About 30% of the population suffers from elevated cholesterol levels. Many people are still unaware that this can be dangerous for their blood vessels, with resulting increased risk for disorders of the heart and circulation (cardiovascular diseases).
Cholesterol is an important building block for cells, bile acids, vitamin D and certain hormones. If present at excessive levels in the blood, however, it can represent a health risk. Cholesterol may deposit on the inner walls of the blood vessels and these deposits may subsequently calcify and harden. This process is known as hardening of the arteries or arteriosclerosis. It is frequently the basis for serious cardiovascular disease.
Determination of the cholesterol level in the blood together with assessment of other risk factors, such as incorrect diet, cigarette smoking, overweight, diabetes mellitus and inadequate physical exercise serves as a basis for making recommendations and planning therapy.
“Too high” in terms of the cholesterol level usually refers to an elevated level of LDL (low density lipoprotein, the so-called “bad cholesterol”). This can be due to heredity or be caused by environmental (especially dietary) factors or disease. The average person in Western industrialized nations consumes almost twice as much cholesterol as his body needs. Hence, a balanced diet by itself may contribute to reduction in the cholesterol level. In addition, dietary fiber is an effective means of reducing cholesterol. In past times, the daily intake of dietary fiber stood at about 100 grams per day. Today, it is only about 20 grams. A high intake of dietary fiber can also contribute to a reduction in the LDL level.
Plantago ovata seedpods, or psyllium, represent a natural source of fiber and bulking substances. The plant from which it is derived, a relative of our Western plantain, is native to Iran and India and is agriculturally grown in those regions. Psyllium has been used for centuries as a natural aide for bowel regulation. More recently, because of their ability to reduce cholesterol, Plantago ovata seedpods have received increased attention.
The site of psyllium’s cholesterol reducing action is the bowel. In the bowel, Mucofalk® binds bile acids and dietary cholesterol, thus preventing the absorption of both the bile acids and the cholesterol into the blood flowing to the liver. This results in an increased loss of bile acids with the stool and stimulates synthesis of bile acids in the liver. Bile acids are derived from cholesterol, and, in order to supply this increased need for cholesterol for bile acid synthesis, the liver utilizes LDL cholesterol circulating in the blood. This results in a natural and gentle reduction in the total blood cholesterol level by about 10-15%.
Dosage of Mucofalk® as Supportive Therapy for the Treatment of Mild to Moderately Increased Cholesterol Levels
Adults and children over the age of 12 years should use one pouch of Mucofalk® two to six times per day (at each meal) dissolved in sufficient liquid (at least 150 ml).
Patienten für laufende Studie zu MORBUS CROHN gesucht!
Klinische Studie zur Beurteilung eines neuen, sich in der Erprobung befindlichen biologischen Medikaments. Der Name der Studie ist TRUST-2, was für „TRichUris Suis ova Trial“ steht.
Mehr als 200 Patienten mit MORBUS CROHN haben das sich in der Erprobung befindende Studienmedikament bisher in klinischen Studien eingenommen.
Die Studien zeigen eine Abnahme der Krankheitsaktivität und in der Mehrzahl der Fälle wurde Remission (beschwerdefreie Phase) erzielt. Die bisher beobachteten Nebenwirkungen betrafen zumeist den Verdauungstrakt.