Flavoxine: A New Tool in the Fight Against Cardiovascular Disease
by James B. LaValle, RPh, ND, CCN and
Ernest B. Hawkins, MS, BSPharm, RPh
 Cardiovascular disease (CVD or heart disease) is the leading killer for both men and women among all racial and ethnic groups in the United States. Cardiovascular disease includes dysfunctional conditions of the heart, arteries, and veins that supply oxygen to areas of the body such as the brain, the heart, and other vital organs. Individuals with CVD can develop high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, stroke (a lack of oxygen to the brain causing neurological damage), angina (a lack of blood to the heart muscle), and heart attack. Almost one million Americans die of CVD each year, which adds up to 42 percent of all deaths. Heart disease does not just kill elderly individuals—it is the leading cause of death for all Americans age 35 and older.
RISK FACTORS
for CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
Smoking
Tobacco users have twice the risk of heart attack as nonsmokers. One-fifth of the annual deaths from CVD are attributable to smoking. Smoking can damage the sensitive blood vessels that carry blood and nutrients to the tissues.
Lack of Physical Activity
Individuals who are sedentary and do not exercise have twice the risk of heart disease as those who are physically active. Despite these risks, America remains a predominantly sedentary society. Surveys show that more than half of American adults do not practice the recommended level of physical activity, and more than one-fourth are completely sedentary. Health care professionals recommend that individuals exercise 30 minutes daily, five days a week, if tolerated.
Cholesterol Levels
The Framingham Heart Study, a landmark study in 1948, established that high blood cholesterol is a risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). Results of the Framingham study showed that the higher the cholesterol and triglyceride levels, the greater the CHD risk. A direct link between high blood cholesterol and CHD has been confirmed by the Lipid Research Clinics-Coronary Primary Prevention Trial (1984) which reported that lowering total and low density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol levels significantly reduces CHD. A series of more recent trials of cholesterol lowering using statin drugs, such as simvastatin (Zocor®) and lovastatin (Lipitor®) have demonstrated conclusively that lowering total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol reduces the chance of having a heart attack, the need for bypass surgery or angioplasty, and death due to CHD-related causes. However, statin drugs tend to have no effect on high density lipoprotein (HDL) or “good” cholesterol, and they can deplete important nutrients from the body, including coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). This depletion may actually increase the chances of developing cardiovascular problems, such as a heart attack. CoQ10 is naturally produced by the human body and is necessary for energy production and basic functioning of the body’s cells. CoQ10 is also an important antioxidant, decreasing damage from free radicals.
Inflammation
Inflammation is the process by which the body responds to injury or infection. Laboratory evidence and findings from clinical studies suggest that inflammation is a risk factor in the development of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Inflammation (triggered by environmental factors or genetic influences) causes a sequence of actions in the coronary artery such as plaque rupture and thrombus (blood clot) formation, in the blood vessels within the heart, placing one at increased risk for heart attack.
Inflammation can be determined by measuring C-reactive protein (or CRP) levels in the body. CRP is a protein found in the blood, and its presence indicates a heightened state of inflammation. Inflammation is a normal response to many physical states including fever, injury and infection, as well as the initiation and progression of cardiovascular disease. Elevated CRP is related to increased risk for arthritis, heart attack, reblockage of coronary arteries after angioplasty, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease (PVD).
Obesity
Also in the Framingham Heart Study, individuals who were overweight had a risk of developing heart failure that was 34 percent greater than in non-overweight individuals, while those who were obese had an incredible 104 percent increase in risk. Between 20–30 percent of the nation’s adults (some58 million people) are obese and thus have a higher risk for heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance along with other chronic health conditions. Only 27 percent of women and 19 percent of men in the U.S. report eating the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Individuals who are overweight generally have higher levels of CRP and other inflammatory cytokines (such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha or TNF-).
FLAVOXINE™
The need for a product that can help support cardiovascular health, including lowering cholesterol levels, aiding in weight control, and decreasing inflammation, is well noted. Decreasing these risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease can help decrease the chances of developing cardiovascular conditions, such as high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attack. One such dietary supplement, Flavoxine, may be the answer.
Flavoxine is a proprietary blend of plant extracts from cork tree (Phellodendron amurense) and orange peel (Citrus sinensis). The cork tree has been a major source of herbal extracts and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years. Phellodendron amurense contains the compound berberine, which has been reported to have potent anti-inflammatory effects and cholesterol lowering ability. Orange peel contains a very specialized, and hard to extract set of bioflavonoids called polymethoxylated flavones, or PMF. These PMF compounds, which occur in small amounts in orange juice, were recently reported to have unique anti-inflammatory properties by scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Results were so positive that a U.S. patent was awarded using PMF compounds for inflammation. Some of these PMFs have also been shown to have benefits in maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, and a patent has been issued for these benefits as well.
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study, that included 80 subjects, Flavoxine was reported to be beneficial in maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system by keeping lipid levels (cholesterol and triglycerides) within the normal range, decreasing inflammation, and decreasing weight. The study found that C-reactive protein (CRP) was significantly reduced by Flavoxine in the overweight group by 48 percent at eight weeks and in the normal weight group by 44 percent. Flavoxine significantly increased HDL-cholesterol, while significantly reducing LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides. After eight weeks, the concentration of triglycerides was reduced by 18 percent in the overweight group and by 15 percent in the normal weight group. Blood pressure was significantly lowered in both Flavoxine groups at eight weeks. The overweight group lowered their systolic blood pressure by 6 percent and their diastolic blood pressure by 13 percent, while the normal weight group dropped their diastolic blood pressure by 12 percent. In addition, Flavoxine lowered weight in individuals that were overweight, adding another major benefit to its heart health properties. The overweight group lost an average of 5.1 percent of their body weight after eight weeks. Fasting glucose (blood sugar) levels were decreased significantly in overweight subjects. These results ensure that Flavoxine is a leading natural product in maintaining heart health.
Flavoxine contains 370 mg (a proprietary blend of an extract from Phellodendron amurense and a patented* extract from Citrus sinensis per capsule. For the full effects related to cardiovascular health, it is recommended to take two capsules in the morning and two capsules in the evening after meals.
CONCLUSION
Dietary supplements remain a popular way for Americans to maintain and promote good health. According to Frost and Sullivan, approximately 65 percent of Americans use dietary supplements as part of their health regimen. They reported that the market for heart health supplements stood at $0.8 billion in the United States in 2005 and is predicted to growto $1.81 billion by 2012.
Improving cardiovascular health is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Maintaining healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels, weight, inflammatory processes, and blood sugar levels are critical for heart health. Flavoxine may offer support and benefits in cardiovascular protection for individuals wanting to take control of their health by decreasing “bad” cholesterol, increasing “good” cholesterol, decreasing weight, decreasing inflammation, and helping control blood sugar levels. Eating a healthy diet, including plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, less refined sugars and carbohydrates (such as white breads and pastas, sweets, and soft drinks), more cold water fish (such as salmon and tuna), and less fatty foods (such as red meats, baked goods, and dairy products) can help improve cardiovascular health. Exercise is recommended also, at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Drink plenty of quality, filtered water (at least six to eight, 8 ounce glasses daily). The use of Flavoxine as part of a daily regimen to decrease the risks of cardiovascular disease is a positive step toward developing a healthy lifestyle.
*US Patent No. 6,184,246
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