Cholesterol: researchers discover an ultra-efficient natural approach

Excess cholesterol: why avoid conventional statins?

Statins belong to the family of lipid-lowering drugs.

Their aim is to lower levels of LDL cholesterol, the ‘bad cholesterol’, by inhibiting an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase, which is involved in its synthesis (1).

These treatments are generally prescribed for patients suffering from hypercholesterolaemia who are recalcitrant to dietary measures, or who are considered to be at high cardiovascular risk, in particular with a view to preventing myocardial infarctions or strokes.

While doctors agree that statins are effective, they can cause several side effects, including digestive problems, headaches, fatigue and dizziness.

In the most severe cases, they can cause liver damage (marked by an increase in transaminases) or disabling muscular pain (2).

All these findings have prompted researchers to find natural, safe and proven alternatives.

A revolutionary fermented red yeast rice, without statins

Classic red yeast rice, which goes by the scientific name of Monascus purpureus, has long been considered the ideal candidate because of its content of monacolins, ‘natural statins’ (this is the yeast used, for example, in our standard Red Yeast Rice Extract formula) (3).

The problem is that these monacolins do not completely resolve the issue of side effects, which persist in some subjects (4).

However, researchers seem to have found a way around this obstacle with a completely new approach: the patented extract of Ankascin® 568-P fermented red yeast rice.

This differs from conventional red yeast rice in that it contains no monacolins (which guarantees excellent tolerance) and also has a unique mechanism of action.

It contains exclusive bioactive compounds, monascin and ankaflavin, which are thought to activate certain transcription factors (PPARɣ and Nrf2) involved in regulating metabolism (cholesterol levels, blood sugar, etc.) and oxidative stress (5).

Ankascin® 568-P: a broad spectrum of action confirmed by 4 clinical studies

Ankascin® 568-P is thought to have a much broader action than ordinary red yeast rice, acting not only on all components of the lipid profile (LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides) but also on blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

No fewer than 4 randomised, double-blind clinical studies confirm its remarkable efficacy.

An initial study involving 39 participants taking 440 mg of Ankascin® 568-P a day showed a reduction in total cholesterol of 11.9% and LDL cholesterol of 19% in 4 weeks (6).

What's more, an increase in 'good' HDL cholesterol was also noted — a benefit not seen with monacolins, and attributed by the researchers to the presence of monascin in the fermented version.

The other studies were conducted with higher doses of 880 mg of Ankascin® 568-P per day.

One of them, involving 39 subjects with pre-diabetes, showed a significant 8.5% reduction in fasting blood glucose levels after 6 weeks of supplementation, and 9.3% after 12 weeks (7).

Triglyceride levels followed the same trend, falling by more than 20% after 12 weeks.

Another study looked at the effects of Ankascin® 568-P on blood pressure in 21 people with mild to moderate hypertension.

After 8 weeks, participants in the test group showed a reduction in mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure of 5.75% and 8.14% respectively (8).

What should Ankascin® 568-P be combined with to optimise its efficacy?

Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) is known to help control weight and has been at the heart of many slimming diets.

However, we forget that it also contributes to heart and liver health, with its cynarin-rich leaves helping to regulate blood lipid levels (9).

It is thought to limit the production of cholesterol in the liver by facilitating its elimination via the bile and protecting LDL from oxidation (which causes deposits to build up on artery walls).

A systematic review supports its synergistic association with lipid-lowering treatments (10).

Isolated mainly from sugar cane wax, policosanols combine several long-chain fatty acids (octacosanol, triacontanol, hexacosanol, etc.).

While their mode of action has yet to be clarified, research suggests that they may interfere with hepatic cholesterol synthesis by a mechanism distinct from that of statins.

They are also thought to have particularly promising effects on platelet aggregation and LDL oxidation, but these properties need to be further investigated by additional studies (11).

Our cutting-edge Cholesterol Complex Formula has therefore chosen to combine Ankascin® 568-P (in a potent dose of 440 mg per capsule) with an extract of artichoke stem leaves (richer in lipid-lowering active compounds than other parts of the plant) and the above-mentioned policosanols.