Cholesterol
The UK’s high cholesterol problem – does nature have the answer?
The UK’s high cholesterol problem – does nature have the answer?
February is National Heart Month and never before has it been so important to look after our cardiovascular system. The strikingly increased mortality in COVID-19 patients who have high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease is linked to high tissue cholesterol levels. As a result, The British Health Foundation states the importance of protecting yourself during the pandemic.
Yet, 60% of UK adults have high cholesterol, with many on medication. Too much cholesterol in the blood can block your blood vessels and lead to a stroke or heart problems. Statins are among the most commonly prescribed medicines in the world, yet many people suffer from their side effects which include muscle pain and digestive problems.
Does nature have a better solution for reducing LDL – the “bad” cholesterol? An innovative product is proving successful in reducing cholesterol.
Phytosterols, or plant sterols, are a family of molecules related to cholesterol. They are found in the cell membranes of plants and play essential roles – similar to cholesterol. While reducing your intake of unhealthy foods can help reduce your cholesterol, to lower your bad cholesterol even further, you can add phytosterols to your diet.
Shona Wilkinson, one of the UK’s leading nutritionists says: “We need some cholesterol as it is found in every cell membrane structure. It is essential to make hormones, to help with metabolism and for our body to produce Vitamin D. The problem is when we have too much of it. Most prescription medication stops the production of cholesterol totally. Plant sterols work by reducing the amount, which is far better.”
By consuming a sachet of clinically tested Bold Heart per day, each containing 2g of pine tree sterols, customers can reduce their LDL Cholesterol by up to 10%. Additionally, consuming 2g of sterols in addition to a healthy diet, exercise and a prescribed statin has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol levels up to 40%.
Globally, health experts recommend consuming 2 grams of plant-based phytosterols per day to maintain a healthy cholesterol. Up until now, consuming 2g naturally has been difficult to achieve.
While phytosterols have a proven benefit alone or in addition to prescription medication, even consumers eating high sterol-based foods such as legumes, oils, fruits and nuts, or sterol-fortified foods such as margarines, capsules and powders are still only getting less than half the amount (43%) of sterols recommended for daily intake to help lower LDL cholesterol levels (7).
Where to get your plant-sterols:
Vegan, cholesterol-reducing plant sterols
RRP: £29.99 (30 stick packs – 1 month’s supply) Just £22.49 this February
Plant-powered Bold Heart has been clinically tested to lower cholesterol by up to 40%. As the only water-based sterol on the market, Wiley’s Finest™ Bold Heart is highly absorbable and delivered in convenient single sachets that can be easily mixed into hot and cold drinks. The product is also entirely vegan.
