Cholesterol Shield phytosterol blend is a dietary supplement designed to help retain healthy cholesterol levels that are already within normal limits. It combines the benefits of pantethine with a proprietary phytosterol blend.

The key ingredients in Cholesterol Shield work together in three ways to help retain healthy cholesterol levels already within normal limits. Pantethine acts at the synthesis stage in the liver to help support healthy cholesterol production. Phytosterols work in the intestines to help impede the body's ability to absorb cholesterol from foods. They also impede reabsorption of cholesterol from the bile.

Cholesterol Shield's unique combination of two clinically-studied ingredients, pantethine and phytosterols provide the following benefits:

• Proven to help reduce cholesterol
• Triple-action formula
• Effective dosage levels

Scientific evidence proves that including plant sterols in your diet helps to lower blood total and LDL cholesterol levels. Following a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and consuming 400 mg or more of plant sterols twice a day may reduce the risk of heart disease.

Cholesterol Shield^™ phytosterol blend is a dietary supplement to help retain healthy cholesterol levels that are already within the normal range.

Phytosterols
Simply stated, phytosterols are the “fat” of plants. The proprietary phytosterol blend found in Cholesterol Shield occurs naturally and is structurally similar to cholesterol, though its activity is very different. The major phytosterols found in nature are beta-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol. The typical daily diet contains 100-300 mg of phytosterols.

At usual levels of consumption, phytosterols have little effect on blood cholesterol concentration. However, because phytosterols share structural similarities with cholesterol, they bind to sites in the intestines that would be used for cholesterol binding were they not blocked. Dietary consumption of phytosterols in the 1200 mg per dose range reduces intestinal and biliary cholesterol absorption and helps to retain healthy cholesterol levels that are already within normal limits.

Phytosterols appear to decrease the solubility of cholesterol in the intestines, thus interfering with its absorption. Phytosterols also increase bile salt excretion in the intestines. In humans, administration of phytosterols significantly decreased cholesterol absorption from food by 38%. Clinical trials show that phytosterol consumption supports cardiovascular health.

Scientific evidence proves that including plant sterols in your diet helps to lower blood total and LDL cholesterol levels. Following a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and consuming 400 mg or more of plant sterols twice a day may reduce the risk of heart disease.

Pantethine
Cholesterol Shield also contains pantethine, a precursor of coenzyme A (CoA). CoA is involved in 70 enzymatic pathways, including cholesterol synthesis.  Pantethine modulates the action of several enzymes, including 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase. Pantethine inhibits the activity of HMG-CoA reductase; this enzyme plays an important part in the pathway of cholesterol synthesis.

Human studies have demonstrated that pantethine is beneficial for retaining healthy cholesterol levels that are already within normal limits.Additionally, studies have shown that 600 mg of pantethine per day is required to achieve this beneficial support. A year-long trial with pantethine was conducted in 24 individuals. The treatment was well tolerated with no subjective complaints or detectable side effects. Blood lipid assays repeated after 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of treatment revealed consistent benefit for retaining healthy cholesterol levels that are already within normal limits.

In another study, the effect of pantethine (various mg doses daily for 3 to 6 months) was evaluated in 72 individuals. The results demonstrated that pantethine was tolerated well and retained healthy cholesterol levels that were already within normal limits.

Combination of Phytosterols and Pantethine
Since pantethine and phytosterols exert their beneficial effects in different ways, it is theorized that a product combining both complimentary ingredients may synergistically provide even greater levels of significant support.

In a clinical study, patients received Cholesterol Shield™ for 24 weeks. Cholesterol Shield was found to support healthy cholesterol levels already within normal limits.^† In addition, this study showed that Cholesterol Shield supports healthy HDL/LDL ratio and healthy triglyceride levels already within the normal range.

Mechanisms of Action on Cholesterol Metabolism
The following table illustrates the potential synergies between phytosterols and pantethine:

Ingredient	Mechanisms
Phytosterols	Helps reduce cholesterol absorption from food Helps increase bile salt excretion
Pantethine	Helps inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis Helps inhibits fatty acid biosynthesis Helps increase fatty acid oxidation (catabolism)

Recommendations

One tablet three times daily, with or immediately before each meal.

Precautions

If you are pregnant, nursing, or taking prescription drugs, consult your healthcare practitioner prior to use.

The phytosterols and pantethine in Cholesterol Shield are well tolerated at the recommended dose.

A small number of transient mild gastrointestinal problems have been associated with ingestion of pantethine. Usually, they are reversed quickly when pantethine is taken with food.¹