What are plant Sterols/sterolins?
These phytochemicals are plant fats that were identified and chemically elucidated as early as 1922. Structurally, they look very similar to the animal fat cholesterol, but carry out different biological activities.
What do plant Sterols/sterolins come from?
All plants synthesize these plant fats. However, certain plants have a much higher concentration of sterols and sterolins. Seeds and natural oils are very rich in sterols and sterolins. They are mostly obtained from tall oil (pine trees).
When did all the research begin?
The research on sterols/sterolins dates back to 1967. Prof. Patrick JD Bouic got involved with research on sterols/sterolins in 1987, when the sponsoring company approached him to monitor the immune system of patients participating on a clinical trial using the Hypoxis plant extract. Results indicated that the immune status of these patients improved relative to their baseline (starting point) and implicated that the plant extract contained possible immune stimulants. After fractionation of the total plant extract, it was discovered that this activity was contained in the fats of the plant. Further specialised experiments showed that the sterol/sterolin mixture could regulate immune responses by controlling the nature of the factors that are secreted by the lymphocytes during a normal response.
The mere fact that the research team could control the secretion of these soluble factors opened the door to the use of sterols/sterolins in certain pathologies. Indeed there exist certain diseases when the immune system needs to be enhanced, for example, tuberculosis, HIV, cancer, other chronic viral and bacterial diseases, or when it needs to be regulated (for example, allergies and auto-immune diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis).
Is it safe to take Moducare Sterols/sterolins continuously?
Moducare Sterols/sterolins form a natural product that is totally safe and non-toxic. All fruit, vegetables, natural oils, seeds and nuts contain these plant fats. It can be used together with chronic medication since there are no known drug interactions between Moducare Sterols/sterolins and other drugs. Recipinets od organ transplants and insulin dependant diabetics should avoid taking moducare.
People undergoing organ transplants should not take Moducare Sterols/sterolins, as an enhanced immunity might result in the rejection of the donor organ.
Can pregnant mothers, children and babies take the Moducare Sterols/sterolins and at what dosage?
Pregnant mothers and breastfeeding mothers can also take the product. It is safe for use by children, even babies. Unfortunately babies cannot swallow the Moducare Sterols/sterolins in capsule form, but the powder may be removed from the capsule and can be blended with baby food or porridge. The recommended dosage for children below 5 years of age and babies is one capsule twice a day before meals, or with meals free of animal fats. You may wnat to try the chewable lozenge, it tatses great and contains Xylitol which is sweet and actually good for childrens teeth.
Does Moducare Sterols/sterolins influence diabetes?
Yes: diabetes is an autoimmune disease. Moducare Sterols/sterolins may reduce the auto immune reaction that causes the destruction of the Islets of langahans in the Pancreas. In a type one Diabeteic we do not recommend taking moducare, We always recommend you use your insulin as directed by your medical proffessional.
Moducare can be used if you have Diabetes type 2. Always monitor you blood sugars regularly and please note does not have sugar lowering properties.
What role does diet play in autoimmune diseases?
Diet plays a most important role in autoimmune diseases, both what to avoid and what to eat. Avoid all sugars and foods containing sugars, preservatives and colourants. Also avoid cool drinks, alcohol and fruit-juices. Reduce animal fats and salt intake to a minimum. Preferably drink Rooibos and herbal teas without milk and sugar, rather than coffee.
I have been taking Moducare for several months and I have not felt any improvement in my condition?
You are most likely not following the correct diet and not avoiding the things that suppress the immune system.
What is the dose of Moducare and why?
A suggested use of one capsule three times per day is recommended for adults and children above 12 years of age. for children 5-12 years of age use one twice a day. To ensure optimal absorption it is recommended to take the product 1 hour before meals on an empty stomach. If for example the Moducare Sterols/sterolins would be taken with a meal containing animal fats such as dairy products or meat, the plant fats would compete for absorption with the cholesterol contained in the animal fats.
Why is the sterolin such an important part of the natural sterol/sterolin formulation?
In nature, plants never contain sterols only. The sterols are always associated with their glucoside, namely, the sterolin. When we tested the Moducare Sterols/sterolins in vitro for their activity on immune functions, we showed quite clearly that:
(a) the proliferation of T lymphocytes was enhanced maximally only when both Moducare Sterols/sterolins are present. Test result demonstrated that the sterols, in the absence of sterolins and vice versa, do this minimally. The blend of Moducare Sterols/sterolins (ratio of 100:1) have maximum effect on the proliferation of the T lymphocytes.
(b) similarly the natural cell killing ability is maximised with the blend of Moducare Sterols/sterolins.
Both of the above observations are published in the International Journal of Immunopharmacology 1996, 18, 693-700. In vivo data further showed that the blend is necessary for activity: studies showed that the blend of Moducare Sterols/sterolins exhibited the best immunomodulatory activity.
Should healthy individuals take the Moducare Sterols/sterolins?
It has often been asked why healthy people should use a product containing Moducare Sterols/sterolins. Our answer to them is that we cannot always be certain that our daily intake of these essential fats is sufficient in order to maintain a healthy immune system. The problem linked with modern-day living is that we often have recourse to the fast food industry for convenience. Our intake of meats (especially red meat) often exceeds our vegetable and fruit intake. To complicate matters further, many households destroy of inadvertently remove the plant fats from fresh vegetables by cooking methods used. Frozen vegetables, once thawed, often release enzymes which can destroy an important component, namely the sterolin. We have shown that the strict ratio between the sterol and sterolin is very important. Even if we do ingest sufficient quantities of Moducare Sterols/sterolins in our daily diet, less than 5% is absorbed by our body. It is therefore advisable to consider sterols and sterolins as a multi-vitamin nutritional supplement, and even healthy individuals should use it as daily supplementation reduces the susceptibility to infections such as colds and flu.
For whom may the supplementation with Moducare Sterols/sterolins be particularly beneficial?
Individuals wanting to use this product should always remember that it does not replace conventional therapy, especially treatments such as chemotherapy for cancer, etc. Patients receiving chemotherapy may take the Moducare Sterols/sterolins to minimise the side-effects of chemotherapy. This supplement should be used as an adjuvant in order to maintain the immune system during times of physiological stress, e.g. as a result of an operation. Others may wish to take Moducare Sterols/sterolins to assist their immune system to alleviate conditions such as:
> Auto-immune diseases
> HIV
> Tuberculosis
> Allergies
> Chronic viral diseases
> Chronic bacterial infections
> Rheumatoid Arthritis
> Psoriasis
> Asthma
> Allergic Rhinitis (sinus problems)
Although not a disease, sportsmen and sportswomen may also benefit from the intake of Moducare Sterols/sterolins. A recent study conducted in ultra-marathon runners, shown that the individuals ingesting sterol/sterolin capsules showed less inflammation post marathon and had less severe episodes of transient immune suppression and upper respiratory tract infections, as a result of excessive exercise.
Can I overdose? What is the recommended upper safe limit on taking phytosterols safely.
In consideration of the long-term effects of the intake of elevated levels of phytosterols from multiple dietary sources in 2002, the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) in the EC suggested.
“it is advisable to avoid plant sterol intakes above the range 1-3g per day.”
It is important to note that a full dose of moducare will only give you 60.6mg of phytosterol this is just 2% of the recommended upper safe limit.
When considering this information Moducare is very safe.
Why does the label say that moducare should not be used in Pregnant and Breast feeding women and children under five.
Plant sterols are also known to interfere with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and carotenoids such as ß-carotene. Carotenoids are present in many fruits and vegetables and act as an essential precursor to vitamin A. The consequences of the persistent decrease of ß-carotene levels on human health are largely unknown due to wide variations in the mechanisms regulating the bioavailability of ß-carotene, such as seasonal changes in the diet. Consequently, there are no serious concerns regarding the reduction of ß-carotene, except in subjects with non-optimal vitamin A status such as pregnant and breastfeeding women, and children under the age of five years. In such cases reduced vitamin A levels can have an effect on reproduction, nutritional status or growth.
It is important to note that a full dose of moducare will only give you 60.6mg of phytosterol this is just 2% of the recommended upper safe limit of 3000mg/ day, when considering this information Moducare is very safe.
Are there any foods or vitamin I should take extra of while taking Moducare phytosterols.
For individuals above 5 years of age that are not breat feeding or pregnant the Scientific Committee on Food at te European Commision advised that natural sources of ß-carotene, such as carotenoid-rich pigmented vegetables and fruits, such as carrots, tomatoes, oranges, and other brightly coloured vegetables and fruit should be consumed to counterbalance any reduction attributable to the long-term. Users may also want to take a B carotene supplement.
It is important to note that a full dose of moducare will only give you 60.6mg of phytosterol this is just 2% of the recommended upper safe limit of 3000mg/ day.
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