Xtend-Life-Questionst
31st January 2006
Please click on the question of interest:
Question: From Phil. (Subject: Capsule contents...)q1
Warren, Remember that I sent you an email the other day re a weight loss product and you told me that there is no way they could fit all the ingredients into the capsule? Well I asked them how they did it and the following is their reply. Seem to me to be low down and deceitful!
"The non active part of the herb is discarded. This means 600mg of whole dry herb green tea may only end up being 100mg of active and that is all that goes into the capsule."
Answer: From Warren.
That is bad. It's this type of thing that puts the industry into ill repute. They are still not saying which active they are referring to. For example, Green tea can have either catachins which vary from 50 - 80% or polyphenols which can be as high as 98%.
It is impossible to put only the actives of the herb into a capsule. For example, lets take Pomegranate Extract (which we use in our Neuro-Natural General formula) which you can buy in a form that contains 40% Ellagic acid. In that form it is a 28:1 extract, so it takes 2,800mgs of the whole herb to make up just 100mgs of the extract...BUT...the extract still only has 40% of the active. It is impossible with most herbs to get 100% of the active.
This is an area which many consumers find hard to follow. When we release the new website we are giving a lot more info on these extracts and will show what the actives are and the percentage of actives in each ingredient. Another good example is Resveratrol which is a great ingredient. We use a 50% version whereas many manufacturers use a 5% version, so to equate the same amount of actives in a capsule they would have to use 320mgs to equal the same potency as our 32mgs in Total Balance.
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Question: From Harry. (Subject: Cholesterol lowering expectations...)q2
I have just read all the various blurb on the product you sent me. It gives me an expectation of a 15% reduction--but I use Benicol butter and it promises 15%. Why should I use your product?
Answer: From Nicolien.
We believe that there are many reasons why you will find our product more effective, some of which we have listed below.
The extent to which your cholesterol levels will be reduced will vary greatly from person to person no matter what type of cholesterol lowering product (including Benecol) you use. We do not make a specific percentage claim. Benecol contains plant sterols, which we also use in our Cholest-Natural (CN), but we use quite a number of other ingredients that are helpful in lowering cholesterol as well. Benecol also contains canola oil. Canola oil is not a naturally occurring oil (in other words, man-made) and may be carcinogenic.
Our Cholesterol formula works in multiple actions as follows:
Phytosterols help lower cholesterol by blocking its absorption in the GI tract.
Policosanol has multiple mechanisms of action, involving cholesterol synthesis and tissue utilization. It reduces circulating blood fats and dissolves cholesterol particles. It may block cholesterol adsorption from the intestines and inhibit cholesterol production from the liver.
Lecithin emulsifies cholesterol and thus prevents cholesterol from hardening in the arteries. Choline and inositol present in the lecithin are liver cleansing agents.
Ferulic acid present in gamma oryzanol (rice bran oil) increases bile acid excretion, converts cholesterol to bile acids and inhibits cholesterol absorption.
Gugulipid or gugulsterones increase the excretion of cholesterol and bile acids that carry cholesterol, as well as elevate thyroid hormone levels, which lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. It also may raise HDL.
Theaflavin lowers LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels and raises HDL levels. It inhibits the oxidation of LDL cholesterol in the arteries. Theaflavin is a natural ACE-inhibitor (lowers blood pressure).
The phytosterols and theaflavin help to lower C-reactive protein levels (CRP is a marker of inflammation).
D-limonene oil dissolves cholesterol and has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels.
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Question: From Alf. (Subject: When to take it...)q3
I have purchased and started taking the Cholesterol formula from you recently. I know I should take it about 30 - 60 mins before my eve meal. I find this very difficult to remember. I was wondering how flexible this time is and is the effect reduced if the time is not consistent.
Sometimes I have taken it during or even after the meal. Is this bad?
Answer: From Nicolien.
It is best to take Cholest-Natural 30 - 60 minutes before the evening meal, and second best to take it at another time in the evening. The body makes cholesterol at night. It's not a big problem if you take it during the meal, it just won't be quite as effective that's all, but not enough to really worry about.
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Important notice: All material provided is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not to be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action should be taken solely on the contents of this publication. Consult your physician or a qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health and wellbeing or on any opinions expressed within this newsletter. The information provided in this newsletter is believed to be accurate based on the best judgment of the editor but the reader is responsible for consulting with their own health professional on any matters raised within.
