High cholesterol: Need advice on supplements?
I have cholesterol numbers that aren’t the greatest, but not the worse either. All of the numbers are over the desired level by 20 pts. or so. I am not taking any prescriptions at this point. I am trying to get the numbers down on my own over the next 3 months, before I go for another blood test. I am watching my Diet, exercising, and trying to include some supplements to help.
What I am wondering about is the various supplements that I have read about (on web sites such as Dr. Oz, Dr. Weil, Dr. Mercola, etc.) that they recommend in lowering cholesterol levels. One is niacin, another is red yeast rice and another is kyolic garlic. Also, vitamin E and omega-3’s. I don’t know if it is beneficial to take any one of these in particular, which one is the best, or to try a combination of them. I don’t want to be popping alot of supplements, but I’d prefer to pop supplements vs. medicine to start with as it might help.
Thanks for the advice.
Natural ingredients such as Rooibos, Gugulipid and Red Yeast Rice are well known for their beneficial properties of reducing levels of LDL (’bad’) and triglyceride, while increasing the levels of protective HDL cholesterol. With a few life-style changes and a little help from nature, cholesterol levels can be well managed.
Red Yeast Rice (Monascus purpurea) is an ancient Chinese remedy which has been used for centuries, both medicinally and in the preservation and coloring of food. The beneficial effects of Red Yeast Rice on balancing blood cholesterol levels have also been clinically demonstrated in a number of double blind, placebo controlling studies involving thousands of people. These studies have demonstrated that Red Yeast Rice can cut levels of LDL (’bad’) cholesterol by as much as 15%, which compares favorably with similar cholesterol lowering effects of prescription drugs.
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Another herb is Gugulipid which is an extract of Commiphora mukul, the gum resin of the mukul myrrh tree. It is a highly prized and well known Ayurvedic herb, used for hundreds of years in the treatment of obesity and arthritis. Recent studies have shown that gugulipid can be even more effective than many prescription medications in lowering cholesterol and tryglyceride levels in the blood. (between 14 and 27% reduction in cholesterol levels over a 12 week period) Even more importantly, gugulipid has also been shown to increase levels of protective HDL cholesterol. Other studies have demonstrated that regular use of gugulipid has helped to prevent the build up of plaque in the arteries and even to reverse the build up of existing plaque. It also prevents blood platelets from sticking together, thereby reducing the risk of blood clots, which often cause heart attacks. Gugulipid has powerful anti-oxidant properties, thereby providing protection and benefit to the entire system.
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Aspalathus linearis (Rooibos) is a medicinal herb indigenous to South Africa and is widely used for its restorative and anti-oxidant properties. Rooibos can help to control blood sugar levels, lower blood pressure and enhance immune functioning. It is an extremely nutritious herb, containing Vitamin C, Alphahydroxy Acid, potassium, copper, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, manganese and fluoride.
Foe even more details, you may check here http://www.healthherbsandnutrition.com/remedies/l/lipiddisorders.htm
December 20th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Exercise A LOT.
Niacin is VERY effective. Red yeast rice works. And lecithin helps raise your good cholesterol level.
References :
December 20th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
i would definitely follow my doctor’s advice. He probably told you to avoid foods with saturated fats, such as red meat and most sea food, liver or any organ meats , eat lots of vegetables and fruit, get your proper amount of exercise and your cholesterol should drop to a normal level. You may have to stay on this diet for some time to keep it under control, but I actually think its better than getting on the cholesterol lowering medication.
If you want a supplement to help it can not hurt, maybe you should dry the niacin and red yeast rice. Garlic has long been thought to lower, but I am not sure if its been proven.
References :
December 20th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
I was introduced to these 100% organic beverages and has a herb name ganoderma or reishi. I really has done great things for my body. It also help a lot of my close family members as well with health problems such high blood pressure and diabetes. I recommend to do your own due diligence on this alternative. You be amazed what you’ll read! Here’s a online store that provide the beverages that you will enjoy.
http://www.naturalenergy.organogold.com/na/biz/
The use of Ganoderma Lucidum as a dietary supplement has been documented in Chinese pharmacopoeia since approximately second century B.C. However, its rarity and long cultivation period meant that Ganoderma Lucidum health benefits were historically limited to royalty or aristocracy. In the 1970s, several successful methods of cultivating Ganoderma were finally developed and as a result, the natural supplement that was once exclusive to the wealthy is now readily available to the general public. Based on numerous cases of improvement shown in patients with serious illnesses such as cancer and hepatitis who used Ganoderma Lucidum products, a number of countries including China and the UK are now researching the medical applications of Ganoderma Lucidum more extensively.
http://www.naturalenergy.organogold.com/na/biz/
References :
December 20th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Natural ingredients such as Rooibos, Gugulipid and Red Yeast Rice are well known for their beneficial properties of reducing levels of LDL (’bad’) and triglyceride, while increasing the levels of protective HDL cholesterol. With a few life-style changes and a little help from nature, cholesterol levels can be well managed.
Red Yeast Rice (Monascus purpurea) is an ancient Chinese remedy which has been used for centuries, both medicinally and in the preservation and coloring of food. The beneficial effects of Red Yeast Rice on balancing blood cholesterol levels have also been clinically demonstrated in a number of double blind, placebo controlling studies involving thousands of people. These studies have demonstrated that Red Yeast Rice can cut levels of LDL (’bad’) cholesterol by as much as 15%, which compares favorably with similar cholesterol lowering effects of prescription drugs.
·
Another herb is Gugulipid which is an extract of Commiphora mukul, the gum resin of the mukul myrrh tree. It is a highly prized and well known Ayurvedic herb, used for hundreds of years in the treatment of obesity and arthritis. Recent studies have shown that gugulipid can be even more effective than many prescription medications in lowering cholesterol and tryglyceride levels in the blood. (between 14 and 27% reduction in cholesterol levels over a 12 week period) Even more importantly, gugulipid has also been shown to increase levels of protective HDL cholesterol. Other studies have demonstrated that regular use of gugulipid has helped to prevent the build up of plaque in the arteries and even to reverse the build up of existing plaque. It also prevents blood platelets from sticking together, thereby reducing the risk of blood clots, which often cause heart attacks. Gugulipid has powerful anti-oxidant properties, thereby providing protection and benefit to the entire system.
·
Aspalathus linearis (Rooibos) is a medicinal herb indigenous to South Africa and is widely used for its restorative and anti-oxidant properties. Rooibos can help to control blood sugar levels, lower blood pressure and enhance immune functioning. It is an extremely nutritious herb, containing Vitamin C, Alphahydroxy Acid, potassium, copper, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, manganese and fluoride.
Foe even more details, you may check here http://www.healthherbsandnutrition.com/remedies/l/lipiddisorders.htm
References :