Extracts of Amla, Walnut Leaf, Red Yeast Rice and Olive in Cardiovascular Prevention

Extracts of Amla, Walnut Leaf, Red Yeast Rice and Olive in Cardiovascular Prevention: Efficacy and Tolerability of a Commercially Available Standardized Combination Preparation (Cholesfytol NG®) As Compared to Placebo in Patients with Hypercholesterolemia: a RDBPC Trial.

The aim of this study is to evaluate whether the use of a commercially available standardized combination preparation (Cholesfytol NG®), containing extracts of amla, walnut leaf, red yeast rice and olive, in individuals with hypercholesterolemia

1. Leads to a clinically relevant reduction of cholesterol levels, especially LDL,
2. Leads to a clinically relevant reduction of blood pressure on the short term,
3. Leads to a change in oxidative stress biomarkers.

Participants will be stratified by sex before randomization to one of the two treatments for 8 weeks:

• Cholesfytol NG: 500 mg Amla dry extract, 50 mg Walnut leaf dry extract, 33.6 mg Red yeast rice powder (equivalent to 1.45 mg monacolins), 25 mg Olive dry extract (equivalent to 5 mg of hydroxytyrosol) per day
• Placebo All treatments have an identical shape and color and should be used in the same way (oral intake; 3 capsules/day during dinner). No dietary instructions are given and participants are asked not to change their dietary habits, not to start other therapies (medication, supplements, slimming diets, extra physical activity, etc.) during their study period. Standardized questionnaires are used to obtain information on demographics, dietary habits and side effects. At baseline and after 8 weeks, 27 ml blood is drawn for various biological analyses, and blood pressure, BMI and waist circumference are measured.

Inclusion Criteria:

• LDL ≥ 130 mg/dL

Exclusion Criteria:

• <18 jaar
• >76 jaar
• Smoking
• Use of nutritional supplements or (chronic) medication*
• Triglycerides > 400 mg/dL
• > 14 alcoholic consumptions/week
• Chronic illness (e.g. diabetes, atherosclerosis, reumatoid arthritis)
• Acute infection
• Current pregnancy or pregnancy wish during the study period
• Breast feeding
• When nutritional supplements were used regularly, participation is allowed after a 10-day wash out period. Use of medication will be individually assessed and is permitted if it does not interfere with the used treatments and the patient is stable on the medication. Use of lipid lowering medication of food supplements is only permitted after a wash out period of at least 6 weeks.