statin alternative?

[biceps72]

dam. total cholesterol = 206, ldh higher than normal, hdl lower than expected.

doc wants me to try Zocor. I am resisting for the time being.

any of you take zocor?? side effects?? please explain. anyone knowledgeableabout statins??

first TRT, now high cholesterol. This getting old shit sucks. I eat right, do hard cardio 4-5 days/week, lift 4-5 days/week -- what else can I do???? I do plan on losing some weight which might help some.


any comments/suggestions are welcome.

[hardasnails1973]

Originally Posted by biceps72

dam. total cholesterol = 206, ldh higher than normal, hdl lower than expected.

doc wants me to try Zocor. I am resisting for the time being.

any of you take zocor?? side effects?? please explain. anyone knowledgeableabout statins??

first TRT, now high cholesterol. This getting old shit sucks. I eat right, do hard cardio 4-5 days/week, lift 4-5 days/week -- what else can I do???? I do plan on losing some weight which might help some.


any comments/suggestions are welcome.

Your dr is a fucken idiot
Suggest
Niacin 500 mgs BID will increase HDL
Fish oils will lower LDL increase HDL - 2 tsp fish oils carlosons
macademion nut oil 2 TBSP a day
red rice yeast 600 mgs BID
Phosphodytl choline 900 mgs 98% TID - flushes out fat in the liver

Statins lower coenyzme q 10
All these drs put on statins drive total cholesterol into the ground causes more porblems

[Shootist]

That red rice yeast has been in the news allot lately. Good stuff for lowering cholesterol. I had some trouble with vitorin; made my lower legs hurt.

[hardasnails1973]

increase coenyzme q10 to reduce pain

[JanSz]

Originally Posted by hardasnails1973

Your dr is a fucken idiot
Suggest
Niacin 500 mgs BID will increase HDL
Fish oils will lower LDL increase HDL - 2 tsp fish oils carlosons
macademion nut oil 2 TBSP a day
red rice yeast 600 mgs BID
Phosphodytl choline 900 mgs 98% TID - flushes out fat in the liver

Statins lower coenyzme q 10
All these drs put on statins drive total cholesterol into the ground causes more porblems

Nice list.

Mac Nut Oil
Macadamia Nut Oil

Macadamia nut oil is the best plant source of palmitoleic acid (an omega-7 fatty acid).
------------------------------------------------------

Checking my Fatty Acids Analysis;
my palmitoleic acid is in the middle of desirable range.
------------------------------------------------------

EOD = Every Other Day
SID = Once a day
BID = Twice a day (generally every 12 hours)
TID = Three times a day (every 8 hours)
QID = Four times a day (every 6 hours)
Q?H = Every ? hours
IM = Intramuscular injection
IP = Intraperitoneal injection
SC or SQ = Subcutaneous injection
IV = Intravenous injection
PO = Per Os (By Mouth) (Orally)
DW = Drinking water
3DX4 = 3 days of treatment, repeated 4 times
===========================================
==
=

[RPHMark]

Remember, red yeast rice IS a naturally ocurring form of lovastatin, so it still carries the statin side eff, etc with it. Statins sometimes get a bad rap. As long as the Doc isn't overly aggressive with the dose, checks liver enzymes, and you supplement with CoQ 10 there really isn't much to worry about. But first I would definetly give fish oil, niacin, and increasing fiber a try for a few months before starting statins.

[MacDonnell]

HAN, are you certain that fish oil lowers cholesterol? Many say that it definitely does lower triglycerides, but has no effect on cholesterol. Also - something interesting - Was told recently that if you take statins for about a month and get your cholesterol down to an acceptable level, you can THEN take the "natural" stuff to KEEP it low. Apparently, the "natural" stuff can take a long time to decrease cholesterol, and might not take it down to an acceptable level (esp. if you're really high), but once you are at an acceptable level, the natural stuff is good at maintaining the acceptable levels. Make sense?

[cpeil2]

Originally Posted by MacDonnell

HAN, are you certain that fish oil lowers cholesterol? Many say that it definitely does lower triglycerides, but has no effect on cholesterol.

In fact, there are several studies showing that fish oil can increase LDL by as much as 20%. I take it and it keeps triglycerides rock bottom low, but the only thing that has actually lowered LDL is diet and exercise.

[hardasnails1973]

Thats why I suggest moderation with anything 1 tsp a day will not hurt, but one should also have hormones evaluated which can cause lipid imbalnaces. I have read people taking up to 30 grams of fish oils a day which is absurb !! Again moderation is the key. Why not use natural sources in the first place. I had a guy that cholesterol was over 300 and got it down but lifestyle changes and exercise, few supplementation to 168 in 4 months Dr's jaw dropped like a rock.

[phxskye215]

Hello Guys... I can not state this enough. Conventional testing and therapy CAN KILL you and it is a slow, debilitating death. The Doc and Pharmaceutical companies are not adding to your quality of life or the length of your life. It is imperative that you be tested using SPECTRA CELL Labs LPP+. Conventional medical wisdom tests Total cholesterol, LDL (Low density lipo proteins AKA Bad cholesterol), HDL (Healthy/protective cholesterol), and triglycerides. THIS IS NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION but with those results they promote the use of what we now know to be potentially very harmful medication. The "mild" leg pain, little bit of numbing in hands and feet, unexplained weaknesses are serious issue. AND HERE IS THE KICKER the drugs may not even help your LDL issue. There are several sub particles of LDL Cholesterol. Each one has very specific treatment protocols. There are only a small handful of people whose cholesterol issues are so complex that prescription meds are indicated. NOT THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE TAKING THE NUMBER ONE DRUG IN AMERICA. And AGAIN, You don’t have enough info to just say of take this supplement, take that. EVERYTHING MATTERS. Don’t take what you don’t need. Yes, there are (and I use them routinely but only after knowing specifically what patients need). I do this with a very clear understanding of how hard change is. It took me almost a year to incorporate NIACIN into my routine and to take my Lp(a)?LDL/ Cholesterol issue seriously as I got past keeping my heat under control, balancing hormone and dealing with the process of Niacin working (flushing, even with SR, tingling and making me a bit loopy. Sit my butt down to eat a meal and have a dose of NIACIN in close proximity).. So I will share with you what prompted me to take daily dosing seriously, after all my total chol was only 211.
I got a call that my father was quite ill, actually in septic shock and he was given "last rites". I flew to AZ and got my father through his heart attack, emergency cardiac surgery, resolution of septicemia only to have to leave him in a VA hospital in a bed, diapered and with an indwelling urinary catheter. Here is the grime reality of a mildly elevated cholesterol.... Several years back his docs put him on BAYCOL a cholesterol lowering med. (this drug has now been removed from the Market and law suits followed) He was only on it a short period of time. He knew it was a BAD DRUG. But his doctors would not listen to his onset of strange sensation in his legs and his arms, the tingling in his fingers. He stopped his drug and was labeled non-compliant. No one ever really address wellness. His wife was clueless as to wellness & nutrition and the industrial food complex. In their infinite wisdom, his docs put him on Lipitor. My father took his meds and continued to complain about the neuropathy and his progressive weakness. He was told he was aging ( but was not offered any anti-aging therapies, just that this is the way life is you get old and you get physical complaints). They worked him up for two years for diabetic neuropathy! HE IS NOT A DIABETIC. So my Dad stopped doing what he loved... going to air shows, collecting airplane/war memororabilia, gun shows, trading, building, designing, seeing his buddies. After all you need your hands arms legs and feet to do these things. So he sat, watched old John Wayne Movies, War movies etc and ate the crap his wife fed him. His mind was no longer sharp. I, living so far away could not "see" this. What we have learned is that when you have the genes that can’t tolerate STATINS and you take them the effects are permanent and progressive despite being off the meds! AND HERE IS THE REAL BITCH... the meds are not effective in reducing Lp(a) risk/damage AND HIS CURRENT MEDICAL PLAN DOES NOT EITHER. He is bed bound in the condition aforementioned. I have Lp(a)s and they are my only risk factor. These free radicals do a great deal of damage (inflammation of blood vessels, cause plaque to form and to break off). All my other Cholesterols & indicators are fabulous but Lp(a)s are off the chart. My daughter’s total chol 176! Lp(a) are well into the red zone AND AGAIN SHE IS CONGRATULATED BY HER MDs for having such great cholesterol WTF.
It is imperative to be tested and I do not recommend standard lab testing even those that say they are doing LPP testing/VAP whatever. No one is more advanced, more dedicated than SpectraCell. Again the test includes Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, VLDL, RLP, Dense LDLIII, Dense LDL IV, HDL totals, Buoyant HDL 2b, Metabolic syndrome traits, LDL Phenotype/ density, Lp(a), C-reactive protein, homocysteine, insulin and now plaque! If that is not the most comprehensive test for chol/cardiac status… SHOW ME There are specific supplemental treatments for each risk factors and they are different. KNOW YOUR RISK AND TREAT APPROPRIATELY. The company works with you if you don’t have medical insurance. This test can change your life. And I don’t know of a more ethical and dedicated company.

[rick055]

Originally Posted by cpeil2

In fact, there are several studies showing that fish oil can increase LDL by as much as 20%. I take it and it keeps triglycerides rock bottom low, but the only thing that has actually lowered LDL is diet and exercise.

Same here; my previously 300 ish triglycerides - which were resistant to everything else - came down to 114 using 3 grams Carlson's.

[cpeil2]

Originally Posted by hardasnails1973

Thats why I suggest moderation with anything 1 tsp a day will not hurt, but one should also have hormones evaluated which can cause lipid imbalnaces. I have read people taking up to 30 grams of fish oils a day which is absurb !! Again moderation is the key. Why not use natural sources in the first place. I had a guy that cholesterol was over 300 and got it down but lifestyle changes and exercise, few supplementation to 168 in 4 months Dr's jaw dropped like a rock.

My doc's recommendation is to get 3.0 grams of omega-3's daily - in other words, about 2 tsps of fish oil.

[rick055]

Originally Posted by cpeil2

My doc's recommendation is to get 3.0 grams of omega-3's daily - in other words, about 2 tsps of fish oil.

Don't know if you caught this on the other board, but carlson's has a new product called MedOmega; 2.8 grams per tsp.

[cpeil2]

Originally Posted by rick055

Don't know if you caught this on the other board, but carlson's has a new product called MedOmega; 2.8 grams per tsp.

Right - I have seen it. I wonder if it costs a great deal more than their regular fish oil? I get it from Vitacost for $23.00 for the 500 ml bottle.

[BrianEE93]

I wish my cholesterol was that low! Mine has been well over 300 for a few years. I got it down to 220 with fish oil, flax seed, and a better diet.

[cpeil2]

Originally Posted by BrianEE93

I wish my cholesterol was that low! Mine has been well over 300 for a few years. I got it down to 220 with fish oil, flax seed, and a better diet.

From 300 to 220 without statins? Good going!

[BrianEE93]

Originally Posted by cpeil2

From 300 to 220 without statins? Good going!

And now for the other side. My diet went to hell and I went back on Liptor. The last check it was back to 300 with a statin. I am on a very good diet now that I think I can maintain and back off the statins. I have some weird things going on that my Dr. is trying to figure out. I am over weight, high lipids, had bad diet, but show no insulin resistance through a GTT with glucose and insulin measurements. The results looked almost perfect. He is still treating me like I have insulin resistance just to be careful.

[Nemesis RR]

1/2 a pill of lowest dose of vytorin had me at 176. Came off and was doing 4 grams of omega 3 and lost 15lb of fat. Cholesterol came back at 243. Guess I am back to 1/2 a pill of vytorin.

The reason I cut down from a full pill was minor mucsle aches. No muscle aches from 1/2 pill.

[JanSz]

This thread have a title statin alternative?

I started with cholesterol ~240
tried some herbal pills from LEF, no help.
Tried Red Yeast Rice, 2x600mg fall down too low.
Reduced Red Yeast Rice to 1x600mg, just about right.
In the mean time I was doing Genova Diagnostics tests,
desribed here:

JanSz-Metabolic Analysis and Cellular Energy

The pertinent tests are most likely
ONE
and Fatty Acid Analysis

Used guidance of those tests, dropped Red Yeast Rice.
My cholesterol analysis can be seen in attachment.
I welcome suggestions on how to tweak balance of my defficiences.
Left click on image for better view.
.
.