The following product's ingredients were evaluated for their cardiovascular or hypocholesterolemic effect:

Name: EVOLVE softgel caps

Retail Price: $10.04 (1998)

Mfg: Bionutrics Health Products, Inc.

Claim: Advanced Cardiovascular Dietary Supplement, which helps

lower cholesterol, powerful antioxidant promotes normal

circulation.

Active Ingredient: 375 mg rice bran oil per softgel capsule which contains

25 mg of mixed tocotrienols (p25 tocotrienol complex or

"Clearesterol")

Research included a Medline world literature search over the last 31 years.

Summary:

1. Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) and Mixed tocotrienols from palm, barley and rice bran oil have equal antioxidant and cholesterol reduction potential.
2. Cardiovascular benefits can only be demonstrated in individuals that are vitamin E deficient (dietary intakes less than 3 IU/day).
3. Maximum cardiovascular and anticholesterolemic effects of vitamin E intake appears to be 400 IU/day. Amounts greater than 400 IU/day may have a negative effect on endothelial vasoldilation function.
4. Maximum cardiovascular and anticholesterolemic effects of tocotrienols occurred at doses of 200 to 260 mg/day (8 to 10 gelcaps of EVOLVE). The manufacturers recommended dose is 1 to 2 caps/day.
5. With optimal doses of Vitamin E or Tocotrienols -- in individuals who are Vit. E deficient and have hypercholesterolemia -- show a 5 to 13 % reduction in cholesterol (mostly LDL cholesterol).
6. The mechanism of action for vitamin E and tocotrienol appear to be the same -- down regulation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity and increased fecal excretion of neutral sterols and bile acids.

 

RECOMMENDATION:

1. For patients with active cardiovascular disease or those at high risk for CVD may benefit from a vitamin supplement containing 400 IU Vitamin E or 200 mg tocotrienols each day.
2. If cost is an issue, a month's supply Vitamin E at 100 IU units per day would cost $1.00 to 1.50 per month. Tocotrienol as EVOLVE would cost approximately 80.00 for 200 mg a day for a month's supply.