Cholesterol-X and Vascular Relaxant SR: A Review of Ingredients
In a previous article, I thoroughly examined many aspects of cholesterol and uncovered inaccurate assumptions concerning cholesterol measurements along with other topics. However, I briefly mentioned there were natural ways individuals could lower cholesterol levels.
Though the CDC’s recommended cholesterol levels are contentious, according to the CDC, 95 million Americans have higher than recommended cholesterol measurements [1]. Though doctors traditionally recommend statin medication to lower cholesterol levels, there are natural supplements and compounds which can support reduced cholesterol levels, without any of the adverse side effects of such medicines.
Healthmasters, formulated their Cholesterol-X and Vascular Relaxant SR formulas to assist in promoting a healthy cholesterol level. These two products work extremely well together because of their complementary ingredients and formulations.
In this article, we will be reviewing the ingredients of these two products and the scientific literature, which supports their cholesterol-supporting effects.*
To begin, we will break down and review the two active ingredients of Healthmasters’ Cholesterol-X: magnesium and malic acid and policosanol.
Magnesium and Malic Acid (as di-magnesium malate and magnesium lysinate glycinate chelate)
Though the magnesium and malic acid, which is a form of magnesium, in the Cholesterol-X play smaller roles than the policosanol regarding cholesterol specifically, there is evidence magnesium supports healthy cholesterol levels and overall cardiovascular health.
A 2007 study found that magnesium supplementation reduces blood-level measurements of cholesterol, triglycerides, and oxidative stress in their model [2], and a 2004 study compared the cholesterol-related effects of magnesium supplementation to statins, affirming magnesium modulated blood lipid profiles positively [3]. However, magnesium and malic acid were included in this product because of their overall supportive effects concerning cardiovascular health.
A 2013 meta-analysis investigated the correlation between dietary magnesium intake, serum magnesium concentrations [which is essentially blood-magnesium levels], and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The researchers found, “There is a statistically significant nonlinear inverse association between dietary magnesium intake and total CVD events risk. Serum magnesium concentrations are linearly and inversely associated with the risk of total CVD events” [4].
To translate, according to this study, this means the more magnesium in one’s diet, the less likely a CVD event would occur, to an exponential extent. Therefore, if someone had “4 units” of magnesium in their diet, their chance of CVD would be less than half of someone who had “2 units” of magnesium in their diet, which is significant [4]. Additional studies have found levels of magnesium were inversely associated with cardiovascular disease [5] [6] [7] [8].
Policosanol (from sugarcane wax)
Numerous studies have investigated the cholesterol-supporting effects of policosanol.
Astonishingly, a 2003 randomized, double-blind study found policosanol to be more effective than pravastatin, which is a statin, in improving blood lipid profiles along with other measurements in patients with type-2 hypercholesterolemia and high coronary risk [9].
Another 1999 study investigated the effects of policosanol against statins, lovastatin and simvastatin, and concluded policosanol was more effective than both in positively modulating blood lipid profiles [10].
A 2005 meta-analysis, which included 4.596 patients and 52 studies, investigated policosanol as a possible treatment for coronary heart disease, as measured by a reduction in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels [11]. The researchers concluded that policosanol was safe and effective for lowering LDL levels and promoting a healthy lipid profile [11].
These are only a handful of the many studies which concluded policosanol was effective in promoting healthy lipid measurements or found policosanol was more effective than a statin medication.
Healthmasters’ Vascular Relaxant SR
Now, we will begin by examining the one, main ingredient in Healthmasters’ Vascular Relaxant SR: niacin.
Niacin (nicotinic acid)
The “SR” in the product name represents the sustained-release effect of this niacin supplement, which means it has a lesser flushing effect compared with instant-release niacin.
Niacin has demonstrated in multiple cases to promote healthy cholesterol levels and increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) measurements [12].
In a 2008 animal study, researchers found niacin to reduce leptin levels [leptin is a hormone directly linked to body fat and obesity and it typically high in patients with high cholesterol levels] [13].
In another 2008 study, researchers investigated the effects of extended-release niacin supplementation in patients with low HDL levels and coronary heart disease [14]. The researchers found that the niacin supplementation contributed to elevating HDL levels in men and women in the study [14].
A 2007 study investigated the effects of niacin supplementation in dialysis patients [15]. The researchers also found niacin significantly increased HDL levels as well as decreased serum phosphate levels, which are typically high in dialysis patients [15].
Conclusion
To conclude the above-noted research, the ingredients in Healthmasters’ Cholesterol-X and Vascular Relaxant SR products have been shown to support healthy cholesterol levels, through a variety of facets, and this is only a brief review of the literature available.
If you are interested in trying these Healthmasters’ Cholesterol-X and Vascular Relaxant SR or have any questions about the products, please feel free to call our office at 800.726.1834
References:
[1] https://healthmasters.com/gaba-what-it-and-what-does-it-do
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19205579
[3] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15466951
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23520480
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23719551
[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21703623
[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7782801
[8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29387426
[9] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10939028
[10] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10436712
[11] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15767233
[12] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18316796
[13] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18402819
[14] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19240310
[15] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17913971
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
