Overview

A single-center, randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study followed by an open-label phase to evaluate the effects of a new formulation of a supplement on lipid profile in subjects with mild hypercholesterolemia who are non-responsive to the Mediterranean diet.

The study population consists of 99 subjects with mild hypercholesterolemia who are non-responsive to the Mediterranean diet. The participants will be divided into three groups:

Group A: Test Product A (study product) Group B: Test Product B (comparative product) Placebo group: placebo

The following visits are scheduled during the study:

T-2 (day -35) - Screening visit, 5 weeks before T0 T-1 (day -28) - Enrollment visit, 4 weeks before T0 T0 (day 0) - Randomization visit, baseline T1 (day 56) - Interim visit, 8 weeks after T0 T2 (day 112) - Final visit, 16 weeks after T0 After the first 8 weeks of the study (double-blind), all three groups will continue with only Product A for an additional 8 weeks. This experimental design aims to highlight whether any differences between Test Product A and Test Product B observed during the first 8 weeks can be minimized when both arms receive the same treatment. Additionally, the effect of Product A will be observed at 8 and 16 weeks, thus providing efficacy data over a longer treatment period. This may also provide insights into the potential achievement of a plateau. Regarding the placebo group, it will be possible to distinguish the effect of the diet alone from the combined effect of the diet and supplementation with Test Product A.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Prevention of cardiovascular disease
• Low cardiovascular risk (< 5%)
• Sub-optimal serum levels of LDL-C (130-136 mg/dl; 3.37-4.14 mmol/l) and/or non-HDL-C (160-190 mg/dl; 4.14-4.92 mmol/l) at T-2
• Signature of informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with cardiovascular disease (in secondary prevention) or at risk of cardiovascular disease after 10 years (cardiovascular risk >/= 5)
• diabetes mellitus
• Taking hypolipemiants, supplements or drugs that may involve lipid metabolism
• Hypertension treatment not stabilized for at least 3 months
• History of ongoing kidney, thyroid, gastrointestinal, muscle or liver disease
• Any medical-surgical treatment that may limit adherence to the study protocol
• Pregnant and/or breastfeeding women