A nutraceutical based approach to reduce cholesterolemia in patients previously intolerant to more than a statin: a pilot study.

This study was aimed at evaluating the tolerability of a nutraceutical combination with anticholesterolaemic action in patients intolerant of statin treatment. A total of 32 hypercholesterolaemic patients, all intolerant to at least two statin treatments, were enrolled in the ambulatory service. None of the enrolled patients was diabetic or undergoing secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Patients consumed one yoghurt with 2 g of added phytosterols each morning (Pro-Activ, Unilever, Milan, Italy) and one tablet of a registered combined nutraceutical (Armolipid Plus, Rottapharm, Monza, Italy). We tested the efficacy of the treatment after 4 and 6 months. One tablet of Armolipid Plus contains: berberine 500 mg, monacolin 3 mg, and policosanol 10 mg. After 3 months of treatment the patients showed a significant decrease in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides, and a significant increase in the plasma level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. These results were maintained after 6 months of treatment without a significant change in the mean values.