Read Customer questions and answers about Children's Health in our FAQ.

Each CardioPower™ Truffle contains 600 mg of Reducol®, the same pine phytosterol mixture used in Foresterol™, plus is packed with naturally occurring flavonoids from cocoa. 1800 mg daily is the active dose (3 truffles). Reducol® has significant LDL cholesterol lowering properties as evidenced by research and years of clinical use. The FDA officially approved cholesterol lowering claims for plant sterols, that their consumption may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Reducol® has also been granted GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status by the FDA.

The phytosterol mixture Foresterol™ is sourced from coniferous trees which are non-genetically modified unlike alternative phytosterol products that are obtained from potentially GMO soybean and/or rapeseed oil seed.

How Does Reducol® Lower Cholesterol?
When ingested, phytosterols inhibit absorption of cholesterol, thereby lowering plasma total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. Foresterol™ consists mainly of the 4 major phytosterols: beta-sitosterol, campesterol (in the free sterol form, not as sterol esters), campestanol and sitostanol. These sterol/stanols have been shown to inhibit absorption of both dietary and biliary cholesterol from the small intestine, therefore even vegetarians with no dietary cholesterol benefit from consuming them. It is important to know that much of the cholesterol found in serum is derived from intestinal reuptake of cholesterol that has been deposited into the intestine from the liver and gallbladder.

According to research by de Graaf et al, ingestion of 1.8 g of Reducol® per day (the amount in 3 caps of Foresterol or 3 CardioPower™ Truffles) for four weeks in patients with baseline elevations of plasma cholesterol, reduced total cholesterol by 6.4% and LDL cholesterol by 10.3%. According to researcher Peter Jones, PhD, from McGill University, plant sterols work even better when combined with exercise. [4] A meta-analysis of 41 trials showed that intake of 2 g/day of stanols or sterols reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) by 10%; higher intakes added little. However, effects are additive with diet or drug interventions. Research shows that eating foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol and high in stanols or sterols can reduce LDL by 20% and adding sterols or stanols to statin medication is more effective than doubling the statin dose. [2]

A study performed in the Netherlands concluded that consumption of tall oil-derived phytosterols in a chocolate matrix significantly decreased plasma total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. [1]

What About the Benefits of Chocolate Itself?
Dark chocolate is filled with special flavonoids, called epicatechins, that act as antioxidants and modulators of hormone-like compounds in the body. Plus, dark chocolate contains a wonderful supply of oleic acid, the omega 9 fatty acid that may promote normal cholesterol levels.

There is a real physiological reason as to why it lifts our moods. Dark chocolate contains a natural compound, called phenylethylamine (PEA), which releases endorphins in the brain that helps to elevate mood. Chocolate also contains the amino acid tryptophan, precursor to the “feel-good” hormone, serotonin. Nothing good you've done for yourself has ever tasted as good as CardioPower™ Truffles.

Who Should NOT Take CardioPower™ Truffles?
Anyone with a pine allergy should avoid CardioPower™ Truffles since the Reducol® is sourced from pine. These truffles contain milk butter fat and lecithin from soy so be cautious of soy and dairy allergies (although unlikely since lecithin and butter fat contain no protein). Pregnant and lactating women should not consume more than 1 or 2 CardioPower™ Truffles daily without consulting their obstetrician as it is not ideal to lower cholesterol levels during pregnancy.

CURRENT RESEARCH RELATED TO CARDIO POWER™ TRUFFLES

Consumption of tall oil-derived phytosterols in a chocolate matrix significantly decreases plasma total and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels.
Br J Nutr. 2002 Nov;88(5):479-88. DE GRAAF J, DE SAUVAGE NOLTING PR, VAN DAM M, BELSEY EM, KASTELEIN JJ, HAYDN
PRITCHARD P, STALENHOEF AF.
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial we evaluated the effect of dietary chocolates enriched with a wood-based phytosterol- phytostanol mixture, containing 18% (w/w) sitostanol, compared with placebo dietary chocolates in seventy subjects with primary hypercholesterolaemia (total cholesterol levels below 8 mmol/l). For 4 weeks, participants consumed three servings of the phytosterolenriched chocolate/d that provided 1.8 g unesterified phytosterols/d or a placebo chocolate in conjunction with a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. Plasma total and LDL-cholesterol levels were statistically significantly reduced by 6.4 % (-0.44 mmol/l) and 10.3 % (-0.49 mmol/l), respectively, after 4 weeks of phytosterol-enriched-chocolate treatment. Plasma HDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels were not affected. Consumption of phytosterol-enriched chocolates significantly increased plasma lathosterol concentration (+20.7 %), reflecting an increased endogenous cholesterol synthesis in response to phytosterol-induced decreased intestinal cholesterol absorption. Furthermore, the chocolates enriched with phytosterols significantly increased both plasma sitosterol (+95.8 %) and campesterol (+64.1 %) levels, compared with the placebo chocolate group. However, the absolute values of plasma sitosterol and campesterol remained within the normal range, that is, below 10 mg/l. The chocolates with phytosterols were palatable and induced no clinical or biochemical side effects. These findings indicate that dietary chocolate enriched with tall oil-derived phytosterols (1.8 g/d) is effective in lowering blood total and LDLcholesterol levels in subjects with mild hypercholesterolaemia and thus may be helpful in reducing the risk of CHD in these individuals.

1. de Graaf J et al. Consumption of tall oil-derived phytosterols in a chocolate matrix significantly decreases plasma total and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels, Br J Nutr, Vol. 88, pp.
   479-488, 2002.
2. Katan MB, Grundy SM, Jones P, Law M, Miettinen T, Paoletti R; Efficacy and safety of plant stanols and sterols in the management of blood cholesterol levels. Mayo Clin Proc. 2003 Aug;78(8):965-78.
3. Thomsen AB, Hansen HB, Christiansen C, Green H, Berger A. Effect of free plant sterols in low-fat milk on serum lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic subjects. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2004 Jun;58(6):860-70
4. Katan MB, Grundy SM, Jones P, Law M, Miettinen T, Paoletti R; Stresa Workshop Participants. Efficacy and safety of plant stanols and sterols in the management of blood cholesterol levels. Mayo Clin Proc. 2003 Aug;78(8):965-78. Mayo Clin Proc. 2003 Aug;78(8):965-78.
5. Varady KA, St-Pierre AC, Lamarche B, Jones PJ Effect of plant sterols and endurance training on LDL particle size and distribution in previously sedentary hypercholesterolemic adults. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2005 Apr;59(4):518-25.
6. Plant sterols and endurance training combine to favorably alter plasma lipid profiles in previously sedentary hypercholesterolemic adults after 8 wk. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Nov;80(5):1159-66.
7. Zawistowski J. ReducolTM - Cholesterol lowering functional food phytosterols, Innovations in Food Technology, pp. 38-41, May 2003.
8. Richelle M, Enslen M, Hager C, Groux M, Tavazzi I, Godin JP, Berger A, Metairon S, Quaile S, Piguet-Welsch C, Sagalowicz L, Green H, Fay LB. Both free and esterified plant sterols reduce cholesterol absorption and the bioavailability of beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol in normocholesterolemic humans. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Jul;80(1):171