The ‘standard’ medical solution for high cholesterol is to prescribe a statin drug. Whereas these are generally effective in lowering cholesterol…some people pay a price…in side effects! These can range from damaged livers, muscle aches and even impotency.

If you wish to reduce your cholesterol levels safely and without negative side effects you must address the problem in six ways: 
 

Cholest-Natural is our third generation formula using the latest knowledge in science and technology. It may help you safely and naturally address all the above AND also help to reduce triglycerides.

Overwhelming evidence continues to support natural therapy using Cholest-Natural as an effective method to help balance cholesterol levels.

The benefits from Cholest-Natural are measurable…

• Lower levels of LDL or oxidized cholesterol
• Higher levels of HDL. For a better understanding of the role of LDL and HDL cholesterol please click here.
• Lower levels of triglycerides

Most people will see the benefits through their blood test results within 30 – 60 days of commencing the Cholest-Natural protocol. Other people may take 90 – 120 days. Take care to measure the benefits based on your HDL and LDL levels, not your total cholesterol. This is because if your HDL goes up, which is good, even though your LDL may have gone down, your total cholesterol, may go up.

Some useful advice: Sometimes customers experience a significant drop in their triglycerides with Cholest-Natural, particularly when they combine it with our Omega 3 DHA/Esters…and this is good!

However, because LDL, unlike HDL is usually determined theoretically using the Friedewald formula which measures the relationship of HDL and triglyceride levels, sometime a distorted reading will result. Contact us or your physician for more info if this occurs.

Although one of the main ingredients in Cholest-Natural is policosanol, a natural extract of sugar cane, it will not raise your blood sugar levels.

If you review the customer comments for Cholest-Natural you will see a random sampling of the benefits that thousands of users of this product have received.

We have only used ingredients that have been clinically proven to be effective in safely and effectively lowering cholesterol with no negative side effects.

It is important that you know not only the facts about this product by reviewing the ingredients and the recommended protocols, but also the facts about cholesterol itself.

We know that elevated cholesterol levels are potentially dangerous, but it is important to realize that unnaturally low levels are dangerous too!

Cholesterol, despite its bad publicity, is an essential substance your body needs to survive. It is important for normal hormonal function and brain health, so you do not want to rid your body of to much cholesterol, but rather balance the 'good' against the 'bad'

We have put together some information on cholesterol and different options in dealing with it. This can be reviewed in our Health Conditions section by clicking here

A caution: If you are currently on a statin drug and wish to come off it, you should do so in conjunction with your physician. You cannot just stop a statin drug ‘cold turkey’ as your cholesterol levels will spike.

Contact us and we will provide you a recommended protocol that you can discuss with your Doctor to help you phase the drug out.

Cholesterol... Problems and Solutions...

We are constantly being 'bombarded' with the need to lower our cholesterol and given warnings that if we don't, we could face dire consequences! If you feel your cholesterol is too high or you are currently on a statin drug then, it will be in your best interest to read today's newsletter.
I am sure you know this but there are two common forms of cholesterol. One of which is considered good, and that is called HDL and the other which is considered bad and is called LDL.

HDL cholesterol travels around in your bloodstream picking up excess cholesterol including LDL cholesterol and taking it back to your liver for reprocessing. Sort of like a garbage collector! Your HDL cholesterol must be as high as possible to ensure adequate 'housekeeping'.

LDL cholesterol may attach itself to your artery wall and create 'plaque' which can ultimately accumulate and create a blockage in your arteries resulting in a heart attack. Or it can cause a stroke if some of the capillaries in your brain become blocked and parts of your brain are starved for blood.
It is generally accepted that your LDL cholesterol needs to be as low as possible, but this message tends to be oversimplified and there is a tendency to look at total cholesterol which can sometimes be misleading.

But how low, is low?

The goal posts for cholesterol levels have been shifted at least twice over the last few years. The last time, just weeks ago! Are the new aggressively promoted levels warranted? Many Doctors and experts certainly don't think so. In fact there is a great deal of concern being raised by independent researchers and physicians that these new levels may actually be dangerous... for many reasons.

Cholesterol is a very important substance and is an essential precursor to your hormonal cascade and particularly your sex hormones. It can have a negative impact on your general health if levels are pushed artificially low. Excessively low levels of cholesterol are certainly proven to weaken your immune system and increase your chances of dying from an infectious disease.

So, if there are dangers associated with cholesterol levels being too low why are they being pushed so aggressively? I addressed one possible reason in our 30th July issue of Xtend-15sec-News. (You can find it in the archives). At that time we revealed that 6 of the 9 members of the USA National Cholesterol Panel has financial ties to the drug industry that is enjoying an unprecedented bonanza thanks to statin drugs which are being used to lower cholesterol. (More about these later.)
Are the drug companies behind the push for artificially low levels of cholesterol, even in individuals that were previously considered healthy? You must be your own judge on that question!

What about Triglycerides?

Ah... you don't hear so much about these, or homocysteine, or C-Reactive Protein! Nonetheless, elevated levels of any of these three substances are just as good an indicator of a potential heart 'event' as is high cholesterol. Excess levels of any one of these four indicators (the preceding three plus cholesterol) although serious and need to be addressed, don't necessarily mean that you are in a danger area.

However, combine high triglycerides with high cholesterol and you are a walking 'time bomb'! You may then ask yourself why is there not as much emphasis put on reducing triglycerides as there is with cholesterol, given that for many people a simple reduction in triglycerides is all that is needed to take them out of the danger zone?
Now, this is a question that I can easily answer without fear of contradiction. There is not an effective drug to reduce triglycerides, and so it tends to be ignored! However, triglycerides, unlike cholesterol, (80% of cholesterol is manufactured by your body) is easily controlled through diet. Rather than making an effort to advise the general public what to do in order to reduce this risk, the medical 'industry' has a tendency to take the easy route and write a prescription for a statin drug.
(To learn how to control triglycerides I would suggest that you read the weight loss report that I wrote. You can find it on our website under special reports)

What is a statin drug?

Many of our readers will know the answer to this, and I know many readers are currently taking the drug. I know this because we have many emails daily from people suffering the side effects of statin drugs and who are desperately seeking a natural alternative.

Very briefly a statin drug works on reducing the production of cholesterol in your body by blocking the action of an enzyme in your liver essential for the manufacturing process to take place. This process is fraught with dangers and it may excessively block an important natural bodily function!

A statin drug can force your cholesterol down to very low... and potentially dangerous levels. In fact, the new guidelines for LDL of 70 recommended by the 'US National Cholesterol Panel' can generally only be achieved though the use of statins because the body will not do it naturally as it will resist such a low level. This is why it is now being argued that healthy individuals should now be put on a statin drug so this low level can be achieved!

I won't go on any more about these drugs because it makes me mad as I can see millions of people suffering needlessly from the side effects. But... don't just take my word on this. Read an article by an investigative medical journalist about the truth of statins and then make up your own mind. You can access it by clicking here.

What are the natural alternatives to a statin?

There are a number of natural substances that have been proven effective in lowering cholesterol naturally. Some have been proven in double blind placebo clinical studies to be as effective as statin drugs but without the side effects and the depletion of the body's CoQ10 reserves.

For the last couple of years we have been manufacturing a natural cholesterol lowering product of which the main ingredient was Policosanol. This is an extract from sugar cane. (Doesn't affect blood sugar levels.) The results were spectacular on some people, good on others, mediocre on yet others and for some people it didn't work at all which is understandable. After all even the statins don't work on everyone!

Although it was an excellent product it was not one of our main ones. However, last year as the use of statins continued to increase we decided that it was time to develop a formula that could effectively compete with a statin drug but have none of the negative side effects and risks.
So, Prof. Dr. A. Munem got to work on developing a formula that would do just that. (For our recent subscribers who are not familiar with Dr Munem you can find his credentials on our website. He is one of the top bio-scientists in the world).

As Dr Munem pointed out... in order to have an effective and safe natural remedy you must be able to tackle the cholesterol problem from six different directions:

1. By reducing the production of cholesterol in the body.
2. By reducing the absorption of cholesterol in the gastrointestinal tract.
3. By reducing circulating blood fats and dissolving cholesterol particles.
4. By preventing cholesterol from hardening in the arteries.
5. By increasing the excretion of bile acid which carries cholesterol.
6. By reducing the oxidation of the cholesterol.

The bottom line is that after many months of research we have developed cholest-natural what is undoubtedly the world's most advanced natural cholesterol lowering product.

What's more, it seems that it may only need to be taken for 12 months and thereafter only intermittently, as it will normalize the body's production of cholesterol. What's more it won't artificially force levels down to less than what your body needs.

One final note... if your cholesterol is only slightly elevated you may find that just our Total Balance on its own is sufficient to help balance it out. It does contain policosanol but at much lower levels than the new cholesterol lowering formula.

Facts About Cholesterol

We have prepared a simple document that explains what cholesterol is and what an important role it plays in your body.

This document is in three parts:

• General description of cholesterol
• The dangers of too low a level of cholesterol
• The importance of cholesterol for hormone production

General description of cholesterol

Cholesterol (a lipid) serves as the structural basis of bile salts, steroid hormones, vitamin D and (cell) plasma membranes. It is also part of a molecule that helps direct embryonic development.
20% of cholesterol comes from our diet, while 80% is made from Acetyl Co-enzyme A by the liver, intestinal cells and other body cells. Cholesterol is secreted in bile salts and excreted from the body through the feces.

Triglycerides and cholesterol are transported to and from our tissue cells bound to lipoproteins (lipid protein complexes). These lipoproteins vary in their fat-protein composition, but they all contain triglycerides, lipids, phospholipids, cholesterol and proteins. The higher the amount of lipids in the lipoprotein the lower its density, and the greater the amount of proteins in the lipoproteins the higher its density. This is why there are high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDLs).

The VLDLs transport triglycerides from the liver to the peripheral tissues, mostly adipose (fat) tissue.

The LDLs transport cholesterol to peripheral tissues for membrane or hormone synthesis and storage. They also regulate cholesterol synthesis in tissue cells.

The HDLs transport excess cholesterol from peripheral tissue to the liver, where it is broken down and becomes part of bile. The process goes like this: protein "envelopes"
from HDLs are made by the liver and launched into the bloodstream and are filled with cholesterol from tissue cells and the artery walls. The HDLs also take cholesterol to the steroid (sex) hormone producing organs: the ovaries and the adrenal glands.

This explains why HDL is also called "good" cholesterol, it transports cholesterol destined for degradation. An HDL level of 35 - 60 is considered OK, but levels above 60 are thought to protect against heart disease.

LDL is considered "bad" at 160 or above, because excessive LDL can potentially cause cholesterol deposits in the artery walls. However LDL does not easily stick to artery walls, unlike one variety of LDL that is particularly "bad", lipoprotein (a).
This LDL seems to promote plaque formation that thickens and stiffens the artery walls. Lipoprotein (a) levels are hard to influence by diet, exercise and substances. Elevated lipoprotein (a) levels are an independent risk factor for heart disease, especially in people with elevated LDL cholesterol levels. A high LDL cholesterol level carries less risk than a normal or even low LDL cholesterol level with high lipoprotein (a) level.

The ratio of total cholesterol to HDL and the ratio of LDL to HDL are referred to as the cardiac risk factor ratios because they reflect whether cholesterol is possibly being deposited into tissues or broken down and excreted. The total cholesterol-to-HDL ratio should be no higher than 4. The LDL-to-HDL ratio should be no higher than 2.5.

Factors regulating cholesterol levels:

• Hydrogenated oils: Unsaturated fats that have been hardened by hydrogenation to make them more solid (e.g. margarine) play a role in raising cholesterol levels. The hydrogenation process changes fatty acids into trans-fatty acids, causing an increase in LDLs and a reduction in HDLs. Omega-3 fatty acids (from cold water fish) lower proportions of triglyceride and cholesterol levels.
• Mental stress: Cigarette smoking, coffee drinking and changes to body weight may change cholesterol levels. Regular aerobic exercise (which speeds up the heart rate) lowers LDL and increases HDL levels.
• Body shape provides clues to higher cholesterol levels. People who have an "apple" shape, with upper body and abdominal fat distribution (often men), tend to have higher cholesterol levels, especially LDL. People who have a "pear" shape with fat distribution in the hips and thighs (often women), tend to have lower cholesterol levels, particularly LDL.

The dangers of too low a level of cholesterol

Studies have indicated that total cholesterol levels below 190 for males and 178 for females may enhance the risk of "bleeding" strokes and death from cerebral hemorrhage.
Cholesterol may affect the metabolism of serotonin, a substance involved in the regulation of mood, as research has shown that serotonin levels are reduced in men with low levels of cholesterol. There may be an association between suicide and low serum cholesterol levels in people suffering from panic disorder. Total serum cholesterol and LDL levels were found to be lower in a para suicidal population at statistically significant levels. Studies among patients suffering from major depression showed an association between low cholesterol and major depression. Some trials showed that clinical recovery may be associated with a significant increase of total cholesterol. Some studies show that low cholesterol is associated with increased subsequent criminal violence.

It has been found that relatively low cholesterol levels have been associated with increased mortality from cancer and non-atherosclerotic causes of death. Hypo-cholesterolemic men had differences in immune system compared to men with high cholesterol levels. They had significantly fewer circulating lymphocytes, fewer total T cells and fewer CD8+ cells.

The importance of cholesterol for hormone production

Without cholesterol you would soon die as it is an essential substance in the production of hormones…in particular the sex hormones. Although no studies have been carried out to prove or disprove it, artificially low levels of cholesterol may be a factor why a number of men on statin drugs suffer from impotence.

"I just wanted to let you know how happy I am with your products. I started taking your Cholest-Natural, Omega 3/DHA Fish Oil Esters and Total Balance approximately a year ago. My cholesterol at that time was 279, my triglycerides were 600.

After 6 months I had lowered my cholesterol to 259 and triglycerides to 300.

I went in last week for another blood test and my cholesterol is down to 196 and triglycerides are down to 122.

I do watch what I eat, but have not changed anything drastically. I also have not exercised like I should, so I can honestly say that my results have been attributed to your products. I still need to work on my good and bad cholesterol as my bad is 143 and my good is 28. High cholesterol runs in my family as my mother and sister are both on statins, but I refuse to go on them."
Teri, US

What is Cholest-Natural?
Cholest-Natural is a new generation natural formula that safely and naturally addresses the problems of excess cholesterol production and absorption in your body. It helps you to normalize essential cholesterol levels. It maximizes the excretion of LDL ('bad') cholesterol to lower your risks of arterial blockages and heart attacks.

What are the benefits of taking Cholest-Natural?
Cholest-Natural combines a blend of natural oils, extracts and phytonutrients in a unique cost-effective formula, without the negativity of severe side effects seen with many conventional medications.

Cholest-Natural targets cholesterol reduction from within and increases lipid excretion with long-term balancing effects.

How can your formula be so pure and effective at such a comparatively low cost?
At XtendLife we source, process, manufacture, package and deliver all from our own on-site facilities. This takes our overheads down and allows us to pass on this benefit to you, the consumer!

XtendLife's manufacturing system guarantees all ingredients are fresh and of the best quality.

How does Cholest-Natural work?
Cholest-Natural normalises levels of LDL ('bad') and HDL ('good') cholesterol and balances triglyceride levels by reducing production in the body and cholesterol absorption in the gut.

What are triglycerides?
Triglyceride is another name for fat. Triglycerides are produced in the body from the conversion of glycogen. Glycogen is caused by an intake of sugar through excessive carbohydrates... not fat.

Triglycerides form part of the composition of your flesh, but it is also found circulating in your blood stream where it can contribute to a heart attacks or strokes.

What happens if my cholesterol level gets too high?
Too much cholesterol in your body can narrow your arteries due to the excessive build-up of fat against your artery walls. This is very common and is the reason artherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks and strokes are on the increase.

What happens if my cholesterol level gets too low?
As mentioned above, too low a cholesterol level is just as dangerous as one that is too high. For example, cholesterol affects serotonin levels in the brain. Too low a level results in a reduction in serotonin, leading to states of depression. Increases in cancers, senility and impotence have also been linked to low cholesterol levels.

Is Cholest-Natural really ‘all-natural’?
Yes. Cholest-Natural contains no pharmaceutical ingredients and so does not require a prescription. It is formulated from 100% quality natural ingredients, each using a specific combination and dosage for optimal efficacy. All ingredients undergo vigorous studies at molecular level to ensure their compatibility to provide maximum beneficial effect.

Do you have any trials or studies to substantiate the effectiveness of your formula?
We have a large database of independent clinical studies on the ingredients used in this product. Many of these can be viewed on the Ingredients tab above.

Due to the uniqueness of this formula it is our intention to also carry out a clinical study on the completed formula. The parameters of such a potential study are still being assessed.

But do you have any specific examples of the effectiveness of your actual formula?
Yes we do...for our first generation product developed two years ago! Our chairman, Warren Matthews, is a person who genetically has naturally high levels of cholesterol. This was what prompted us to develop this product. The following were his results for the first 90 days:

After this time you should be re-evaluated via blood testing to determine any changes in your cholesterol levels.

If after this time your readings show only mild elevation it may be a good option to switch to XtendLife Total Balance. Total Balance contains Policosanol to aid heart health, as well as other potent antioxidants. To find out more about Total Balance, click here.

Is it safe to double up the dose for a month or two?
Yes, all ingredients in the formula are safe to double up on. Doubling up for a month or two can be quite a sound idea in the initial period, but only if your cholesterol levels are very high. Otherwise just stay with the recommended daily dose of 2 soft gels per day.

When should I take the supplement?
It is best to take both soft gels just prior to your evening meal.

I have been taking Cholest-Natural for 3-4 months and saw excellent results in my HDL, LDL and triglyceride levels from my last lab test. How long should I remain on the recommended dose?
You could continue to take the same dose (2 soft gels per day) for another few months and then have another lab test. If your levels are good you can perhaps cut down to a maintenance dose of 1 soft gel per day, 30-60 minutes before your evening meal. If you are taking the full dose we advise you to take a 2-week break every 6 months. If you take half the daily dose take a 2-week break every year.

Are there any discounts for bulk purchases?
Yes, please refer to our Volume Discount page by clicking here.

Can you tell me more about the ingredients found in Cholest-Natural?
XtendLife's R & D team has spent time researching the important ingredients to formulate the best possible results. This includes their individual and compatible clinical trials.

Although each ingredient has its individual benefits, it is only when formulated together in specific quantities and ratios that it is possible to achieve worthwhile results.

For detailed information on these ingredients and their trials please go to the Ingredients tab above.

Are there any side effects associated with taking Cholest-Natural?
Cholest-Natural is a complete natural product, so the potential for negative side effects is greatly reduced, or eliminated in most cases. Some people can still have reactions to particular ingredients however and conflicts with prescription medications can occur.

Can Cholest-Natural be taken while pregnant or nursing?
Other than our Omega 3 formula we are not able to recommend any of our supplements to women who are pregnant or nursing. If you are in this situation and wish to take this product please consult your personal physician before use.

Will Cholest-Natural interfere with other prescription medications?
Many chemical and synthetic drugs will interfere with natural ingredients and vice versa. It is always recommended to consult with your physician prior to adding any supplement to your current regimen. Alternatively, you may email us with regard to advice on potential conflicts with particular medications or other natural substances.

I am taking a statin drug prescribed by my GP. Can I come off this and onto Cholest-Natural?
Unfortunately this is a question that only your physician can answer. Explain to him/her that you would like to try a natural alternative. However, if you are on a statin drug at the moment you will probably experience a 'spike' in your levels if you go 'cold turkey'. Talk to your physician about cutting your statin dose down by half and starting the two soft gels per day of our natural cholesterol formula.

Ask your physician to test your levels again at 30 or 60 days and then again at 90 or 120. If your levels are staying OK then ask your physician if you can drop off the statin drug altogether! Thereafter, your physician may only need you to have an annual cholesterol blood test.

Have many people successfully replaced their statin drug with this product?
Yes, indeed many of our customers have done so. Once again however it is something that should be done carefully and in conjunction with regular testing and your physician, particularly in the early stages.

Since being treated for my elevated cholesterol levels I have problems concentrating and my memory is poor. Could this be anything to do with my statin medication?
It is very possible that your statin drug could be involved in this side effect. Many negative and detrimental side effects have been noted from statin drug use, including poor memory, lack of concentration and severe muscle weakness. You can find out more about statin drugs and their effects by clicking here.

I am taking other nutritional supplements and natural medications. Is this ok?
Although there is generally no problem taking additional supplements or remedies from other suppliers, it is usually unnecessary as XtendLife has put together their combined Cholest-Natural and Total Balance protocols to cover most people's needs.

You can still add other supplements however, whether they are from us or someone else. It is important to remember though that an excess of additional supplements or ingredients can potentially cause negative results and in severe cases be detrimental to health. XtendLife product ranges are designed to be taken in combination, eliminating these risks.

What else can I do to help balance my Cholesterol levels?
Although diet is much less important than many sources of conventional information would have you believe, it is still of course necessary to ensure your diet and nutritional regimes are of the best quality for general optimum health. This should include a good balance of whole, natural foods and drinks, including lots of fresh vegetables and fruits.

It is important to ensure that your intake of Omega 3 essential fatty acids are high enough. Our XtendLife Omega 3 DHA/Esters are excellent for this.

Our Total Balance formula also contains a lot of very potent nutrients that will help your heart, such as Hawthorne extract. If you add XtendLife Total Balance to your supplement range as well as our Omega 3 product you will not only be doing your heart a big favor, but other organs too.

Foods containing vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, pantethine (the active form of vitamin B5 - pantothenic acid), chromium and copper; foods rich in lycopenes; individual foods like garlic and onions, chilli peppers, shiitake mushrooms, artichokes, soy products for their isoflavone content; grapes, orange juice…all these may benefit your health, and in particular your heart.

Foods high in soluble fiber are also helpful, e.g. brown rice bran, oat bran and psyllium.

Exercise is of course important to keep your heart and circulation in peak condition. Even moderate exercise, such as a 30 minute walk a day, some weight bearing exercise during your week and some relaxing exercise such as yoga or swimming, is plenty enough to keep your body in trim, both inside and out.

Can I get ongoing advice and help from XtendLife?
Yes. XtendLife experts are here to answer any questions you have regarding their products and their uses for your condition. Please contact us anytime for further help.