Some Urgent Facts Doctors Do Not Tell You
Balancing your Cholesterol instead of Blocking it is key.; Doctors and Medical Researchers are discovering that Balancing or Regulating cholesterol is a truer measure of Health.; Cholesterol is a Fundamentally Required substance your body depends upon for a vast range of biological functions.; It is Not Naturally Bad for Your Health.; Actually, it plays a Vital Role in Boosting Liver, Memory, and Brain Health.; You have a Right to know that for Years
Dishonesty and Lies run rampant concerning Heart Health and Cholesterol.
Typically Doctors recommend blocking cholesterol production in your body with prescription Statin Drugs or excluding it from much-needed nutrients in foods such as Fish or Eggs.; In the end, Your Health will suffer greatly as a result.; Sometimes death occurs with Liver Cancers.; How many people do you know who died from Liver Cancer took Cholesterol drugs ?; I venture quite a few.; I can count a half dozen people I know.
Buying Guide For Best Cholesterol
Maybe your doctor has warned you that your cholesterol is too high. Maybe youre simply concerned about keeping your heart and circulatory system as healthy as possible. In either case, you may have wondered if there are alternatives to cholesterol-lowering prescription drugs. In fact, there are several natural alternatives that have proven effective in some studies.
Youll find a lot of cholesterol-lowering supplements on sale today, and with these products comes a lot of marketing hype. Its hard to know what to believe. Thats why we created this guide: to help our readers choose the right cholesterol-lowering supplements.
Read on for more information!
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What Are The Target Cholesterol Levels
What represents an ideal cholesterol level is not clear-cut, and acceptable limits are revised regularly usually in a downward direction. The following cholesterol levels are currently considered desirable for otherwise healthy adults.
There is now a move away from measuring LDL-cholesterol, however, towards measuring all non-HDL-cholesterol as this is a more accurate way or predicting future heart disease risk:
Total cholesterol
- 5mmol/l or less in the UK
- 200mg/dl or less in the US
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol
- 3mmol/l or less in the UK
- 100mg/dl or less in the US
High-density lipoprotein cholesterol
- Above 1mmol/l for men
- Above 1.2 mmol/l for women .
Non-HDL-cholesterol
- UK guidelines: less than 4 mmol/L
- US guidelines: your non-HDL cholesterol level goal should be 30 mg/dL higher than your LDL cholesterol level goal so, if your target LDL cholesterol is 100 mg/dL, your non-HDL goal is 130 mg/dL.
If you have diabetes, a history of heart attack or are at high risk for cardiovascular disease, a lower total cholesterol target and a lower LDL-cholesterol target may apply. Your doctor can tell you what target cholesterol levels are right for you.
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B Vitamins Boast Many Benefits
Vitamin B3, or niacin, has been shown to increase levels of high-density lipoprotein , or good, cholesterol, and decrease triglycerides. Niacin supplementation has been used since the 1950s as a treatment for high cholesterol. While B3 alone may not be adequate treatment for high cholesterol, in combination with other medications, a B-vitamin supplement may be beneficial.
Red Yeast Rice Supplements Lower Cholesterol
Red yeast rice is produced when a yeast, Monascus purpureus, ferments wet rice. The yeast turns the rice dark red on the outside and a bright red in the centre. The red yeast rice can be eaten as a delicacy, or dried and ground to a powder or paste to colour Asian dishes such as Peking duck.
Red yeast rice contains a substance, monacolin K, which is identical to one of the statin drugs, lovastatin. Red yeast monacolin K works on the liver in exactly the same way as statin drugs to inhibit the enzyme, HMG-CoA, and block cholesterol production.
The results of 21 clinical trials containing 4558 people, show that, not surprisingly, red yeast rice significantly lowers total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol. There were no significant effects on blood pressure, triglycerides or HDL-cholesterol compared with placebo, however.
Ten trials, involving 905 people, which compared red yeast rice extracts against statins found no significant differences in any of the outcomes measured.
In the EU, there is an authorised health claim that red yeast rice, which supplies a daily intake of 10mg monacolin K contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels. However, some countries consider red yeast rice is a medicine at doses of at least 5mg per day , or more than 10mg per day . In the UK, whether or not a red yeast rice supplement is a medicine is considered on a case by case basis.
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Guide For Lowering Cholesterol Naturally
The complete Pritikin Program for lowering cholesterol with little or no medication. Includes recipes and 5-day meal plan. The Ultimate Guide for Lowering LDL Cholesterol Naturally
If your LDL levels are still too high after trying these 6 nutrition-based approaches, talk to your doctor about cholesterol-lowering medications like statins, but give these 6 tips your best shot, encourages Dr. Danine Fruge, MD, ABFP, Medical Director at the Pritikin Longevity Center. The right eating plan, like Pritikin, can be powerfully beneficial and there are no adverse side effects.
Plant Sterols And Stanols
Plant stanols and sterols are naturally-occurring substances found in certain plants. Stanols are also found as dietary supplements or are added to margarine, orange juice, and dressings.
Research suggests that;plant stanols and sterols may help to lower cholesterol. They are similar in structure to cholesterol and may help block the absorption of cholesterol from the intestines. The National Cholesterol Education Program recommends you take in 2 grams of plant sterols and stanols each day.
The FDA allows an approved health claim on phytosterols stating, “Foods containing at least 0.65 gram per serving of vegetable oil plant sterol esters, eaten twice a day with meals for a daily total intake of at least 1.3 grams, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease.”
Stanols and sterols appear to enhance the effects of other methods to lower cholesterol. In studies, people taking statin drugs to lower cholesterol had an additional improvement in their cholesterol levels with stanols/sterols.
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Betaglucan Supplements Lower Cholesterol
Eating oats or barley can lower cholesterol in two ways. Oats and barley contain betaglucans, a type of soluble fibre that acts on the liver to reduce your own natural cholesterol production.
Oats and barley also contain insoluble fibre which acts like a sponge to bind cholesterol and slow its absorption in the intestines.
Oat and barley betaglucans are added to foods designed to lower cholesterol, and are also available in supplement form.
A daily intake of at least 3g oat betaglucan can lower total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol by 5% to 10%.
Betaglucans also have an immune-boosting action, and many supplements highlight this aspect rather than the cholesterol-lowering action.
As with most cholesterol-lowering supplements, betaglucans can be used with or without statin medication but check with your doctor first. Eat oats and barley products, too.
Side Effects Of Niacin
As with any medication or supplement, niacin does have side effects.
Some niacin supplement products can cause flushing, meaning that your face gets very red as a result of the increased blood flow.
You may also experience nausea, vomiting, headaches, itching, and other side effects. This is only common with certain types of niacin, so it is best to check with your doctor to be certain you are getting the right niacin for cholesterol according to your sensitivities and intolerances.
Despite the side effects, it is still one of the best supplements to take. This is because it is incredibly effective, boosting your HDL cholesterol levels by as much as 35%.
The increase in HDL can help your body to naturally get rid of all the bad cholesterol, thus enabling it to fight the problem on its own.
For a natural solution to high cholesterol, this is actually one of the best supplements to consider.
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How To Lower Cholesterol Naturally In 28 Simple Steps
There are tons of natural remedies out there for how to lower cholesterol levels, often promising quick results with next to no effort required on your part. But while its true that there are tons of options to keep cholesterol levels in check, it can actually be as simple as swapping out a few foods in your diet for healthier options, switching up your workout routine or adding a supplement or two into the mix.
Ready to get started? Lets take a look at 28 simple methods for how to lower cholesterol and how it can impact your health.
What You Can Do: Eat More Omega
I advise my patients to eat real fish instead of taking a supplement, says Dr. Martin. The quality of OTC fish-oil supplements can vary, he says, and some may contain unwanted ingredients or contaminants. Meanwhile, fish is a good source of lean protein. Dr. Martins recommendation: Aim to eat about four ounces of oily fish such as tuna, salmon, or anchovies twice a week. Handy fact: A four-ounce fish filet will be around the size of your palm.
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Cholesterol Lowering Supplements #7: A Great Herbal Medicine For Cholesterol Evening Primrose Oil
If you want a great herbal medicine for cholesterol, you must travel to the Far East, or China specifically.
The Chinese have come up with awesome herbal remedies and cholesterol lowering supplements, one of which is the Evening Primrose.
The oil of the Evening Primrose contains lots of great fatty acids that your body needs to function properly, but that will be all natural. The natural fats in this oil will help boost your HDL cholesterol and lower your total cholesterol, and you can obtain the natural benefits of this simple plant oil by taking even a few grams of the stuff every day.
Bri Nutrition Odorless Garlic
Garlic has been linked to lower levels of cholesterol in some cases. Because of this, taking garlic as a supplement may help you lower your cholesterol levels.
Each bottle comes with a 60-day supply, and they are incredibly inexpensive, so nothing is keeping you from trying them.
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Cholesterol Lowering Supplements #6: Garlic To Lower Cholesterol
Another of the excellent cholesterol lowering supplements that you can take is garlic, either in clove form, extract form, or pill form.
In fact, most doctors not only recommend garlic to lower cholesterol, but also to help improve overall heart health. As far as healthy supplements or foods go, garlic is near the top of the list.
What makes garlic so special?
One of the best things about garlic is that it helps to thin out the blood. This comes in very handy when you have high blood pressure, as the thinning of your blood helps to reduce your hypertension.
However, thinning out your blood also helps to reduce your cholesterol, thanks to the allicin in the garlic. You can prevent clots from forming thanks to the fact that your blood is thinner, and thus you run a much lower risk of serious cholesterol-related problems developing.
You can seriously reduce your LDL cholesterol levels thanks to the garlic, and you can also cause your HDL cholesterol levels to be increased.
Garlic packs a powerful punch against cholesterol, vampires, and enemies, and adding a bit of fresh garlic or garlic extract to your diet will help you to fight your cholesterol.
Another minor benefit of garlic is that it helps to round out the flavors in your food, and everyone knows that a rich, tasty meal will fill you up much faster than a bland one.
Thanks to the garlic in your food, you can feel less hungry, and thus you will be able to stop yourself from eating or drinking things that you shouldnt .
Dietary Approaches To Lowering Cholesterol
Eating more foods withÂ;fiber, soy, omega-3 fatty acids, and plant compounds similar to cholesterol can lower LDL cholesterol, or bad cholesterol.
Dietary fiber, nuts, soybeans, and phytosterols each have different ways of loweringÂ;cholesterol levels.Â; Enjoy them with fruits and vegetables, and cut back on saturated fats.
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Lycopene Supplements Lower Cholesterol
Lycopene is a red, carotenoid plant pigment which lowers cholesterol and reduces hardening and furring up of the arteries.
Lycopene is found in tomato skins, where it is locked away inside cells. Cooking tomatoes releases the lycopene so it becomes five times more bioavailable than in raw tomatoes. Tinned tomatoes provide around 3mg lycopene per 100g, for example, compared while tomato ketchup supplies around 17mg/100g.
Lycopene is also found in pink guava, watermelon, red and pink grapefruit, tangerines and papaya, where lycopene is stored in a liquid, crystal form that is also readily absorbed.
Results from 12 trials suggests that taking lycopene in doses of at least 25mg per daily reduces LDL-cholesterol by around 10%.
Having a good lycopene level is also associated with reduced thickness of artery walls. Lycopene also has beneficial effects on the prostate gland.
Natural Herbs And Vitamins That Lower Cholesterol
Cholesterol is one of those needed things in your body that needs to be kept in a proper balance. If you have too much cholesterol, especially the bad LDL cholesterol, then you are increasing your risks of heart disease development and a number of other health issues. If you dont have enough cholesterol, then you arent able to keep other facets of the body balanced and youll increase your health risks in a number of other ways.
Thanks to recommendations from the American Medical Association, many doctors are beginning to proactively prescribe drugs to lower cholesterol levels in people who are considered to be at a high risk of heart disease because of high cholesterol levels. It is estimated that a third of all Americans are already suffering from high cholesterol because of the standard American diet, which means taking proactive steps to control bad cholesterol should be implemented now for many people.
Some people, however, dont tolerate prescription cholesterol medication very well. If you fall into that category or you just want to avoid pharmaceuticals as much as possible, there are some natural herbs and vitamins that have been proven to be able to lower bad cholesterol levels and keep your body balanced in a better way. You may need to make some changes to your diet to achieve your targeted cholesterol levels too, but at least you can do it without taking medication.
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Bergamot Orange Supplements Lower Cholesterol
Citrus fruits contain pectin, a soluble fibre that lowers cholesterol levels. Some citrus fruits also contain bitter polyphenols which have cholesterol-lowering properties. Drinking grapefruit juice daily can lower LDL-cholesterol by 7% to 15%, for example, with red grapefruit having the more powerful effect.
Grapefruit polyphenols can interact with some prescribed medications, however. Taking one particular statin, lovastatin, with a glass of grapefruit juice was found to produce the same blood levels of the drug as when taking 12 tablets with water! The effect, which is irreversible, lasts for at least 24 hours after drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit segments, and can potentially lead to symptoms of overdose. Read the in-pack patient information leaflet, and check with a doctor or pharmacist before taking grapefruit extracts if you are taking any prescribed medicines.
The juice of the bitter, bergamot orange contains polyphenols that block the absorption of cholesterol from the intestines, and has the advantage of both reducing bad LDL-cholesterol and raising good HDL-cholesterol to improve overall cholesterol balance.
A study involving 77 people with raised LDL cholesterol and triglycerides compared the effects of taking a statin alone , a low dose statin plus bergamot polyphenols or bergamot extracts alone versus placebo.
Cholesterol Lowering Supplements #2: Niacin For Cholesterol
Now we get down to business with the cholesterol lowering supplements, the first of which is Niacin.
Niacin is one of the best of the supplements for cholesterol, as it is a natural B vitamin . What makes it so awesome is that it is just as effective as a drug or medication, and this B vitamin will effectively lower your cholesterol numbers by increasing your HDL cholesterol.
Thats right, whereas most supplements and medications deal with lowering LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, niacin for cholesterol deals with increasing your bodys natural levels of HDL cholesterol.
This means that you can actually get your body working on lowering cholesterol naturally thanks to the niacin for cholesterol, saving you from having to take other medications or supplements to get the job done.
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Garlic Supplements Lower Cholesterol
Garlic contains powerful sulfur-based antioxidants, such as allicin which gives crushed garlic its characteristic smell.
Allicin both reduces cholesterol production in the liver and acts on cell receptors to reduce the uptake of cholesterol. Data from 39 clinical trials, involving 2300 adults, showed that garlic extracts can lower total and LDL-cholesterol by 10% if taken for at least two months. Garlic extracts also lower triglycerides another type of circulating fat by up to 27%.
Garlic extracts have the additional advantage of lowering blood pressure. The results from 20 trials involving 970 people suggest that, on average, garlic extracts lower blood pressure by 5.1/2.5mmHg and, in people with hypertension, can lower blood pressure by 8.7/6.1 mmHg compared with placebo.
Garlic also reduces blood stickiness, dilates blood vessels and can reduce the risk of hardening and furring up of the arteries up to a quarter. Link
If you need to both lower your cholesterol and reduce your blood pressure, garlic extracts are an excellent option. Add lots of garlic to your meals too, adding it towards the end of cooking for maximum benefits.