Supplement May Cut Cholesterol
Many dietary supplements claim to improve blood cholesterol levels. Policosanol is one that may actually do so. It appears not only to lower cholesterol--particularly LDL ("bad") cholesterol)--but also raise HDL ("good") cholesterol, something cholesterol-lowering statin drugs don't do. In addition, it may make blood less likely to form clots and have other heart benefits as well.
Policosanol is a mix of compounds usually derived from sugar cane wax or beeswax, but it can also come from wheat germ, rice bran, and other plant foods. Most of the 60-plus clinical trials on it were done in Cuba and have used policosanol from sugar cane wax. They consistently show that policosanol reduces LDL cholesterol (by 10 to 30%) and raises HDL (by about 10%, on average). A 2005 analysis in Pharmacology found policosanol better than plant sterols/stanols, the cholesterol-lowering ingredients found in Benecol margarine and some other products. Some studies suggest policosanol may even be as effective as low doses of certain cholesterol-lowering statin drugs. Policosanol may lower cholesterol by inhibiting its synthesis in the liver and by boosting the breakdown of LDL cholesterol.
But keep in mind
That all sounds very promising, but there are caveats. No one knows what the optimal dose is (studies have used 5 to 40 milligrams a day) or what source of policosanol is best. Only Cuban products, which are made from sugar cane, have been well tested, yet these particular products are not available in the U.S. Similar products that you can buy over the Internet, in health-food stores, or in drugstores have not been studied, including the new One-A-Day Cholesterol Plus formula with policosanol. It's also not known if other sources of policosanol, besides sugar cane, work. In a Dutch study, for example, policosanol from wheat germ had no effect, and rice policosanol did not lower LDL in a recent Croatian study.
And, as with other dietary supplements, don't assume because policosanol is "natural" and available without a prescription that it's safe. If it can affect blood cholesterol, it can also have other effects in the body. The longest studies, lasting two to three years, provide some assurance that it's not toxic at the doses used, but its safety beyond that is not established. Cholesterol-lowering drugs, on the other hand, have been carefully studied and are a proven way to lower your risk of heart disease. They have impressive results, and their side effects, mostly rare, are known.
Policosanol has potential, but we can't recommend it because the products are not standardized, and we don't know its long-term effects. If you have high cholesterol, the best course of action involves diet, exercise, and possibly medication. If, nonetheless, you want to take it, talk to your doctor first, and be sure to have periodic blood tests to see if it is having the desired effect. Use with caution if you also take a cholesterol-lowering drug or drugs that affect blood clotting or blood pressure. Other drug interactions are also possible. Side effects vary and include skin rashes and upset stomach. Policosanol is often combined with other ingredients, so the effects are unpredictable. Look for a product that contains only policosanol, rather than one with a hodgepodge of ingredients.
For more information about supplement products to lose weight, you may visit click here to view HCG weight loss products at hcgdietdropsprotocol.com
Policosanol is a mix of compounds usually derived from sugar cane wax or beeswax, but it can also come from wheat germ, rice bran, and other plant foods. Most of the 60-plus clinical trials on it were done in Cuba and have used policosanol from sugar cane wax. They consistently show that policosanol reduces LDL cholesterol (by 10 to 30%) and raises HDL (by about 10%, on average). A 2005 analysis in Pharmacology found policosanol better than plant sterols/stanols, the cholesterol-lowering ingredients found in Benecol margarine and some other products. Some studies suggest policosanol may even be as effective as low doses of certain cholesterol-lowering statin drugs. Policosanol may lower cholesterol by inhibiting its synthesis in the liver and by boosting the breakdown of LDL cholesterol.
But keep in mind
That all sounds very promising, but there are caveats. No one knows what the optimal dose is (studies have used 5 to 40 milligrams a day) or what source of policosanol is best. Only Cuban products, which are made from sugar cane, have been well tested, yet these particular products are not available in the U.S. Similar products that you can buy over the Internet, in health-food stores, or in drugstores have not been studied, including the new One-A-Day Cholesterol Plus formula with policosanol. It's also not known if other sources of policosanol, besides sugar cane, work. In a Dutch study, for example, policosanol from wheat germ had no effect, and rice policosanol did not lower LDL in a recent Croatian study.
And, as with other dietary supplements, don't assume because policosanol is "natural" and available without a prescription that it's safe. If it can affect blood cholesterol, it can also have other effects in the body. The longest studies, lasting two to three years, provide some assurance that it's not toxic at the doses used, but its safety beyond that is not established. Cholesterol-lowering drugs, on the other hand, have been carefully studied and are a proven way to lower your risk of heart disease. They have impressive results, and their side effects, mostly rare, are known.
Policosanol has potential, but we can't recommend it because the products are not standardized, and we don't know its long-term effects. If you have high cholesterol, the best course of action involves diet, exercise, and possibly medication. If, nonetheless, you want to take it, talk to your doctor first, and be sure to have periodic blood tests to see if it is having the desired effect. Use with caution if you also take a cholesterol-lowering drug or drugs that affect blood clotting or blood pressure. Other drug interactions are also possible. Side effects vary and include skin rashes and upset stomach. Policosanol is often combined with other ingredients, so the effects are unpredictable. Look for a product that contains only policosanol, rather than one with a hodgepodge of ingredients.
For more information about supplement products to lose weight, you may visit click here to view HCG weight loss products at hcgdietdropsprotocol.com
Mexican Lasagna Recipe
No matter how you wrap, roll or serve Mexican food, it is sure to be delicious! I could eat fajitas, burritos, enchiladas or tamales every day and never get tired of this wonderful cuisine. My waistline, however, may show the damage. The downfall of many Mexican dishes is the high content of fat found in ingredients such as ground beef and pork, re-fried beans, sour cream and often large amounts of cheese.
With this simple Mexican lasagna, I will replace the traditional ground beef with tofu crumbles. This swap not only makes the meal vegetarian, it cuts out most of the saturated fat, which has been linked with high cholesterol levels and cardiovascular disease. I will reduce the fat content and calories further by using black beans instead of re-fried beans. As for the cheese, I will use non-fat mozzarella cheese instead of the classic Mexican cheese blend and I will reduce the amount by including it only in the topping.
By layering these ingredients like I would lasagna, I have a simple one pot meal that keeps the spicy flavors we love about Mexican foods, but reduces both the fat and calories.
Ingredients:
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 package (12 oz.) Morning Star Veggie Meat Crumbles
1 tablespoon dried cilantro
1 teaspoon cumin
1 can (14 oz.) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/4 cups salsa
4 (8-inch) whole wheat flour tortillas
1/4 cup pickled jalapeno slices
1/2 cup shredded non-fat mozzarella cheese
Instructions:
1. Sauté peppers and onions in olive oil until tender. Add veggie crumbles and spices. Continue to cook until heated through.
2. Spray a 9-inch pie plate with non-stick cooking spray. Start layering with 1/4 cup salsa; then add one fourth of the veggie crumbles, 1/2 cup black beans, 1 tablespoon jalapenos, and top with one whole wheat tortilla. Continue to layer as such until you place the last tortilla. Top this final one with the remaining salsa and then sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
3. Bake in a 350° F oven for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake another 10 minutes until the cheese is slightly browned.
Serves: 6
Nutritional Content (per serving):
383 calories, 13 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 46 g carbohydrates, 13 g fiber, 23 g protein, 748 mg sodium
With this simple Mexican lasagna, I will replace the traditional ground beef with tofu crumbles. This swap not only makes the meal vegetarian, it cuts out most of the saturated fat, which has been linked with high cholesterol levels and cardiovascular disease. I will reduce the fat content and calories further by using black beans instead of re-fried beans. As for the cheese, I will use non-fat mozzarella cheese instead of the classic Mexican cheese blend and I will reduce the amount by including it only in the topping.
By layering these ingredients like I would lasagna, I have a simple one pot meal that keeps the spicy flavors we love about Mexican foods, but reduces both the fat and calories.
Ingredients:
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 package (12 oz.) Morning Star Veggie Meat Crumbles
1 tablespoon dried cilantro
1 teaspoon cumin
1 can (14 oz.) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/4 cups salsa
4 (8-inch) whole wheat flour tortillas
1/4 cup pickled jalapeno slices
1/2 cup shredded non-fat mozzarella cheese
Instructions:
1. Sauté peppers and onions in olive oil until tender. Add veggie crumbles and spices. Continue to cook until heated through.
2. Spray a 9-inch pie plate with non-stick cooking spray. Start layering with 1/4 cup salsa; then add one fourth of the veggie crumbles, 1/2 cup black beans, 1 tablespoon jalapenos, and top with one whole wheat tortilla. Continue to layer as such until you place the last tortilla. Top this final one with the remaining salsa and then sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
3. Bake in a 350° F oven for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake another 10 minutes until the cheese is slightly browned.
Serves: 6
Nutritional Content (per serving):
383 calories, 13 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 46 g carbohydrates, 13 g fiber, 23 g protein, 748 mg sodium