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Q. I was surprised that you didn't include a reference to plant stanol esters in your answer to a question about lowering cholesterol. Six years ago my husband's cholesterol was at 385. We didn't want him to take statins because of interactions with other health problems.
His cardiologist recommended that he use at least one tablespoon of Benecol at each meal and make some other dietary changes. This brought his cholesterol down to 185 and the balance of HDL versus LDL was restored to a level.
A. The FDA has concluded that stanol esters can lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. Spreads such as Benecol, Promise-activ and Take Control contain these plant products. We are delighted to learn that the dietary changes your husband made had such a profound impact on his cholesterol levels.
I took an over the counter (cholest off) plant sterol as directed on label and within 2-3 months my cholesterol dropped 42 points. However, my body started to become achey, my GGT went to over 700 (60 is normal) and after many tests I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica. Of course I stopped taking the pill but after 4 years I still have PMR. I notice also that when I eat nuts my GGT increases and I get pains all over--however my cholesterol dropped 52 points in a short time after eating about 25 pistachio nuts in one day. It seems that plant sterols bring on the pains of PMR even though I am on Prednisone. Can you elaborate on this happening to other patients?
What is GGT?
Would plant stanol esters have any impact on the liver since it works in the stomach? I have a liver problem and cannot take other cholestrol medicines, but need to lower my cholestrol level.
Have not begun my search for Benecol due to illness and cold weather. Am 79 and have high cholesterol, genetic, but afraid to take drugs lest they damage my liver as in the case of a friend. I also do not want fibromyalgia as I have a chronically painful upper rightarm muscle already.
Is Benecol available OTC in pharmacies or should I begin looking in health food stores? i.e. when I am able to venture out of my home again.
Read your article about plant stenol esters in spreads, such as Benecol etc. I have higher cholesterol, and my doctor advises statins; I won't take them, due to conern
about damage to my liver, etc. I do not use butter or margarine. But have replaced them with virgin olive oil, and have managed to lower my cholesterol little by little.
On the advice of a PhD food scientest friend, I took Benecol capsules when they were available, and continue to use Benecol or Take Control spread in lieu of butter. Those are available in Publix locally, but not in all supermarkets. Nice thing about them is they taste good, and the more you use the better the effect. English Muffins dripping "butter" are back in my diet!
Many products have mono- and di-glycerides. These are just about as harmful as hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. You will find that products that don't have hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils will have mono- or di-glycerides. My doctor explained that these become triglycerides, which is one of those fatty acids that you want to control because they too clog up your arteries.
I have recently started eating benecol yoghurt, but have started to come out in a rash over my upper arms, back and chest. Have you ever heard of this happening to anybody else?
I started taking Benecol Yoghurt Drink and have had a very severe allergic reaction -- rashes over my arms and itching. Very similar to Paul Allen.
I have been taking Benecol drinking yogurt for about a month and also developed a rash on my legs. More recently, stomach cramps and nausea too, which I think may be related.
Anyone else have this?
I was advised to drink Benecol by my doctor about a month ago. After one carton a day of the non-dairy drink and occasional use of the spread I have now begun to experience stomach cramps and diarrhea. It could be coincidence but it's not like anything I have had before. These kind of symptoms are reported on several independent web sites but Benecol state that "In clinical studies, gastrointestinal side effects with BENECOL® Spread were comparable to placebo."
I started eating Benecol products a month ago and have developed an itchy rash on my legs. Have just stopped to see if it goes away. Can't think of any other reason for the rash (and have never had it before).
Can't find any other information about this on the web.
I have been taking Benecol for about one month and have developed an itchy rash all over my body, I will stop taking it to see if it is the cause.
I have in the past several years been prescribed different cholesterol drugs and with each encounter, I've experienced untoward effects. Consequently, when I was introduced to super shots, I was finally able to get the cholesterol down below 200. That is to say down to 183.
I was elated and several weeks ago, was disappointed to find out the company will no longer be making this product. What is a suitable substitute? I contacted the company and was told they did not have a great demand for the drink. I am at a loss since the untoward actions of the prescription drugs were not minor but could have been life threatening.
A natural substitute is available and is suddenly taken off of the market. Makes no sense to me but what do I know? Could you address this or give some insight as to the real story behind the removal off of the market?