designed to help support cholesterol levels* DESCRIPTION

unique, patent-pending, theaflavin-enriched tea extract clinically studied for its ability to significantly lower cholesterol levels.* FUNCTIONS Tea is derived from the plant Camellia sinensis, and has been used for many centuries as a popular beverage worldwide. Interestingly, green and black tea are made from the same plant, with black tea being created via the oxidation of green tea leaves. Both forms of tea are a rich source of flavonoids, a class of phytochemicals that are potent antioxidants and support immune function and cardiovascular health. * Green tea is rich in a family of flavonoids called catechins, while black tea contains catechins as well as their derivatives, including theaflavins and thearubigens. Most recently, there has been an increased focus on studying the ability of tea to beneficially modulate cholesterol levels. Observational studies in humans as well as studies in animals indicate that the consumption of green and black tea may provide favorable outcomes for blood lipid profiles and it is proposed that theaflavins may play an important role. * Thea-Stat is standardized to contain 20% theaflavins and 40 % catechins, and is made via a special manufacturing process in which green tea leaves undergo a controlled fermentation. This fermentation results in the oxidation of a portion of the catechin components present in the green tea to theaflavins. Theaflavins, typically found in black tea help to provide black tea with its characteristic color and taste. This unique fermentation process that allows for the formation of theaflavins also allows for the retention of a significant portion of the catechins found in green tea. The resulting extract, which is high in both theaflavins as well as catechins was tested in a clinical trial involving 240 men and women for its ability to lower cholesterol. After 12 tions in total cholesterol sterol (16.4%) were observed compared with a placebo. No adverse effects were reported. This may be the first well-documented human trial to demonstrate an LDL-lowering ability of a tea extract. Thea-Stat has been extensively tested and has been shown to be free of pesticides