[Image] Canada NewsWire [Image] Give us your message. We'll give you the world. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attention Food/Lifestyle/Health/Medical Editors/Reporters: New Margarine Offers Innovative Choice for Canadians Fighting Cholesterol TORONTO, Aug. 13 /CNW/ - Becel, the leading brand of margarine in Canada and the one most recommended by doctors and dietitians, has now launched Becel pro.activ, a new heart healthy margarine with plant sterols that helps manage cholesterol as part of a healthy diet. Plant sterols are naturally occurring substances that have been in the diet for thousands of years and are found in every day foods such as vegetable oils, fruit, vegetables and grains. Since the 1950s, more than 600 studies have demonstrated that a diet rich in plant sterols can help consumers manage their cholesterol. Nancy Schwartz, Ph.D, a leading nutrition consultant, describes the use of margarine with plant sterols as "a very significant development in dietary management for Canadians concerned about their cholesterol. It is yet another food that can be so very easily incorporated into a healthy diet. That's good news for the millions of Canadians who have elevated levels of cholesterol." Millions of people around the world are already enjoying Becel pro.activ as part of their dietary approach to cholesterol management. Unilever, the maker of Becel pro.activ, has launched this food product in 19 other countries around the world over the last two-years, including the United States, Australia and European countries. Now Becel pro.activ is available in Canada and it has the same features as regular Becel margarine -- it is low in saturated fat and non-hydrogenated - - with the added benefit of plant sterols. Becel pro.activ joins a family of Becel products that includes regular Becel, Becel Light, Becel Salt Free, Becel RSF and Becel Oil. Statistics Canada estimates that 45% of men and 43% of women have elevated cholesterol levels. "I think the introduction to our food supply of a margarine product with plant sterols is very good news for consumers. It is yet another choice we can make, another tool that we have to help to manage blood cholesterol levels through the diet," said Dr. Schwartz. Becel pro.activ will be available in grocery stores in Canada from August 2001 at a cost of approximately $3.99 for a 227g tub. Most people will use about four teaspoons a day, about the same amount used on three to four pieces of bread, at a cost of less than 35 cents a day. For more information on plant sterols, consumers can visit www.plantsterols.ca. More information on Becel can be found at www.becelcanada.com. Becel margarine, made by Unilever, was first developed at the request of medical doctors in the 1950s as a means of helping consumers manage their cholesterol by giving them a healthier alternative. Today, Becel is the leading brand in the margarine category and is recommended by doctors and dietitians for consumers following a heart healthy diet. Unilever Canada Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Unilever, is a diversified consumer products company with annual sales of $1.5 billion and employs 3,300 people across Canada. Cholesterol Fact Sheet - Cholesterol is a soft fat substance that travels through the blood stream via special fat carrying particles called lipoproteins. Cholesterol comes from two sources - a small amount is found in certain foods (e.g., eggs, shellfish) but most is actually produced by our own body. - Cholesterol cannot dissolve in the blood. So it is transported around the body by lipoproteins. There are two major types of cholesterol transporters: - Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL). This carries cholesterol from the liver to the tissues and deposits fat in the arteries. LDL cholesterol is therefore often referred to as "bad" cholesterol; and - High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL). This carries cholesterol away from the arteries, taking it back to the liver from which it is excreted. High levels of HDL cholesterol are actually good for maintaining the heart's health. For this reason, HDL cholesterol is often referred to as "good" cholesterol. - Consumption of foods with a high content of saturated fat and cholesterol raises bad (LDL) cholesterol levels. Today's diet contains too much saturated fat and cholesterol. (1,2) - The level of cholesterol in the blood and the balance between good (HDL) and bad (LDL) cholesterol is determined in several ways. Genetics, diet and other lifestyle factors all play a role. The first step in managing cholesterol levels is modifying diet to reduce saturated fat and cholesterol consumption (1,2). - Doctors and dietitians have long recommended that a diet lower in saturated fat and cholesterol is an effective way to manage cholesterol. Now it is also recognized that a diet rich in plant sterols can manage cholesterol (2). References: 1. Kraus RM et al. AHA Dietary Guidelines. Revision 2000: A statement for Healthcare Professionals From the Nutrition Committee of the American Heart Association. Circulation (2000) 102: 2284-2299. 2. Executive Summary of the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III). JAMA (2001) 285: 2486-2497. -30- For further information: Jan Mollenhauer, Unilever Canada, (416) 415-3000; Shari Schwartz/Evelyn Yallen, Fleishman-Hillard, (416) 214-0701 UNILEVER CANADA LIMITED has 20 releases in this database. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Image] [Image] [Image] [Image] [Image] [Image] [Image] [Image] [Image] [Image] General Inquiries - cnw@newswire.ca Technical Issues - webmaster@newswire.ca © 2001 Canada NewsWire Ltd. All rights [Image] reserved. [Image]