Types of Cholesterol

There are two types of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is the bad cholesterol which can clog blood vessels; high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is good cholesterol. It helps clear the bad LDL cholesterol out of the blood. Cholesterol levels are typically a measure of the total of LDL and HDL levels.

What Causes High Blood Cholesterol?

Many factors can contribute to high blood cholesterol including: genetics – a predisposition to having high cholesterol; lifestyle factors including being overweight, having a poor diet and lack of exercise. Changes in hormone levels particularly in women after menopause can also result in a decrease in HDL (good cholesterol).

Too much cholesterol in the body can be deposited and eventually build up in blood vessels causing them to narrow and harden. This may eventually restrict blood flow causing a heart attack or stroke.

Lowering cholesterol levels can, therefore, reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke. You should regularly get your cholesterol levels checked. The recommended level for cholesterol for the general public below 4.0mmol/L*. Your doctor, nurse or health professional should discuss your target cholesterol level with you, taking into account your overall health.

How Oryzanol Works

Nature Pure Cholesterol Lowering Spread has a minimum of 1.2% gamma oryzanol, and approximately 1% of other plant sterols.

Oryzanol is a naturally occurring nutrient found in the rice plant. Cholesterol can be absorbed into the body through the intestine. Research shows that Oryzanol may inhibit intestinal absorption of cholesterol from foods. The unabsorbed cholesterol and Oryzanol are then passed out of the body. Oryzanol not only helps your bodyto block the absorption of cholesterol it also helps to improve the good HDL cholesterol and reduce bad LDL levels.

How Do I Reduce My Cholesterol?

A standard teaspoon of Nature Pure Spread contains about 70mg of Oryzanol. We recommend using four teaspoons (20g) of Nature Pure spread per day as this will provide approximately 280mg of Gamma Oryzanol. Research has shown that this amount may be effective in helping to lower cholesterol absorption in conjunction with healthy eating and an exercise plan.

As part of maintaining good health, you should look to include a healthy eating and exercise programme into your daily activities. See Activesmart for free personalised training and activity plans. Key things to consider in a healthy eating plan are:

• Choose healthy fats and oils (such as Nature Pure) • Choose low and reduced fat milk and yoghurt • Choose lean meats and chicken without skin • Eat fish twice a week • Aim for 2 serves of fruit and 5 serves of vegetables everyday • Include wholegrain breads or cereals each day • Eat moderate portion sizes • Limit sugary and alcoholic drinks • Use salt sparingly

Cholesterol Lowering Properties of Rice Bran Oil as compared to other edible oils-some scientific studies

Human trials conducted in the National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabd- a premier nutrition research institute of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Government of India, have confirmed significant reduction in total cholesterol particularly the triglyceride levels by using Rice Bran Oil (RBO) as compared to conventional cooking oils. (see table below)

(Source:- Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 10. No. 6, 593-601 (1991), available on http://www.jacn.org/) Studies conducted in the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore –a premier research institute of the Government of India had shown significant reduction of bad cholesterols (LDL + VLDL) and increase in good cholesterols (HDL) in rats fed with Refined Rice Bran Oil for 11 weeks as compared to rats fed with Groundnut Oil although the fat composition of both the oils is almost similar. The study has attributed the better cholesterol lowering ability of Rice Bran Oil to its unique “Oryzanol” and some other components present in it.

(Source:- Atherosclerosis, Volume 78, Issues 2-3, August 1989, pages 219-223, abstract available on w.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00219150 ) Studies conducted in Japan have shown that Rice Bran Oil has better cholesterol lowering power than Sunflower Oil, Corn Oil and Safflower Oil.

(Source: Japanese Journal of Nutrition, Vol. 20 No. 4 P,.11-13) Studies conducted by Reputed Scientists of Tufts University, Boston and University of Massachusetts-Lowell, Lowell, USA, have demonstrated greater reduction in bad cholesterols by feeding physically Refined Rice Bran Oil to hamsters as compared to Canola Oil (a low erucic acid variety of Rape/Mustard Oil) and Coconut Oil.

(Source:- Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry 16 (2005) 521-529 ) Studies conducted in the University of Lowell, USA, have revealed that Rice Bran Oil has significantly better cholesterol lowering properties than popular Olive Oil.

(Source:- Atherosclerosis, volume 88, Issues 2-3, June 1991, pages 133-142, abstract available on www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00219150) RICE BRAN OIL MAY HELP TO CONTROL DIABETES Studies conducted in Taipei Medical University, Taiwan, have shown that Rice Bran Oil is effective in increasing insulin sensitivity in case of Type 2 Diabetes.

(Source : American Society for Nutrition J.Nutr. 136: 1472-1476, June 2006 abstract available on www.jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/136/6/1472) RICE BRAN OIL MAY HELP TO CONTROL HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

A latest study conducted by Japanese researchers and published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (Vol. 54, pp.1914-1920) have shown that rice bran fractions appear to have a beneficial dietary component that could lower blood pressure.

(Source : www.nuraingrediens.com/news/ng.asp?id=66188 ) Rice Bran Oil in diet significantly reduces LDL cholesterol (Bad cholesterol) and triglycerides. It increases HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol), inhibits platelet aggregation and prevents cardiovascular diseases. Clinical studies from Japan, India and the U.S.A have confirmed these results and named RBO as “HEALTH OIL”. In Every 1% reduction in cholesterol there was a 2?crease in the risk of coronary heart disease. Thus RBO in the diet significantly reduces cholesterol without any side effects and is the healthiest oils for human consumption.