The Makers of BENECOL(R) Introduce New Cholesterol-Lowering Smart Chews

Main Category: Cholesterol
Article Date: 29 Sep 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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Great-Tasting Chew is Latest in Family of Products Proven to Help People Lower Cholesterol

The makers of BENECOL(R) cholesterol-lowering products today announced the introduction of new BENECOL(R) Smart Chews, a delicious, new dietary supplement from McNeil Nutritionals, LLC, a Johnson & Johnson company. BENECOL(R) Smart Chews offer the benefits of significant cholesterol reduction in an easy, convenient soft chew that can help the millions of Americans with high cholesterol to lower their levels through a great-tasting dietary supplement.

The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) recommends total cholesterol of less than 200 mg/dL to maintain desirable cholesterol levels1. While the American Heart Association estimates that 104.7 million American adults have total blood cholesterol values of 200 mg/dL and higher2, the recent "BENECOL(R) Be Heart Smart Survey" conducted by BENECOL(R) for National Cholesterol Awareness Month reveals that approximately two-thirds of Americans do not consider their cholesterol level to be one of their top three health concerns3.

"This statistic is of concern. High cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease, so it is vitally important for people to get educated on their condition and change their behavior. BENECOL(R) Smart Chews, combined with a healthy diet and exercise, help people lower their cholesterol, allowing them to take positive steps toward a healthier lifestyle," said Maureen Conway, director of Nutrition Services and Communications at McNeil Nutritionals, LLC, and a registered dietitian.

In July 2004, the National Cholesterol Education Program issued revised guidelines for very high-risk heart patients, lowering recommended LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels from 100 to 704. However, when surveyed, 70 percent of U.S. adults are not familiar with the new guidelines, and 85 percent of the U.S. population does not know their LDL cholesterol goal3.

BENECOL(R) Smart Chews work to reduce cholesterol levels through the cholesterol-lowering ingredient plant stanol esters. The safety and efficacy of plant stanol esters is supported by more than twenty-five published clinical studies. Each BENECOL(R) Smart Chew contains 0.85g plant stanol esters, which can be used in conjunction with BENECOL(R) Spreads to attain the NCEP-recommended 3.4g of plant stanol esters per day.

It is recommended to take two to four chews per day with meals, along with a low saturated fat, low cholesterol diet, for best results. BENECOL(R) Smart Chews offer two flavors: delicious chocolate and creamy caramel. BENECOL(R) Smart Chews are now available in re-sealable pouches of 20 chews in stores throughout Florida, at http://www.benecolUSA.com or by calling toll-free at 1-888-BENECOL.

About BENECOL(R)

BENECOL(R) Spreads and Smart Chews are marketed by McNeil Nutritionals, LLC, a Johnson & Johnson company. Only BENECOL(R) products have the unique ingredient plant stanol esters, which have been proven to significantly lower cholesterol. The safety and efficacy of plant stanol esters is supported by more than twenty-five published clinical studies. More information is available at http://www.benecolUSA.com.

About McNeil Nutritionals, LLC

McNeil Nutritionals, LLC, a Johnson & Johnson company, is a global marketer of innovative nutritional products. The company's mission is to give people the ability to actively manage their own health. McNeil Nutritionals' brands include SPLENDA(R) No Calorie Sweetener, SPLENDA(R) Sugar Blend for Baking, VIACTIV(R) Soft Calcium Chews, VIACTIV(R) Multi-Vitamin Chews, LACTAID(R) Milk and Dietary Supplements and BENECOL(R) Spreads and Smart Chews. McNeil Nutritionals, LLC, is headquartered in Fort Washington, PA.

1 Third Report of the Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III), May 2001, National Cholesterol Education Program/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute/National Institutes of Health.

2 American Heart Association, Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics - 2004 Update.

3 Conducted by Opinion Research Corporation.

4 Circulation, July 13, 2004.