Cholesterol

Excess low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in our blood stream can be an indicator of poor cardiovascular health. Doing what you can to decrease LDL cholesterol can be the ticket to keeping your ticker tocking for years to come. Organika’s Cholesterol is formulated to provide a multi-pronged approach at reducing excess cholesterol levels.

Sourced from soybeans, plant sterols (steroid-like molecules made by plants), are known for their LDL cholesterol lowering effects. They are molecularly quite similar to cholesterol, and work by competing for cholesterol absorption in the gut.

Green tea is chocked full of phytonutrients called polyphenols. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the major polyphenolic compound in green tea. This catechin has been shown to provide protective vascular properties and inhibit oxidation, which supports their effectiveness in improving cholesterol and cardiovascular health.

Traditionally used in Asia for centuries, red yeast rice contains substances called monacolins. One of them, monacolin K, is chemically identical to the active ingredient in the cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin. This makes red yeast rice a natural source of this cholesterol-reducing substance, that decreases the production of cholesterol by the liver.

Oats, the same ones you may have had for breakfast, provide beta-glucans, a type of soluble, prebiotic fibre found in its cell walls. Studies have shown beta-glucans can decrease blood levels of LDL cholesterol, as well as provide benefits for healthy weight management.

Together, this magical combination of plant extracts can help combat your excess cholesterol and support a healthy cardiovascular system and life.

MEDICINAL INGREDIENTS — EACH TABLET CONTAINS: 

Free Plant Sterols (Seed (Glycine max)) 200 mg (Containing 80% Combined beta-Sitosterol, Campesterol and Stigmasterol), Oat (Seed (Avena sativa)) 150 mg (Standardized to contain 22% Beta-Glucan), Green Tea Dried Leaf Extract (Camellia sinensis L.) 80 mg (Standardized to contain 75% Total Catechins and 0.5% Caffeine), Lovastatin-free Red Yeast Rice (Seed (Oryza sativa)) 50 mg.

NON-MEDICINAL INGREDIENTS: 

Croscarmellose Sodium, Magnesium Stearate (Non-GMO Vegetable Source), Microcrystalline Cellulose, Silica.

RECOMMENDED DOSE — (ORAL) ADULTS ONLY: 

Take 2 tablets two times per day with meals.

DURATION OF USE: 

Consult a health care practitioner for use beyond 12 weeks.

CAUTIONS: 

Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you have an iron deficiency; are taking Hydroxymethylglutaryl (HMG) CoA reductase (”statins”) lipid lowering medications or cyclosporine; or if you suffer from liver or kidney disease or have received an organ transplant. Stop use if you develop symptoms of liver trouble such as yellowing of the skin / eyes (jaundice), stomach pain, dark urine, sweating, nausea, unusual tiredness and / or loss of appetite and consult a health care practitioner. Rare, unpredictable cases of liver injury associated with green tea extract-containing products have been reported (in Canada and internationally). Consult a health care practitioner if you are taking other medications. May cause a dermatologic hypersensitivity reaction in some patients. Do not use if you are planning to become pregnant; are pregnant or breastfeeding. Discontinue use of the product and consult a health care practitioner if you experience muscle pain, tenderness and/or weakness.

Q: Is this product gluten-free?
A: It is not certified as gluten-free. Organika’s Cholesterol contains oats, and while oats don’t technically contain gluten, they are often cross-contaminated through crop rotation and processing. It is a wheat-free product though.

Q: Where can I get more plant sterols in my diet?
A: Phytosterols, as a fat-based molecule, are found in the fats of plants. This is often in seeds, grains, or legumes, like coconut, corn, olives, peanut, canola, soy and sunflower seeds and their extracted oils. Plant sterols do not interfere with statin drugs, and instead can complement their efficacy.

Q: What is a phytonutrient?
A: These are chemicals naturally produced in plants, which function as their defense system. A plant can’t run away from a pest or drought, so under stress, these phytochemicals are produced as part of it’s immune system to get it through the crisis. We can benefit from these nutrients by eating more plants. As all the colours found in our produce have a different set of these phytonutrients, eating a rainbow on a regular basis allows us to benefit from these plant-produced superpowers.

Q: Are there any safety concerns I should know if taking this product?
A: As monacolin K from red yeast rice works the same way as statin drugs, please be mindful of potential side effects, the same you may find with the prescription drug. Don’t take red yeast rice if you are taking a statin prescription drug. For both of these options, coenzyme Q10 levels decrease faster than normal in the body. Consider taking a coenzyme Q10 supplement when taking red yeast rice to replenish coenzyme Q10 levels.

Q: Are there other ways I can lower my LDL or total cholesterol levels?
A: Yes, there are many lifestyle choices that can be adjusted to help with not-ideal cholesterol levels. Cholesterol plays a very important role in many of your hormones and all your cell membranes, so you definitely don’t want to think of it all as bad. LDL levels increase when you need more cholesterol to fix damage - like with free radical damage in the arteries or to protect cells from excess dehydration. Decreasing choices like smoking, drinking alcohol, and eating sugar, refined carbohydrates and process foods decrease free radical damage. Increasing your intake of antioxidant-rich fruits, vegetables and spices help to combat these free radicals. Ensuring ample clean water daily, and not overdoing dehydrating-beverages like coffee, tea and alcohol can also help with cell hydration and a decreased need for LDL cholesterol.

Another piece to take into consideration is your bowel health. Excess cholesterol is released with bile from your gallbladder when you eat foods containing fats. If you are constipated or your liver/gallbladder system is not functioning properly, cholesterol may be building up in your system instead of being properly eliminated. Another reason to adjust your diet away from processed foods and towards a more whole foods, plant-heavy plan.