Wednesday, January 30, 2008

A Guide To The B Complex Vitamins

There is a lot of discussion about the B complex vitamin and how it is essential for the body to perform a multitude of functions. However, the B complex vitamin isCholesterol Support not simply one very complicated vitamin, as the name might suggest. There are actually eight B vitamins that are in the B complex vitamin as well as a few other related substances. The eight vitamins that make up the B complex vitamin are thiamine or vitamin B1, riboflavin or vitamin B2, niacin or vitamin B3, pyridoxine or vitamin B6, cobalamine or vitamin B12, folic acid, pantothenic acid and biotin. The other related substances that are also in the B complex vitamin include choline, inositol and para-aminobenzoic acid.

Every part of the B complex vitamin performs its own individual function within the body but it is when they work together as the B complex vitamin that they provide essential maintenance for the body to remain healthy. The B vitamin complex comprises B vitamins which are water soluble and it is essential that enough of these vitamins are consumed on a daily basis. The body cannot store water soluble vitamins such as the B complex vitamin and this leads to a regular intake being required.

The B complex vitamins are extremely beneficial for a number of conditions and may be needed in additional quantities at certain times in a person’s life. Of course, there is a recommended daily allowance for the B complex vitamins that varies according to the sex and age of a person. However, doctors and other health professionals have discovered the benefits of increasing the intake of the B complex vitamin to help overcome certain illnesses.

Many people suffer from anxiety and stress at one time or another and research has found that the B complex vitamin can be beneficial in helping alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and stress. If a person has been unwell the B complex vitamin can be extremely valuable in aiding the recovery process. Fatigue can be a symptom of a multitude of illnesses as well as simply overdoing things but the B complex vitamin can help alleviate general tiredness and lethargy.

Interestingly, some skin conditions, such as dermatitis, can also benefit from addition B complex vitamin intake. In fact, a number of creams and other skin preparations contain added vitamin B complex that can be absorbed by the skin to alleviate the condition. The condition of a person’s hair will also be greatly improved with sufficient B complex vitamin intake.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

How Can I Get Help From Vitamin B Supplements

Cholesterol SupportMany people that consume vitamin B supplments do not even know the power this mineral can do for their body. Do you agree that they just buy anything that the doctor or the pharmacist recommends. If the answer is yes, then you are not alone. I am also one of them.

How can this mineral help me?
Vitamin B supplements are the cheapest, safest, and most reliable way to improve your wellbeing and overall mental abilities. It can help your liver function and this will help your thyroid.
Vitamin B supplements do not reduce the risk of a heart attack, according to researchers at the University of Tromso, Norway. It simply help people to fight depression.

What else can vitamin B supplement do?
This mineral is often needed for metabolism of amino acids and prevention of skin and nerve disorders. B complex mineral can even prevent pernicious anemia and is involved in nucleic-acid synthesis, fat metabolism, and conversion of carbohydrate to fat.

Vitamins B may help give additional energy to the person if they are feeling tired. At times, this mineral may be a life-saver that can help prevent heart attacks.
Of course, before you consume any vitamin and minerals, always ask your family doctor or physician before you start taking any health supplements.

What so important about vitamin B?
Vitamin B is very important, as it contains B3 niacin, which is very important for growing hair. What it does is to enriches the overall quality and thickness of hair. Also, vitamin B3 niacin is also an essential vitamin for your body, and it is just one of the eight water soluble types of B vitamins.

Vitamin B6 provides an example of how nutritional supplements can help manipulate cancer cells. Besides manipulating cancer cells so as to slow down their production. Vitamin B is another important nutrient during pregnancy because the 12 components of the vitamin (B complex) which are the building blocks of cellular growth and development.

Vitamin B3 or or niacin can help in energy production but it is especially useful in treating diseases that involve high cholesterol levels. Complex B vitamins also play an important role with maintaining muscle tone within the digestive tract, along with the health of the skin, nervous system, live, eyes, hair, and mouth. There are evidence of vitamin B6 for treating or preventing CVD has been accumulating for more than 50 years.

What are the relationship between folate and vitamin B12?
Folate and vitamin B12 are key vitamins that promote reduction of homocysteine levels, which are increased in persons with dementia, but supplementing with these vitamins does not appear to improve cognition. Folate, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 intake and the risk of breast cancer among Mexican women.

In conclusion
Vitamin B complex is most often used to treat deficiencies that are caused by poor vitamin intake, difficulties with vitamin absorption, or conditions causing increased metabolism, such as hyperthyroidism, which deplete vitamin levels at a higher than normal rate.

Also, the vitamin B complex plays a very important part in the good functioning of our body. As it is often hard to absorb, vitamin B supplements are very effective in maintaining a proper vitamin B level and keeping us healthy.
I hope you will find this article interesting and informative and the most important of all is to put what you have read into action.
Out of true passion for health, Eddy Kong has started a useful vitamin supplement information guide that help you to choose the vitamin you are looking for or simply providing the right information to vitamin supplements.

Monday, January 28, 2008

Vitamin B Complex Information Page. All About Vitamin B

Vitamin B complex actually refers to a selection of nutrients with some very similar properties, but they are separate nutrients, although most of them work in synergy. B-Complex vitamins are a mixture of eight essential B-vitamins that our bodies require on a daily basis. It was previously thought that Vitamin B was a single nutrient, but later studies proved that it was actually eight different nutrients that made up this "single" vitamin. Vitamin b complex is available in pills, powders, liquids and injectables. The vitamin B-complex refers to all of the known essential water-soluble vitamins except for vitamin C. These include thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B6), biotin, folic acid and the cobalamins (vitamin B12). "Vitamin B" was once thought to be a single nutrient that existed in extracts of rice, liver, or yeast. The B-complex vitamins work independently of each other, although several do play roles in the same functions. However, no one health function requires the properties of every B vitamin.

Vitamin B comes from a number of natural sources, including potatoes, bananas, lentils, chilli peppers, tempeh, liver oil, liver, turkey, and tuna. Nutritional yeast (or brewer's yeast) and molasses are especially good sources of Vitamin B. Vitamin B5 helps reduce stress and manage stress hormones. Various B-complex vitamins assist in cellular energy production, by forming adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the cells' energy source. B vitamins are easily flushed out of the body, and people on weight-loss diets, alcoholics or those who take antibiotics or seizure drugs are even more inclined to have vitamin B deficiency. B3 - Niacin is an effective aid for lowering cholesterol, as well as to promote healthy skin. B6 - Pyridoxine is needed for almost every function in the body, working as a coenzyme for numerous enzymes. Folic acid - Essential during pregnancy to protect against birth defects; stabilizes homocysteine levels.

Vitamin B complex supplement are highly popular and for good reason - many people who are feeling tired, lacking in energy feel the benefit of this type of supplement. Most multivitamin-mineral products contain the B-complex along with the rest of the essential vitamins and minerals. B1, known as thiamine. Vitamin B-complex includes several different components, each of which has the potential to interact with drugs. The B vitamins work together to boost metabolism, enhance the immune system and nervous system, keep the skin and muscles healthy, encourage cell growth and division, and other benefits to your body. The B vitamins work together to boost metabolism, enhance the immune system and nervous system, keep the skin and muscles healthy, encourage cell growth and division, and other benefits to your body.

Getting Enough B Vitamins

Cholesterol SupportWith all the negative reports about pork, it's hard to believe that there is anything good to benefit from eating the meat. Pork is actually a great source for numerous nutrients. The B vitamins are nutrients for which pork provides the best source. The negative reports about pork are associated with the high saturated fat content of some cuts of the meat. With widespread attention on healthy eating, pork producers are striving to provide leaner cuts of pork that are comparable to beef in the amount of saturated fat.

Pork contains a significant amount of iron, zinc, potassium, phosphorous, and magnesium. These vitamins and minerals are important to proper bodily function, such as strong bones, energy, and water balance. The B vitamins in particular exist in pork in amounts comparable to other foods. A 3-oz portion of pork contains as much as half of the amount of thiamin that you need in a day. There are also significant amounts of riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), and pyridoxine (B6). Each of the B vitamins serves a specific purpose, but collectively they contribute to general good health. Since pork is such a great source of B vitamins, it makes sense that you should include it in your diet.

If you have an aversion to pork or you prefer not to consume this meat, there are other excellent sources of B vitamins, including whole grains and nuts. Supplementation is also a good idea if your diet doesn't provide you with the B vitamins you need. While a multivitamin that contains all of the B vitamins is a good choice, medical experts recommend that individuals who are over the age of 55 focus on vitamin B-12. Studies show that of all the B vitamins, B-12 is the one that the system of the elderly may not be able to process adequately. There are many vitamins specifically formulated for the elderly that contain the recommended 25 micrograms of vitamins B-12 that this age group requires.
Although the reports associated with the benefits of vitamin B supplements are positive, it is recommended to always discuss your health concerns with someone who is trained in medicine and who knows your health background. Most of the B vitamins are not associated with toxicity, but taking excessive amounts of any vitamin is unwise.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Policosanol To Lower Cholesterol

More and more Americans are hearing from their doctors that their cholesterol levels are too high and the doctor says, “I recommend that you go on cholesterolCholesterol Support medication ASAP”. Later, after being on the doctor’s prescription, you find out there are terrible side effects to the medication. If this sounds like you, then Policosanol might be the solution for you - with zero side effects. Policosanol is an all natural compound isolated from plant waxes or bees wax, but for today’s discussion we are focusing only on plant based Policosanol.

Policosanol has had a consistent history of cholesterol reducing properties in all research done with animal and in-vitro. When administered 5 to 20mg/day, Policosanol has been shown to reduce Low-density Lipoprotein (LDL)(Bad Cholesterol) by 10% - 31% while increasing High-density Lipoprotein (HDL)(Good cholesterol) by 8% - 29%.1 When compared with statins, Policosanol shows comparable results at much lower doses and zero side effects.1 Those of you who have used statins in the past there is good news for your liver, Policosanol has shown antioxidant protective properties for the liver in high does 100mg+/kg per day. The liver is the only organ that can regenerate or repair its self. Policosanol has shown to promote the liver’s regeneration process and deserves more research in this area.2
Besides the cholesterol lowering qualities of Policosanol, this compound can reduce platelet aggregation in the blood which may help prevent lipid or cholesterol build up in the cardiovascular system.

If your not convinced that Policosanol can lower cholesterol, there are certainly other options for addressing heart health and cholesterol levels, such as guggul, niacin, plant sterols, and Sytrinol all exhibit cholesterol-lowering abilities to varying extents. These are just a few suggestions to help you choose the right Supplement in managing your cholesterol levels.

References:
1. Nutr Rev. 2003 Nov;61(11):376-83.Role of policosanols in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Varady KA, Wang Y, Jones PJ.School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada.

2: Drugs R D. 2003;4(1):29-35. Effect of policosanol on carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver damage in Sprague-Dawley rats. Noa M, Mendoza S, Mas R, Mendoza N. Center of Natural Products from the National Center for Scientific Research, Havana City, Cuba.

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These statements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you feel there is a physical problem like high cholesterol, always consult your local physician or family doctor first.

The Truth About B Complex Vitamins

The B group of vitamins may be one of the most commonly misunderstood of the vitamins, simply because these are several distinct vitamins lumped together. TheCholesterol Support fact that the vitamins in this group are known by both letter and number becomes confusing to many people. It’s just often more difficult to remember numbers, meaning you may remember that it’s one of the “B vitamins,” but not remember which number is associated with that particular one. It may help to find out that each of the B vitamins also has a name.

• B1 is also thiamin
• B2 is also riboflavin
• B3 is also niacin
• B5 is also pantothenic acid
• B6 is also pyridoxine
• B7 is also biotin
• B9 is also folic acid
• B12 is also cobalamin

You should note that there are four additional substances in the B complex group, though they are not known as vitamins because they are not necessary for normal body function. They are choline, lipoic acid, PABA and inositol. When you purchase B complex vitamins, these four will not be included, and at least one or two of the recognized B vitamins may also be omitted. B5 and B7 are so widely available in food that most people simply get enough of these vitamins, even if they aren’t eating a healthy diet.
Arguably one of the most commonly recognized uses of the B vitamins is an energy booster. Some health care professionals tout the advantages of taking B12 in large doses to combat tiredness, but most seem to agree that starting a regimen of B vitamins is only advisable in severe cases.

More recently, research suggests that some Vitamin B deficiencies may aggravate certain health issues or health risks, and that an increase of those vitamins will help relieve symptoms or lessen the risk. Notably, Alzheimer’s is one of those diseases and sufferers of this disease sometimes show improvement from added Vitamin B on a daily basis. Vitamin B2 has also been used to help some migraine patients.
The correlation between certain health issues and vitamin deficiencies is certain, though finding the right treatment may be tricky. One of the most common problems with using vitamins from the B complex group to treat health issues is the fact that many diseases and health issues have overlapping symptoms. Treating those symptoms may ultimately cause more problems than it cures. Talk to your health care professional before taking extraordinary steps toward a vitamin regimen, including those that include complex B vitamins.

Friday, January 25, 2008

How To Lower Ldl Cholesterol Levels

High cholesterol is a big concern these days and puts people at high risk for heart attack and other serious cardiovascular problems. The diseases of the heart andCholesterol Support circulatory system are the leading cause of death in the U.S. killing more than 1.3 million people a year.

High cholesterol is one of the primary risk indicators of heart disease and effects nearly 50% of Americans. It's a silent disease - there are no symptoms until problems have already developed. The worst thing is that many people don't know they have it until their first sign is a heart attack.

It is vital to keep your cholesterol within healthy limits. A healthy diet and regular physical activity are necessary for maintaining cardiovascular health, but supplementation may also be needed in order to manage cholesterol levels.

What exactly is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a type of fat and most of it is generated by our bodies. It is made by your liver from the fats, carbohydrates, and proteins you eat. You also get cholesterol by eating animal products such as meat, eggs, and dairy products. We need cholesterol, but too much of it generates problems.

The term high cholesterol is actually a bit misleading because there are two types of cholesterol - HDL and LDL. HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is the good cholesterol and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is the bad cholesterol. The good cholesterol (HDL), decreases the risk of heart disease while the bad cholesterol (LDL), increases the risk. Most cholesterol is unfortunately LDL.

LDL cholesterol can build up on the inside of artery walls, contributing to artery blockages that can lead to heart attacks. Most efforts to battle arterial clogging focus on lowering LDL. HDL cholesterol is good because it helps prevent arteries from becoming clogged. It transports cholesterol to the liver where it is eliminated from the body. Higher HDL levels generally mean lower risk.

How can Policosanol help?
Policosanol is a natural supplement derived from sugar cane or beeswax that has been shown to promote cardiovascular health by raising HDL, the good cholesterol, and keeping LDL, the bad cholesterol, in check.

Policosanol works by helping the liver control its production and breakdown of cholesterol. In addition to reducing dangerous LDL, it also inhibits abnormal platelet aggregation, protects against LDL oxidation and suppresses arterial inflammatory factors.
Clinical studies have shown that Policosanol works as well as FDA-approved drugs, only free of side-effects.
People with elevated LDL cholesterol as well as people with low levels of good HDL cholesterol may benefit from taking Policosanol.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Natural Supplements For Women's Health: Cardiovascular Health

Cholesterol SupportMore women fear breast cancer than any other disease. Yet cardiovascular disease (CVD) claims over ten times as many women’s lives as breast cancer. In fact, CVD is the nation’s leading cause of death for both men and women. That’s the bad news. The good news is that CVD is almost entirely preventable. nutraOrigin, makers of high quality vitamins for women, shares the secrets of cardiovascular wellness.

What influences cardiovascular health?
One way to support cardiovascular health is to play by the numbers. All five of the following measurements tell you something about the state of your heart.

Cholesterol: excess cholesterol gets deposited in, and narrows, the artery walls
Triglycerides: elevated triglycerides are associated with a higher risk of coronary artery disease
Blood pressure: high blood pressure puts stress on the artery walls and increases the heart’s workload
Homocysteine: too much homocysteine degrades the structural integrity of the arteries
C-reactive protein: elevated C-reactive protein is associated with a higher risk for hypertension and CVD
Risk Factor Desirable Borderline Undesirable
Total cholesterol Below 200 200-239 240 and above
Triglycerides Below 150 150-199 Above 200
Blood pressure Below 120/80 120/80-140/90 Above 140/90
Homocysteine Below 10 mmol/L 10-18 mmol/L Above 18 mmol/L
c-reactive protein (CRP) Below 1.0 1.0-3.0 Above 3.0

Supplement secrets for heart health
Everyone knows that eating a healthy, whole foods diet and getting regular exercise are important for cardiovascular wellness. But did you know that select nutritional supplements can also make a big difference? Here are three to consider.

CardioBalance
Developed by nutraOrigin, Cardio Balance features 10 mg of high quality policosanol. Multiple studies indicate that natural policosanol provides a worry-free way to support healthy cholesterol levels. Cardio Balance features policosanol from sugar cane – not the rice or wheat used in lower-quality products – which is the only form of policosanol proven to deliver cholesterol benefits. This policosanol supplement is produced using a proprietary, all-natural extraction process that delivers the highest quality finished product.

Omega-3 Essentials
Chances are you’ve heard about Omega 3 fatty acids, because they’re good for so many things. At nutraOrigin, we believe supplementing with Omega 3 fish oil, or Omega 3 for short, is one of the best things you can do for your heart. Here are just some Omega 3 benefits:

  • Helps maintain healthy levels of triglycerides and C-reactive protein
  • Promotes a desirable blood pressure
  • Supports a regular heart rhythm


You can buy these essential fats as liquid Omega 3 oil, but most people prefer the convenience of Omega 3 pills. Whichever Omega 3 supplement you choose, just keep in mind that quality differs tremendously among different brands. nutraOrigin’s Omega 3 pills are highly concentrated, purity-certified, readily absorbed, and stabilized with antioxidants.

Nutra Multi Iron-Free
Because so many vitamins and minerals are essential for heart health, taking a comprehensive multivitamin like nutraOrigin’s Nutra Multi Iron-Free is a great way to take care of your heart. This one multiple contains: 1. a plethora of antioxidants, which protect against free radical damage, 2. the trio of B vitamins known to support healthy homocysteine levels, and 3. magnesium, essential for the integrity of the heart muscle.
The experts at nutraOrigin recommend taking all three formulas together for maximum synergistic effect.

How To Reduce Cholesterol Naturally

Various tests conducted in the US and other countries prove that there are several effective natural herbs and supplements that may help lower LDL and raise HDLCholesterol Support or "good" cholesterol. Since the causes of high cholesterol levels are wide and varied by person to person, having different methods to lower LDL is very important. Natural remedies such as Guggul, Pantethine, Policosanol, Curcumin, and Beta-Sitosterol are just a few supplements that are easily available at low cost.
Guggul - Guggul, the gum resin from the mukul myrrh tree, when compared to the drug clofibrate in clinical trials, the average fall in serum cholesterol was slightly greater in the guggul group. While clofibrate did not increase HDL levels, a 60% rise in HDL levels was noticed in people responding to guggul.

Policosanol
Patients who had been given Policosanol for a period of twelve weeks showed a 25% reduction in LDL cholesterol, a 17% reduction in total cholesterol, and a 28% increase in HDL cholesterol.

Niacin
Niacin or vitamin B3 is the most common treatment for normalizing the blood lipid levels. From various trials conducted consumption of the drug niacin increased HDL (good cholesterol) by 30% or more while reducing total cholesterol by 10-25% and triglycerides by as much as 50%. Flushing is a very common side effect in people taking niacin. Flushing is the result of blood vessels opening wide. Another form of Niacin called Inositol Hexanicotinate (IH) or "No-Flush Niacin" is proven as an effective and safer alternative to niacin

Circumin
500 mg of circumin for seven days at a trial shows a 29% increase in good cholesterol (HDL) and a reduction of 11.6% total cholesterol. Lipid peroxidation was also reduced by 33%. Curcumin was effective in inhibiting LDL oxidation and lowering LDL cholesterol as well as triglycerides Latest research says, curcumin reduces cholesterol by interfering with intestinal cholesterol uptake, increasing the conversion of cholesterol into bile acids, and increasing the excretion of bile acids.

Chromium - Polynicotinium
Chromium supplements increased HDL cholesterol levels by an average of nearly 6 points, a 16 percent increase. No side effects were observed. According to Harvey Simon, MD of Harvard Medical School, a 6-point increase in HDL, which was achieved in the chromium trial, should reduce the risk of heart attack by about 20 percent.

Calcium Citrate
In randomized controlled trial calcium citrate was shown to increase HDL levels. The study showed that 1 gram of calcium (as the citrate) taken daily lowers the damaging component of blood cholesterol and increases the protective cholesterol (HDL). The mean HDL concentration increased by 7%, LDL cholesterol declined by 6% resulting in an improved HDL/LDL ratio of 17%.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Reduce Your Cholesterol With Natural Supplements

Because of the great efforts of the American Heart Association and other similar organizations, we have gained a lot of knowledge on cholesterol and its effects onCholesterol Support our health. We know that high cholesterol levels increase our risk for heart attacks and strokes. We also know that lowering our cholesterol levels will reduce this risk and keep our hearts and blood vessels healthy. Additionally, we know that diet, weight loss, and exercise can help us lower our cholesterol levels. Prescription drugs that lower cholesterol have recently become available and advertised by pharmaceutical companies. However, these medications have some serious side effects including myopathy, reduction in CoQ10 levels, which can lead to heart disease, and rhabdomyaolysis, a rare, but fatal condition. Fortunately, there is a safe alternative to these prescription medications, pantethine and plant sterols, which are also known as phytosterols, are nature’s solution to high cholesterol levels.

Cholesterol, a soft, waxy, fat-like substance, is found in every cell of the body. It is needed to help digest fats, strengthen cell membranes, insulate nerves, and make hormones. Made primarily by the liver, our body makes all the cholesterol that we actually need, but we also get additional cholesterol from the foods that we eat. The highest sources of cholesterol are egg yolks and organ meats including liver and kidney. Peanut butter, avocado, and all other plant-derived foods contain no cholesterol. However, all foods from animal sources do contain cholesterol. Even though cholesterol is responsible for many important functions in the body, too much cholesterol in the bloodstream can be very dangerous. Once blood cholesterol has reached high levels, it builds up on artery walls, and therefore increases the risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke. Because the heart is a muscle, it needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients. The bloodstream, which transports these nutrients to the heart through coronary arteries, cannot transport the oxygen if the arteries become narrowed or clogged by cholesterol and fat deposits. Depending on the severity, this can result in coronary heart disease, angina, or heart attack.

Because cholesterol and other fats can’t dissolve in the blood, they can’t travel on their own. Instead, they are transported to and from cells by special carriers called lipoproteins. There are two major lipoproteins: low density lipoproteins (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol, and high density lipoproteins (HDL) or “good” cholesterol. LDLs cause atherosclerosis because they clog up our arteries with the continual buildup of fat. On the other hand, HDL prevents fat buildup by carrying it away from the arteries to the liver, where it can be processed and eliminated.

Triglycerides, which are fats used as fuel by the body, can make the blood more sluggish and less capable of transporting oxygen when in high amounts. There are many medications prescribed by physicians for people with elevated triglyceride levels. Some of the most effective, and most harmful, are the statins. The all-natural combination of pantethine and plant sterols can safely lower triglycerides and LDL cholesterol levels, while increasing HDL cholesterol.

Pantethine, which is a form of pantothenic acid that is found in liver, salmon, and yeast, is known for its ability to lower cholesterol by blocking its production. The production of cholesterol in the human body is a very complex process, involving many biochemical reactions and enzyme activity. Pantethine inhibits several of these enzymes, blocking the activity of those coenzymes involved in cholesterol synthesis by about 50%. To compensate for the lowered cholesterol production, the liver pulls LDL out of the bloodstream, resulting in a lower total cholesterol level.

Plant sterols, which are the fats of plants, are found in nuts, vegetable oils, corn, and rice. They are structurally very similar to cholesterol and are therefore able to act as a stand in for cholesterol and block its absorption, causing it to be eventually excreted. If we eat enough plant sterols, the amount of cholesterol transported from the intestinal tract to the liver is greatly reduced. And, just like pantethine’s effect on the liver, this cholesterol reduction causes the liver to pull LDL cholesterol out of the blood, which reduces both total and LDL cholesterol levels.

Because the plant sterol and pantethine found in food just aren’t enough to have much of an effect on our health, we need to take a concentrated combination of pantethine and plant sterols in just the right ratio. Plant sterols, which are bound in fibers in the plants, can not be adequately consumed even if we ate lots of raw fruits and vegetables. There are also several forms of plant sterols, with some ratios of these plant sterols being more beneficial than others. While pantethine is found in several food sources, it is hard to get beneficial amounts from our food. Manufacturers of high quality nutritional supplements offer pantethine and plant sterols in the most beneficial ratio, proven by research. The best results are found when taking a combination of 400 mg of plant sterols and 200 mg of pantethine three times a day. Recent studies have shown that lowering cholesterol in people without heart disease can greatly reduce their risk for ever developing CHD, along with heart attacks and atherosclerosis. This is also true for those with high cholesterol levels and for those with average cholesterol levels. Most physicians would never consider prescribing statin drugs to people without actual heart disease or high cholesterol levels because of the many health risks of the drugs. However, the combination of pantethine and plant sterols are very effective in helping those people with heart disease, high cholesterol levels, high triglyceride levels, as well as those just wanting the extra health insurance for their hearts. Pantethine and plant sterols are both very safe. Although some people may experience a mild upset stomach when first taking pantethine, taking the combination of pantethine and plant sterols with meals can usually solve this problem. Pantethine and plant sterols are available at your local or internet vitamin store.