Alternative treatment to lower LDL Cholesterol

[Ferna]

Hello.
I have need to stop taking Crestor due to important, progressive muscle and joint pain.My HDL is > 50 but I have been unable to control LDL only with diet.My cardiologist says that in Quito ( I am from Ecuador ), he has not been able to have patientes tolerating the neccesary dose of Niacin due to side effects. Do you have any other drug/s available (spacialy talking about new  mediactions) to lower  my LDL ?, and how efficient are  they compared with statins?
Notice that two years ago I stopped taking Pravacol due to the same effects

[Barbarella]

The lowering standards for cholesterol IMO do not only come from drug companies, but also from insurance companies, I think the insurance companies are behind that big time thinking the lower the cholesterol the less strokes and heartattacks people will get and therefore the insurance companies have to dish out less money.  Of course that makes the drug companies happy.  But don't forget research is behind it too.  

As for me I am glad they came up with statins or I would be walking around with a cholesterol of over 300, and wonder if the natural stuff ever will give me more than a 20 point reduction.

[raycharlesfreak]

Just noticed I typo'd the brand I've been using.  Should have been GT's.

They have site.   Just google GT's Kombucha.

By the way, my usage is around five - six swallows first thing every morning.  That's it.

[raycharlesfreak]

Some things aren't all that explainable when it comes to chol levels.   Idiopathic, as they like to say.  Apparently the liver has a mind of its own and can will how much cholesterol its going to make this year!  

Anyway, my LDL dropped from 170 to 140, as mentioned in my post.  Admittedly, I have a ways to go if you buy the cholesterol theory and its changing standards (who changes it, Phizer?)   Currently, they want LDL to be under 100 I think.  I'm happy in spite of that, especially since I had a thallium scan this afternoon that showed good perfusion everywhere.  Also, my BP has dropped another 6 points, down to 130/80.  Not too shabby from being borderline at 140.

I will have another test soon and see if the LDL continues to drop.  

[Barbarella]

How high was your LDL?  A 30 drop for total cholesterol is a good drop IF your cholesterol is not that high.  Mine was 306 and LDL 231, I only dropped 20points on the natural stuff and 30 points would not have helped me.

Did yours stay at the 30 point drop?  Or did it drop any further?

I took almost most of the stuff in the past "dexter" listed above before I took statins and it only caused me to drop 20 points.

In case anybody wonders why I let the cholesterol get that high, it was always around 210 (total cholesterol give or take) and the doctors never were concerned, I had yearly checkups with yearly bloodtests, in only one year my cholesterol jumped from 202 to 306, no diet changes, no lifestyle changes, and it stayed at that level give or take a little for one year.

[raycharlesfreak]

I should mention, with regard to the Kombucha, I was not aware of the effect it would have on my cholesterol levels until after I got my test results back.  The results initially startled me, as a 30 point drop was completely unexpected and I was concerned it might have been due to some other physiological problem, eg liver disease, etc.  After checking with my doctor and even a medhelp doctor,  I finally narrowed it down and the only thing it could be was the tea and my exercise and diet.  

Thanks.

[raycharlesfreak]

I thought I would just throw in my experience here, as it seems relevant to the original post.  

I'm a 61 y/o male.  I've had moderate cholesterol elevation for around ten years.  It's been (TC) anywhere from 225 - 260.  My primary of course prescribe Lipitor initially.  I took it for a while and before long I realized it was making me feel pretty bad.  So I just quit taking it.  I attempted to take it a couple of more times, and the last time, about three years ago, just about killed me.  I was determined to take it regardless of how it made me feel, so I gave it a real go.  Statins just don't treat everyone the same.  

I'm not even slightly anti-western med, but I was stuck.  Statins - can't live with 'um and can't live without 'um, so to speak.  I had to get my LDL down, and HDL up.  I tried everything, including the natural statin, Red Yeast Rice extract, which had the exact same effect as the Rx drugs.  I did put a dent in it with diet and exercise, however not enough.

Here's what really helped.  About a year ago, I started drinking a fermented tea called Kombucha...  Now..   before you roll your eyes..  I have zero commercial interest in the stuff.  A friend of mine told me about it and said it was a great digestive aid.  She didn't know that it also is effective (really!) in reducing cholesterol and even helps blood pressure.   I just took my yearly physical a month ago, and sure enough, my LDL dropped 30 points (170 - 130).  My HDL went from 48 to 58.  My BP dropped as well, although minimally.  

The brand I use is called KC's and can be purchased at Whole Foods.  There is also one called Synergy.  Comes in a chilled jar and has to be refrigerated.  It tastes like a weak champagne or sweet beer.   I'm not going to hype it anymore, but this worked for me after everything else was either ineffective or had intolerable side effects.

I hope this helps.  

[dixter]

I LEFT OUT FISH OIL! 1-2 TABLESPOONS PER DAY. I DON'T TAKE COD LIVER OIL, I USE CARLSON FISH OIL LEMON FLAVORED IT HAS E IN IT.

[dixter]

These are all good policosanol,flavonoids such as green tea extract, grape seed extract (OPCs),
quercetin, luteolin and kaempferol (found in artichoke
extract and ginkgo biloba), prevent cholesterol
from oxidizing, which is the only reason cholesterol
causes hardening of the arteries in the first place. A multivitamin/mineral supplement with out iron in a powder form, either in a capsule
or in bulk
➔Magnesium ascorbate (buffered vitamin C):
1000 mg three times a day on an empty stomach
between meals
➔Magnesium citramate: 500 mg twice a day
with meals
➔L-carnitine: 500 mg twice a day on an
empty stomach (improves heart strength)
➔CoQ10: 150 mg a day (in olive or rice brain
oil) (alternative is Idebenone, 50 mg twice a
day)
➔Quercetin: 500 mg three times a day with
meals
➔Green tea extract (decaffeinated): 100 mg a
day
➔Grape seed extract: 100 mg a day
➔Vitamin D3: 1,000 IU a day
If you are currently on statins, you should share
you concerns with your physician. You can discuss
the possibility of going off statins and trying policosanol
and the nutritional approach You should have your cholesterol level rechecked
after three months and six months to see the results

[Barbarella]

How high is your LDL?  Up to 130 WITHOUT heart disease is normal.  If your LDL is very high natural stuff might wont help you, it didn't help me.  My LDL was 231 and I wasted a whole year and money on different "natural" products only to see a drop of 20 points.  For the last 4 1/2 yrs I take 20mg of Zocor, no side effects whatsoever, and my cholesterol is now perfect.

[Sweetwaterguy]

     I would strongly suggest talking with your doctor about other alternatives.  There is so much information on the internet and other sources about cholesterol alternatives that are not true or have limited truth.  Yet our natural tendency is to believe.  There are good scientific studies that have addressed many of the popular alternatives, yet few--perhaps none have shown any significant benefit.
   Niacin is well known and carries little risk, although not everyone benefits even if they can tolerate the side effects.  
   A very recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests cholesterol drugs Vytorin and Zetia are ineffective.   There are other statin drugs, however.    Perhaps your doctor might suggest another statin and you might tolerate another better than Crestor.  
   If you do try alternative remedys, please test your cholesterol levels after six weeks to see if you are getting any benefit.   What ever you choose, it is in your best interest to seek the advice of your doctor--especially because you are making changes that can extend or shorten your life,

[EFT56]

You might look into trying omega 3 oils or fish oil pills.. such as
Res Q 1250 one of the top brands of pure omega 3 oils.
I have been on it for over 4 years now - and it works fine ! both hdl and ldl levels are lowered - it took about 5 months to see results happen.

it works good for most people. however beware some will say it does not work good - Doctors dont like it !  as they like to push the crestor and other brands of cholesterol lowering meds at us all.  its $$$ for them !!   and we get the side effects for free !  

by the way I dont sell Res Q products.. I only use them as they are 100% pure .    good luck !  have a nice day !