Natural Approaches to HDL, LDL and Total Cholesterol #3

In 1986, Asaf Qureshi at the University of Wisconsin isolated alpha-tocotrienol from barley and found it had cholesterol-lowering properties;4 later, he found delta- and gamma-tocotrienol were the most potent inhibitors of endogenous cholesterol synthesis of all tocotrienols,5 and tocopherol-free tocotrienol worked better in lipid reduction than tocopherol/tocotrienol mixtures.6

A 2006 chicken study on the tocotrienol-rich-fraction (TRF) of palm oil found it produced a dose-response (50 to 2,000 ppm) lowering of serum total and LDL cholesterol levels by 22 percent and 52 percent respectively, compared with the control group.7 Alpha-tocopherol did not affect total or LDL-cholesterol levels, but supplemental alpha-tocotrienol within the 50 to 500 ppm range produced a dose-response lowering of total (17 percent) and LDL (33 percent) cholesterol levels. The more potent gamma and delta isomers yielded dose-response (50 to 2,000 ppm) reductions of serum total (32 percent) and LDL (66 percent) cholesterol levels. HDL cholesterol levels were minimally impacted by the tocotrienols; as a result, the HDL/LDL cholesterol ratios were markedly improved (123 to 150 percent). The researchers concluded the safe dose of various tocotrienols for human consumption might be 200 to 1,000 mg/d based on this study.

Qureshi also reviewed tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF25) of stabilized and heated rice bran in 90 hypercholesterolemic human subjects and found a dose of 100 mg/d of TRF25, along with the AHA Step-1 diet, produced maximum decreases of 20 percent, 25 percent, 14 percent and 12 percent, respectively, in serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein B and triglycerides compared with the baseline values.8

Both SourceOne Global and KGK Synergize Inc. combine palm tocotrienols with polymethoxylated flavones (PMFs) in product formulations. PMFs, one of the main active ingredients in Sytrinol® (manufactured by KGK Synergize Inc. and exclusively marketed by Proprietary Nutritionals), and PMF-Source ™ (SourceOne Global), are a group of compounds derived from the peels of citrus fruits. The two most common are tangeretin and nobiletin, which are potent bioflavonoids. A study conducted by KGK Synergize Inc. found diets containing 1-percent PMFs significantly reduced serum total by 19 to 27 percent and very LDL by 32 to 40 percent.9 That study also found comparable reductions were achieved by feeding a 3-percent mixture of hesperidin and naringin (1:1, w/w), implying a lower potency of hesperidin/naringin versus PMFs.

PMFs were shown to have enhanced bioavailability when offered in soft gels (manufactured by Soft Gel Technologies Inc.) in a clinical trial. The company tested absorption rates of Sytrinol it soft gel form and found tangeretin and nobiletinwere four times more bioavailable compared to powder-filled, two-piece hard shell capsules. Further, the company said this form of Sytrinol was shown in several clinical trials to lower total cholesterol by 20 percent, LDL cholesterol by 22 percent and triglycerides by 28 percent.

Along with vitamin E, another letter vitamin, B3, aka niacin, has been shown to increase HDL cholesterol and decrease overall cholesterol when used in conjunction with statins.10 One unfortunate side effect of niacin is “flushing,” or warmth, tingling and itching of the skin. Flushing can range from minor warm or itchy facial skin to major body discomfort. However, flushing may be reduced by using a time-release formula.11

Dietary enzymes help to increase levels of HDL cholesterol, according to Triarco’s research, which the company said was being prepared for publication at press time. It said a patented blend of digestive protease (as Aminogen®) added to whey protein significantly reduced the increase in LDL and total cholesterol levels seen when whey was consumed without Aminogen®. Aminogen® also increased levels of HDL cholesterol when added Natural

References:

4. Qureshi AA, et al. “The structure of an inhibitor of cholesterol biosynthesis isolated from barley.” J Biol Chem. 1986 Aug 15;261(23):10544-50.
5. Pearce BC, et al. “Hypocholesterolemic activity of synthetic and natural tocotrienols. J Med Chem. 1992 Oct 2;35(20):3595-606.
6. Qureshi AA, et al. “Lowering of serum cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic humans by tocotrienols (palmvitee).” Am J Clin Nutr. 1991 Apr;53(4 Suppl):1021S-1026S.
7. Yu SG, et al. “Dose-response impact of various tocotrienols on serum lipid parameters in 5-week-old female chickens.” Lipids. 2006 May;41(5):453-61.
8. Qureshi AA, et al. “Dose-dependent suppression of serum cholesterol by tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF25) of rice bran in hypercholesterolemic humans.” Atherosclerosis. 2002 Mar;161(1):199-207.
9. Kurowska EM, Manthey JA. “Hypolipidemic effects and absorption of citrus polymethoxylated flavones in hamsters with diet-induced hypercholesterolemia.” J Agric Food Chem. 2004 May 19;52(10):2879-86.
10. Ceska R, et al. “[Hyperlipoproteinaemia and dyslipoproteinaemia II. Therapy: non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches]. [Article in Czech]” Vnitr Lek. 2010 Jul;56(7):647-54.
11. Norris RB. “’Flush-free niacin’: dietary supplement may be ‘benefit-free’. Prev Cardiol. 2006 Winter;9(1):64-5.

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