Cardio-Stolix

Cardio-Stolix, provided by Douglas Laboratories®, is a novel blend of natural ingredients, including unique milk-derived tripeptides, grape seed extract, herbs, vitamins, minerals and amino acids designed to support the body’s natural blood pressure regulatory mechanism and maintain proper cardiovascular function.

FUNCTIONS The ingredients in Cardio-Stolix are designed to work synergistically to support already healthy blood pressure, vascular and circulatory function, and general cardiovascular health. AmealPeptide AmealPeptide is a combination of two bioactive tripeptides (Valyl-Prolyl-Proline and Isoleucyl-Prolyl-Proline) that support the body’s regulatory blood pressure mechanism. AmealPeptide is derived from a proprietary process involving the enzymatic hydrolysis of casein (milk protein). The hydrolyzed milk protein contains bioactive tri-peptides that are thought to play important roles by limiting the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II caused by the body’s production of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), a key enzyme that regulates blood pressure. Angiotensin II is a vasopressor and can influence the kidney’s retention of water and salt. By maintaining a healthy conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II with use of AmealPeptide, healthy blood pressure can be regulated and maintained. Fourteen short term and long term human studies show that AmealPeptide can support this natural regulation of healthy blood pressure.

MegaNatural BP Grape Seed Extract is well regarded for the beneficial role it can play in cardiovascular and antioxidant health. MegaNatural BP Grape seed extract is different from other grape seed extracts and made by a novel, patented water extraction process that yields a high grade extract with a low molecular weight. Mega Natural BP extract contains over 90% proanthocyanidins. Proanthocyanidins are highly regarded for their strong antioxidant properties, and for their functions in supporting the body’s connective tissues and capillary blood vessel system. Mega Natural BP grape seed extract has shown in studies to support healthy LDL (low density lipid) cholesterol structure. Studies in humans also show it can support already healthy blood pressure levels, as well as maintaining normal arterial function and endothelium cell function. In one human study, patients with metabolic syndrome were given Mega Natural BP grape seed extract or placebo. This extract was found to support the patients’ blood pressure levels already within normal ranges, whereas the placebo showed no significant change.

Hawthorn Extract The cardiotherapeutic properties of hawthorn are due to its high content of many biologically active flavonoid compounds, including anthocyanidins, proanthocyanidins, quercetin, vitexin, vitexin ramnoside, as well as catechin and epicatechin. Hawthorn extract has been shown in human as well as animal studies to improve circulation by dilating coronary blood vessels. Dilation of these blood vessels consequently increases blood, and thus oxygen supply to the heart. Components of hawthorn extract have also been demonstrated to regulate the effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme, thus supporting healthy blood vessel constriction. Arginine as a precursor of nitric oxide, L-arginine serves to help support the healthy function of blood vessels and vascular tissue. L-arginine is also required for the synthesis of creatine phosphate. Similar to adenosine triphosphate (ATP), creatine phosphate functions as a carrier of readily available energy for contractile work in muscles. Adequate reservoirs of creatine phosphate are necessary in muscle as an energy reserve for anaerobic activity.

Nattokinase is a serine endopeptidase consisting of 275 amino acids. Laboratory studies indicate that nattokinase possesses stronger fibrinolytic activity than other known enzymes. Fibrinolysis is a normal biological process and an important part of an organism’s ability to heal wounds and regulate blood clotting. Proper regulation of fibrinolysis can help maintain a healthy flow of blood through the vascular system and ensure that the body’s major organs are continually supplied by oxygen, nutrients and other necessary products for complete health.†

Coleus In its native India, coleus has been used in the ancient medical system of Ayurveda for centuries. Laboratory and clinical studies have documented several benefits of forskolin. Forskolin has cardiac inotropic properties in that it appears to help strengthen heart muscle contractability. Forskolin promotes vasodilation, thereby helping to support healthy peripheral vascular resistance. Compounds in coleus including, but not limited to, forskolin, provide further benefit to the cardiovascular system by supporting healthy platelet function. Forskolin has also been shown to promote bronchodilation, in part by helping to relax airway smooth muscles and by maintaining healthy histamine and leukotriene release.

Vitamins and Minerals Homocysteinemia, or elevated plasma homocysteine, is quickly emerging as a major, independent risk factor of cardiovascular diseases. High plasma levels of homocysteine appear to injure the vasculature, impairing the functional abilities of endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Suboptimal intake of several B vitamins, renal failure, and genetic defects in homocysteine metabolism can all contribute to abnormal homocysteine levels. Production of cysteine from homocysteine requires two specific enzymes for which vitamin B6 is an essential coenzyme. Without adequate vitamin B6 available, homocysteine cannot be metabolized into cysteine. The body can also rid itself of homocysteine by remethylating it to methionine. The primary route by which homocysteine is remethylated to methionine requires methyltetrahydrofolate as a methyl donor and vitamin B12 as a coenzyme. Methyltetrahy-drofolate is created in the body from dietary folic acid. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has numerous biological functions. Foremost, it is essential for the synthesis of collagen and glycosaminoglycans which are the building materials of all connective tissues, such as skin, blood vessels, tendons, joint cartilage and bone. Vitamin C is the required coenzyme for two groups of enzymes that catalyze the crosslinking of collagen fibers-lysyl hydroxylases and prolyl hydroxylases. As such, vitamin C is essential for normal wound healing and capillary health. Vitamin C is among the most powerful antioxidants in humans and animals. It is a water-soluble, chain-breaking antioxidant that reacts directly with superoxide, hydroxyl radicals, and singlet oxygen. Laboratory studies show that vitamin C completely protects lipids in plasma and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) against atherogenic peroxidative damage. In addition, vitamin C interacts with glutathione and alpha-lipoic acid, and regenerates vitamin E. Magnesium plays an essential role in a wide range of fundamental cellular reactions. More than 300 enzymes require magnesium as a cofactor. Complexed with ATP, the main carrier of metabolic energy in the body, magnesium is essential for all biosynthetic processes, glycolysis, formation of c-AMP, energy-dependent membrane transport, transmission of genetic code for protein synthesis, and muscle function. 

INDICATIONS Cardio-Stolix may be a useful dietary supplement for individuals wishing to support cardiovascular function and healthy blood pressure.