Nutraceuticals to Improve Lipid Profile in European Countries

Cardiovascular prevention include a class I indication to statins in addition to non-pharmacologic intervention and prevention strategies in patients deemed to be 'high risk' according to current scientific guidelines. In the real world, however, statin treatment is often discontinued due to side effects.

In addition, statins are not indicated in those subjects deemed to be 'low risk', in whom only non-pharmacologic intervention and prevention strategies are currently prescribed.

Along with non-pharmacologic intervention and prevention strategies, newer approaches to reduce cholesterol blood levels currently include nutraceuticals, which are compounds derived from foods with cholesterol lowering actions.

The primary objective of this study is twofold:

First, to prospectively compare in the real world clinical practice the efficacy and tolerability of non-pharmacologic intervention vs. the combination of non-pharmacologic intervention with a nutraceutical-based protocol in patients in whom statin treatment is not tolerated or is not indicated.

Second, to evaluate gender and race/ethnic differences in the hypolipidemic effects of a nutraceutical-based protocol among European countries.

Cardiovascular prevention include a class I indication to statins in addition to non-pharmacologic intervention and prevention strategies in patients deemed to be 'high risk' according to current scientific guidelines. In the real world, however, statin treatment is often discontinued due to side effects.

In addition, statins are not indicated in those subjects deemed to be 'low risk', in whom only non-pharmacologic intervention and prevention strategies are currently prescribed.

Along with non-pharmacologic intervention and prevention strategies, newer approaches to reduce cholesterol blood levels currently include nutraceuticals, which are compounds derived from foods with cholesterol lowering actions.

In the real world clinical practice, however, it remains unclear if nutraceuticals yield additive therapeutic effects to non-pharmacologic intervention and prevention strategies in patients in whom statin treatment is not tolerated or is not indicated.

The primary objective of this study is twofold:

First, to prospectively compare in the real world clinical practice the efficacy and tolerability of non-pharmacologic intervention vs. the combination of non-pharmacologic intervention with a nutraceutical-based protocol in patients in whom statin treatment is not tolerated or is not indicated.

Second, to evaluate gender and race/ethnic differences in the hypolipidemic effects of a nutraceutical-based protocol among European countries.

Patients will be assigned at the discretion of their own general practitioner to receive for 1 year either non-pharmacologic intervention and prevention strategies or non-pharmacologic intervention and prevention strategies associated with a commercially available nutraceutical combined pill (1 capsule/day containing red yeast rice 200 mg, policosanol 10 mg, and berberine 500 mg).

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Class I indication to receive statin treatment but previous (\<12 months) withdrawn of a statin due to side effects and unwilling to receive treatment with an alternative statin
* Class I indication to receive non-pharmacologic intervention and prevention strategies because of hyperlipidemia with 'low risk' classification
* Able to understand and willing to sign the informed CF

Exclusion Criteria:

• Women of child bearing potential patients must demonstrate a negative pregnancy test performed within 24 hours before CT