In a press release, the manufacturer Piper Biosciences announced clinical data demonstrating the efficacy of its Cholesterol Wellness Gummies, which contain plant sterols, in lowering cholesterol. In September, Principal Investigator Rajesh Dash, MD, PhD, associate professor of cardiology and director of Stanford University's South Asian Translational Heart Initiative (SSATHI), and colleagues presented the award-winning abstract, entitled "Phytosterol Therapy Effectively Reduces LDL-C in Middle-Aged, Borderline Risk South Asians," at the National Lipid Association Scientific Sessions.

The study demonstrated that the novel plant sterol gummy reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in South Asians with hyperlipidemia. The researchers noted that South Asians have higher risk for cardiometabolic disease and are four times more likely than Caucasians to experience cardiovascular events. The study enrolled 50 South Asians at Stanford University's cardiology clinic and included those who did not qualify for or refused prescription medications, such as statins.

The subjects who completed the 3-month study showed a statistically significant (P = .03) reduction in LDL-C of 5.8%. Over 90% of subjects who completed the study survey indicated interest in using the gummies longer-term if recommended by their physician. The researchers concluded that supplementation with plant sterols is effective in lowering LDL-C levels in middle-aged South Asians with underestimated cardiovascular risk. The study was the first demonstration of plant sterol effectiveness in the highest-risk coronary disease population.

Dr. Dash stated, "This is an important contribution to our understanding of using plant sterol dietary supplements to reduce cholesterol levels in borderline-high risk patients, including those who are not taking prescription medications such as statins."

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