The American Heart Association’s newly released cholesterol treatment guidelines have some alarmed by the guidelines’ focus on treating heart disease with drugs—in children as young as eight years old—without adequately addressing underlying lifestyle and nutrition factors. “This news should prompt all of us to evaluate how well we are serving the public with natural tools that provide measurable benefits,” stated Polyphenolics President James A. Kennedy, PhD. 
 
While an estimated 80% of heart disease is preventable, the 120-page report has 72 drug-related recommendations but says very little about lifestyle interventions. “Western medicine has a tendency to treat symptoms without focusing on the root cause, including changing behaviors that are the bottom-line cause of disease,” Dr. Kennedy pointed out. “A healthy diet plus physical activity are the keys to a healthy life.”
 
Dr. Kennedy is also concerned that statin use does not address other diseases associated with poor cardiovascular health. “Statin use is lowering LDL cholesterol levels, but dementia levels are skyrocketing and cardiovascular disease mortality doesn’t appear to be slowing down.” 
 
It’s time for the natural products industry to do more
Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the issues and possible side effects of a drug-based approach to heart health, and what it means to their overall wellness. “We’re also very aware that cholesterol isn’t the only thing that causes heart disease. This is a huge opportunity for the industry to step in and provide people with what they are looking for, which is a natural, broad-spectrum approach to heart health without the side effects,” said Dr. Kennedy.    
 
He elaborated, “If you look at cardiovascular disease as a whole, a lot of polyphenols—and grape seed extract in particular—address the various areas including blood pressure and blood glucose as well as hypercholesteremia. Our industry offers a food-first approach which makes sense to consumers. They look at supplementation as a complement to everything else they are doing to address all aspects of heart disease, not just one piece of it.”  
 
MegaNatural grape seed extract becomes more significant 
With respect to grape seed extract and its combination products, Dr. Kennedy stated there is mounting clinical evidence indicating that it can be effective at reducing cholesterol levels— particularly LDL—and other indicators of cardiovascular health including triglyceride levels. “Consumers with elevated heart disease risks, such as those heading toward metabolic syndrome, should definitely be taking a grape seed extract or a grape seed extract-containing supplement.” 
 
But not all grape seed extracts are the same. “Clinical studies show that not all grape seed extracts are effective. Some may be adulterated while others are focusing on the wrong component,” said Dr. Kennedy. MegaNatural grape seed extract is clinically proven to lower and maintain blood pressure within a healthy range, with no known side effects, according to the company.  In addition, when taken alone or in combination with other well-researched ingredients, it is clinically proven to manage the inflammation and cholesterol known to impact endothelial health and vascular pathways. 
 
“Polyphenolics has an ongoing commitment to research ensuring that MegaNatural grape seed extract addresses a root cause of poor cardiovascular health. We control its composition and test it clinically to confirm its activity. We are also cautious about our raw material handling and processing to protect the bioactives. The only way these studies can be replicated is to start with the same materials handled in the same consistent manner.” 
 
Dr. Kennedy encouragedthe natural products industry to place a greater emphasis on educating consumers about the premium natural alternatives. “Companies will be selecting premium, traceable and standardized ingredients with clinically proven effectiveness and substantial safety data. With MegaNatural grape seed extract, Polyphenolics is poised to be at the right place at the right time.
 
“We can show that that we have effective products backed by research demonstrating that they provide cardiovascular support. Polyphenolics is actively supporting our customer partners who are using MegaNatural grape seed extract in combination with other well-researched ingredients and who have finished products that deliver a non-drug benefit to those who have taken other lifestyle changes.”