Has anyone used any of these supplements and had positive changes with test results?
from-
http://www.loweringcholesterol.net/s...al-supplements

Policosanol
Guggul
Pantethine
or a time release niacin

Policosanol, and gugguls... didn't do much for me.

I am now using high dose inositol, and hoping that will be better.

But you know, alot of the "hype" about cholesterol is exaggerated by the
drug manufacturers. The new drugs in the pipeline are HDL raisers.. the LDL stuff is not working well.

Preventing LDL oxidation by using antioxidants also offers protection. The LDLs are only harmful if they are oxidized by free radicals. People with extremely high cholesterols (over 300) are exceptions, and do need aggressive treatment.

Niacin is enjoying a resurgence in popularity. Merck is coming out with a new
long acting niacin with an additive to prevent the flushing.
People who use niacin have the benefits of improving HDLs as well, but you
should have liver function tests before starting, and at least twice a year while using.

You can read more at the website The Cholesterol Myths.
http://www.ravnskov.nu/cholesterol.htm
I have watched this movement grow over the years...and there are other
interesting thought provoking links on that page now.

Hello, mrsd,

Thank you for posting this. I will check the information later today. I have suspected for years that using cholesterol-lowering meds posed a far greater risk than the elevated cholesterol per se. I was prescribed a statin about two years ago and responded with increasing muscle pain and muscle fatigue (which should have been a clue ), so my doctor switched me to Zetia. I wasn't warm to taking anything at all, so I am very interested in the information at this site.

Thank you again.

TCC

And doctors don't really understand this.

Because the drug reps slant their pitches to debunk Zetia. But I know a guy
who lowered his LDLs 50% on Zetia.

It doesn't have the nasty side effect profile that the statins do.

And really the evidence for lowering LDLs is rather tainted anyway.

As one ages, statistics show that older folks live longer with higher
cholesterol levels. But this data is also hidden, squelched.

Here is a good article on it by a doctor:
http://www.geriatrictimes.com/g040618.html

Also http://www.spacedoc.net/short_term_memory_loss.html

This is a controversial subject...don't be afraid to discuss this with your doctor. As the patents expire on the popular statins, this data becomes more prominent (Zocor and Pravachol are now generic).

Thank you for the additional links. Doctor discussion: I was so disappointed a couple of weeks ago. I'm very lucky to have found a doctor who is current, competent, listens AND discusses. He had changed one of my medications a month or so earlier and within a few days I had - how shall I put this - an intimacy failure, and the med was the only thing in my life that had changed.

I looked up the med, which I should have done before I even took it, and there it was, listed as a lesser side effect, and I know how side effects are massaged and reported. Anyway, when I saw him, I told him I had switched back to the former med until I had the chance to talk with him, that the irritating but what I considered to be VERY minor side effect of the old med was far more acceptable to me than what had happened.

I don't have any idea what precipitated his reaction, "Have you been out on the Internet?" I was really caught off guard, he's always been warm to the idea of his patients being informed, encouraging them to stay up to date and on top of their medical situations. Maybe he's not accustomed to having female patients be up front with something like this. But gosh what an uncharacteristic reaction and a huge let down.

That's a very long (too long) journey to the primary message. I will put the Zetia on my to-do list, and I thank you for suggesting it. I'll get it to-do'd as soon as I'm able to undo what happened and challenge his reaction.

Have a great evening.

TCC

Here is a link to a fabulous article that explains this concept and it uses
statins and lowering cholesterol to illustrate how small the benefits really are.

http://www.slate.com/id/2150354/?GT1=8592

I suggest everyone interesting in becoming their own advocate when
drug therapies are suggested...read this article!

Thanks, NancyM from our Gluten board!

Such as Statins lowering your B12 levels.....I'm wondering how this adds up to Peripheral Neuropathy and where muscle pain, fatigue fit in to this drugs side effects? Hmmmm...interesting!
My father in law began taking the statins years ago....his Cholesterol a bit higher than recommended...but not all that high.
He's not over weight and seems physically fit.
But his HMO doc suggested he take the Statin to lower his Cholestrol numbers.
Now he gets B12 injections....they give him twice a month!
Does anyone see a connection here?
But when I tried to explain my little knowledge regarding Statins and B12 levels....just fell on deaf ears.
And when I tried to explain that the Methlycobalmin, sublingual B12 is just as effective as an injection....now how utterly simple?! No...couldn't be that easy!
I think he began to stuff cotton in his ears by this time.
I shut up when he brought out the head phones.
Go ahead....stick your behind out and go for a little sting! Pay the $38 each trip....its much better than getting a 90 day supply for less than $12~
You see....he needs his B12 because of his slight fatigue....after all he's over 85 years old retired Educator....and what do I know?
I just studied "rocks" in college (geology)! Oh well....let 'em swallow all the Statins he wants!
Its back to the old question...."What came first...the chicken or the egg?!"
Its going to take years and needless suffering before the truth is told about drugs that strip the body of vitamins and minerals.

Blessings, Cheryl

lower CoQ-10 levels in the body.

I am not aware of a B12 connection,
other than AGE since many taking statins are at an age when they should
be taking B12 anyway.

cholesterol is nothing but too much bile stored in your liver. i have tried a liver cleanse with lemons,magnesium sulfate and it releases alot of bile from your body. and when my doctor checked my cholesterol again my numbers was down. my doctor was starting me on lipitor i'm glad i found this remedy instead because lipitor have alot of side effects.

Hello
Has anyone thought of taking more omega 3's - take Flaxseed oil daily, and your colesteral will become normal. Also helps reduce inflammation level. Inflammation can be totally controlled via the proper use of 'Oroteolytic Enzymes'.
I am glad to give further info. Dr Merv (retired)