Neal D. Barnard and Bryanna Clark Grogan
See book keywords and concepts |
 He reasoned that if a vegan diet (that is, one with no meat, dairy products, or eggs) lowers cholesterol levels; if soluble fiber, such as that in oat bran, lowers cholesterol; if certain nuts lower cholesterol; if soy products lower cholesterol; and if plant sterols lower cholesterol, then what would happen if he prescribed them all at the same time?
He devised what he called a Portfolio Diet, which included all of these elements, and found that the combination led to a 29.6 percent drop in LDL cholesterol in just 4 weeks, which was similar to the effect of cholesterol-lowering drugs. |
Dr. Steven R. Gundry
See book keywords and concepts |
 One of the most ominous trends in modern medicine is the widespread prescribing of statins to lower cholesterol. Statins work by limiting the action of an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase in the liver, which is also responsible for the manufacture of C0Q10. In our rush to lower cholesterol levels, rather than looking at the cause for elevation, we have created a population with dangerously depleted levels of C0Q10 in muscle cells. |
Neal D. Barnard and Bryanna Clark Grogan
See book keywords and concepts |
| He reasoned that if a vegan diet (that is, one with no meat, dairy products, or eggs) lowers cholesterol levels; if soluble fiber, such as that in oat bran, lowers cholesterol; if certain nuts lower cholesterol; if soy products lower cholesterol; and if plant sterols lower cholesterol, then what would happen if he prescribed them all at the same time?
He devised what he called a Portfolio Diet, which included all of these elements, and found that the combination led to a 29.6 percent drop in LDL cholesterol in just 4 weeks, which was similar to the effect of cholesterol-lowering drugs. |
Lester A. Mitscher and Victoria Toews
See book keywords and concepts |
 Could the lower fat content of the Japanese diet be the true cause of the lower cholesterol levels? After considering this possibility and conducting a statistical analysis regarding this question, the researchers concluded that the green tea was indeed the cause of the lower cholesterol levels.6
Coffee is associated with higher cholesterol levels, and since both coffee and tea contain caffeine (although caffeine levels in tea are much lower), some scientists postulated that tea might actually cause cholesterol levels to increase. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
See article keywords and concepts |
 Cholesterol drugs, for example, may artificially lower cholesterol numbers, but they completely ignore the root cause of elevated cholesterol. This is why cholesterol drugs have been scientifically proven worthless in preventing heart attacks or other fatal cardiovascular events.
Most drugs don't work on most people. Claims of benefits are highly exaggerated by reporting their relative percentage rather than absolute percentage of efficacy. |
Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
See book keywords and concepts |
| Some studies have found that the avocado's beta-sitosterol content, combined with its monounsaturated fat content, helps to lower cholesterol levels.
121 n x >
MEAL #3 of the day: LUNCH
Vegetables + Starchs
Have lunch between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Choose 2 to 3 alkaline vegetables (no acidic ones) and combine with a salad of fresh spinach, mixed lettuce, and greens (such as arugula, beet greens, or kale). |
Dr Ron Roberts
See book keywords and concepts |
 Seaweed has also been shown to lower cholesterol and blood pressure and to maintain balanced thyroid activity.
Sourced from the sea bed, seaweed has added minerals not usually associated with 'earthly produce.
Japanese cuisine uses seaweed extensively, but Western cooking is not as adventurous. Rather than being served as a vegetable, or in sheets of nori wrapping sushi, we are more likely to encounter seaweed in powdered form or incorporated in prepared foods. The type of seaweed called carrageen is much used as a substitute for gelatine and is added to many convenience foods. |
Michael T. Murray
See book keywords and concepts |
 Natural Products to lower cholesterol Levels
There are a number of specific natural medicines that we could recommend to lower cholesterol levels, but we are going to limit our recommendations to three: PGX?(or other soluble fiber), garlic, and niacin.
Before taking a look at the effects of these compounds in lowering cholesterol levels, it is important that you understand exactly what all the different forms of cholesterol represent. |
J. Douglas Bremner
See book keywords and concepts |
 Niacin does lower cholesterol. However, it is associated with a number of side effects, including flushing (a sudden rushing of blood to the face accompanied by a feeling of heat in the face that can be very uncomfortable), which limit its use. But if you can cope with the side effects, there is no reason not to take niacin, since it is not associated with any lasting conditions. |
| I asked my wife, who is a professor of cardiology at Emory University, what evidence there was to substantiate the claim that cholesterol causes heart disease and that taking medication to lower cholesterol actually works. She said there was "lots" of evidence. I asked her where it was. She referred me to the Web site of the American Heart Association, whose expert panel profiled who was at risk for heart disease and who should be taking medications like Lipitor to lower their cholesterol as a preventative. |
Dr. Steven R. Gundry
See book keywords and concepts |
| In our rush to lower cholesterol levels, rather than looking at the cause for elevation, we have created a population with dangerously depleted levels of C0Q10 in muscle cells. The consequence of this enzyme blockade may take up to a year to develop, but if you have muscle pains or weakness or have developed congestive heart failure, consider supplementing with a daily dose of C0Q10. This agent is also one of the only nutrients other than niacin that can lower a particularly dangerous type of cholesterol called lipoprotein Lp(a). |
Tori Hudson, N.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
 The Ornish Lifestyle Modification Program claims to promote weight loss, improve cardiovascular health, help to regulate blood sugar and insulin, and lower cholesterol levels.
Whether it is the TLC diet, the Step 1 or Step 2 diet, the Mediterranean diet, or the Ornish diet, they all offer a great step toward reducing the risk of heart disease. One might be more suited to you over the other. Consider reading more about each, experimenting, or speaking with your health-care practitioner and/or a qualified nutritionist to determine which approach is best for you. |
Thomson Healthcare, Inc.
See book keywords and concepts |
 Combination diet and exercise interventions for the treatment of dyslipidemia: an effecgtive preliminary strategy to lower cholesterol levels? J Nutr; 135: 1829-1835. 2005.
Youngs V, Peterson D & Brown C, Oats. In: Pomeranz Y (ed). Advances in Cereal Science and Technology, vol. V. American Association of Cereal Chemists, Inc., St. Paul, MN; 49-105, 1982.
Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges. Stuttgart 1997. |
| Plants that lower cholesterol. In: Acta Hort; 332:131-136, 1993.
Lutomski J. New information on the biological properties of various triterpene saponins. In: Pharm Unserer Zeit; 12(5): 149-153, 1983.
Mennet-von Eiff M, Meier B. Phytotherapie in der Dermatologie. In: ZPT 16(4):20T-210. 1995.
Mills SY. Out of the Earth: The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine. London: Viking Arkana, 1991.
Moskalenko SA. Slavic ethnomedicine in the Soviet Far East; part I: herbal remedies among Russians/Ukrainians in the Sukhodol Valley, Primorye. In: J Ethnopharmacol; 21:231-251,1987. |
Elaine Magee
See book keywords and concepts |
 They are probably the most studied nut, which is why we know they have phytochemicals that can help lower cholesterol, vegetable protein that may also lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol, and monounsaturated fat that may increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or "good") cholesterol while lowering LDL.
And they're rich in antioxidants, thanks to flavonoids (catechin, epicatechin, and kaempferol).
For me, 2006 was the year of the nut. I started eating a handful almost every day. You could say I'm a bit nutty. I've never met a nut I didn't like. |
Tori Hudson, N.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
| The American Heart Association has adopted the NCEP III guidelines, calling for more intensive life-habit interventions to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk for heart disease and of heart attacks. They call this the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) diet. Its target is to lower LDL cholesterol. See the following sidebar for the recommendations of the TLC diet.
AHA Recommendations. The American Heart Association dietary recommendations are designed to reduce high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and excess weight. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
See article keywords and concepts |
 They also exhibit lower cholesterol levels and slight improvements in total cholesterol. Numerous clinical studies have been published that demonstrate aloe vera's antidiabetic properties.
Diabetics are also likely to benefit strongly from aloe vera's blood enhancements (see below). Since aloe reverses "sludge blood" and boosts circulation to extremities, diabetics suffering from peripheral neuropathy (hands and feet going numb) are likely to benefit strongly from aloe vera supplements.
Click here for more science on aloe vera and diabetes. |
Michael T. Murray
See book keywords and concepts |
| Natural Products to lower cholesterol Levels
There are a number of specific natural medicines that we could recommend to lower cholesterol levels, but we are going to limit our recommendations to three: PGX?(or other soluble fiber), garlic, and niacin.
Before taking a look at the effects of these compounds in lowering cholesterol levels, it is important that you understand exactly what all the different forms of cholesterol represent. |
Thomson Healthcare, Inc.
See book keywords and concepts |
| Cholesterol-Lowering Effects: Soy protein can lower cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic subjects (Morelli et al, 2000). The FDA approved the "health claim" that Soy products (which contain at least 6.25 g of Soy/serving and are low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol) can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by lowering cholesterol. The mechanism by which Soy lowers cholesterol is unknown. The effects are modest (6% to 7%) and 25 g of Soy protein must be consumed a day in order to derive benefit. |
Elaine Magee
See book keywords and concepts |
| For example, simply incorporating four cholesterol-lowering foods into your diet has been shown to lower cholesterol levels up to 30 percent, reducing the need for cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins) according to studies conducted at the University of Toronto. |
| Omega-3s, vitamin E, and niacin help lower cholesterol. Here's a perfect snapshot of food synergy. A recent Italian study suggests that a combined
The Omega Basics
There are two main families of polyunsaturated fat: omega-3s and omega-6s. While each is essential to health, most experts don't consider omega-6s part of the "smart fats" category. When we eat omega-6s in excessive amounts (and most Americans do), they can spur the production of hormonelike substances called eicosanoids that can lead to inflammation and damaged blood vessels. |
| And in the laboratory, apples have exhibited very strong antioxidant activity to inhibit cell proliferation (the type of rapid multiplication that occurs in tumors), decrease lipid oxidation (when fats in the body combine with oxygen), and lower cholesterol. Here are some more apple research tidbits.
Load up on phytochemicals. Simple phenolics and flavonoids represent the majority of antioxidant activity found in apples, and it's the phenolics in apple peel specifically that account for the majority of the antioxidant and antiproliferating activity. |
Marshall Editions
See book keywords and concepts |
 Reishi, a mushroom extract that has been shown to lower cholesterol, can be taken at 800 mg twice a day.
515
CO >-CO
>-cc o I— < cc
Q_
CO
TIP: EXERCISE
Exercising three to four times a week lowers bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol levels.
HOMEOPATHY
<9>
High cholesterol levels are best treated by an integrated medical approach that can include constitutional homeopathic prescribing. However, for homeopathic treatment to have the greatest chance of success, it needs to be provided by a homeopathic practitioner. |
Dr. Abram Hoffer, MD, FRCP (C) and Dr. Harold D. Foster, PhD
See book keywords and concepts |
 During the period 1966 to 1975,8341 men, aged 30 to 64 years, who had suffered a heart attack at least 3 months earlier, were entered into a study comparing the benefits of five substances normally used to lower cholesterol levels, against a placebo. Nine years later only niacin had decreased the death rate significantly from all causes. Those taking this vitamin showed an 11% decrease in mortality and a 2-year increase in longevity. Interestingly, their cancer mortality rates also had fallen. |
Marshall Editions
See book keywords and concepts |
| Certain lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking and maintaining a healthy diet to lose weight (if appropriate), lower cholesterol, and prevent diabetes are essential. It is also important to exercise on a daily basis. If these conservative measures do not relieve symptoms, a medication called Trental® is prescribed. Failing this, surgical intervention may be necessary.
To treat pain due to spinal nerve compression: Leg pain can be due to problems with the back and the compression of spinal nerves as they leave the spinal cord. |
| You can sprinkle 1-2 tbsp of ground flaxseeds, which also lower cholesterol, over cereal or salad, or add it to a smoothie. If eating meat, choose the organic, hormone-free kind to avoid hormonal imbalances.
Supplements: A high-quality multivitamin can nourish your body to keep hormones balanced. Follow the directions on the label. Take 1,000 mg of calcium and 500 mg of magnesium, both of which are essential for bone health. B-complex vitamins and vitamin C may all help to relieve hot flashes. Take 100 mg and 1,000 mg respectively three times a day. |
Mehmet C. Oz., M.D. and Michael F. Roizen, M.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
 Red yeast rice
Not necessary
It's been touted as a supplement that can help lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as increase healthy HDL cholesterol. The rumors are true because the active ingredient is identical to a commonly used pharmaceutical statin drug. But because herbs are harvested without tight controls, you don't know exactly what you're getting inside the pill. For the same cost, you're better off using another supplement such as niacin or pantothenic acid. |
Michele Simon
See book keywords and concepts |
 As an example, she showed IOM committee members an ad for Quaker oatmeal and quoted from the copy: "It's the delicious way to help lower cholesterol; it's the family tradition that helps warm you all over. It's the Smart Spot, the symbol of smart choices made easy. Find it on Quaker oatmeal, proven to help lower cholesterol after just 30 days as part of a healthy diet, one of over 100 smart choices from PepsiCo." The family tradition that warms you all over plus lowers cholesterol: now what could be smarter than that? |
Marshall Editions
See book keywords and concepts |
| Losing fat cells is sometimes all that is necessary to lower cholesterol. Studies have shown that a Mediterranean diet lowers LDL (bad 'I' cholesterol) and elevates HDL (good cholesterol). This diet consists of monounsaturated fats (olive oil), whole grains, fish, chicken, vegetables and fruit. This diet is effective when combined with about 20 minutes of moderate daily aerobic exercise. Increasing fiber in the diet to 40 g daily or adding 2 tbsp of psyllium husks to your food is also a good idea. |
Email this page to a friend
