Natural Cholesterol Balance has been proven to lower both LDL and c-reactive protein in a double-blind clinical study of 45 patients.

 

Method and Results

45 patients, most with known coronary artery disease and many under treatment for hyperlipidemia, were selected for the study. Patients were randomly assigned to either Group A placebo, Group B low dose alfalfa, and 230 mcg of folic acid, or Group C double -dose alfalfa and folic acid.

During the six-week trial, all patients were instructed to follow a low fat, low cholesterol diet, perform regular exercise in moderation, and to take the medication regularly. Group A (placebo)-one capsule per day, Group B-two capsules per day, and Group C-two capsules twice per day.

 

Statement

Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death and disability in the United States. Multiple epidemiologic and clinical blinded prospective studies have indicated that lowering LDL levels will decrease the risk of cardiac events in primary prevention and decrease recurrent cardiac events and decrease morality in secondary prevention.

 

Among a list of emerging “risk factors” are homocysteine levels and C-reactive protein. Elevated levels of homocysteine are positively correlated with risk for CHD. Folic acid and possibly B vitamins 6 and 12 have been documented to lower homocysteine levels.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker for inflammation. Coronary artery disease is an inflammatory disease and there is now substantial evidence that persons with elevated high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) are at increased risk for future cardiac events. Inflammation within coronary plaques leads to plaque rupture and cardiac events.

With this in mind, we undertook a study to determine the effects of alfalfa sprouts and folic acid on known risk factors of coronary artery disease including total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, homocysteine levels, and apolipoprotein (b).

All patients underwent a history and physical exam prior to the start of the study and prior to the blood samples being obtained. All patients received instruction in a low fat low cholesterol diet, similar to the previously recommended Step 2, American Heart Association diet. All patients were instructed to exercise in moderation, most of whom were already following this type of lifestyle. Over 50% of the patients were already receiving statin drugs and many of the other patients were intolerant to statins because of myalgias or true rhabdomyolysis. Many patients were already receiving folic acid. The patients were advised not to change their medication prior to enrollment in the study or during the trial period.

 

After discussing the study, the patients were supplied capsules which either contained placebo, Group B 560mg of alfalfa sprout powder and 230mcg of folic acid, 2 capsules each day for a total of 1,120 mg alfalfa sprout powder and 460mcg folic acid or Group C, 2 capsules twice a day for a total of 2,240 mg of alfalfa sprout powder and 920 mcg of folic acid.

Results

1. All patients tolerated the medication well.

2. One patient in the placebo group stopped the medicine because she felt that the drug irritated her stomach.

3. One patient dropped out of Group C for personal reasons.

4. One patient in Group C who was taking 80mg of an atorvastatin a day discontinued his atorvastatin during the study and therefore he had marked increase in LDL level and his results were not included in the averages.

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The results of the study revealed that the LDL levels decreased in both treatment groups and more than in the placebo group. HDL also increased in both treatment groups and decreased in the placebo group. A surprising potential benefit of this treatment was the lowering of high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels. 

The results of the study are impressive since the average baseline LDL levels were only 133 and 151 in Groups B and C. The reason for a greater percentage reduction of LDL and raising HDL in Group B is not clear.

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The combination of alfalfa sprout powder and folic acid appears to be a reasonable, relatively inexpensive method for lowering one’s risk for cardiac events.