Alfalfa Saponins Show Promisein Reducing Cholesterol

Alfalfa Saponins Show Promisein Reducing Cholesterol

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--In the Winter 2001 edition of The Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association (3, 4:6-15), researchers found thatesterin-processed alfalfa saponins may lower low density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol while elevating high density lipoprotein(HDL, or "good") cholesterol. Led by Lisa Colodny from the Broward General Medical Center here, researchers gave 20 diabetics with concurrent hypercholesterolemia one gram of this alfalfa twice a day. After eight weeks, the average drop in serum cholesterol levels was 24 percent. In addition, triglycerides decreased while HDL("good" cholesterol) increased. For more on this study, visit www.americanutra.com.