We have been told over an over again that high cholesterol (LDL the "bad" kind)causes heart disease. This has allowed doctors to write million of prescriptions for cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins. Ironically half of the people having heart attacks do not have high "bad" cholesterol.
Erin Quinn a healthwriter shares her insight on a recent article about a new research called JUPITER that found that what causes heart disease is high inflamation in the body. The focus of the study was the link between C-reactive protein (CRP) and inflamation in the body. A statin drug was given to people with normal LDL but high CRP. The study showed that the statin drug reduced the incedence of heart attacks, stroke and cardiovascular-related deaths by 44%. The results showed a clear link between high CRP inflammation and heart disease, but what about the millions of people currently taking statins such as Lipitor, Crestor and Zocor, in other words those who have high LDL? Will these drugs avoid heart attacks even if their CRP levels are normal? Should statin drugs continue to be taken "just in case"?
Is it really plausible to lower bad cholesterol levels with statin drugs without risking your health? Dr Sinatra from the New England Heart and Longevity Center in Manchester Connecticut does not recommend using statin drugs as a preventive measure, especially for women. He thinks the risk is too great.
There is no agreement in the medical community about the side effects of statin drugs but you have probably noticed the small print of the major side effects that appear in many ads. Muscle weakness and pain are the most common and also the reason why many people stop taking statins. Many doctors are beginning to worry about more serious problems including peripheral neuropathy and various cognitive and psychiatric effects like Alzheimer-like symptoms. For women, the concerns are elevated risk of breast cancer. Dr Sinatra states that along with blocking cholesterol, statins also block "squalene", an antioxidant and immune system booster that is vital to preventing breast cancer. He also states that side effects are more common in women, especially postmenopausal women.
And how about lowering LDL cholesterol too much? After all, every cell in the body needs LDL cholesterol to grow and repair itself, and the body uses it to produce hormones(including those governing sexual function) Some medical data indicates that low LDL (bad cholesterol) have been found to be linked to Parkinson's disease and possibly ALS (lou Gehrig's). The ramifications of keeping LDL levels as low as those in the JUPITER study (from 108 to 55 after a year)and for years to come for those taking statins for decades are not well-understood. Do statins inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol in the brain thus causing amnesia, confusion, forgetfulness, disorientation and dementia? Many of these symptoms have been reported by people taking statins. So how do you prevent these side effects of statins therapies? Here are a couple of supplements Dr Sinatra suggests in the article:
Coenzyme Q10 (or CoQ10)- 100-180 mg a day
Squalene found in olive oil. One-two tablespoons each day
Lycopene found in tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit and papaya. Or take supplements 100-250 mg daily
Turmeric -very potent anti-inflammatory herb OR Zyflamend (a mix of 10 herbs including turmeric.
How to lower Cholesterol without Drugs:
1. Take Red yeast rice extract - your doctor can help find the right dosage
2. Niacin - a B3 vitamin form. It boosts HDL ("good") cholesterol and lowerd LDL ("bad") cholesterol and triglycerides (another fat linked to heart disease)
3. Fish Oil - the American Heart Association recommends 2-4grams daily
4. Sytrinol - recent research found that taking this supplement daily it reduces LDL by 20-30%
5. Fucothin - this supplement boosts the metabolism and helps people lose weight, especially in the belly area. It does not lower cholesterol but by losing belly fat the body's inflammation will also be reduced including high blood pressure
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Diane P, thank you for the feedback and your question. The inflammation I refer to here is cellular inflammation caused by a range of conditions including genetics, environmental toxins, diet and the most important, stress. From personal experience and currently going through what it could be labeled as a highly stressful time in my life, I have been successful at preventing cellular inflammation due to stress. My last physical exam showed very normal levels of cholesterol, glucose within normal limits, ideal blood preasure, normal body weight, among others. I have not been able to exercise the way I used to due to time caring for my husband's illness, but both, my LDL and HDL cholesterol level are very normal.
My diet includes anti-inflammatory foods such as: Omega-3 essential fatty acids which are very powerful anti-inflammatory agents. I eat plenty amounts of cold water oily fish, walnuts, flax seeds, canola oil and pumpkin seeds. I also eat foods containing flax oil or fish oil. I love olive oil and take two table spoons shots daily. Olive oil is another type of oil that reduces inflammation. In fact, olive oil has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and will help reduce pain. Other healthy oils include rice bran oil, grape seed oil, and walnut oil.
Good protein sources are also important to fight inflammation. These include lean poultry, fish and seafood, nuts, legumes and seeds. Red meats may trigger inflammation, so I barely eat them. When you do eat red meat, choose lean cuts of bison, venison and other game meats, or the lowest-fat cuts of beef, preferably grass-fed beef.
If you are a carboholic our carbs should come from whole grains, vegetables and fruits. The bread, cereal and pasta in your diet should be mostly be 100% whole grain products. Whole grains are excellent sources of fiber, and a high fiber diet will reduce inflammation.
Choose green leafy vegetables, green and brightly colored vegetables. I make smoothies with kale, celery, cabbage and chard daily. In addition to the veggies, I eat a lots of fresh whole fruits like papaya, acai, watermelon, apples and kiwii. You should eat at least five and preferably more servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Green vegetables and whole fruits are also important as sources of dietary fiber and reduce inflammation.
Here is an example of my daily routine:
1. Choose fresh foods instead of heavily processed foods.
For breakfast I eat oatmeal served with fresh berries and walnuts, with a cup of soy or almond milk
2. Whole fruits, nuts, seeds, and fresh vegetables throughout the day instead of cookies and candy. Love my raw veggies smoothies
3. Fish and less fatty red meat. I stay away from deep fried foods and prefer baking or stir frying my meals instead.
4. I choose green, orange, and yellow vegetables for my side dishes. Broccoli, spinach, brussel sprouts or any other steamed preferably.
5. I drink plenty of water, fresh 100% fruit smoothies or vegetable juices. I like herbal teas, especially green tea (I drink 8 cups a day)
January 9, 2009 - 12:05amThis Comment
Virginia, what a great, comprehensive, informative post. I for one really appreciate it and will be printing it out for future reference.
My cholesterol levels had previously been good, but I learned recently that my LDL was too high. I have put on weight in the last two years and I'm sure my cholesterol went along as a partner to the extra pounds. I asked my doctor if I could work on reducing it naturally before we consider a prescription, and she agreed, because my HDL was still at a good level. I am working on my diet, weight and exercise and will return to see her in a few months. I will also look into the supplements you mention here.
It seems like inflammation is one of the biggest and most promising areas of research in recent years. Is there a general sense as to why this seems to be increasing so much? Is it because our diets have become worse and we are exercising less? Is there indeed more of it today or do we just know more about it?
January 8, 2009 - 9:45amThis Comment