If you have high cholesterol and you're interesting in taking Kholesterol Blocker, you may want to share the information on this page with your physician. 

A Scientific Overview for Health Professionals 

Just as the animal cholesterol is ubiquitous in animal tissues, the plant sterols, phytosterols, are found throughout the plant kingdom. The molecular structure of cholesterol and the phytosterols, especially the beta-sistosterol, are practically identical, with the addition of an ethyl group on the latter. (1) 

Owing to the similarity, phytosterols are accepted into the micelles, which facilitate absorption into the bloodstream. In place in the micelles, phytosterols inhabit cholesterol, hence the result of blocking the absorption of cholesterol into the bloodstream. (1) This occurs at the upper portion of the small intestine. (2) 

A secondary mode of action of the phytosterols in lowering cholesterol levels is the prevention of reabsorption of cholesterol from bile. (3) 

Phytosterols have been studied since the 1940s. Extensive research in the 1950s and 1960s demonstrated cholesterol lowering of approximately 10 percent. (1) More recently, twelve subjects were given 740 mg of phytosterols from soybeans for four weeks in a crossover study. Total cholesterol declined 10 percent, LDL was reduced by 15 percent, and the ratio of total to HDL cholesterol rose 25 percent. (4) 

Studies have shown similar effectiveness of hydrogenated sterols (stanols) blended into margarine. (5) However, margarine may not be the ideal delivery system as it may not suit every meal, is not convenient to take outside the home, and contributes calories and additional fat to the diet. 

While Americans have been urged to adopt a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet, restrictions in favorite foods such as eggs and shrimp lead to poor compliance. In a landmark paper, Mattson and Grundy concluded that "rather than remove these foods from the diet, the same end could be accomplished by preventing the absorption of cholesterol. Plant sterols have long been known to have this function." (6) 

While phytosterols are accepted into micelles, they are not absorbed into the bloodstream or only in trace amounts. As such there are no side effects or adverse reactions, and the safety record for the plant sterols is unblemished. (1, 6, 7) The phystosterols have also been shown to be safe and effective for children with elevated cholesterol levels. (8) 

There are no food or drug interactions of the phytosterols, and no negative effect on nutrient absorption. (3) The phytosterols have been added to a regimen including the statin drugs with the results of additional cholesterol reduction. (8) 

The first phytosterol product was introduced by the Lilly pharmaceutical company as an emulsion named Cytellin in the 1950s. Palatability problems and poor compliance along with poor understanding of cholesterol levels as a risk factor in coronary heart disease resulted in the product's failure. 

Tablets containing variable dosages of phytosterols have been available through the years, but compliance has been poor as patients have a difficult time in remembering to take such tablets in advance of meals to allow for dissolution and release of the sterols into the intestine prior to the arrival of cholesterol from those meals. 

Presently there has been introduced a product which promises to have great benefit. Kholesterol Blocker is a pleasantly flavored chewable tablet containing 400 mg phytosterols. Research has demonstrated high levels of acceptability, and compliance could be expected to be high. 

Recommended dosage is one chewable Kholesterol Blocker tablet at the beginning of each meal, two if the meal is particularly rich in cholesterol. 

References:

1. Howard B V and Kritchevsky D. Phytochemicals and cardiovascular disease. A statement for healthcare professionals American Heart Association. Circulation June 1997 

 
2. Grundy S. and Mok H. Determination of cholesterol absorption in man by intestinal perfusion. J Lipid Res. 1997

 
3. Pollack OJ. Reduction of blood cholesterol in man. Circulation. May 1953 

 
4. Pelletier X et al. A diet moderately enriched in phytosterols lowers plasma cholesterol concentrations. Ann Nutr Metab. 1995 

 
5. Miettinen TA et al. Reduction of serum cholesterol with stanol-ester margarine in a mildly hypercholesterolemic population. N Eng J Med. 1995 

 
6. Mattson et al. Optimizing the effect of plant sterols on cholesterol absorption in man. Amer J Clin Nut. 1982 

 
7. Gould RG. Absorbability of beta-sitosterol. Trans NY Acad Sci. 1995 


Data presented at the November, 1998 Annual Scientific session of the American Heart Association.