What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a type of fat that is produced by our body and that is found in all animal products: meat, fish, eggs, milk and derivatives. It is a nutrient that, while not containing any calories, is essential to life. In fact, it performs many essential functions for our body:

• Fundamental component of cell membranes, it guarantees fluidity and allows communication between the cells themselves;
• Makes fats from food absorbable;
• Precursor of steroid hormones, including sex hormones and cortisol;
• Fundamental in the metabolism of Vitamin D;
• At the brain level, it is involved in the synthesis of serotonin, the happiness hormone: low blood cholesterol levels are associated with mood disorders such as depression and neurodegenerative diseases;
• It is a powerful antioxidant, helping reduce inflammation 

The total cholesterol levels we detect from blood tests are only partially derived from the cholesterol that we introduce with food. Our body, in fact, is able to synthesize cholesterol autonomously in the liver. Most, about 70%, is derived from our endogenous production, which is strongly influenced by our lifestyle, while only 30% comes from our diet.

Good cholesterol or bad cholesterol?

Cholesterol itself is not bad. In reality there are different types of  transporters that make it potentially dangerous to our health or not. In fact, in order to be transported in the blood, the cholesterol produced in the liver needs to be linked with specific proteins called lipoproteins:

1. Low density lipoproteins or LDL carry the so-called “bad” cholesterol from the liver to the various organs, and are currently one of the main factors influencing plaque buildup in the coronary arteries.
2. High Density Lipoproteins or HDL capture excess “good” cholesterol and transport it to the liver.

High levels of LDL cholesterol, in which case we are talking about hypercholesterolemia, can cause atherosclerosis or the narrowing of blood vessels, exposing the body to a greater risk of heart disease. 

What is a good diet for high cholesterol?

Nutrition is the factor that most affects the production of this special nutrient. The cholesterol produced directly by our body is in constant equilibrium with what we take in through our diet. This means that the less cholesterol we ingest, the more “bad” cholesterol we produce.

Additionally, the enzyme that allows for the synthesis of cholesterol, HMG-reductase, has to work harder when there is an excess of sugar in the blood. For this reason, in case of hypercholesterolemia, it is advisable to reduce the consumption of certain foods that are responsible for stimulating the production of cholesterol by the liver

• Refined foods rich in trans fats and hydrogenated fats (produced by the food industry);
• High-sugar foods, insulin in fact induces an increase in the hepatic synthesis of cholesterol;
• Saturated fats, mainly present in foods of animal origin;
• Alcohol;
• More generally, meals that are too abundant cause an excess of calories in the body.

How to lower high cholesterol levels?

Of course, there are many other foods that are instead protective of our body and are capable of reducing hypercholesterolemia, such as:

• Omega-3 fatty acids, mainly present in blue fish and flax seeds;
• Dried fruits, such as walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts;
• Extra dark chocolate, an unsuspected ally for blood circulation and for the health of our heart;
• Whole grains, thanks to the presence of fibers, reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine, also reducing its synthesis in the liver;
• Legumes and vegetables;
• Oleic acid, which we find above all in extra virgin olive oil and protects HDL cholesterol levels;
• Cholesterol: you read that right, the intake of cholesterol from food reduces the production of the endogenous one in the liver. Therefore, for example, consuming eggs (as long as they are of excellent quality) provides the body with an excellent source of HDL cholesterol, as well as other nutrients like healthy fats, proteins and minerals.

To lower cholesterol in a natural way we must start with the observation of some heart healthy habits, the first of which certainly concerns nutrition and the aforementioned food choices, supported by daily physical activity.

When a healthy diet and lifestyle is not enough, however, nature comes to support us with specific molecules that help us reduce plasma cholesterol levels. Some of the most interesting and effective nutritional approaches to the treatment of hypercholesterolemia states include the Mediterranean diet and the use of food supplements based on specific fatty acids, such as the aforementioned Omega-3, fermented red yeast rice, Coenzyme Q10 ( CoQ10), B vitamins and Homocysteine.

PromoPharma’s Solution

The solution proposed by PromoPharma is the new CALIP® ADVANCE, an innovative dissolving supplement in a convenient stick pack with Caigua, fermented red rice and BioxSave®, a range of active ingredients capable of:

• Regulating plasma cholesterol levels;
• Promoting the balance between LDL and HDL;
• Preventing the oxidation of lipoproteins.

Monacolin K is a natural substance that develops in regular rice following a fermentation process promoted by yeast. It is considered a “natural statin” and its use has been documented in the Tang dynasty in 800 BC. Thanks to its properties, it blocks the endogenous synthesis of cholesterol, thereby decreasing its quantity in the blood.

The fruit of Cyclanthera Pedata, known as Caigua, is a plant of Peruvian origin. It’s a traditional remedy used to reduce inflammation and control lipid and sugar levels in the blood, thanks above all to the effective action of the flavonoids it contains that help counteract high LDL.

Biox Save® is a special formula created in the PromoPharma laboratories that provide Calip® Advance with a mix of olive and grape polyphenols. Thanks to its strong antioxidant power, it’s capable of stimulating the production of HDL cholesterol while lowering the concentration of circulating LDL and, particularly, oxidized lipoproteins that are responsible for the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.

The formulation is also enriched with Milk Thistle which is known for its liver purifying properties. While contributing to the healthy liver function, it also raises serum HDL values and has been shown to reduce concentrations of LDL when combined with Policosanol and Acacia gum. 

Last but not least, the presence of CoQ10, a powerful antioxidant, leads to a 40% reduction in muscle pain associated with the prolonged use of statins or the like.

When and how to use Calip® Advance

Calip® Advance is a ready-to-use stick that doesn’t doesn’t require water to be taken. It is available in either 20 or 60 stick pack format.

Suitable for:

• High levels of LDL cholesterol
• High levels of triglycerides
• Metabolic syndrome
• Severe muscle pain
• High oxidation of fatty acids 

How to use:

Calip® Advance differs from other supplements on the market for the treatment of cholesterol levels because it is enough to take only one stick pack per day, rather than two, in the evening before bed.

You can find the new Calip® Advance in the best Pharmacies, Parapharmacies and Herbalists in your city. Find the store closest to you using our Store Locator.