A gummy supplement containing plant sterols was linked to significant cholesterol reductions in a recent clinical trial which awaits publication. The abstract of the study on the formula, marketed as Cholesterol Wellness Gummies by Piper Biosciences, notes that the investigators found that daily supplementation reduced LDL-cholesterol by an average of 5.8% in a group of South Asian participants who were at risk for cardiovascular events due to their high cholesterol.
 
It was presented by principal investigator Rajesh Dash, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Cardiology and Director of Stanford’s South Asian Translational Heart Initiative (SSATHI) and colleagues at the National Lipid Association Scientific Sessions held on Sept. 26.
 
South Asians are particularly effected by cardiometabolic disease, and are four times more likely to experience cardiovascular events than Caucasians, the researchers at Stanford University’s cardiology clinic reported. Those involved in the study were not currently taking prescription medications such as statins.
 
Following three months of daily supplementation with the gummies, participants experienced a reduction of LDL-C cholesterol of 5.8%, and over 90% of the study participants surveyed indicated interest in using the gummies for the long term if recommended by a physician. According to the investigators, this study was the first demonstration of plant sterol effectiveness in the highest-risk coronary disease population globally.
 
“This is an important contribution to our understanding of using plant sterol dietary supplements to reduce cholesterol levels in borderline-high risk patients, including those who are not taking prescription medications such as statins,” Dash said.