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Cholestrex
Formulated to provide the nutritional support that we need to maintain healthy
cholesterol levels.
Our lives depend on an uninterrupted flow of blood throughout the 60,000 miles
of arteries, veins, and capillaries that bring vital nourishment to our cells.
Our bodies have complex chemical strategies to maintain and repair blood vessel
walls. Cholesterol is an important part of the process. However, too much cholesterol
in the bloodstream can have serious consequences for our well-being.
By understanding how nutrition affects blood cholesterol, we can gain valuable
control of our health. Source Naturals CHOLESTREX has been formulated to provide
the nutritional support that we need to maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
Since doctors first discovered that cholesterol was the primary ingredient
in the sticky deposits that clogged their patients' arteries, scientists have
gained a thorough understanding of cholesterol's role in our health. Essential
to human and animal life, cholesterol is part of every cell in the body. Because
cholesterol is so important, the liver synthesizes from 1 to 2 grams of it each
day. In addition, we get about another 500 mg from the foods we eat. Problems
occur when too much cholesterol gets into the bloodstream. Today, it's estimated
that over 50 million adults in the United States have cholesterol levels that
are too high. The body's processes to manage excess cholesterol depend upon a
lifestyle that includes exercise, stress reduction and proper nutrition. Source
Naturals Cholestrex is designed to deliver a comprehensive combination of nutrients
known to support a healthy blood vessel system - and keep the life stream flowing.
Cholesterol: What It Is
Cholesterol is a solid waxy substance, technically classed as a "sterol".
Cholesterol enables our cell membranes to maintain their integrity. It is the
basic raw material from which the body makes steroid hormones, which include the
sex hormones. Cholesterol is the primary component of bile salts that the liver
creates to help us assimilate fats, fat-soluble vitamins and essential fatty acids.
The liver also uses bile to rid itself of stored toxins. Our skin contains large
amounts of cholesterol, making it resistant to the absorption of water-soluble
toxins. Even the brain is 7% cholesterol (dry weight).
Cholesterol in the Blood
Because it's not water-soluble, cholesterol must be attached to a carrier molecule
in order to be transported in the bloodstream. The liver manufactures two types
of carrier molecules for cholesterol, LDL and HDL. LDL (low density lipoprotein)
molecules carry cholesterol from the liver
out to cells of the body. One of its functions is to repair damaged cells, including
those of the artery walls. LDL is primarily made up of saturated fats, (meat fats,
butter, etc.). HDL (high density lipoprotein) molecules transport cholesterol
and fatty acids from body tissues back to the liver for disposal. HDL helps remove
excess fat and cholesterol from the bloodstream. HDL is composed of liquid fats
(most vegetable oils). It's crucial to have a proper balance between LDL and HDL
cholesterol. High LDL - a sign that the body has too much fat - is a threat to
the health of blood vessels, because excess LDL cholesterol may accumulate in
damaged areas of vessel walls. These "fatty streaks" are the beginning
stage of artery blockage.
Cholesterol and Artery Damage
The walls of the blood vessels cover a surface area of half an acre and are under
constant pressure. Of all the blood vessels in the body, the coronary arteries
are under the greatest stress. Named for the Latin word for crown (corona), they
sit directly on the heart muscle and must continually expand and contract with
every heartbeat. That's 100,000 times each day. This constant squeezing can cause
small lesions in the artery wall. This triggers a repair process where LDL cholesterol
comes in to patch up the damage. Recent research has found that the crux of the
problem is the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. Rich in fatty acids, the LDL molecule
becomes permanently altered when oxidized by free radicals (overreactive molecules
that steal electrons from other molecules). These rancid, oxidized LDL molecules
are no longer recognized by the body, so they're attacked by immune system cells.These
immune cells become bloated with the oxidized lipids, accumulate in artery lesions
and create plaque in blood vessels.
Why is LDL cholesterol being oxidized? First of all, there's too much of it in
the blood, while not enough HDL. Secondly, the blood doesn't have enough antioxidants
to neutralize free radicals. The ingredients in Source Naturals Cholestrex address
these specific problems in several ways. Cholestrex also provides nutrients that
protect and strengthen blood vessel walls.
Cholestrex Has It All
Vitamin C helps maintain the health of artery walls because it's the key
building block for collagen and elastin, the primary constituents of blood vessels.
Copper is required by the enzyme that weaves together the fibers of collagen
and elastin into the matrix that makes vessel walls both tough and flexible. As
an antioxidant, vitamin C scavenges free radicals in the blood plasma and also
regenerates vitamin E within the LDL molecule. Vitamin E has a critical
role as the primary protector of LDL, preventing its oxidation. One molecule of
vitamin E can protect 200 molecules of polyunsaturated fatty acids from free radical
damage.
GTF Chromium is involved in insulin activity and the normalization of blood
sugar. Excess simple sugars are converted to triglycerides, the blood fats which
can accumulate in artery walls. Lecithin is a component of HDL that emulsifies
excess blood fat so it can be more readily transported in the bloodstream to the
liver, where it's metabolized. Vitamin B3 (niacin) assists in the metabolism
of fats, and puts an electric charge on red blood cells so they repel each other,
which prevents blood clumping. The amino acid, L-Arginine, works to lower
serum cholesterol and triglycerides by inhibiting fat absorption.
The Body's Cholesterol Removal System
HDL molecules carry cholesterol from tissues throughout the body back to the liver,
where it is incorporated into bile salts. These bile salts are sent to the intestines,
where they combine with fiber for excretion. One problem with the typical American
low fiber diet is that 95% of the bile-bound cholesterol is reabsorbed. Since
this is the body's primary pathway for ridding itself of excess cholesterol, another
strategy incorporated into Cholestrex is to maximize the production of bile salts
and minimize their reabsorption by increasing levels of fiber.
Fiber is a key element of Cholestrex. Its four types of soluble fiber bind
with bile salts that are laden with cholesterol to ensure their excretion from
the body. Oat Bran & Fiber, Grapefruit Pectin, Psyllium Seed Husks and
Alfalfa Seeds also absorb cholesterol from our food, thereby lowering total
blood cholesterol. Alfalfa seeds are considered a blood purifier.
Beta sitosterol, a plant equivalent of cholesterol, binds to sites in the
intestines that would otherwise absorb cholesterol. Cholestrex provides a daily
total of 300 mg of beta sitosterol which may, by itself, neutralize 200 to 300
mg of incoming dietary cholesterol by preventing its absorption. Vitamin C, among
its many other vital roles, is the key factor in activating an enzyme that will
increase the liver's conversion of cholesterol into bile salts. CHOLESTREX uses
bioactive mineral ascorbate forms of vitamin C that will not irritate the digestive
system. Working in conjunction with the fiber in CHOLESTREX, Calcium increases
HDL, while lowering total serum cholesterol.
Cholestrex - Intelligent Nutritional Support
Our generation is fortunate to witness the remarkable progress made by modern
science in understanding the body's complex biochemical processes. As we realize
the vital connection between nutrition and cholesterol levels, we are empowered
to improve our health and vitality beyond previous standards of wellness.
Source Naturals CHOLESTREX.
For you and the ones you love.
References
1. Drexel, H., et al. "Lowering Plasma Cholesterol with Beta Sitosterol and Diet."
The Lancet 1 (1981): 157.
2. Grundy, S. M., et al. "Influence of Nicotinic Acid on Metabolism of Cholesterol
and Triglycerides in Man." Journal of Lipid Research 22 (1981): 24-36.
3. Grundy, S. M. "Oxidized LDL and Atherogenesis: Relation to Risk Factors..."
Clinical Cardiology Vol. 16 (Suppl. I), April 1993: 13-15.
4. Hendler, S. S. "The Doctors&' Vitamin and Mineral Encyclopedia."
New York: Fireside, 1991.
5 Jialal, I., and C. J. Fuller. "Oxidized LDL and Antioxidants." Clinical Cardiology
Vol. 16 (Suppl. I), April 1993: 16-19.
6. Kay, R. M. and A. S. Truswell. "Effect of Citrus Pectin on Blood Lipids and
Fecal Steroid Excretion." American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 30.2 (1977):
171-75.
7. Kirby, R. W., et al. "Oat Bran Intake Selectively Lowers Serum Low Density
Lipoprotein Cholesterol Concentrations of Hypercholesterolemic Men." American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition 34.5 (1981): 824-29.
8. Malinow, M. R., et al. "Alfalfa." American Journal
of Clinical Nutrition 1979: 1810-12.
9. Mattson, Fred H., Scott M. Grundy, and John R. Crouse. "Optimizing the Effect
of Plant Sterols on Cholesterol Absorption in Man" The American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition 35 (April 1982): 697-700.
10. Railes, R. and M. J. Albrink. "Effect of Chromium Chloride Supplementation
on . . . Serum Lipids Including High Density Lipoprotein of Adult Men." American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition 34 (1981): 2670-78.
11. Turley, S. D. and J. M. Dietschy. "The Metabolism and Excretion of Cholesterol
by the Liver." in The Liver: Biology and Pathobiology, I.M. Arias, et al. Raven
Press, 1988.
12. Turley, S. D., et al. "Role of Ascorbic Acid in the Regulation of Cholesterol
Metabolism and the Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis." Atherosclerosis 24 (1976):
1-18.
Strategies for Wellnesssm™
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