Cargill Plant Sterols Adopted by Centrum

Adults who take two Centrum Cardio tablets daily, and follow a healthy diet of foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may see their cholesterol numbers start to drop in as little as four weeks.

08/02/08 Cargill’s cholesterol-lowering CoroWise plant sterols are now available in the new Centrum Cardio complete multivitamin. Adults who take two Centrum Cardio tablets daily, and follow a healthy diet of foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may see their cholesterol numbers start to drop in as little as four weeks. Cargill are noting the potential for the product for the nearly 100 million Americans who are looking for simple and natural options to help reduce their cholesterol.

Due to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) health claim and significant scientific research demonstrating that plant sterols are effective at lowering cholesterol, which is a major risk factor for heart disease, health professionals are becoming more and more interested in promoting the use of plant sterols to their patients and clients. The FDA claim reads, “Foods or dietary supplements containing at least 400 mg per serving of free plant sterols taken twice daily with meals for a daily total intake of at least 800 mg, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease.” Two Centrum Cardio tablets contain 800 mg of CoroWise™ plant sterols (not part of the claim).

Plant sterols are natural compounds found in fruits, vegetables, breads and other whole grain products, and most vegetable oils. However, there is difficulty in consuming sufficient amounts of plant sterols in these foods daily to have a cholesterol-lowering effect.

That is why the introduction of CoroWise plant sterols into commonly consumed foods and beverages – and now supplements – has been welcomed by many healthcare professionals as a positive step in the fight against heart disease, America’s number one killer.

“Centrum Cardio is one of a growing number of products containing CoroWise Naturally Sourced Cholesterol Reducer plant sterols,” said Pam Stauffer, global marketing programs & communications manager, Cargill Health & Nutrition. “It is another example of how Cargill is working closely with our food and supplement customers to provide innovative, technically-supported solutions to some of today's most pressing health concerns.”