|
|
|
|
|
CardioTea® with Policosanol
CardioTea® with Policosanol contains 375 mg of theaflavin-enriched green tea extract and 20 mg policosanol. It is produced by CardioTabs®, a company that produces many over-the-counter supplements that promote heart health. The company states that the product is use to support cardiovascular health by maintaining cholesterol levels that are already in range.
Drinking green tea and supplementing theaflavin in a patient's diet has been associated with decreases in LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). Many studies have found it to be an effected add-on therapy to a low fat diet and possibly other medications but it has not been found to significantly lower cholesterol on its own. Theaflavin is also an antioxidant which may give it an added benefit in reducing cancer risk and the risk of other types of heart disease.
Policosanol is found in the waxy coating of plants and has been researched for years for its possible cholesterol lowering benefits. It has been proposed that policosanol can lower LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and raise HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol). Recent research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that policosanol does not have significant effects on cholesterol.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The recommend dosage is one capsule daily with a meal. Policosanol has anti-clotting effects so it is not recommended for patients using anti-clotting medications such as warfarin. If you have any other questions, ask your pharmacist or check the company website at www.cardiotabs.com/cardioTea.asp.
St John's Wort
St John's Wort is known by several names such as Hypericum, Klamath Weed, and Goat Weed. It is an extract from the flowering top of the Hypericum plant. It has been studied extensively in Europe and has been used for many different nerve and mental disorders. It is most commonly used for depression, anxiety and sleep disorders.
The Journal of the American Medical Association put together a study of St John's Wort for the treatment of major depression that included reviews of over 30 studies and a well designed clinical trial of patients all over the United States. They found that St John's Wort was not an effective treatment for depression. They also found that it has a very large interaction profile including interactions with many HIV medications, cancer treatments, anti-rejection medication, digoxin, warfarin and other anti-clotting agents,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
birth control pills, and other antidepressants. Before starting any medication over the counter, consult your physician or pharmacist. One positive attribute to the treatment was that side effects are much less common and severe than other antidepressants. They include skin sensitivity to light, headache, dry mouth, dizziness, and constipation.
If you are concerned with depression, consult your physician to see if medication therapy is needed. If medication is needed, prescription anti-depression medications are much more effective and are regulated for purity, effectiveness, and dosage by the FDA. Herbal products are not regulated by the FDA so be cautious of the products that you use.
For more information about St John's Wort, ask your pharmacist or physician, or check out the following links:
|
|
|
|
|
|
