My brother's new doc, has gotten his cholesterol way

[HysteryDiagnosis]

down, bp down, blood sugar down and his regular doc is astounded. He called to let me know that everything I have been ranting about to him for the last several years is true.

[soothsayer]

1. how?

[TallahasseeGrannie]

2. Share your rant, 4!

I'm thinking low carb?

[SillyGoose]

3. How did he do it? I would be interested in knowing more. (n/t)

[Mr_Spock]

4. "everything I have been ranting about "`

What? Is this some kinda coded message to all you "fans" out there? :rofl:

C'mon - tell us the whole story!

[HysteryDiagnosis]

8. I have no fans. I have been the victim of the "kill the messenger"

mindset here and elsewhere for years. I know how to get cholesterol under control. I had sent my bro some supplements THAT I BOUGHT ANYWHERE YOU CAN BUY THEM, WALMART, LOCAL HEALTHFOOD STORE, VITAMINSHOPPE AND ELSEWHERE, and he kindly "stored them" safely over there.

Then I found him a doc who practices prolotherapy, and this doc is also taking some courses in natural meds and wholistic therapies.

I predicted to my mother that my brother would end up on a DHEA homologue, (hormone support), coenzyme Q10, (cholesterol/hypertension/triglycerides) Omega Threes (BP, Arteriosclerosis/Atherosclerosis) Calcium/VitaminD (Bones of course) and a few others.

My brother is now on exactly what I had predicted. He called to tell me that I don't have a degree and that is why he couldn't accept my advice.. his daughter told him yesterday, ya know dad, uncle *** would have had us going on all this 8 years ago if we could have accepted the advice.

Now grant it, I am not the least offended that they could not accept or understand the science and sanity behind my suggestions.... what I am upset with is the time they lost (including one hip joint) in the interim.

PS: I have nothing to do with Google, own no stock in it, have no influence over it.

[Maraya1969]

11. Hey, I've listened to you! And I haven't seen you around much

lately. I got my cholesterol down by taking Lipitronic, (think that is the name). Well the stuff I took was Red Yeast Rice, Guggul and Niacin in two different brands of health food stuff. I'm sure there is other stuff in the compounds but I just remember those three.

The regular doctor gave me Lipitor and I took it for a few days and felt like I was dying. That's when I called the holistic doc.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

12. Woah.... a willing ear.... watch that red yeast rice.... and guggul...

I don't know... Niacin good, noflush I hope....

http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/8513/31402/346470.html?d=dmtContent
Summary


Red yeast rice is believed to lower cholesterol levels because it contains the same chemical as the cholesterol-lowering prescription drug lovastatin (Mevacor). People who drink alcohol or grapefruit juice and people who take other cholesterol-lowering drugs; anticoagulants; cyclosporine; drugs broken down by the liver; digoxin; certain antibiotics or antifungal drugs; thyroid drugs; protease inhibitors, such as saquinavir (Fortovase); coenzyme Q; milk thistle; niacin; or vitamin A should consult their health care provider and pharmacist before taking red yeast rice extract. Pregnant or breast-feeding women, children and people with liver disease should not take red yeast rice extract. Consult your health care provider immediately if you experience side effects.


The information in this monograph was prepared by the professional staff at Natural Standard, based on thorough systematic review of scientific evidence. The material was reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School with final editing approved by Natural Standard.

[Maraya1969]

16. A question about Niacin. Somewhere I read that the timed release

type is toxic! I find that hard to believe and I am taking that kind because I DO FLUSH from the regular Niacin.

Did you ever hear that about the timed release? It sounds off to me so I haven't payed it much attention.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

17. I haven't heard about it... have you read up on policosanol?? Link

http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/substances_view/1,1525,10127,00.html


Policosanol is a unique natural product derived from sugar cane wax and beeswax: It has proved effective at reducing cholesterol levels and for some individuals may be a reasonable natural alternative to the commonly prescribed "statin-type" cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Most research using the sugarcane-derived form of policosanol has been conducted in Cuba, in both animals and humans. The studies showed that policosanol not only reduced cholesterol levels, but also had positive effects on other cardiac risk factors, through actions such as reducing platelet "clumping" and inhibiting the development of atherosclerosis. A 2002 analysis in the American Heart Journal reviewed more than 60 clinical trials of sugar cane-derived policosanol that involved more than 3000 patients. The authors concluded that policosanol is "a very promising phytochemical alternative to classic lipid-lowering agents such as statins."

[StClone]

13. I concur

DHEA may be problematic as studies suggest that its use suppresses natural body secretion (your body's feedback loop detects the change and slows its own production). Plus, DHEA my have long term side effects that may or may not be acceptable risks for some.

Everything else you've noted sounds like its pretty safe and seeingly has benefits.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

14. Well, let me correct that and thanks for that input.... my brother has

been put on a bio-identical supplemental testosterone... if I heard him correctly.... my real point is that his hormonal status is being looked after and his mainstream doc told him there was NO PROBLEMS with his hormonal status.

My brother has had his hip replaced, his other is none too good... if I could get him to understand the link between glyconutrients and stem cell production.... all would be well on that front.

I guess I will need to contact his doc and give him a little education.

Google glyconutrients stem cells, the articles are starting to come out... beware the commercial sites.

[KT2000]

18. Kill the messenger

is an effective corporate ploy that people accept with ease. That is too bad - for them. I have been able to reduce my blood pressure with a correct balance of calcium/magnesium/potassium. This was after many years of bp medications that did not affect the bp but turned me into a depressed zombie. When the meds did not work the docs would recommend doubling the dose!!

[HysteryDiagnosis]

27. There are those here who would tell you that you are "full of it". nt.

[helderheid]

5. yes, I want to know too

I just threw a dropper full of milk thistle and green tea extract in my water before I go work out

[niallmac]

6. Do I need to send $5 and a box top somewhere? n/t

[Dirty Hippie]

7. Well I'm not the original poster

at age 43 but my cholesterol was over 200. I switched to a plant-based diet (not strict Vegan but no meat and no dairy) and now it runs around 130.

No kidding.

[bliss_eternal]

23. That's great!

Good for you! Thanks for sharing your succes, and what you did...

:hi:

[CountAllVotes]

9. diet can affect some of the things you mention

However, if you have high cholesterol because it is the genetic type, there is not anything that can be done to lower it other than take those statin drugs.

However, I'm glad your approach seems to be working well for your brother.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

15. It wasn't too awful long after being on a statin drug that his hip was

"mia". I don't blame the entire hip thing on the statin... but I do wonder... anyway, the most important thing now is that my brother is once again "a fan".

[Maraya1969]

19. I disagree. See my post above. My mother has high cholesterol

and so does my brother. I am not a person who eats a lot of fat or other such things that "cause" high cholesterol. And the natural stuff worked for me.

That Lipitor was horrible. I went from 255 to 170 using natural stuff. I've had blood tests since and no one has mentioned my cholesterol so I assume it is still OK.

[CountAllVotes]

20. as stated before

Some people have high cholesterol regardless of what they eat. It is called, "genetic cholesterol". You can take all of these supplements, go on the vegan diet, etc. and it might change the lower #. However, some thing do not change the cholesterol.

Frankly, I think this whole cholesterol "thing" is just another way for companies to make money.

I have high cholesterol. Diet has been of no use but my blood sugar is now normal. It was 105, now it is 85.

My cholesterol #'s are high (the top #). The lower # is normal. I attribute this change to diet. I eat a low-fat, very low cholesterol diet and very little meat and dairy products.

Both of my parents also had high cholesterol. It's in the genes my doctor told me. Sometimes, there is not anything you can do about it.

I wish they'd get off of this big cholesterol kick myself. I think it is almost like a pandemic and they are selling all of these pricey supplements that may or may not help. In my case, they did not help nor did a change in my diet.

My cholesterol has been over 270+ for over 20 years btw. That is the way I happen to be.

I am not worried about it either.

[bliss_eternal]

24. I agree with you on this point--

Quote,"Frankly, I think this whole cholesterol "thing" is just another way for companies to make money."

A family friend, recently told me that their company offered them a 'deal' on their company benefits package. The condition is, they have to sign something stating they will allow the company to 'monitor' their cholesterol--and let the company 'assist them' in keeping it low... It would equate to a sizeable amount of money off their usual benefits package cost.

My friend, and several others in their company opted out of this 'deal.'

[HysteryDiagnosis]

10. If you want to do it safely.... and be careful, there are quacks out

there pretending to know what they are doing in this arena, but if you want to know... please read the voluminous PROVEN articles at

www.lef.org

www.nutritionfocus.com

www.alternativemedicine.com

www.orthomed.org

What I take everyday:

Beta-Sitosterol ------> see sig line

Mexican Wild Yam

Lipoic Acid

Pycnogenol

Milk Thistle

B-Complex

Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate with Omega Threes

Calcium with Magnesium and Vit D

Digestive Enzymes

Now and again, Benefiber Tablets

[pitohui]

22. how can you possibly afford all that?

good lord, better to take the RX and get the co-pay from yr health insurer

that is a scary shopping list!

[HysteryDiagnosis]

26. I cannot name the main source for these products, only that vitamin

and shoppe are in the name of said source... and I do get a couple from Walmart for reasons of price, and they are made in the U.S.A.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

30. I don't smoke, and all that probably equals "maybe" one pack of

cigarettes per day.

[LeftyMom]

21. Wasn't cholesterol good for you according to one of your links

three or four days ago???

[HysteryDiagnosis]

25. I said it was not as bad for you as some would profess, that

oxidized cholesterol may be the real culprit when it comes to plaquing, and that STATINS ARE DANGEROUS, sometimes prescribed casually, and there exists in nature safe alternatives to them.

[samplegirl]

28. whats better?

Flaxseed, or Fish oil? or get one combined?

[HysteryDiagnosis]

29. To tell you the truth.... I am not up enough on the subject to tell

you definitively which is better.... if you are interested in the deeper truths about this, consider reading this book or others like it.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/087983966X/qid=1129456466/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-9795934-9456967?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
EAT FAT LOSE WEIGHT
Nutritionist and author Ann Louise Gittleman, M.S. and C.N.S., is currently a consultant to numerous professional organizations. Dina R. Nunziato, C.S.W., is a psychotherapist specializing in eating disorders and weight management. They've teamed up to write Eat Fat, Lose Weight: How The Right Fats Can Make You Thin For Life. Their book is essential reading for anyone wanting to know the true role of dietary fat in weight control. Gittleman starts with the premise that Americans have done themselves more harm than good by banishing all fats from their diets.

She says that "all fats are not created equal. In fact, certain fats boost the body's metabolic rate and protect the heart and nerves." She adds that "certain fats are essential to the health and vitality of every human being, regardless of age, gender, or current weight." The authors describe each kind of fat and what it does in the body. They cite statistics showing that since Americans became obsessed with low-fat and fat-free diets obesity has increased significantly, the incidence of diabetes and heart disease has increased, depression has become common, and immune system disorders are "rampant." People obviously need some fat in their diets, but "it's the type of fat that counts."

They also discuss the role of carbohydrates and protein in the diet, and relationship between those nutrients and fat. Gittleman and Nunziato devote several chapters to the healthy fats and how to include them in your diet. They finish with the "Eat Fat, Lose Weight Eating Plan," and include sample menus and suggestions for items to keep stocked in your pantry for when you don't have lots of time for food preparation. They describe their book as being "about health, about achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, as well as healthy percentages of body fat, lean muscle tissue, and strong bones. It is about living well and being well throughout your lifetime." Readers will find that Eat Fat, Lose Weight lives up to the author's promises. -- Sandra I. Smith, Reviewer