A New Fiber Drink Provides a Natural First Line Treatment Option in Mild Hypercholesterolemia

The Unicity eNews | April 20, 2006

A New Fiber Drink Provides a Natural First Line Treatment Option in Mild Hypercholesterolemia

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

The Doctors Clinic, Tamuning, GU; Research and Development, Unicity International, Orem, UT

Introduction: There is increasing interest in natural, non-pharmaceutical, intervention therapies for altering the lipid profile in hypercholesterolemia. This study investigates the efficacy of a novel fiber drink (Bios Life Complete) as a first line treatment for mild hypercholesterolemia.

Methods: A group of 24 subjects with mild hypercholesterolemia and LDL-c levels > 130 mg/dL 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	B.L.	t=6 weeks	%	p-value
TC	>200	235	232	-1.4	n.s.
TC (responders, 60%)	>200	229	203	-11.0	< 0.000001
LDL-c	>130	157	131	-16.1	<0.001
LDL-c (responders, 88%)	>130	155	123	-20.4	< 0.000001
LDL-c	>160	180	150	-16.6	<0.05
LDL-c (responders, 89%)	>160	175	140	-20.2	<0.05
HDL-c	<40	35	45	+27.9	<0.01
HDL-c (responders, 82%)	<40	35	47	+34.7	<0.01
Risk ratio		5.1	4.3	-15.0	<0.0001
Risk ratio (responders, 79%)		5.3	4.2	-20.8	<0.000001

Discussion: Bios Life Complete, a novel fiber drink that combines ingredients that are known to lower cholesterol through 4 different mechanisms is very effective in lowering LDL-c, and increasing HDL-c. The TC levels have not changed dramatically, mainly due to the significant increase in HDL-c. Compared to statin medication, this product has similar efficacy in reducing LDL-c, but has a much better effect on HDL-c. More than 80% of the subjects reacted positively to the fiber drink, in relation to LDL, and HDL.

Conclusion: Bios Life Complete offers an effective alternative for patients with mild hypercholesterolemia, that can’t or won’t take statin medication.