More than 102 million Americans have an elevated cholesterol level, and many more are at risk.1 So if you have a normal cholesterol level now, then it’s important to understand what cholesterol is (and isn’t) and how lifestyle changes and Thorne’s LipoCardia® will help maintain a healthy cholesterol level.*

First of all, recognize that cholesterol is not “bad.” It’s an important fatty compound that is made in the liver and is also found in some foods. Cholesterol travels through the bloodstream packaged in molecules called lipoproteins.

Cholesterol is important because it is a major constituent of the cell membrane, and it is necessary for the formation of hormones like testosterone and estrogen, for vitamin D, and for other important bodily compounds. The problems start when we have too much of one kind of cholesterol and not enough of the other. 

What makes bad cholesterol bad

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol) is considered to be the “bad” cholesterol – but it’s only bad when there is an excess of it. Excess LDL-cholesterol affects one in three U.S. adults, which can contribute to plaque build-up in the arteries (atherosclerosis).

Plaque build-up, in turn, can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Certain types of LDL cholesterol – oxidized LDL and small, dense LDL particles, which are more susceptible to oxidation, and high numbers of LDL particles (LDL-P) – are more likely to cause lesions in the blood vessels and lead to plaque accumulation than larger, non-oxidized LDL, thus increasing the risk of coronary heart disease and heart attack.

What makes good cholesterol good

The “good” cholesterol is HDL-cholesterol. What makes it good is that its primary function is to carry cholesterol back to the liver where it is removed from the body. It also serves other functions that reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, and immune dysfunction.

So you can see that your total cholesterol level is only one measure of your cholesterol risk.

Advanced lipid testing, which measures the size and number of LDL and HDL particles, as well as VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein), is now recommended in place of the now outdated blood tests that only measure total levels of LDL, HDL, and VLDL.

If you’re concerned about your cholesterol level, then you should have those tests performed and adopt or maintain lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet and getting exercise. You can also take nutritional supplements that will help maintain already healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels.*

LipoCardia is a Thorne exclusive

Omega-3 fish oils are helpful for maintaining already normal triglyceride and LDL-P levels.* But for a comprehensive approach to maintaining healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels, there’s Thorne’s LipoCardia.*

LipoCardia is a unique blend of botanicals and nutrients that supports a healthy lipid profile.* In fact, it supports 38 mechanisms that promote cardiovascular health.*

It helps maintain already normal lipid levels (LDL, LDL-P, LDL size, HDL, HDL-P, HDL size, HDL function, and triglycerides), and it provides comprehensive support for the quantity and quality of lipid particles.*

It promotes vascular endothelial function and helps maintain a normal inflammatory response to vascular insults, provides antioxidant support to offset LDL oxidation, and safely supports lipid metabolism without significantly lowering the level of CoQ10.*

Backed by clinical research

Co-developed by Thorne and Dr. Mark Houston of the Hypertension Institute in Nashville, Tennessee, LipoCardia is backed by clinical research. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, subjects taking LipoCardia achieved results that benefit coronary health.2

LipoCardia’s formula brings together a number of key heart and vascular support nutrients that offer substantial savings over buying those supplements separately.

LipoCardia can be used with a diet and lifestyle approach to maintaining cardiovascular health or as an add-on to other heart and blood vessel nutritional support products.

References

  1. American Heart Association. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics – 2010 Update. Available on the American Heart Association website: https://www.heart.org/ [Accessed July 31, 2018]
  2. Houston M, Rountree R, Lamb J, et al. J Biol Regul Homeost Agents 2016;30(4):1115-1123.