cholesterol

[pengi07]

does anyone know if Lecithin helps cholesterol i had a routine blood test and my doctor rang to say it was high and wants me to take statins. would Lecithin help with a low fat diet as i dont want to take statins thanks all.

[Paxiled]

Actually, a drink or two a day of red wine is good for reducing cholesterol and stress, assuming it agrees with you.  I'm a big anxiety sufferer, so drinking doesn't agree much with me.  Sorry you're having so many problems.  Sounds a bit like me -- bad back, arms and knee, but docs can't agree on why, and bad reaction to Paxil withdrawal that never went away and docs don't know what to do about it.  You have my empathy and sympathy -- the medical profession is driving me even crazier!

[pengi07]

thank you so much for the advice im not having much luck at the moment i was told i had epilepsy then rhumatoid arthritis now my cholesterol its all making the stress and anxiety worse im taking good vitamins i just want to get better the advice you gave me was really helpfull i am going to order some lecithin i try to eat a good diet and grill everything i dont drink or smoke but i cant exercise as the arthritis is quite bad im just waiting for a shoulder replacement thank you again take care pengi07.

[Paxiled]

When you say high, how high, and what part is high?  If this is your first high reading, I would personally try to avoid statins, as they have other deleterious effects on the heart and the rest of the body, but that's just my opinion.  Lecithin does help indirectly lower cholesterol by helping to emulsify it, helping it to move more smoothly through the blood vessels.  The problem with cholesterol is when it oxidizes, which causes it to stick to the blood vessel walls, narrowing them.  If it doesn't oxidize, if it keeps moving and doesn't stick, no problem.  But by itself, lecithin probably won't be enough to lower your LDL and triglycerides, which are the two "bad" forms of cholesterol.  It will help, but you'll need more.  Changing your diet is essential, eating more of the good fats and fewer of the bad ones.  The good fats are called HDL, and if that's high, it counteracts the effects of high LDL.  Fish oil and flax seed oil and hemp seed oil are examples of sources of good fats.  Antioxidants, such as colored vegetables, help prevent cholesterol from oxidizing, as do many supplements.  There are also supplements that help lower cholesterol, such as guggul.  There is also a natural statin called red yeast rice that can help.  Exercise also helps to keep fat moving.  So sure, go with the lecithin, it's also good for the brain, but don't stop there.  Keep investigating.