The makers of the popular cholesterol-reducing product
Cholestin is at odds with the Food And Drug Administration.
About 58 million Americans have high cholesterol and CBS 2
News reports many of them might choose to buy Cholestin from a
local drug store at about one-tenth the cost of prescription
medications.
After reviewing a study sponsored by Cholestin's
manufacturers showing the product significantly reduces the
amount of bad cholesterol in those who took it, the FDA says
the product is a drug and, therefore, should be regulated by
the agency.
According to CBS 2 News, Cholestin contains an ingredient
found in Chinese rice. This same ingredient is also found in
the popular high-cholesterol medication Mevacor.
In the University of California, Los Angeles study,
volunteers took two Cholestin capsules twice a day. After 12
weeks, those taking the placebo lowered their cholesterol by
only 1 percent. Volunteers taking the real Cholestin dropped
their cholesterol by 22 percent. Similar prescription drugs
lowered cholesterol by 17 percent.
A spokesperson for Pharmanex Inc., the makers of Cholestin,
told CBS he will fight the FDA.
"People have been taking garlic for cholesterol. They've
been taking Niacin for cholesterol for decades. This is no
different," Bill McGlashen said in a phone interview.
The issue is now in the courts, reports CBS 2 News
