According to Newsroom, six popular dietary supplements touted for enhancing heart health did not reduce “bad cholesterol” compared to a low-dose cholesterol-lowering medicine (usually known as a statin) or placebo. Six supplements were studied: fish oil, garlic, cinnamon, turmeric, plant sterols, and red yeast rice.
The Supplements, Placebo, or Rosuvastatin Study (SPORT) findings were presented at a late-breaking scientific session at the 2022 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions. According to the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, the FTC, rather than the Food and Drug Administration, monitors the marketing of dietary supplements in the United States. As a result, nutritional supplements do not have to fulfill the same stringent safety and effectiveness requirements as prescription medications.
When present in excess, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol, plays a significant role in the development of coronary heart disease. When LDL cholesterol builds up in the arteries and causes them to tighten or get fully clogged, the heart is deprived of the blood and oxygen it requires. This might result in a heart attack or stroke. Several studies have shown that reducing LDL cholesterol can lessen the risk of developing coronary heart disease.
The 190 participants in the single-center, prospective, randomized, single-blind clinical research ranged in age from 40 to 75 years old and had no history of cardiovascular disease. A low dosage of rosuvastatin (5 mg daily), a placebo, fish oil, cinnamon, garlic, turmeric, plant sterols, or red yeast rice were given to subjects at random. The primary purpose was to assess the percentage change in LDL cholesterol from baseline after 28 days of rosuvastatin 5 mg daily therapy vs. placebo and each supplement.
Rosuvastatin was found to have a more significant percentage reduction in LDL cholesterol compared to placebo and all other supplements. The tablets had no more significant effect on LDL cholesterol reduction than a placebo. Rosuvastatin has the added benefit of lowering blood triglycerides and total cholesterol, making it an effective weapon in the battle against cardiovascular disease.
After 28 days, statin users had an average LDL cholesterol drop of 37.9%. In contrast, those taking any dietary supplements had no noticeable improvement in LDL cholesterol levels compared to the placebo group. Individuals using statins had a 24% decrease in total cholesterol, whereas those taking placebos or other dietary supplements had no change. Rosuvastatin reduced blood triglycerides by 19% more than the placebo; however, dietary supplements had no effect.
Overall, the incidence was comparable across groups, with those given plant sterols or red yeast rice experiencing a greater rate of ill effects. None of the liver function markers, eGFR, or blood sugar levels altered in a clinically relevant way after taking rosuvastatin.
Researchers investigated the potential that their findings may be used for purposes other than cholesterol management, such as cancer therapy.PCSK9 not only targets LDL receptors for degradation but also stimulates the degradation of MHC 1 in lymphocytes, which is utilized to detect cancer cells. Because PCSK9 inhibits your lymphocytes’ signaling pathways, they cannot spot cancer cells. Dr. Stamler discovered that inhibiting PCSK9 resulted in a more accurate cancer diagnosis.
He indicated that there is a possibility that these new medications will be used to meet this unmet demand. Dr. Chatterjee theorized that although PCSK-9 suppresses MHC-1 on lymphocytes, it may also diminish the detection of cancer cells. PCSK-9, on the other hand, has been proven to boost the efficacy of numerous colorectal cancer therapies.
