Xtend-Life-Questionst
1st March 2005
Please click on the question of interest:
Question: From Nissi. (Subject: Cholesterol Levels...)q1
Blood tests my husband (age 30) had in August 2004 revealed high cholesterol levels. His doctor prescribed Lipitor 20mg, but we decided to try natural supplements first. So in September 2004, he started taking 2 tablets of your Cholesterol Formula and 2 of the Omega 3 Fish Oil capsules daily.
He had the lipid test done again last week after 5 1/2 months of taking the supplements.
Previous numbers: TC-241, LDL-173, HDL-32, Trig-182.
Latest numbers: TC-208, LDL-158, HDL-33, Trig-85.
His doctor is concerned that his LDL is still considerably high and HDL is very low giving him a high risk ratio of TC/HDL of 6.3. His doctor has again asked him to take Lipitor at a lower dose of 10 mg.
Is there anything else my husband can do to improve his HDL and lower his LDL? He has started an exercise program and has also made improvements to his diet in the past months. He is not overweight and is otherwise completely healthy. We are not keen on him starting the prescription drugs.
We have been considering the use of Niacin and Pantethine.
Answer: From Nicolien.
The most striking thing about your husband's figures, other than the overall drop in his cholesterol is the significant drop in his Triglycerides. Whereas before he was certainly at 'risk' due to a combination of high cholesterol AND triglycerides that is now no longer the case.
Provided his C-Reactive Protein and Homocysteine levels are normal, I would personally continue with the same regime, as he is obviously heading in the right direction. It would then be ideal to retest again in another three months. I would suggest that you put this to the Doctor as there is really no denying that he is no longer in the high risk category.
We have found that the Cholesterol Formula has been very good with raising HDL levels in most people, but it can take time. It is good to see that your husband is increasing his exercise levels as that will help his HDL particularly if he includes weight bearing exercises.
back to top
Question: From Neill. (Subject: Fish Oil...)q2
I have been using your products for some time now and am very pleased with them.
I recently heard that the addition of sesame lignans to fish oil enhances its beneficial effects. Apparently when fats are consumed, they are broken down into factors that either promote or suppress inflammatory reactions.
Sesame lignans inhibit an enzyme (delta-5-desaturase) that causes dietary fats to be converted into arachidonic acid, a precursor to the toxic inflammatory factors prostaglandin E2 and leukotriene B4. Do you agree that this substance is beneficial and is it something you add to your products?
Answer: From Nicolien.
The information you describe seems somewhat incorrect. Delta-5-desaturase is simply an enzyme necessary to convert omega-3 oils into EPA and eventually DHA, to be able to be metabolized by our body. Omega-6 oils may be converted into Arachidonic Acid, however not the omega 3 oils. Arachidonic acid is converted into the (unfavorable) prostaglandin 2-series and inflammatory leukotrienes.
Omega 3 oils are converted into (favorable) prostaglandin 3-series and (less inflammatory) leukotriene 5-series. In this light it seems totally unnecessary to add sesame lignans. We do not add anything to our omega-3 oils, other than a minute amount of vitamin E as a natural preservative.
You may be interested in last week's Xtend-Your-Life which Warren wrote on Omega 3's. You can access it by clicking here.
back to top
Comments: From Warren Matthews. (Subject: CODEX...)q3
Over the last couple of weeks we have had a large number of emails from customers expressing their concerns about how the proposed EU Directive on Supplements and CODEX is likely to affect them.
The theme of these emails has been "does this mean that we may not be able to purchase Xtend-Life products any more once these directives are put in place? And what are we doing about it?"
I want to assure all of our customers that there is a long way to go before the new proposed regulations become law worldwide and are actively enforced. We are talking years not months. The purpose of our bringing these issues to your attention is simply to try and help people everywhere become more aware of what is going on behind the scenes and help influence their political representatives to help modify or 'weaken' some of the more 'over the top' proposals.
In so far as Xtend-Life is concerned we will be less affected than some other manufacturers because we don't believe in high doses of single ingredients. In that regard we are in a better position to modify our formulas if need be with minimal loss of efficacy.
As a matter of fact, in anticipation that some of the new proposed rules will become law, we are working on new technology in which we can increase the efficacy of various ingredients many times which would enable us to reduce the amounts of some substances and still get better results. However, we expect it will be at least the end of next year before this technology is perfected.
In the meantime we do not anticipate any change to your accessibility of any of our supplements... so, rest easy.
back to top
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.
