In some people, cholesterol levels in blood become too high. This is called high cholesterol or hyperlipidemia. High levels of LDL cholesterol (Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) are considered a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease such as heart attack and stroke.
Numerous medicinal herbs have been shown to have hypolipidemic activity by various experimental assay methods. The active constituents responsible for hypocholesterolemic (and/or hypotrigyceridemic activity) are diverse, although one large group of compounds that are widely distributed is the phytosterols. Of these, a few have been studied in humans, and in some cases activity on specific lipoprotein fractions has been analyzed. Several of these are available in commercial preparations, either as single extracts or in combination products. It is usually suggested that these products be used in conjunction with other methods for reducing excessive serum lipid levels, such as dietary modification of fat intake, caloric reduction, and exercise.
Stanford Chemicals provides a variety of these natural chemicals to research institute, colleges and universities, pharmaceutical companies and health products companies for research and manufacturing.