The prescription drugs commonly referred to as "statin" drugs (Mevacor, Lipitor, others) taken in doses of 10 to 100 mg block a specific enzyme involved in cholesterol synthesis. Thus, these also influence "genetic" cholesterol, but via a different mechanism from pantethine. Phytosterols function by partially blocking the absorption of cholesterol from the diet. Cholestyramine and soluble fiber product have a similar absorption reducing function. See similar questions...

Clinical trials have shown that plant sterols and stanols such as those in CholestOff ?Complete will lower blood cholesterol concentrations in people with mildly elevated cholesterol. The percentage changes are roughly the same, so that a person starting at 250 mg/dL and a person starting at 200 mg/dL may both see about a 10% decrease. See similar questions...

Maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight, losing weight can help lower your total cholesterol and LDL ("bad cholesterol") levels. Calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) to see if you are at a healthy weight. If not, try making small changes like eating an apple instead of potato chips, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or parking farther away from the entrance to your office, the grocery store, or the mall. (But be sure to park in a safe, well-lit spot. See similar questions...

Nature Made CholestOff? Complete is a dietary supplement containing pantethine (a molecule related to vitamin B5) in combination with a class pf molecules referred to as phytosterols/stanols (phyto meaning plant-derived). Phytosterols/stanols block some of the absorption of cholesterol from the diet without themselves being absorbed. See similar questions...

From the box label: "CAUTION: Not for use by pregnant or lactating women or children. Check with your physician before beginning use of CholestOff if you are currently using medications to lower your cholesterol." See similar questions...

Based on the mild-to-nonexistent side effects of the ingredients used in CholestOff? Complete, there are no other restrictions. As with all dietary supplements, anyone under a physician's care for a specific illness or condition, or taking a prescription medication, should inform their physician of all dietary supplement products they are taking. See similar questions...

Sometimes. Many preparations (including Metamucil) contain soluble fiber, which can lower cholesterol up to 10%. Garlic products can help, but usually not by very much. Niacin is very effective, but only in very high doses (usually more than 1000 mg per day). In those doses, it tends to have more side effects than prescription drugs. Of course, no drug, prescription or herbal, is a substitute for a proper diet! See similar questions...

Nature Made? products are available in the vitamin/mineral aisle of food, drug and club stores nationwide. Consumers can visit www.naturemade.com to find a retailer near them. See similar questions...

Soy protein improves liver metabolism, which helps increase the removal of LDL from the bloodstream. It can also decrease the absorption of cholesterol in the gut. See similar questions...

No. Pantethine can be made in the body from vitamin B5, but the amount of vitamin in the diet is about 5 milligrams per day, while the amount of pantethine in CholestOff? Complete is 300 milligrams/day. Phytosterols/stanols are found in a variety of plant foods but in such small amounts that it would take entirely unrealistic amounts of these foods to deliver a useful amount. See similar questions...

The ingredients in CholestOff? Complete are safe when used as recommended, which is four caplets per day (two servings of two caplets). The pantethine ingredient is at 300 mg/day. Many of the published studies made no mention of side effects at intakes as high as 1200 mg/day. A few reported some instances of nausea, diarrhea, heartburn and skin itchiness. There will be an increase of the concentration of vitamin B5 in the blood. Urinary vitamin B5 excretion increases to compensate. See similar questions...

BetaCell? oral rinse contains no alcohol or Hydrogen Peroxide. It's unique ingredients allow it to be utilized for relief and protection of irritated areas of the mouth. BetaCell? is Micellized. Micellization increases ingredient absorption as much as five times versus an Un-Micellized product. Increased absorption leads to increased effectiveness. See similar questions...

Various bioactive components in soy protein have been suggested to explain the cholesterol-lowering effects of soy protein. Studies have shown that soy protein enhances bile acid secretion, which has the effect of removing cholesterol from the blood. Other studies have shown that soy protein stimulates the liver to remove LDL-cholesterol from the blood. See similar questions...

Children should not take CholestOff? Complete as it is designed for adults, and its safety has not been evaluated in children. There is no evidence that it would be harmful, but it would be best to be cautious in situations such as these. See similar questions...

CholestOff? Complete is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and various state regulatory agencies as a food and a dietary supplement. This includes special requirements for both the manufacturing and labeling of the product. See similar questions...

The pantethine in the product is a synthesized molecule. Nature Made uses Pantesin?, a branded pantethine product from Daiichi Pharmaceutical Co., as the ingredient in CholestOff? Complete. The Pantesin? trademark is displayed on the carton and bottle label. Nature Made uses Reducol?, a branded phytosterols/stanols product from Forbes Medi-Tech, Inc., as the ingredient in CholestOff? Complete. The Reducol? trademark is displayed on the carton and bottle label. See similar questions...