While cholesterol remain possibly the most vilified natural and essential body constituent, we are constantly reminded to put downward pressure on our cholesterol levels. Unknown to most people, low cholesterol is associated with an enhanced risk of specific health issues including hemorrhagic stroke (stroke caused by bleeding of rather than blockage in blood vessels) and cancer.
Statins can help?
Statins have been around for a long time usually prescribed by doctors to lower cholesterols for heart patients. Only in recent times, people are skeptical if there are adverse side effects and feel that the giant drug makers are over-rewarding the medical practitioners to promote their whole range of statins like rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin and pravastatin.
Researchers at the Tufts University School of Medicine found that among people taking “statin” drugs – like Lipitor and Zocor – there was a higher rate of cancer. The pooling of the results of three relevant studies on the combination of two cholesterol-reducing drugs (simvastatin and ezetimibe) over four years was associated with raised risk of cancer death by 45%.
Despite that, big pharmaceutical firms continue to sell the notion that the best way to fight heart disease is to lower LDL levels, the so-called “bad” cholesterol.
Yet 75% of people who suffer heart attacks have normal cholesterol levels !!
Benefits?
They are right as most recent studies conducted showed a high rate of adverse side effects and not achieving the desirable results. Amongst which a huge meta-analysis found that statins reduce overall risks of death by 17%, heart attacks by 28% and stroke by 22%. These figures are not significant and only a fraction do benefit but all have to bear with the adverse side effects.
Another study conducted showed that patients with severe heart failure who opted for bypass surgery is only slightly better off than those who use these conventional drugs. Dr Eric J. Velazquez who led a team of researchers studied 1212 severe heart patients across 99 medical centres in 22 countries over 5 years period found the difference in the number of deaths for those who received medical therapy only and bypass surgery alone to be insignificant. This findings was published online on Apr 4, 2011 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Cholesterol problem
Before we go further, let us examine the source of the problem.
Cholesterol is a fat-soluble yellowish substance, about 80% of which is manufactured by the liver, with the balance derived from external sources, mainly from animal and marine products.
Plant-based foods contain no cholesterol at all and are excreted as waste. In fact, plants mostly contain strong antioxidants which might prevent oxidative damage to biomolecules such as DNA, lipids and proteins and thus play a role in chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease
The worst kinds are saturated fats and trans fats which can raise the cholesterol level quickly. Some cholesterol is secreted into the intestinal tract in bile and mixed with the dietary cholesterol. Under normal circumstances, the body excretes the extra cholesterol from the system through bowels and kidneys. However, when the body is unable to cope with the excessive amount from body self-production and external sources from foods, it may result in blockage of heart and brain arteries.
Sounds bad but not really. In fact our body needs about 1000mg of cholesterol for normal metabolism daily. For vegans, 100% of their cholesterol is from the liver. It is required for healthy cell membranes (outer layers), nerve fibres (fatty sheaths) and digestive bile salts, and is a precursor to the natural steroid hormones, including testosterone, progesterone and oestrogen. Other important functions performed are: transporting fats, providing defense mechanism, protecting red blood cells and preserving your nerve cells through the formation of the protective “sheaths” that cover them.
To elaborate further, we have to differentiate the 'good' (HDL) and 'bad' cholesterol. As cholesterol is unable to dissolve in blood to move around, lipoproteins have to provide the transportation means.
The 'good' ones, converted from unsaturated fat, is like a waste removal truck which removes unused cholesterol from the bloodstream to the liver for proper disposal. Thus, it protects and reduces the likelihood of cholesterol deposits in the walls of the arteries.
On the other hand, the' bad' ones, converted from saturated fat, is like a delivery truck that moves around the blood vessels and delivers cholesterol to some organs involved in production of hormones, new cells and other functions. Obviously, excessive LDL is bad as cholesterol is being deposited in the walls of the arteries causing congestion.
A narrowing of the arteries may cause chunks of it to break off and totally block an artery, resulting in a heart attack or stroke. It has been estimated for every 1% rise in cholesterol, there is a corresponding rise in the risk of heart attacks by 2% especially for patients who are low on HDL and high on LDL.
Note that cholesterol deposits starts as early as foetal development. Hence, mothers with high cholesterol levels can pass a small fraction over to the foetus. Genetic factor contributes 80% of most cholesterol-related problems in the adult patients. It is observed that the average figures differ from sex, age and nationality. Western populations tend to have higher normal cholesterol values which may have to do with their diets.
Cholesterol test
When cholesterol levels are tested, results are normally given for total cholesterol as well as LDL, HDL and triglycerides.
. Total cholesterol levels should not be more than 200mg.dL. High level shows pre-diabetes, fatty liver, artheriosclerosis, hypothyroidism. Above 220 with SGPT below 10 suspect liver congestion/fatty liver.
Caution: A cholesterol level below 160 mg/dl is said to increase one’s risk of many cancers, stroke, neurological problems such as memory loss and dementia, and many other health problems ranging from digestive to hormonal.
. LDL cholesterol levels should be less than 120mg.dL. High level correlates to artheriosclerosis (fatty deposits in blood vessels).
. HDL cholesterol should be above 50 mg/dL. High level indicates a healthy metabolic system and inhibits cellular uptake of LDL.
. Triglycerides (blood fats) should not exceed 120 mg.dL. High level indicates overconsumption of carbohydrates or caused by hyperlipidism, diabetes and alcoholism.
Eating excessive amount of sugar has been linked to high levels of triglyceride and low levels of HDL or good cholesterol in the blood.
Causes
High cholesterol levels are usually caused by unhealthy lifestyle leading to heart disease. What is often seen as plaque formation choking the arteries, is due more to infection, excessive intake of sugar and unhealthy fats. Under normal circumstances, the body sends cholesterol to patch up any reparable damage by forming a plaque. However, if the arteries keep rupturing, the build-up of abnormal plaque tends to get thicker and thicker. When excessive cholesterol accumulate in the wall of the blood vessel and get trapped, a swelling or inflammation occurs.
Though inflammation is simply our body’s natural defence to a foreign invader such as a bacteria, toxin or virus, constant exposure results in chronic inflammation that poses the real danger to the arterial walls, leading to heart disease, stroke, diabetes and obesity.
1. While it is advisable not to eat too many high-cholesterol foods, it is more important to avoid foods that will increase the liver’s production of cholesterol. These are saturated fats, mainly from red meat and dairy products, sugar, alcohol and refined carbohydrates, i.e. white rice, white bread, white flour (pizza, pasta, cakes, biscuits, etc).
2. Other causes of increase in cholesterol are bad habits like smoking and drinking alcohol.
3. Stress has been a major cause of increased level of cholesterol. Adrenaline and cortison are both released in the body under stress. This, in turn, produces a fat metabolizing reaction. It is observed that aggressive persons produce more adrenaline and suffer 6-8 times more heart attacks than the easy going ones.
4. Genetics - Note that cholesterol deposits starts as early as foetal development. Hence, mothers with high cholesterol levels can pass a small fraction over to the foetus. Genetic factor contributes 80% of most cholesterol-related problems in the adult patients.
5. Ethnicity - Western populations tend to have higher normal cholesterol values which may have to do with their diets.
Users of statins
Statins is introduced to block one of the steps in the production of cholesterol in the liver. Most statin prescriptions are recommended for patients with high cholesterol levels and other risk factors such as family history of heart disease, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, narrowing in the neck or limb arteries. For these patients, a statin can do is to prevent inflammation and provide stabilisation of the lining of the arteries, so that an occurrence of a heart attack can be minimised.
Side effects
Those on the medicated drugs like statins, be careful of the side effects. For patients with very high cholesterol levels or those with very high risk, drug therapy may be initiated immediately to prevent disastrous effect. However, prolonged medications can result in side effects like:
- Muscle cells which are being broken down too rapidly release toxic muscle cell components into the general circulation causing fatal kidney damage.
- Complications like acute kidney failure, vascular blood clots, elevated blood potassium levels and cardiac arrest.
- Permanent and debilitating muscle pain and weakness.
- Studies showed that 4.5 in 1000 who took statins had memory loss or cognitive difficulties such as impairment in thinking, concentration, mentation, judgment or irrational thinking.
Memory loss is also reported by patients who recovered almost immediately upon the stopping the statin. - Congestive heart failure.
- Elevated liver enzymes, indicating liver damage.
Though concerns about liver toxicity can be addressed by regular analysis of liver enzymes, patients have to weigh the benefits and risk of side effects to determine if taking the prescribed drug should be an on-going affair. As a guide, if liver enzyme levels are three times more than normal, the statin has to be discontinued or reduced depending on the severity.
Studies showed that 4.5 in 1000 who took statins had memory loss or cognitive difficulties such as impairment in thinking, concentration, mentation, judgment or irrational thinking, and recovered almost immediately upon discontinuing the statin.
More.....
+ Mood changes, including increased hostility, aggression and depression are reported in some users.
+ Statins are also linked to a much greater risk of developing diabetes as a “side effect”. Simvastatin (Zocor) in particular has been shown to interfere with cellular glucose signaling and insulin secretion, and reduce beneficial adiponectin levels.
+ Drugs such as cyclosporine, itraconazole, diltiazem and erythromycin, bile acid sequestrants (cholestyramine, colestipol), fibric acid derivatives (bezafibrate, fenofibrate, gemfibrozil), and other substances such as niacin and grapefruit juice should not combine with statins.
+ Other side effects, include pancreatitis, an increase in respiratory infections and pneumonia, peripheral neuropathy, skin rashes, sexual dysfunction, headaches, diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain and cramping, heartburn, constipation and dizziness.
Hence, taking those wonder drugs is not a panacea for cure. It is a long term liability that you have to bear with for the rest of your life. In this blog, we have illustrated that Red Yeast Rice is not risk-free as it contains the statin lovastatin and users are similarly at risk of statin side effects.
Try the natural remedies for long-term health benefits:
There are plenty of good foods out there to choose from -
- Soluble fiber dissolves in water into a gel that helps to prevent cholesterol absorption from the food you eat. Good sources include whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
- Apples contain pectin, a fibre that can help to lower cholesterol. Recent study done found that after taking 3 months of dried apple, total cholesterol dropped by 9% and LDL cholesterol also dropped by 16%.
- Olive oil, garlic, onions, apples, fish, artichokes, beetroot, carrots, oats and lentils have proven cholesterol-lowering properties.
- Walnuts and almonds have excellent sources of cholesterol-lowering nutrients.
- Fresh fruit and vegetables contain antioxidants needed to repair artery and blood-vessel walls. Aim to eat a spectrum of colours to provide wide-ranging protection. Free radical damage is often the result of lack of antioxidants in the body, such as vitamins A, C, and E.
- Complex carbohydrates found in brown rice, millet, buckwheat, oats, quinoa and barley.
- Essential fats found in oily fish (tuna, salmon, sardines, etc), raw nuts, seeds and cold-pressed oils are all needed for healthy circulation.
- Mono-saturated fats found in olive oil, olives, avocados have been shown to lower blood cholesterol levels.
- Plant sterols is a natural product derived from plants such as nuts, soybeans and vegetable oils which help to maintain healthy cholesterol levels by reducing the amount of cholesterol absorbed from food.
- Turmeric, ginger and cayenne pepper are good for blood circulation.
- B vitamin supplements help to reduce buildup of homocysteine and fat metabolism.
- Sprinkle lecithin granules on your food as it also aids in fat metabolism and is a source of essential fats.
- Vitamin C with bioflavinoids can help to lower cholesterol and repair damaged artery walls.
- Fish oils contain fats that are important for blood circulation and prevent inflammation. Do not take if you are on blood-thinning medication like warfarin.
- Daily intake of Vitamin E can help to repair damaged arterial walls and prevent oxidation of cholesterol. Do not take if you are on blood-thinning medication.
- Supplements with probiotics, such as acidophilus is important for the metabolism of cholesterol in the digestive system.
- Reduce cholesterol level by exposing to sunlight constantly as this interaction results in conversion to Vitamin D in the body as it possesses potent anti-cancer properties.
Avoid
- Margarines, heated fats, junk food, processed food, palm oil and fried food which increase the total cholesterol.
- Refined carbohydrates like sugar, white flour, white bread, white rice, white pasta, white table salt.
- Fatty meats (foie gras in one of the worst), processed meats (sausages, deli meats, corned beef, bacon), dairy products.
- Alcohol, coffee and soft drinks.
- Deep-fried food.
Other tips
- Daily moderate exercise can improve heart function, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and reduce weight. Start with a brisk 20-minute walk everyday and build up gradually. Resistant training has been found to be effective in lowering elevated triglycerides and increasing HDL level.
- Learn to relax. Stress is a major cause of high cholesterol and heart disease generally. Try and review your daily life to eliminate and avoid causes of stress in your life or try and alter how you respond to them.
- Meditation, yoga, tai-chi and breathing exercises are ways to relax the mind and body.
- A warm bath with lavender oil in the evening is a good way to wind down for the day.
- Low cholesterol earned through high vegetable consumption and a micronutrient rich diet is linked to protection against all cancers.
VIVA corner
VIVA Life Science offers 3 excellent products to deal with cholesterol problem.
A
n FDA report reviewing clinical studies on the effects of fish oil on LDL cholesterol also showed that VIVA LIPOGUARD was the
only brand out of 24 comparisons o be effective.+ Another premium product, VIVA Dailyguard is clinically tested to show specific cardiovascular health support by effectively maintaining healthy, normal cholesterol levels, primary by antioxidant effects. Hence extended usage can reduce oxidation of cholesterol in the blood, with positive result like increase in HDL by 30% and reduction of LDL and triglycerides.
Testimony
My T CHOLESTEROL from 245 to 188……
Owing to the nature of my job, I have to entertain a lot. In spite of this, I have been keeping healthy and seldom fall sick. What was really shocking was, when I finally went for my full medical review.
The doctor discovered that I had high blood pressure, high cholesterol and my rheumatoid factor was high. To make matter worse, the ultra scan of my heart vessels had indicated blockages in my carotoid artery. The doctor was very concerned as my lipid profile was quite unfavorable (see below). He wanted to put me on statin drugs for cholesterol and high blood pressure. I knew the side effects and decided to opt for supplements instead.
The nutritionist at VIVA LIFE SCIENCE recommended taking their following products:
Biogarlic – 6 caps, Lipoguard – 8 tabs Omega 3 – 6 tabs daily
After about 3 weeks, I went for another cholesterol test. To my pleasant surprise, my cholesterol was down so rapidly.
See below for my cholesterol test before and after:
Thank you VIVA for saving me from expensive medication and most importantly, away from its harmful effects.
by Peter Lee (VIVA ID 71005714)
The nutritionist at VIVA LIFE SCIENCE recommended taking their following products:
Biogarlic – 6 caps, Lipoguard – 8 tabs Omega 3 – 6 tabs daily
After about 3 weeks, I went for another cholesterol test. To my pleasant surprise, my cholesterol was down so rapidly.
See below for my cholesterol test before and after:
| LIPID PROFILE | 31/7/2009 | 11/7/2009 | REF RANGE | ||||
| TOTAL CHOLESTEROL | 188 | 245 | <200 mg/dL | ||||
| HDL CHOLESTEROL | 38 | 44 | >38 mg/dL | ||||
| LDL CHOLESTEROL | 132 | 176 | <130 mg/dL | ||||
| CHOLESTEROL/HDL RATIO | 4.9 | 5.6 | <4.5 | ||||
| TRIGLYCERIDES | 96 | 129 | <200 mg/dL | ||||
by Peter Lee (VIVA ID 71005714)
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