Benecol Smart Chews, Caramel, 120-Count Soft Chews
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List Price: Our Price: $25.99 You Save: $4.00 (13%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Health Care See more product details |
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Customer Reviews of Benecol Smart Chews, Caramel, 120-Count Soft Chews
Customer Review: Taste great, but do they work? Not for my HDL
Summary: 3 Stars
First off, let me say that I am a registered pharmacist. I do not have "high cholesterol." With no medication, my total is in the upper 190s or low 200s. My LDL hovers between 122 - 131. The problem that I have is low HDL (the good cholesterol). With no medication my HDL is between 30 and 33.
I exercise frequently (tennis, gym), but I do not eat a lot of fish. My MD wanted me to start on Niacin, so I did. I decided that Benecol plus my Niacin would hopefully do enough. After 6 months of regular use of both, my HDL increase to 34 from 32 on my previous test. (For men, the HDL target is 40 or higher.) Thus my physician doubled my dose of niacin and I increased from 2 chews per day to 4 chews daily. After another 6 months, I was retested and my HDL was 35.
At this point my MD stopped the niacin and switched me to fenofibrate. At this point, I decided to stop the Benecol because of the marginal, if any, change in my HDL.
I do recommend them for their taste! They are great for that, but too expensive to eat if you don't get any benefit out of it.
Customer Review: I'm a believer!
Summary: 5 Stars
I had blood work done & for the first time I was told I had high cholesterol. After doing some searching online, I came across Benecol Chews. Rave reviews made me give them a try. After a little less then 2 months I had my cholesterol checked again. My total cholesterol went from 215 down to 205 and my LDL went from 144 down to 129. Keep in mind I made little to no change in my diet so I know these changes were from taking Benecol. Aside from the numbers, which is the most important part, the chews are tasty. Not too sweet, taste like caramel & aren't tough. Sometimes they can leave a little bit of a residue in the mouth but that quickly goes away with a drink. I grew to get used to it. They are actually a nice treat after meals (one you know is good for you!). Amazon makes it so easy with the automatic shipments. I never have to worry about running out. And after the change in numbers, I never want to be without them! For those on statins, the package states you can safely take these. If you're looking for an easy way to help improve your numbers, definately give these a try!Customer Review: STOP: PLANT STANOLS/STEROLS MAY BE DEADLY TO YOUR HEALTH
Summary: 1 Stars
I began taking Benecol four years ago and I'm now terrified. Stanols/sterols may harden arteries. They may clog heart valves. Yes, they will lower your cholesterol but cholesterol may in fact be the least of your problems. [...]
There are multiple recent studies showing the possibility that this stuff is collecting in your arteries. The fact that this company does not mention THIS EXTREME, EXTREME DANGER is disgusting. A few years back they cut in half the amount of stanols in their margarine, obviously fully aware of the possibility they were damaging millions of hearts. PLEASE HEED THIS WARNING. Unfortunately, I only recently found out about it.
Also, you may notice you're developing xanthelasma around your eyes.
Update: I've just received my blood tests back. I have significantly elevated campesterol levels which could only come from taking this product. This puts me at a much higher risk of heart attack. If you are taking this stuff, demand your money back and stop taking it immediately!
Read this: [...]
Customer Review: Benecol Smart Chews
Summary: 5 Stars
I started using Benecol Chews in June 2007. I just recently had my cholesterol checked and I dropped significantly. My last count was a total of 233 and the most recent count was a total of 190. I was very thrilled. I purposely wanted to get a new test before I ordered more Benecol Chews to make sure they were actually doing something for me. I don't have to question the effects Benecol has had on me. I attribute the drop in my total cholesterol to the Benecol Chews and adding more soluble fiber to my diet via oatmeal. Look for oatmeal that contains at least 4 g of soluble fiber. Most have just 1 or 2 soluble fibers. Quaker Weight Control has 4 g of soluble fiber and if you are familiar with Trader Joe's they have a Heart Healthy Oatmeal (Blueberry and Cranberry, Blueberry is my favorite) that also has 4 g of soluble fiber. I also exercise regularly at least 4 time a week. So I personally feel the combination of the above was the result of my drop in cholesterol. I have highly recommended the Benecol Chews to family and friends. Thank you.Customer Review: BEWARE! 12g sugar and 80 calories a day to get your stanols!
Summary: 2 Stars
I bought these because it seemed a compelling way to get plant stanols, which medical literature praise for their cholesterol reducing abilities. I don't consume a lot of bread, so the benecol/stanol butter substitute spreads were not a reliable source of stanols for me.
However, these chews aren't all they are cracked up to be. If you have 4 chews per day (like they suggest), you get 16 grams of carbs, 12 grams of sugar, and 80 calories! For anyone who has high cholesterol + high triglycerides, that isn't a desirable way to get your stanols. Even if these lower your cholesterol, the offsetting risk to your triglycerides might negate the heart healthy benefits. I'm no expert on this, but I find that eating too many sugars only makes me hungrier.
If you like to have spreads on your breads and are using stanols as part of your heart health regimen, I'd suggest a tub of Benecol or Smart Balance instead!
Benecol - can you bring me stanols in a capsule without the sugar?