When Dr. James J. Cerda was working at the University of Florida under a grant from the Florida Citrus Commission, he, together with his partner Charles Burgin, initially intended to study Vitamin C. When they stumbled upon pectin from grapefruit and how it affected cholesterol level in guinea pigs, they knew they stumbled on something big. Soon, ProFibe would be launched.

Needless to say, it was a timely and significant discovery. In the U.S., heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women; in the future years, heart disease is projected to cost upwards of $250 bn, and that includes expenses on medications, health care services, and loss of productivity.

Worldwide, more than 7 million people die of coronary heart disease (CHD) every year. These studies also show that lowering high blood pressure and reducing cholesterol levels significantly reduce mortality from heart diseases, the need for angioplasty or heart bypass surgeries, and the probability of suffering from a nonfatal heart attack.

This is why when Cerda and Burgin developed ProFibe and saw the potential of pectin, combined with other plant-sourced substances, in preventing the accumulation of arterial plaque, they immediately worked on several lab studies to further support their initial findings.

For one such study, they gave pigs grapefruit pectin coupled with a high-fat diet. They found that those given pectin had lower cholesterol levels as well as fewer instances of arterial narrowing.

In another experiment, they wanted to know if pectin would still have a positive effect on swine which already had high cholesterol levels. They used fifteen microswine and fed these with an atherogenic diet for more than a year. One of the animals were killed and tested for atherosclerosis.

The rest were divided into two groups – both received the same diet consisting of pig feed, cholesterol, casein, lard, and vitamins and minerals. However, one group was given 3% cellulose (fiber) while the rest were fed 3% pectin from grapefruit. Every month for 9 months, blood samples were checked to find out their total triglyceride levels and plasma cholesterol.

Not surprisingly, both groups demonstrated stabilized cholesterol levels. This was to be expected as fiber has been known for years to keep cholesterol levels from increasing. When the microswine were autopsied, however, the scientists were amazed to find that the group that received cellulose showed a mean narrowing of the coronary artery of 45% while that receiving pectin registered a mean narrowing of only 24%!

It was then that Cerda and his colleagues discovered how ProFibe could actually reduce existing plaque buildup. The difference lies in ProFibe’s water solubility, which is a feature that most fiber supplements lack.

ProFibe is also made of guar gum (also a rich fiber source) and egg white protein (for palatability). It is sold in powder form which makes it convenient for use and is easily blended into foods and beverages.

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Cholesterol is a waxy and soft fat that assists the body in performing its natural functions. As with many aspects of the human body, excess and imbalances cause more havoc than assistance.

When fats are absorbed in the intestines, they get processed and then filtered to the liver. While in the liver, the fats are split into two types referred to as triglycerides and cholesterol.

The bloodstream delivers LDL and HDL proteins throughout the body. This process goes without disturbance just as long as the body is not under any immediate stress.

The fats need a mechanism to allow their distribution for immediate use or for storage in fat cells (to be used later). Using the bloodstream as a delivery system, cholesterol and triglycerides are distributed throughout the body by proteins called lipoproteins. There are three types of lipoproteins: Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL), High Density Lipoproteins (HDL), and Very Low Density Lipoproteins (VLDL).

Cholesterol comprises cell walls and membranes, and aids in the production of hormones, bile acids and vitamin D. It’s also supposed to support the cell connections in the brain that are responsible for memory and learning.

The human body is naturally able to produce the amount of cholesterol that is needed on a daily basis. When cholesterol level rises in the blood, it causes more harm than assistance.

Too much cholesterol deposits by LDL narrows the blood vessels which restricts blood flow. This cholesterol may attach itself to the heart’s arteries - a common factor in strokes or heart disease. This is also known as atherosclerosis - the process of bad cholesterol formation within organ structures.

This is why LDL is labeled as ‘bad cholesterol’. On the other hand, HDL is known as ‘good cholesterol’. It works in the opposite way, by actually taking ‘bad cholesterol’ back to the liver.

There are many factors such as diet, heredity and exercise that affect one’s cholesterol level. It’s important to be aware of the health risks associated with high cholesterol.

Make it a habit to check your cholesterol level on a regular basis.

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In 1973, Dr. James Cerda (gastroenterologist) and Mr. Charles Burgin (chemist) began to research the benefits of Pectin. These two have visionary minds, a fascination with medicine and organic chemistry, and an unwavering determination to find the answers to their questions. They thought of ideas and developed several theories.

With a fully equipped laboratory and a $300,000 sponsorship from Florida Department of Citrus, they studied a group of pigs and found out that grapefruit pectin prevented the narrowing of arteries and inhibited cholesterol levels even with a high fat diet.

In focusing on grapefruit pectin, they discovered a certain type of water-soluble fiber found in the rinds and membranes of the grapefruit. Consulting with previous researchers that have already recognized a connection that existed between soluble fibers and cholesterol levels, they further looked into pectin-lipoprotein interactions.

By 1988, their group had learned enough to conclude that soluble fibers have a very important role in slowing down the progression of human atherosclerosis. In fact, they only aimed at lowering cholesterol but were surprised when they found out that the formula also has regression effects.

They found this in a succeeding study which was titled “Inhibition of Atherosclerosis by Dietary Pectin in Micro Swine with sustained Hypercholesterolemia” (Circulation 1994:89:1247-53), they established that grapefruit pectin also has an effect on the pigs that already have high cholesterol.

The experiment involved feeding 15 Yucatan micro swines (which are about five-month old) with a high fat diet for 390 days. After this time, one pig was slaughtered to check for the status of the development of atherosclerosis. Then the 14 pigs that remained were divided into two groups. One group received 3% cellulose fiber while the other group took 3% grapefruit pectin (which is also fibrous). After nine months, autopsies of the animals revealed that the narrowing of the mean coronary artery was 45% in the group taking cellulose but only 24% for the group receiving the grapefruit pectin.

In one particular human study, 27 people were fed with pectin derived from grapefruit pulp and peel. One half of the group was given three tablespoons of pectin per day while the next half was given placebo. The result was a reduction of 9% in blood cholesterol level on the average, with a maximum reduction of 19%. The regimen was also linked to reduction in low-density lipoproteins blood level, which is another substance linked to heart disease.

Because of these outstanding results, ProFibe, was conceived and released commercially. Today, after several human studies and positive testimonies, ProFibe helps thousands of people in caring for their heart and overall health.

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Your physician may have termed it “bulk.” Grandma called it “roughage”. Whatever name it goes by, fiber – such as that in the fruit-based supplement ProFibe – has countless benefits for anyone who seriously wants to stay in the peak of health.

Plainly speaking, dietary fiber refers to plant cells’ indigestible parts. Although it is a form of carbohydrate, fiber cannot be converted to glucose, which means that it does not raise blood-sugar levels the way typical carbohydrates do. Instead, it can even set back the entry of glucose into the bloodstream.

This consequently trims down the blood-sugar surges which foster the production and storage of body fat. By slowing down the transit time of food in your digestive tract, you’ll also experience fullness (in terms of eating) longer, helping you to actually cut down on intake.

ProFibe is a water-soluble fiber product approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under its “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) category. Made from citrus pectin and guar gum, ProFibe is tasteless and is easily tolerated by people who aren’t too keen on artificially flavored drinks.

Importance of Fiber

Water soluble fiber is effective in lowering cholesterol levels by flushing bad cholesterol out of the body before it reaches the bloodstream. Here are some of the other benefits you can get from fiber (Atkins, 2002):

• Treats constipation by “bulking up” the stool and making “movement easier”.
• Reduces the probability of the occurrence of diverticulitis (inflammation of small pockets in the colonic wall).
• Binds to cholesterol and helps the body flush it out.
• Crowds out harmful bacteria in the digestive tract and consequently boosts the immune system.
• Hastens the excretion of bile which may promote gallstone formation.
• Absorbs and gets rid of toxins and other harmful substances in the intestine.

When you include more fiber, as well as starches, in your regular diet, you will begin to experience a reduction in the risk for high blood pressure, cancer, obesity, and other diseases, as well as enjoy lower cholesterol levels.

It is said that a 2% drop in heart disease risk results from every 1% drop in blood cholesterol levels. ProFibe addresses the need for an inexpensive and effective way of not just reducing blood cholesterol levels but also repairing existing damage.

ProFibe is kosher-certified and is complexed with non-genetically modified organism (non-GMO) soy protein to improve its palatability and make it more acceptable for a greater number of people. Its powdered form is easily mixed with various beverages such as water and juices and works best when taken thrice a day in equal doses.

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