Claims:

Many of these herbs and natural ingredients have been proven to have direct cholesterol lowering effects -- from 5-30% or more?

1.In studies, liquid extracts of the roots and leaves of artichokes have played a role in increasing bile output, which helps the liver to regulate its production of cholesterol. Therefore, studies suggest artichokes may also play a role in lowering cholesterol, and thus helping to prevent heart disease.1

2.Chitosan -- a dietary fiber derived from a combination of sugar and protein from shellfish -- has been shown to be beneficial for promoting mild reduction in fat absorption and serum levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol. It some cases, it has helped to lower cholesterol by more than 30%. 2, 3

3.Garlic has long been recognized for its benefits in promoting cardiovascular health, specifically for reducing serum cholesterol levels, as well as preventing blood clotting and lowering blood pressure. 4, 5, 6 Studies have shown that garlic extract has beneficial effects on the lipid profile and blood pressure of moderately hypercholesterolemic people, and that in some cases, when used for 4-25 weeks, garlic usually lowers total cholesterol levels by about 4-12%. 7, 8, 9

4.Red yeast rice has been shown to have a number of heart-healthy benefits, including lowering levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol, increasing levels of HDL (good) cholesterol, and lowering levels of triglycerides (Bad fat cells). 10, 11, 12

5.Garcinia contains hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which is known for inhibiting fat production and suppressing appetite, as well as reducing blood lipids and increasing fat oxidation/mobilization. 13 In animal studies, HCA appears to be effective in both lean and obese rats, where it can reduce food intake, body weight, body fat accumulation, fat cell size and serum triglycerides.14

6.Grapefruit pectin has been shown as an effective cholesterol-lowering agent. 15, 16, 17

7.Studies have shown gugulipid is just as effective for lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels as certain prescription medications, and that it inhibits the formation of artery-hardening plaque. In addition, it has been found that active ingredients called guggulsterones encourage levels of cholesterol and fat to drop. 18

8.Beta-sitosterol is a plant-derived sterol compound structurally similar to cholesterol. However, sitosterol and its related compound, sitosterolin, are poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, which makes them effective for controlling cholesterol levels - due largely to an interference with normal cholesterol absorption from the diet. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 In some cases, sterol compounds have decreased cholesterol absorption by as much as 50%. 24

9.There is vast scientific evidence to support the effect of milk thistle in protecting and regenerating liver tissue, and therefore, decreasing liver and bile cholesterol. 25, 26

10.Policosanol helps lower cholesterol levels by slowing the body's own production of cholesterol in the liver, as well as reducing the risk of blood clots and enhancing circulation. Medical studies have shown that policosanol can reduce both total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol by about 10-20%. 27, 28, 29

11.Vitamin B12 works closely with folic acid to positively affect DNA synthesis, blood cell formation, nervous system maintenance and heart health. 30, 31, 32, 33


References:
1.Gebhardt R. Inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis in primary cultured rat hepatocytes of artichoke (cynara scolymus L.) extracts. J Pharm & Exp Ther, 1998, Vol 286 (3): 1122-286.

2.Ormrod DJ, Holmes CC, Miller TE. Dietary chitosan inhibits hypercholesterolaemia and atherogenesis in the apolipoprotein E-deficient mouse model of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis, 1998 June, 138 (2): 329-34.

3.Wuolijoki E, Hirvela T, Ylitalo P. Decrease in serum LDL cholesterol with microcrystalline chitosan. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 199 June 21 (5): 357-61.

4.Arora RC, Arora S, Nigam P. Rationale of garlic use in ischemic heart disease? Mater Med Pol. 1985 Jan-Mar, 17 (1): 48-50.

5.Fogarty M. Garlic's potential role in reducing heart disease. Br J Clin Pract. 1993 Mar-Apr, 47 (2): 64-5.

6.Randerson K. Cardiology update: Garlic and the healthy heart. Nurs Stand. 1993 Apr 14-20, 7 (30): 51.

7.Silagy C, Neil A. Garlic as a lipid lowering agent – a meta-analysis. JR Coll Physicians Lond 1994, 28: 39-45.

8.Warshafsky S, Kamer RS, Sivak SL. Effect of garlic on total serum cholesterol: A meta-analysis. Ann Intern Med 1993, 119: 599-605.

9.Stevinson C, Pittler MH, Ernst E. Garlic for treating hypersholesterolemia: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Ann Intern Med 2000, 133: 420-9.

10.Heber D, et al. Cholesterol-lowering effects of a proprietary Chinese red-yeast-rice dietary supplement. Am J Clin Nutr 1999, 69: 231-6.

11. Wang J, Lu An, Chi J. Multicenter clinical trial of the serum lipid-lowering effects of a monoascus purpureus (red yeast) rice preparation from traditional Chinese medicine. Cur Ther Res 1997, 58: 964-78.

12.MedServ Medical News. Dietary supplement lowers cholesterol. www.medserv.dk/health/1999/03/26/story01.htm (Accessed 2 August 2000. Am Heart Assn. Am Heart Assn meeting report: Chinese condiment cuts blood cholesterol.)

13.Badmaev V, Majeed M, Conte AA. Garcinia cambogia for weight loss. JAMA. 1999 Jul 21, 282 (3): 233-4;

14.Greenfield D, Nunez C. Garcinia cambogia (hydroxycitric acid) as a potential antiobesity agent: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 1998 Nov 11, 280 (18): 1596-600.

15.Veldman FJ, nair CH, Vorster HH, et al. Dietary pectin influences fibrin network structure in hypercholesterolaemic subjects. Throm Res 1997, 86 (3):183-96.

16.Cerda JJ, Robbins FL, Burgin CW, et al. The effects of grapefruit pectin on patients at risk for coronary heart disease without altering diet or lifestyle. Clin Cardiol 1988,11 (9): 589-94.

17.Hillman LC, Peters SG, Fisher CA, et al. The effects of the fiber components pectin, cellulose and ignin or serum cholesterol levels. Am J Clin Nutri 1985, 42 (2): 207-13.

18.Nityanand S, Srivastava JS, Asthana OP. Clinical trials with gugulipd: A new hypolipidaemic agent. J Assoc Phys India1989, 37(5): 323-8.

19. Becker M, Staab D, Von Bergmann K. Treatment of severe familial hypercholesterolemia in childhood with sitosterol and sitostanol. J Pediatr 1993 Feb, 122 (2): 292-6.

20.Briones ER, Steiger D, Palumbo PJ, Kottke BA. Primary hypercholesterolemia: effect of treatment on serum lipids, lipoprotein fractions, cholesterol absorption, sterol balance, and platelet aggregation. Mayo Clin Proc1984 Apr, 59 (4): 251-7.

21.Drexel H, Breier C, Lisch HJ, Sailer S. Lowering plasma cholesterol with beta-sitosterol and diet. Lancet, 1981 May 23, 1 (8230): 1157.

22.Jones PJ, Ntanios FY, Raeini-Sarjaz M, Vanstone CA. Cholesterol-lowering efficacy of a sitostanol-containing phytosterol mixture with a prudent diet in hyperlipidemic men. Am J Clin Nutr 1999 Jun, 69 (6): 1144-50.

23.Parsons HG, Jamal R, Baylis B, Dias VC, Roncari D. A marked and sustained reduction in LDL sterols by diet and cholestyramine in beta-sitosterolemia. Clin Invest Med 1995 Oct, 18 (5): 389-400.

24.Law M. Plant Sterol and stanol margarines and health. BMJ 2000, 320: 861-864.

25.Flora K, Hahn M, Rosen H, Benner K. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) for the therapy of liver disease. Am J Gastroenterol 1998 Feb, 93 (2): 139-43.

26.Luper S. A review of plants used in the treatment of liver disease: part 1. Altern Med Rev 1998 Dec, 3 (6): 410.

27.Canetti M, Moreira M, Mas R, Illnait J, Fernandez L, Fernandez J, Diaz E, Castano G.
A two-year study on the efficacy and tolerability of policosanol in patients with type II hyperlipoproteinaemia. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 1995, 15 (4):159-65.

28.Menendez R, Fernandez SI, Del Rio A, Gonzalez RM, Fraga V, Amor AM, Mas RM. Policosanol inhibits cholesterol biosynthesis and enhances low density lipoprotein processing in cultured human fibroblasts. Biol Res 1994, 27 (3-4): 199-203.

29.Torres O, Agramonte AJ, Illnait J, Mas Ferreiro R, Fernandez L, Fernandez JC. Treatment of hypercholesterolemia in NIDDM with policosanol. Diabetes Care 1995 Mar, 18 (3): 393-7.

30.Woo KS, Chook P, lolin YI, et al. Folic Acid improves arterial endothelial function in adults with hyperhomocysteinemia. J Am Coll Cardiol 1999, 34: 202-6.

31.Chao CL, Chien KL, Lee YT. Effect of short-term vitamin (folic acid, vitamins B6 and B12) administration on endothelial dysfunction induced by postmethionine load hyperhomocysteinemia. Am J Cardiol 1999, 84:1359-61.

32.Usui M, Matsuoka H, Miyazaki H, et al. Endothelial dysfunction by acute hyperhomocyst(e)inaemia: restoration by folic acid. Clin Sci (Colch) 1999, 96: 235-9.

33.Voutilainen S, Lakka TA, Porkkala-Sarataho E, et al. Low serum foltae concentrations are associated with an excess incidence of acute coronary events: the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study.


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