Dr. Fuhrman’s LDL Protect

This unique product was designed by Joel Fuhrman, M.D. specifically to meet the needs of his patients who desire effective cholesterol lowering, without toxic drugs and their well–known risks and side effects.

For those who still have LDL cholesterol above 100 mg/dl after dietary intervention, Dr. Fuhrman designed this mixture of high quality, cholesterol-lowering and cardiac protective compounds - plant sterols and pomegranate. No other product on the market offers this combination of quality ingredients. LDL Protect is an all natural formula that is effective and safe.

Plant sterols have long been recognized, and are FDA approved, for their capacity to reduce LDL cholesterol. Pomegranates' potent antioxidative compounds have been shown in medical studies to reverse atherosclerosis, lower cholesterol and blood pressure. All pomegranate extracts are not equal. Some cheaper grades are not certified to contain high levels of active polyphenols; we utilize the best.

About Plant Sterols

Plant Sterols (also known as phytosterols) naturally occur in a range of plant sources such as vegetable oils, nuts, grains, and seeds. They function as cholesterol lowering agents in blood by blocking the absorption of cholesterol from food during digestion and by blocking the re-absorption of cholesterol manufactured by the liver. In addition to their cholesterol lowering properties, plant sterols possess anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenicity, and anti-oxidative activities.¹

Accumulating scientific evidence suggests plant sterols deliver beneficial effects in the development of different types of cancer. Experimental studies point to plant sterols playing a protective role in the development of some types of cancer such as breast, colon and prostate.^2,3,4,5 These studies indicate that phytosterols in the diet offer a potentially protective benefit in lung cancer, stomach cancer, and esophageal cancer.

Additionally, dietary plant sterols are reported to play a protective therapeutic role in benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH or enlarged prostate), a common medical condition in older men.⁶ Clinical symptoms of BPH have been shown to be improved by dietary supplementation of small doses (60-130 mg) of plant sterols. Studies show supplementation was associated with significant improvements in prostatic function compared to placebo.⁷

About Pomegranates

Pomegranate juice is a rich source of phytochemical compounds shown to benefit the heart and blood vessels. It not only lowers cholesterol, but lowers blood pressure and increases the speed at which heart blockages (atherosclerosis) melt away. LDL Protect contains a pomegranate extract with the full array of polyphenols present in the fruit's seeds, husk and juice and is particularly rich in punicalagins. Punicalagins are the major component responsible for pomegranate's antioxidant and health benefits.

These compounds offer protection against heart disease and cancer. They have been shown to reduce platelet aggregation and naturally lower blood pressure, factors that prevent both heart attacks and strokes.^8,9

Suggested use:
2 tablets daily deliver the lowest recommended dose. Dosage may be increased to 6 tablets if needed (2 three times daily) to increase cholesterol lowering.

References:

1. Berger Alvin, Jones Peter,Abumweis, Suhad, Plant sterols: factores affecting their efficacy and safety as functional ingredients. Lipids in Health and Disease 2004 3:5 http://www.lipidworld.com/content/3/1/5.
2. Mendilaharsu M, De Stefani E, Deneo-Pellegrini H et al. Phytosterols and risk of lung cancer: a case study in Uruguay. Lung Cancer 1998; 21:37-45
3. Ronico A, De Stefani E, Baffetta P et al. Vegetables, fruits and related nutrients and risk of breast cancer: a case control study in Uruguay. Nutr Canc 1999; 35:111-19
4. De Stafani E, Brennan P, Boffeta P et al. Vegetables, fruits, related dietary antioxidants and the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus: a case control study in Uruguay. Nutr Canc 2000; 38: 23-29
5. De Stanfani E, Baffetta P, Ronco AL et al. Plant Sterols and risk of stomach cancer: a case study in Uruguay. Nutr Canc 2000; 37:140-144
6. Klippel kf, Hiltl DM, Schipp B. A multicentric, placebo-controlled double blind clinical trial of beta-sitosterol (phytosterol) for the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia. Brit J Urol 1996; 80;427-432.
7. Berges RR, Kassen A, Senge T. Treatment of Symtomatic benign prostate hyperplasia with beta-sitosterol: an 18th month follow up. BJU Int 2000; 7:842-6
8. Aviram M, Dornfield L, Rosenblat M, et al. Pomegrantate juice consumption reduces oxidative stress, atherogenic modifications to LDL, and platelet aggregation: studies in humans and in atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. Am J Clin Nutr 2000;71(5);1062-76
9. Pomegranate juice consumption inhibits serum angiotension coverting enzyme activity and reduces systolic blood pressure. Atherosclerosis 2001;158(1):195-8