Scientists publish study on the effects of nutritional supplement ingredients on cholesterol levels

In collaboration with the scientists in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Standard Process scientists have published a study examining the effects of nutritional supplement ingredients on cholesterol levels in Rapacz familial hypercholesterolemic swine or FH swine. Findings of this study were reported in the Journal of Medicinal Food.

“Because Lovastatin regulates the synthesis of cholesterol and dietary supplement ingredients may work through other mechanisms, such as phytosterols’ ability to decrease cholesterol absorption, further research should be done to determine if treatment of high LDL-C levels using supplements as an adjuvant to statin treatment would provide better cholesterol management”

The scientists designed the study to compare nutritional components found in foods and supplements (pectin, polyphenols, and phytosterols) with a first-generation cholesterol medication (Lovastatin) to examine serum cholesterol levels in swine with a genetically altered tendency toward high cholesterol.

Researchers found a statistically significant decrease in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (so-called "bad" cholesterol) in the swine receiving the polyphenol and phytosterol diets alone and in combination with pectin. Pectin alone was not effective, while phytosterols were the most effective dietary intervention. Supplements effectively reduced LDL levels in FH swine by half compared to Lovastatin.

“Because Lovastatin regulates the synthesis of cholesterol and dietary supplement ingredients may work through other mechanisms, such as phytosterols’ ability to decrease cholesterol absorption, further research should be done to determine if treatment of high LDL-C levels using supplements as an adjuvant to statin treatment would provide better cholesterol management,” said Brandon Metzger, Ph.D., research scientist at Standard Process and lead author of the paper.

Dietary changes are well accepted as methods to improve blood cholesterol levels. In the 2004 update to their clinical guidelines, the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) recommended incorporating plant phytosterols into the diet and increasing soluble fiber. Growing research also suggests that polyphenols can affect cholesterol levels. Polyphenol compounds are antioxidants that are present in fruits, vegetables, and some nuts.

The study, “A comparison of pectin, polyphenols, and phytosterols, alone or in combination, to lovastatin for reduction of serum lipids in familial hypercholesterolemic swine” is available from the Journal of Medicinal Food.