Take Your Health to Heart This Month, Honoring February as American Heart Health Month

CHATSWORTH, Calif.-(Business Wire)-February 12, 2009 - It is well known that cardiovascular disease (CVD), which affects the heart and arteries and sets a person up for heart attacks and strokes, is the nation’s leading cause of death for adults.* According to recent American Heart Association data, on average, someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds, and approximately 2,400 Americans die of CVD daily…an average of one death due to heart disease every 27 seconds.

Furthermore, over 90 million U.S. adults (age 20 and older), or about 50 percent, have elevated blood cholesterol levels — defined as a total cholesterol level of 200 or more milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), and categorized as “borderline high”, “high”, or “very high” — and this is a major risk factor for heart disease, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's National Cholesterol Education Program.* Specifically, higher blood levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) — the “bad” cholesterol — can increase the risk of CVD, having a heart attack, or dying of heart disease.

To promote lower LDL cholesterol levels, Natrol Inc. — a premier marketer, manufacturer, and distributor of nationally branded nutritional products — offers Cholest Intercept™, a drug-free, vegetarian, safe, and effective supplement that supports decreased LDL in the blood.^†

Taken as directed along with a heart-healthy diet and exercise program,^** Natrol^® Cholest Intercept™ is a natural, safe, effective way to lower LDL cholesterol, while also preserving high-density lipoproteins (HDL), known as the “good” cholesterol. Clinical studies indicate that Cholest Intercept™ may reduce LDL levels by as much as 15 percent in as little as four weeks of taking it along with a healthy lifestyle program.^{‡ †}

Cholest Intercept™ contains plant sterols from Heart Choice^®, a premium ingredient brand, and Natrol^® Cholest Intercept™ is the only supplement with this ingredient in tablet form. Naturally present in small quantities in many fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and other foods, plant sterols have been clinically studied for their cholesterol lowering abilities. Taken three times daily with meals, two Cholest Intercept™ tablets provide a clinically effective plant sterol dose of two grams per day.^†

According to Dr. Michael Yatcilla, Natrol’s Vice President of Research and Development, “Cholest Intercept™ has an advanced formula of plant sterols which actively compete with food cholesterol for absorption in the small intestines. When Cholest Intercept™ is taken with meals, the body absorbs less cholesterol from fish, meat, dairy, eggs, and other animal products. In this way, the product helps lower LDL cholesterol levels in the blood.” ^†

Natrol^® Cholest Intercept™ also contains B-vitamins which have been shown to help maintain normal homocysteine levels that are already in the normal range. Healthy homocysteine levels are important for cardiovascular health.^†

Dr. Yatcilla continues, “With American Heart Month in February, consumers are encouraged to have their blood tested to check their cholesterol levels, and take steps to lower it if it is high.”

Natrol also encourages Americans to make important lifestyle and nutritional adjustments, in addition to a daily regimen of Cholest Intercept™, to help prevent and control high cholesterol and reduce the risk of CVD. The American Heart Association provides many helpful resources on its HeartHub™ Web site at HeartHub.org, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests the following:

Prevent and control high blood pressure
Prevent and control diabetes
Eliminate tobacco
Moderate alcohol intake
Maintain a healthy weight
Get regular physical activity
Eat a healthy diet

These lifestyle changes, in combination with regular check-ups and the cholesterol lowering benefits of Natrol^® Cholest Intercept™ (average U.S. SRP = $14.49 for 60 tablets), can help ensure a healthy heart, mind, and body.^†

Cholest Intercept™, although not intended to replace cholesterol-lowering medications, can be safely taken with cholesterol-lowering statin drugs.^† However, as with all medications and supplements, it’s important to discuss specific dietary and medical needs with a healthcare professional before taking Cholest Intercept™.

Natrol products are offered by U.S. health food, drug and grocery stores, mass-market retailers, Natrol.com, and other online retailers. More information is available at Natrol.com, or by calling 1-800-2-NATROL (1-800-262-8765).

About Natrol – CONSUMER. TECHNOLOGY. NUTRITION.

Natrol, Inc., headquartered in Chatsworth, CA, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Plethico Pharmaceuticals Limited. Plethico Pharmaceuticals Limited (BSE:532739.BO: PLETHICO), an herbal/nutraceutical-focused Indian Company, engages in the manufacture, marketing, and distribution of pharmaceutical and allied healthcare products in India and internationally.

Natrol, Inc. has a portfolio of health and wellness brands representing quality nutritional supplements, functional herbal teas, and sports nutrition products. Established in 1980, Natrol’s portfolio of brands includes: Natrol^®, MRI, Prolab^®, BioSil^®, Laci Le Beau^®, Promensil^®, Trinovin^®, Nu Hair^®, and Shen Min^®. The company also manufactures supplements for its own brands and on behalf of third parties. Natrol distributes products nationally through more than 54,000 retailers, as well as internationally in over 40 other countries through distribution partners and its UK subsidiary.

Consumer needs are central to Natrol’s focus. The company pledges to deliver nutritional products with uncompromised service, quality, and innovation through the best that science, nature, and technology can offer. For more information, call 1-800-2-NATROL (1-800-262-8765) or visit www.Natrol.com.

Images/Interviews/Samples/White Paper available

*Sources: CDC National Vital Statistics Reports-Vol. 56, #5; NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

^‡Individual results will vary.

**Heart disease risk may be reduced by consuming foods and supplements containing a combined total of at least 400mg of plant sterols per meal, ingested twice daily, for a total daily intake of at least 800mg of plant sterols, as part of a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fat. One Natrol^® Cholest Intercept™ serving of two tablets supplies 1,000mg of plant sterols.

Heart Choice^® is a trademark of the Cognis Group, and used under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

^†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare professional prior to use if you have or suspect a medical condition, are taking prescription drugs, or are pregnant or lactating.

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