 - Start to lower your cholesterol in as little as 2 weeks with Benecol Smart Chews
- Contains plant stanol esters, which are proven to reduce your LDL, or "bad" cholesterol
- May be used by those taking statin medications for additional cholesterol lowering
- Enjoy 2-4 delicious caramel chews twice a day with meals
- More than 25 clinical studies validate the safety of plant stanol esters
Amazon.com Product Description: 
Enjoy the heart-healthy benefits of BenecolŪ Caramel Smart Chews. | BenecolŪ Smart Chews are a delicious, convenient, and safe way to help lower cholesterol. Each soft chew contains just 20 calories, while also containing 0.85 grams of plant stanol esters, an ingredient proven to reduce cholesterol when taken twice a day. Available in a delicious creamy caramel flavor, the chews are individually wrapped, and come in a convenient, 120-count resealable pouch. Take one to two great-tasting soft chews twice a day with meals or snacks and start lowering your cholesterol in as little as two weeks. Only available online, each chew provides one serving and and four grams of carbohydrates, and they can be used by those taking statin medication for additional cholesterol reduction.
 What is Cholesterol? You already know that some cholesterol is good and some is bad. But did you know that there are clear guidelines for cholesterol levels for average Americans and newly established guidelines for high-risk patients? Cholesterol is: - Produced by the liver and other organs and also furnished in the diet through such food as meats, poultry, fish and dairy products.
- Required by the body to insulate nerves, make cell membranes, and produce certain hormones.
- Carried through the body by lipoproteins in the blood.
Two Types of Cholesterol | The Good | The Bad | | HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) transports cholesterol from the body's tissues to the liver and other sites, where it may be broken down and excreted by the body. HDL cholesterol is commonly known as "good" cholesterol. | LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) transports cholesterol from the liver to the rest of the body. LDL cholesterol is commonly known as "bad" cholesterol. | How to Control Your Cholesterol Many Americans have succeeded in lowering their LDL "bad" cholesterol through lifestyle changes. Eating right, exercising, and relaxing are some of the basic lifestyle changes you can make to improve your overall health. Your doctor can test your cholesterol level, or you can test yourself with a kit you can purchase at your pharmacy. The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) identifies LDL cholesterol as the primary target of cholesterol management. Clinical research has shown that elevated LDL, the "bad" cholesterol, is the primary cause of coronary heart disease. New Guidelines for High Risk Heart Patients Can Save Lives
Every year 1.2 million Americans have a new or repeat heart attack. A new set of guidelines has been released that specifically targets these high risk Americans. The new NCEP guideline determines that high-risk heart patients should lower their LDL "bad" cholesterol to a rock bottom 70. The previous NCEP guideline was 100. | LDL Cholesterol Level Guideline (mg/dl) | | <100 (70 for high risk patients) | Optimal | | 100-129 | Near optimal/above optimal | | 130-159 | Borderline high | | 160-189 | High | | >190 | Very high | | Total Cholesterol Level | | <200 | Desirable | | 200-239 | Borderline High | | >240 | High | | HDL Cholesterol Level | | <40 | Low | | >60 | High | About the BenecolŪ Brand The name BenecolŪ brings together Bene, meaning "good," and col for "cholesterol." Only BenecolŪ Products have plant stanol esters, which have been proven to lower cholesterol. Today, millions of people around the world are managing their cholesterol levels simply, effectively, and deliciously with the growing range of BenecolŪ products. BenecolŪ Smart Chews FAQ How do BenecolŪ Smart Chews work?
BenecolŪ Smart Chews work just like BenecolŪ Spreads to help reduce cholesterol levels. For best results, it is recommended to take two chews twice per day with food, along with a low saturated fat, low cholesterol diet. Have any clinical studies been done to support the efficacy of BenecolŪ Smart Chews?
Over 25 published clinical studies support the safety and efficacy of plant stanol esters, the cholesterol lowering ingredient contained in BenecolŪ Smart Chews. Based on the totality of this scientific evidence on the cholesterol-lowering efficacy of plant stanol esters, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows its use in various foods and supplement products including Benecol Smart Chews. What is the safety profile of BenecolŪ Smart Chews?
Plant stanol esters, the unique dietary ingredient contained in BenecolŪ Smart Chews has an excellent safety profile. In fact, plant stanol esters have been consumed by millions of individuals in Finland since 1995 and in other European countries and the United States since 1999. Join Club BenecolŪ Take even more control over your healthy lifestyle and join Club BenecolŪ for more information about BenecolŪ products. By signing up, you'll receive regular e-mail updates, as well as club member savings, new product information, and information on cholesterol management. Join today! Customer Reviews: Rating: 
Date: 2008-05-24
Benecol Smart Chews
My cholesterol numbers have definetely dropped. There was a drop also in the triglcerides and a change in LDL and HDL. I have lab work coming up soon and hopefully the test will confirm that sterols play a role in lower cholesterol numbers. If this works then Smart Chews are an easy and convienent way to aid in dropping cholesterol numbers. As of this date I highly recommend the Chews. Rating:
Date: 2008-05-22
Lower Cholesterol without Drugs
Lowered my cholesterol 25% in just 4 months with this product. You just have to be diligent about it. Rating:
Date: 2008-05-20
Great product
Tastes great, easy to use and lowers cholesterol. We leave them sitting out on the counter so my husband can grab one easily. It works great. Rating:
Date: 2008-04-29
Worked for me.
I no longer wanted to take lipitor for my high cholesterol. After consulting my doctor, I stopped my medication, started an exercise program and changed my eating habits. Eating less red meat along with more Oatmeal, fruits, vegetables and Benecol Smart Chews brought my total cholesterol down from 240 to 198.
Gil Rating: 
Date: 2008-04-18
Taste is ok but texture is yucky
My doctor wants me on statins but I think the possible side effects are
worse than the cholesterol the drugs treat. These chews sound like a great idea. The taste is ok - not great but ok. However, the texture is yucky. One reviewer said waxy but to me it's more like slimey and the slimey feeling stays after the chew is gone. I've only had a few so far
and I really don't know if I can make it through the bag much less order them again. The chews may lower cholesterol but only if you can tolerate them and I don't think I'll be able to do that. I think the company needs to rework the formula. It's back to the drawing board for me.
Amazon's service was great (as it usually is). They came fast and in perfect condition so it's only the product that I'm complaining about.
I just had another one and actually I'm not too happy with the taste either. | 
