Product: Vegapure

Company: Swiss Herbal

Size: 50 Capsules

Ingredients: Vegapure (Vegetable Sterol Esters) 650 mg. Also contains: Lecithin and mixed tocopherols in a carob coated capsule composed of gelatin, glycerin and water.

Dosage: Adults take one capsule two times daily with meals.

Description: Swiss Vegapure is the latest innovation in cholesterol lowering agents. Too much cholesterol circulating in the bloodstream can lead to a build-up of deposits and possibly block the vessels that supply the heart muscle with blood. This can lead to angina (chest pain), heart attack and other symptoms otherwise known as Cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD is the world's number one leading cause of death. It is estimated that 1in 4 Canadians or 8 million people have some form of heart disease, disease of blood vessels or are at risk of stroke. 48% of Canadian men and 43% of women have excessive and unhealthy levels of cholesterol. CVD is responsible for 37% of all deaths in Canada. Due to lack of symptoms many people don't even know they have high cholesterol. Cholesterol can be managed. Swiss Herbal's Vegapure is a unique intervention in controlling cholesterol by using phytosterol esters (plant sterols), a potent weapon against CVD.

Cholesterol and CVD:
Cholesterol is an essential compound made by the liver and is a part of cell membranes. It is needed for proper brain and nerve functions and forms the basis for the manufacture of sex hormones. Cholesterol available for absorption comes from three sources: the diet, liver and from intestinal cell turnover. In addition to what we eat, our bodies produce significant quantities of cholesterol, typically much more than we get from our diets. Low density lipoproteins (LDLs) are the major transporters of cholesterol in the blood stream and, because LDLs seem to encourage the deposit of cholesterol in the arteries, it is also known as "bad cholesterol".

On the other hand, high density lipoproteins (HDLs) are considered to be "good cholesterol" because they carry unneeded cholesterol away from the cells and back to the liver, where it is broken down for removal from the body. When this system is not properly functioning, cholesterol can form plaque that sticks to the arterial walls and may eventually cause CVD.

Sources, Intake & Physiology of Phytosterols:
Swiss Vegapure contains plant sterols or phytosterols, a class of natural, fat-like compounds whose chemical structures are similar to cholesterol. They are found in everyday foods like vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, grains and cooking oils. The most common plant sterols are sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol. Although the structures of sterols are similar to cholesterol, fewer sterols are absorbed as compared to approximately half of the cholesterol being absorbed from our diet. As the intake of sterols is increased, the percentage absorbed actually decreases, leading to a reduced efficiency of absorption. In addition, sterols are eliminated faster than cholesterol through the bile, and combined with lower absorption, contribute to blood levels of sterols that are less than blood cholesterol levels. Studies conducted on foods enriched with sterols and clinical studies have shown that plant sterols can lower total cholesterol by an average of 6 to 10% and LDL cholesterol by an average of 8 to 15% (ref. 2,3, US FDA). Dietary plant sterols reduce cholesterol by competing with LDL cholesterol, thereby inhibiting the absorption of LDL cholesterol produced by the liver and dietary cholesterol (ref. 1). Sterols also help to maintain levels of HDL cholesterol, creating an overall improved ratio of cholesterol without any side effects.

Research indicates that phytosterol esters can serve as an add on therapy to cholesterol lowering medication such as fibrates or statins because they act in a different manner. The use of dietary phytosterol esters along with statins has been shown to have an additive effect on cholesterol reduction. One study found that statins reduced LDL cholesterol by 32%, and by adding phytosterol esters further reduced LDL cholesterol by anther 7%, for a total cholesterol reduction of 39% (ref. 4).

Swiss Vegapure is an ideal first choice for cholesterol management. This supplement is effective for individuals concerned about lowering overall cholesterol levels prior to going on a cholesterol lowering therapy. For those on statins and fibrates Swiss Vegapure is a safe and effective add on to prescription cholesterol reducers.

The Swiss Herbal Innovation:
Swiss Herbal's Vegapure sterol esters are naturally sourced, primarily produced from soybean oil. These sterols are further esterified with food grade sunflower oil fatty acids, a rich source of linoleic acid. Sterols are esterified to provide an effective vehicle for delivery of sterols to the small intestine. This also increases their oil solubility ten fold. Swiss Herbal uses a patented esterification process which improves the purity of the sterol esters in Vegapure. Vegapure is composed of a total 98% sterols of which 91% are Sitosterol, Campesterol and Stigmasterol. Each capsule of the product contains 650 mg of Vegapure sterol esters, to be taken twice daily.

In 2000, the US FDA stated, "Foods containing at least 0.65 grams per serving of vegetable oil sterol esters, eaten twice a day with meals for a daily total intake of at least 1.3 grams, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease." The daily dose of Swiss Vegapure is 1.3 grams of phytosterol esters (1 capsule taken twice daily). Numerous studies have shown that 1.3 grams of phytosterol esters taken daily can help achieve an overall cholesterol lowering of between 8-15%.

References:
1. Ling, W.H., and P.J.H. Jones, Dietary Phytosterols: A Review of Metabolism, Benefits, and Side Effects. Life Sciences, vol. 57, pp. 195-206, 1995.

2. Hendriks, H.F.J. Westrate, J.A., van Vliet, T. Meijer, G.W. Spreads enriched with three different levels of vegetable oil sterols and the degree of cholesterol lowering in normocholesterolaemic and mildly hypercholesterolaemic subjects. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1999;53:319-327.

3. Weststrate J.A., Meijer G.W. Plant-sterol enriched margarines and reduction of plasma total- and LDL- Cholesterol concentrations in normocholesterolaemic and mildly hypercholesterolaemic subjects. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1998;52:334-43.

4. Simons, L.A. M.D., Additive Effect of Plant Sterol-Ester Margarine and Cerivastatin in Lowering Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Primary Hypercholesterolemia. The American Journal of Cardiology, vol. 90, pp. 737-740, October 2002.