Corazonas is committed to raising awareness and education about heart health. Heart disease is the number one cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Maintaining proper cholesterol levels is just one part of an overall heart healthy approach to life. While genetics play an important role in heart disease, there are many things that are in your control and can help mitigate your risk factors:

Borderline to high cholesterol is a leading risk factor for coronary heart disease. Borderline to high cholesterol, defined as a total cholesterol count of 200 mg/dL or higher, affects at least 50 percent of the American adult population, or almost 107 million people, making it a top health concern in the United States.

Cholesterol is a waxy fat that is carried through the bloodstream by lipoproteins. High-density lipoprotein (HDL), the "healthy" cholesterol, is stable and carries cholesterol away from the artery. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the "lousy" cholesterol, remains in the artery and form plaques.

For more information about Cholesterol, visit the American Heart Association.

Extensive human clinical research indicating that plant sterols and sterol esters substantially and consistently lower blood levels of total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol has led to the marketing of these compounds in foods and dietary supplements. Since the late 1990s when phytosterol esters achieved GRAS status (Generally Recognized As Safe), they been added to food products such as margarine-type spreads, as part of a cholesterol lowering strategy that includes a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Recently, the FDA has expanded this health claim for a variety of foods and dietary supplements containing phytosterols.

Click here for an overview of the clinical research that has been conducted on phytosterols.

Proper nutrition is an important factor in controlling high cholesterol and plant sterols are a key component of a heart healthy diet. Clinical studies indicate that, when consumed as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, plant sterols can help inhibit the absorption of cholesterol in the small intestine by up to 50%, which in turn can lower LDL blood cholesterol by up to 15%.

Plant sterols, also known as phytosterols, are plant-based compounds that can help lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, a.k.a. "bad cholesterol." Plant sterols occur naturally in fruit, vegetables, whole-grain products and most vegetable oils, but at usually at levels too low to effectively combat LDL cholesterol. However, recent scientific studies have shown that plant sterols can be added to other foods at levels that can result in lower blood cholesterol and reduced risk for coronary heart disease.

Oatmeal contains a type of fiber that reduces your low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the "bad" cholesterol that can increase your risk of heart attacks and strokes. This soluble fiber is also found in such foods as kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples, pears, psyllium, barley and prunes. Soluble fiber appears to reduce your body's absorption of cholesterol from the intestines. Gel-like soluble fiber binds bile (which contains cholesterol) and dietary cholesterol so that the body excretes it. Eating 1.5 cups of cooked oatmeal a day typically produces cholesterol-lowering results. Five to 10 grams of soluble fiber a day decreases LDL cholesterol by about 5 percent. (source www.mayoclinic.com).

Click here for an overview of the clinical research that has been conducted on oats and oat fiber.