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Whats New 2002
Natural alternatives for
lowering cholesterol
Something that many of my patients have enquired about
lately is the natural alternatives for managing high
cholesterol levels.
It seems that there is a concern about taking the
medications that doctors prescribe to do this job due to
the side effects that these drugs cause.
A recent review in the highly reputable journal
‘ Current Atherosclerotic Reports’ has highlighted
the primary natural alternatives that have undergone the
scrutiny of scientific testing and have demonstrated
their bona fides by reducing elevated cholesterol in
clinical trials. Here are the major players:
- Plant
sterols, which can be found in certain margarines
and as stand alone products lower cholesterol and
LDL, the so-called bad cholesterol.
- Niacin
or vitamin B3 has the ability to raise HDL, the good
cholesterol, and lower LDL.
There are some problems with this remedy
however as niacin does cause that uncomfortable
feeling of flushing and can have adverse effects on
the liver. Flushing
can be reduced by taking this vitamin with food or
by substituting pure niacin for a similar substance
called inositol hexanicotinate, which might also be
kinder to your liver.
- Soy
lowers LDL while fish oil predominantly reduces
triglycerides, which is another way fat is stored in
your body, having the potential to cause ill-effects
when elevated.
- Policosanol
derived from the wax of honeybees also emerges a
winner as this natural substance has the power to
reduce total cholesterol as well as LDL while having
beneficial effects on HDL.
- Red
yeast rice extract and guggulipids have favourable
effects on HDL and diminish the harmful effects of
LDL. Interestingly
red yeast rice extract is the substance that is used
to manufacture cholesterol-lowering agents.
- Walnuts
and almonds lower LDL.
Unfortunately the studies on garlic are
inconclusive.
see
archives
Spa
Chakra Wellness Centre
The
Wharf
Woolloomooloo
Sydney
2011
02
93680888
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