Following
are answers to some of the
questions frequently asked about
Moducare™, the world's first
sterol and sterolin supplement.
What
are sterols and sterolins?
Sterol
is a plant fat found in all
plant-based foods. Sterolin is
its glucoside, a molecular
structure joined to the sterol.
Sterolin is easily destroyed,
and without it, the sterol does
not have the same
immune-enhancing benefits.
Moducare™ uses a proprietary
process to preserve the ideal
combination of sterols and
sterolins.
Is
there any research behind this
product?
Research
on sterols has been underway
since the 1920s, and Professor
Bouic has been researching the
exact combination of sterols and
sterolins found in Moducare™
for over a decade. There has
been extensive testing and
clinical trials, including
placebo-controlled, double-blind
studies. The work of Professor
Bouic and others has been
published in prestigious,
peer-reviewed international
journals.
What
is the connection with the
African Potato?
The
supplement Moducare™ was never
extracted from this plant. The
original research on sterols and
sterolins was based on an
extract of the Hypoxis plant or
"African Potato". Due
to the presence of other
potentially harmful substances
contained within the Hypoxis
plant, other plants were
investigated as sources for the
sterols and sterolins.
Why
is the "sterolin" such
an important part of the
Moducare™ formulation?
In
nature, plants never contain
sterols only. The sterols are
always associated with their
glucoside "sterolin"
(a glucose molecule attached to
the sterol molecule). Research
has shown quite clearly that the
blend of sterols/sterolins in a
100:1 ratio exhibits the best
immunomodulatory activity.
If
I eat a healthy diet, can I not
obtain enough sterols and
sterolins to balance my immune
system?
Our
intake of animal fats often
exceeds our plant fat intake.
Further, many people destroy or
remove the plant fats by their
cooking methods. Frozen
vegetables, once thawed, can
release enzymes which destroy
the important sterolin
component. Even if we do ingest
sufficient quantities of
sterols/sterolins in our daily
diet, less than 5% is absorbed
by our body since the plant fats
are so tightly bound to the
fibre of the plant.
Are
there any side effects?
Long-term
studies involving 25,000 humans
found no significant side
effects. In addition, standard
toxicology studies, pre-clinical
testing and clinical
observations have found no
adverse effects.
Are
there any contraindications?
Recipients
of foreign organs and tissues,
including bone marrow and
corneal transplants, are
cautioned not to take any immune
regulating nutritional
supplements. Therefore, sterols
and sterolins are NOT
recommended for transplant
patients. People with synthetic
replacement/reconstruction will
not be affected, eg. hip, knee,
breast, pacemaker.
Diabetics
should monitor their blood sugar
closely as many have experienced
a reduction in insulin
requirements. They should start
with one capsule daily to ensure
a gradual increase in sterols
and sterolins.
People
with multiple sclerosis should
take plant sterols and sterolins
only under the guidance of their
health care practitioner.
Can
I take Moducare™ with my
medication or other supplements?
There
are no known interactions with
Moducare and any prescribed
medication or natural
supplement.
What
about allergic reactions?
An
allergic reaction is extremely
unlikely, as Moducare™
contains no artificial colouring,
preservatives, sweeteners or
salicylates. It also contains no
soy, sugar, acacia, barley,
wheat, corn, millet, dairy,
lactose, yeast, gluten or other
common allergens.
Are
sterols the same as steroids?
Sterols,
including cholesterol, are in
the same large classification
family of steroids but they do
not have the negative effects
that are often associated with
steroids. Every member of the
steroid family has a different
activity and only a few have
negative effects.
Will
these plant fats make me gain
weight?
No.
A capsule contains less than 1
calorie, which comes from the
rice flour base. Plant fats,
unlike animal fats, are not
associated with weight gain.
Is
this an immune
"booster" like
echinacea?
The
key difference between echinacea
and Moducare™ is that
echinacea only stimulates the
immune system, while Moducare™
balances it. Echinacea is not
recommended for prolonged use,
or for people with autoimmune
conditions. Moducare™ allows
the immune system to regulate
itself: "upregulating"
or boosting an underactive
response and "downregulating"
an overactive one.
Do
I take Moducare™ for a few
months and once my immune system
is balanced, stop taking it?
Moducare™
is considered a daily supplement
and should be taken as long as
you want to aid the immune
system to be balanced. Sterols
and sterolins do not
"fix" the immune
system but give it the nutrients
it needs to be balanced.
How
should I take Moducare™?
Adults:
3 capsules daily, usually one in
the morning, one midday, and one
in the evening, taken on an
empty stomach for maximum
absorption.
Children:
1 capsule per day for children
under 5; 2 per day for children
between 5 and 12; and children
over 12 can take the adult dose.
For very young children who are
unable to swallow a capsule, the
capsule can be opened and the
contents mixed with applesauce
or other fruit/vegetable.
Loading
phase: When first starting to
supplement with Moducare™, it
is often a good idea (except
where contraindicated) to double
the daily requirement for the
first week or so. This allows
the body to build up its
reserves as quickly as possible.
Do
I have to take it on an empty
stomach?
Moducare™
should be taken on an empty
stomach - one half hour before
or two hours after a meal for
maximum absorption. However it
can be taken with fruits and
vegetables, nuts and seeds.
The
important thing is to take it
AWAY from cholesterol (animal
fat), including all meat, dairy,
eggs, seafood, etc. Cholesterol
has a very similar molecular
structure and the two compounds
"compete" for
absorption. You can also take
Moducare™ with beverages, as
long as they contain no
cholesterol.
Can
I take too much?
No.
It is impossible to overdose on
Moducare™. The body has a
limited capacity to absorb these
plant fats, and any excess is
excreted harmlessly in the
intestine.
I
have an allergy to pine. Since
Moducare™
is extracted from pine, is there
anything in the supplement that
would cause a similar allergic
reaction?
Moducare™
contains only the isolated
molecules of the sterols and
sterolins which have been
extracted from pine trees (Pinus
Maritima and Pinus Pinaster).
There is none of the original
plant in the final product. If
you looked at these plant fat
molecules in a laboratory, you
would not be able to tell if
they had been extracted from
oranges, peas, almonds, etc. If
you are still concerned, you can
always start slowly with
one-half or one capsule per day.
Is
Moducare™ the same as Pine
Bark extract?
No.
Pine bark is an antioxidant and
works differently in the body
from the plant fats. Both are
phytonutrients, meaning they are
derived from plants.
How
long before I might expect to
see some results?
As
with many natural supplements,
it can take a period of time
before you notice an improvement
in your health. Although some
people notice a difference
before this time, we suggest
that you take Moducare™
for two to three months before
evaluating whether it is
effective for you.
Are
there any veterinary
applications for Moducare™?
Yes,
many veterinarians are using the
product in their practice.
Clinical trials on the feline
immunodeficiency virus (FIV)
have proven that sterols/sterolins
stabilise the immune responses
of cats infected with FIV. These
trials were conducted prior to
the HIV studies in humans
Suggested amounts for cats and
dogs:
If
your pet is unable to swallow
the capsule, you can open it and
mix the powder with any fruit or
vegetable e.g. applesauce,
peanut butter, pumpkin. It is
important to not give Moducare™
with a meal since pet foods
usually contain cholesterol. You
could give it one half hour
before or two hours after the
meal.
