A New Fiber Drink Can Serve as an Adjunct Therapy to Statin Medication in Mild Hypercholesterolemia

The Unicity eNews | April 20, 2006

A New Fiber Drink Can Serve as an Adjunct Therapy to Statin Medication in Mild Hypercholesterolemia

Vincent Duenas, M.D., Julie Duenas, Evelyn Burke, and Peter J.E. Verdegem, Ph.D.

The Doctors Clinic, Tamuning, GU; Unicity International, Orem, UT

Introduction: Statin medication is widely used as a first line intervention for hypercholesterolemia. Not all patients get their LDL-c levels in optimal ranges with statins, and statins typically do not increase HDL-c levels adequately. This study investigates the efficacy of a novel fiber drink (BiosLife Complete) as an adjunct therapy to statin medication.

Methods: A group of 11 subjects with mild hypercholesterolemia and LDL-c levels > 130 mg/dL and current statin use added the fiber drink to their diet. The drink was taken at least twice daily 15-20 minutes before meals. The lipid panel was measured at baseline and 6 weeks. The fiber drink consists of soluble fiber, minerals, vitamins, policosanol, phytosterols, and Chrysanthemum morifolium extract.

Results:

Parameter	Inclusion criteria	Pre B.L.	B.L.	t=6 weeks	%	p-value
TC	>200	232	229	211	-8.1	n.s.
TC (responders, 82%)	>200	225	228	199	-12.8	<0.001
LDL-c	>130	146	150	118	-21.1	<0.05
LDL-c (responders, 83%)	>130	145	151	108	-28.4	<0.001
HDL-c	<40	35	34	42	+23.2	<0.05
HDL-c (responders, 88%)	<40	36	34	43	+26.3	<0.01
Risk ratio		5.3	5.2	4.4	-15.2	<0.01
Risk ratio (responders, 85%)		5.0	5.4	4.3	-18.9	<0.001

Discussion: Statin users that have not changed their lipid profile over 6 months (Pre-B.L. vs. B.L.) have a significant impressive additional decrease in LDL-c of 21.1%. The HDL-c levels have increased by 23.2% in this group, which is significantly higher than the average effect of statin medication. The TC levels have not changed dramatically, mainly due to the significant increase in HDL-c. More than 80% of the subjects reacted positively to the fiber drink.

Conclusion: Bios Life Complete is a promising adjunct therapy option for patients with hypercholesterolemia that are currently using statins, and for whom the statin effects have reached a maximum.