VOLUME 11 NUMBER 1 • MARCH 2014
47
SA JOURNAL OF DIABETES & VASCULAR DISEASE
NEWS
V
illiersdorp residents have shown the
nation that they have heart by coming
together in a commitment to lower their
cholesterol levels and get heart healthy in
the Flora 21-day cholesterol challenge. The
initiative, to test and lower a community’s
cholesterol levels with a lifestyle programme,
was designed to dramatically improve
heart health within 21 days. Those who
participated have made South African
history as it is the first time that an initiative
like this has taken place in South Africa.
Heart disease is the second leading cause
of death in South Africa. ‘The sad statistic
of South Africans is that one in four people
die of cardiovascular disease, of which 80%
is preventable’, states Heart and Stroke
Foundation SA CEO Dr Vash Mungal-Singh.
‘That is why initiatives such as this are so
important to educate the nation on knowing
their cholesterol number and actively doing
something about it.’
Of the 2 000 Villiersdorp residents who
initially had their cholesterol tested, 594
(30%) discovered they were in the high-risk
category; 41% of those who tested high
had never had their levels checked before.
‘Considering that elevated cholesterol is the
key risk factor in heart disease, having one’s
levels tested and knowing your number is
the necessary first step to living a long and
healthy life’, comments Flora marketing
director Susan Stringer.
Of the high-risk candidates, 164
volunteered for Flora’s 21-day cholesterol-
lowering challenge, which set out to prove
that including a 25-g daily intake of Flora
pro.activ as part of a healthy eating plan,
combined with exercise and informed
lifestyle choices, can lower cholesterol
levels by up to 15% in three weeks, thereby
reducing the risk of heart disease.
The initial test results showed that of
the 40% high-risk candidates, only 6%
were aware that they were at risk due to
a family history of high cholesterol levels,
and over 80% had children of their own
who could have had the high-cholesterol
gene passed on to them. ‘The campaign
reveals the urgent responsibility we all have
to get our cholesterol levels checked and
the importance of educating our children
on healthy lifestyle choices’, comments
Stringer.
After 21 days, 18 walks, 12 heart-
conditioning classes, three cooking demos,
nutritional consultations, a ‘sokkie’ dance
Flora saves lives in Villiersdorp
evening and a healthy supply of Flora pro.
activ, 120 participants had their cholesterol
levels tested again on 13 February 2014
by independent registered nurses, and the
results show the genuine effect of lifestyle
change.
Two of the key findings include:
the average cholesterol level of those
•
who completed the challenge was 6.1
mmol/l on day 1, and after 21 days is
now 4.6 mmol/l, a 24% reduction
96% (116 out of 120 participants)
•
reduced their cholesterol levels, versus
95% in Greece Symi, 84% in Greece
Vonitsa, 80% in Spain, and 84% in
Australia.
‘Each percentile drop can be seen as one
step closer to a healthier heart so we are
delighted at these results’, comments
Stringer. ‘I encourage all South Africans to
get their cholesterol levels tested regularly
as it is does not have obvious symptoms but
has fatal side effects.
‘Before the 21-day cholesterol challenge, I
had no idea that I had an elevated cholesterol
level. To my dismay it was a dangerous
7 mmol/l. I am truly grateful that Flora was
able to make me aware of this condition and
educate me on how to improve my lifestyle
to maintain a healthy cholesterol level’, said
Sidney Ntantiso, a Villiersdorp policeman
who participated in the challenge.
Sophie Hendricks, one of the 96% of the Flora 21-day cholesterol challenge participants who successfully
lowered their cholesterol levels, and Susan Stringer, Flora marketing director, show that cholesterol can be
prevented through better lifestyle choices. Villiersdorp residents have shown the nation that they have heart
by coming together in a commitment to lower their cholesterol levels and get heart healthy in the Flora
21-day cholesterol challenge. The initiative, to test and lower a community‘s cholesterol levels with a lifestyle
programme, was designed to dramatically improve heart health within 21 days. Those who participated have
made South African history as it is the first time that an initiative like this has taken place in South Africa.
