MyFatDog
Nutritional Supplements
In our opinion a lot of claims made by suppliers of nutritional supplements are
unsubstantiated. Part of this is due to lack of oversight by government
agencies such as the FDA although this appears to be changing. The FDA has
found evidence that, in some cases, supplements are adulterated with drugs
that account for any apparent beneficial effects. We are collecting information
about nutritional supplements with advertised effects on blood fat levels are
backed up by valid scientific information.
unsubstantiated. Part of this is due to lack of oversight by government
agencies such as the FDA although this appears to be changing. The FDA has
found evidence that, in some cases, supplements are adulterated with drugs
that account for any apparent beneficial effects. We are collecting information
about nutritional supplements with advertised effects on blood fat levels are
backed up by valid scientific information.
Some nutritional supplements that have been shown in well conducted scientific studies
to improve cholesterol and triglycerides are:
to improve cholesterol and triglycerides are:
African mango (Irvingia gabonensis) seed extract: Irvingia gabonensis has been linked to
weight loss. Small clinical studies have also shown that the extract is able to reduce LDL
cholesterol levels. However, the extract also appears to reduce HDL cholesterol levels which may
counteract any benefit of LDL lowering.
weight loss. Small clinical studies have also shown that the extract is able to reduce LDL
cholesterol levels. However, the extract also appears to reduce HDL cholesterol levels which may
counteract any benefit of LDL lowering.
Anthocyanidins, proanthocyanidins and tannins. Other compounds found in various foods
have been shown in small studies to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health. These
compounds include: anthocyanidins, proanthocyanidins and tannins. A partial list of foods that
contain these compounds are blueberry, blackberry, cranberry, grape, pomegranate, red
cabbage, red wine, sweet potato and teas. These foods don't always change your cholesterol
or triglyceride levels but appear to be protective in other ways. One way is that these
compounds may protect LDL from being damaged through oxidation. Another possibility is
that these compounds may directly protect the blood vessel making it less likely to get clogged
with plaque. Larger studies would be needed to conclusively establish that these compounds
are of any real benefit for cardiovascular health. Since there are other health benefits
associated with eating several servings of fresh fruit and vegetables each day, eating fruits and
vegetables as a source of these compounds certainly won't hurt. However, taking supplements
in the form of purified anthocyanidins, proanthocyanidins and tannins may not offer any benefit.
have been shown in small studies to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health. These
compounds include: anthocyanidins, proanthocyanidins and tannins. A partial list of foods that
contain these compounds are blueberry, blackberry, cranberry, grape, pomegranate, red
cabbage, red wine, sweet potato and teas. These foods don't always change your cholesterol
or triglyceride levels but appear to be protective in other ways. One way is that these
compounds may protect LDL from being damaged through oxidation. Another possibility is
that these compounds may directly protect the blood vessel making it less likely to get clogged
with plaque. Larger studies would be needed to conclusively establish that these compounds
are of any real benefit for cardiovascular health. Since there are other health benefits
associated with eating several servings of fresh fruit and vegetables each day, eating fruits and
vegetables as a source of these compounds certainly won't hurt. However, taking supplements
in the form of purified anthocyanidins, proanthocyanidins and tannins may not offer any benefit.
Chromium - Chromium can improve the body's sensitivity to insulin. This leads to lower blood
sugar and reduced plasma triglyceride and sometimes reduced LDL. Chromium supplementation
is only thought to benefit people who are deficient in chromium to begin with.
sugar and reduced plasma triglyceride and sometimes reduced LDL. Chromium supplementation
is only thought to benefit people who are deficient in chromium to begin with.
Fish oil - can reduce the amount of VLDL made by the liver. This results in lower triglyceride
levels. Some studies have shown that fish oil can increase LDL cholesterol levels so this should
be kept in mind when taking fish oil supplements.
levels. Some studies have shown that fish oil can increase LDL cholesterol levels so this should
be kept in mind when taking fish oil supplements.
HEP-40 - This is a non-absorbable polysaccharide (repeating type of sugar, similar to some
forms of fiber) that is derived from algae, fungi and the shells from crustaceans like shrimp. It
binds to cholesterol in your gut and prevents it from being absorbed, much like some type of
fiber and oat bran.
forms of fiber) that is derived from algae, fungi and the shells from crustaceans like shrimp. It
binds to cholesterol in your gut and prevents it from being absorbed, much like some type of
fiber and oat bran.
Oat bran - Oat bran contains fiber that can bind cholesterol in your gut and prevent it from
being absorbed.
being absorbed.
Plant sterols - Plant sterols include phytosterol and sitosterol. These can compete with
cholesterol for absorption in the gut causing less cholesterol to be absorbed.
cholesterol for absorption in the gut causing less cholesterol to be absorbed.
Red yeast rice - This has been shown to contain compounds that are similar to what is found in
statin drugs and some studies have reported LDL lowering effects that are comparable to statin
drugs. However, like statins, red yeast rice can be associated with harmful effects causing
muscle weakness. The US FDA issued a letter in 2007 warning consumers to avoid red yeast
rice products promoted as treatments to lower cholesterol levels since these can contain a
naturally-occurring version of lovastatin, an unauthorized drug.
statin drugs and some studies have reported LDL lowering effects that are comparable to statin
drugs. However, like statins, red yeast rice can be associated with harmful effects causing
muscle weakness. The US FDA issued a letter in 2007 warning consumers to avoid red yeast
rice products promoted as treatments to lower cholesterol levels since these can contain a
naturally-occurring version of lovastatin, an unauthorized drug.
Resveratrol - Resveratrol is a compound that is present in red wine that has been associated
with anti-aging and antidiabetic effects in animals. It has also been reported to have antioxidant
properties and has been shown to reduce LDL oxidation. Most studies testing resveratrol in
animals have produced beneficial effects but a few studies have reported toxic effects. Results
for that study testing the anti-aging and anti-diabetic effects of resveratrol should be reported in
2010.
with anti-aging and antidiabetic effects in animals. It has also been reported to have antioxidant
properties and has been shown to reduce LDL oxidation. Most studies testing resveratrol in
animals have produced beneficial effects but a few studies have reported toxic effects. Results
for that study testing the anti-aging and anti-diabetic effects of resveratrol should be reported in
2010.
Copyright © 2008-2012 John Millar. All rights reserved.