
to 25 percent in 2005-2008.
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