★★★★★
Garlic
Old Folk Remedy: Eat a clove of garlic a day to prevent high blood pressure.
Berberine
★☆☆☆☆
Apple Cider Vinegar
Niacin
Niacin
Coriander Seeds
Apple Cider Vinegar
Curry Leaves, Garlic and Black Peppercorns
★★★★★
This is a remedy tested by many and found effective. 10 fresh, washed curry leaves, one pod of garlic and 2 peppercorns, to be crushed and had at any time, with or without food/water etc. In a month the cholesterol will come down significantly. My partner and son have both experienced its benefits and I have just started using it myself.
Curry leaves are commonly used in Indian cooking, but are now available almost everywhere in the world.
Red Yeast Rice
You are correct in thinking that red yeast rice may be raising your HbA1c. Red yeast rise is essentially similar to the statin drug Lovastatin/Mevacor as discussed here :
Here is a relevant quote from the article :
Red yeast rice contains chemicals that are similar to prescription statin medications. One of these, called monacolin K, has the same makeup as the drug lovastatin (Mevacor). Doctors prescribe statins to lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels and help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Statins are noted for increasing HbA1c as discussed here in this Cleveland Clinic article :
https://www.ccjm.org/content/90/1/53
Here are some very relevant article quotes :
- The weight of the evidence suggests that statin use is associated with an increased risk of new-onset diabetes mellitus, but the magnitude of the effect has varied across studies, including differences between randomized controlled trials and observational studies.
- The risk is generally greater with high-intensity statin therapy and higher statin doses. However, many other variables are also involved, including prediabetes, genetics, central obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, lifestyle, and other medications, most notably glucocorticoids.
- In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, statin use is associated with a small increase in hemoglobin A1c, and this effect may be greater with atorvastatin than with other statins. However, the benefits of statins in preventing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease outweigh their adverse effects on glycemic control.
It is hard for me to understand how the potential risk to start diabetes is an acceptable side effect of statins given the many health dangers associated with diabetes.
You might be interested in reading my article regarding Nattokinase, high cholesterol and atherosclerosis here as a potential alternative to red yeast rice :
https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/high-dose-nattokinase-for-atherosclerosis.html
In my opinion, cholesterol is a poor marker for atherosclerosis, which statins are supposed to help prevent.
To make matters worse, this 2020 article suggests that statins can potentially contribute to atherosclerosis :
Here are some relevant quotes from the article :
- Statin therapy is associated with higher coronary artery calcium scores and increased macrophage Rac1 (Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1) activity in patients.
- Statins disrupt the complex between Rac1 and its primary inhibitor RhoGDI (Rho GDP-dissociation inhibitor), in macrophages, leading to Rac1 activation and Rac1-dependent IL-1β (interleukin-1 beta) expression.
- During experimental atherosclerosis, statin therapy leads to macrophage Rac1-dependent increases in IL-1β and atherosclerotic plaque calcification.
Art
Red Yeast Rice
★★★☆☆
So three months ago, I found out I have a high total cholesterol of 229. My LDL was 165. I am 51 and I am active only as a mom and one who does pilates four days a week. I call myself a vegan slash pescatarian slash vegetarian low on the dairy though slash turkey or chicken maybe once every two week. Put it like this people were shocked when i told them i had high cholesterol. Anywho my nurse practitioner decided to have me tested for this genetic disorder. My brother actually has the genetic disorder that makes his cholesterol high so he's on statins. Well i refuse to get on that medication because i understand the side effects are not good but to each his own and no judgment here. Not at all. My nurse practitioner put me on fish oil and red rice yeast to treat my high cholesterol but check this out before being put on red rice yeast my a1c was good. It was 5.4, but after three months on red rice yeast my a1c which has never been high shot up three points 5.7. I am wondering if this red rice yeast caused my a1c to rise. I heard prescription statins do the same thing. I meet with my practitioner this week and will ask her if this is a side effect of red rice yeast. If it is i want to get off. I have already started adding more carido to my exercise routine and cut those carbs out i know are not good for me but they taste so good even if theyre organic and used with good ingredients. Okay so what are your thoughts on red rice yeast and the possibility they elevate your a1c? I have a gut feeling it has increased my a1c. Also, my three month check up my total cholesterol went down from 229 to 209. My LDL went down from 165 to 140. So it appears it is working but I also believe changing my diet and doing intermittent fasting 16:8 has helped too. I appreciate any comments and i look forward to reading them. Bye
★★★★★
Apple Cider Vinegar
Understanding Cholesterol Test Results
Thank you for answering my question. I do not have high blood pressure and I do not have any related health problem. I did not take any prescription pills. I only take supplements. Right now I just want to control what I eat to slowly lower my cholesterol. Just wonder if Prioris from FL still doing ok with very high cholesterol that doctor will think.
Understanding Cholesterol Test Results
I don't think Prioris has posted in while...
Regarding whether or not to be concerned about the cholesterol number... have you had any other testing done? Do you have any other risk factors for heart disease?
My husband's cholesterol number was not a concern for his doctor until he also had a bad calcium cardiac score; that combined with high blood pressure and some extra weight made it a concern. Plus, my husband's father died of a heart attack at age 37. So we worked on his cholesterol through diet, which also helped him lose weight.
If you are healthy and have no health problems, it may not be a concern for you.
~Mama to Many~
Understanding Cholesterol Test Results
I am very interesting about that you have very high cholesterol 370 about 50 years without any problem. I just tested my blood that I have same number as you total cholesterol 373, but my good one is 114 that mean my ratio is ok. I am 64 years old. do I need worry about it? how are you? still with that high cholesterol? your post make my mind open. do I need do something to lowering my cholesterol? I am healthy and no any health problem. Can anyone can answering my question if Prioris from FL does not see my post? I know this is very old post from Prioris. I hope that I can get some answers from somebody.
Dietary Changes
Thanks for the information! I will look into it.
My cholesterol has always been very low, even below 100 when I was in college and not on the best diet...
~Mama to Many~
Dietary Changes
Dietary Changes
★★★★★
A few years ago, my husband had an abnormal cardiac calcium score and a less than ideal cholesterol reading. His doctor gave him the option of statins or a gluten free, vegan diet. He reluctantly chose the diet.
It worked. He lost weight and got his cholesterol down dramatically.
Over time we put fish and chicken into his diet. (Tilapia, salmon, and boneless, skinless chicken.) He also eats an occasional sweet but is very moderate about it. He uses Erythritol and oat milk in his coffee.
He had bloodwork done this week. We were thrilled that fish and chicken added to his gf plant-based diet have only improved his numbers. His good cholesterol went up a bit and the bad is in a very good range. His total cholesterol is 131.
Six months ago, we invested in a Blackstone Grill. That thing is life changing. Really. My go to meal is fish or chicken bowls. I cook the chicken or fish and an onion, sometimes a jalapeno, potato or carrots on the Blackstone, season it well with salt, pepper, and garlic, and serve it over brown or white rice. I use some olive oil on the grill. We never get tired of this meal. It also makes clean up easier and I don't make much mess in the kitchen.
My husband eats a lot of hummus on sesame crackers or raw carrots with guacamole for a snack. If he eats breakfast, its oatmeal. I make a Thai curry every weekend and we have burritos and fish tacos often; its a go-to meal when my kids and grandkids come over.
Interestingly, his hemoglobin and hematocrit numbers are at the high end of normal. Apparently, you can get plenty of iron without eating red meat or eggs. His iron level has always been high normal on a red meat diet, on a vegan diet, on his current diet. He doesn't eat much in the way of leafy greens either.
Since I have Alpha Gal and some food allergies, a mostly gf, plant-based diet with fish and chicken has been my diet for many years. Cooking got easier with his dietary changes. I fix burgers or sausage and eggs for my kids sometimes, but they do love the Blackstone bowls, too.
Anyway, this is all anecdotal, but I am sharing it in case it would help or encourage someone else!
~Mama to Many~
Citrus Bergamot
★★★★★
Citrus Bergamot has some free text articles on Pub Med that describe effects such as
"The results are shown below, but patients who received 500 or 1,000 mg of BPF (bergamot polyphenol fraction, essentially refined bergamot oil) for 30 consecutive days saw a significant reduction in total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides and blood glucose coupled with a significant increase in HDL levels.2 Mar 2023 "
It is from sour inedible orange mainly grown in Sicily and is fairly widely available as a supplement, even in Australia at one major
chemist chain as well as online from the usual well known big American supplement suppliers.
A number of testimonials on them have (seemingly genuine) testimonials about reductions in their levels. My open minded GP read one study on my phone when trying to put me on statins
and said, "This is rather interesting." A friend had her cholesterol levels drop markedly after she put herself on CB when her GP also wanted her on statins. He did not want to know why but conceded her latest
levels did not now warrant a statin.
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
Serrapeptase
Berberine
Berberine
Berberine
If soy lecithin granules is not to your liking for lowering cholesterol, another option is Fenugreek.
Art
Berberine
Since you are considering using melatonin, the following meta analysis should interest you regarding triglycerides :
Here is a relevant quote :
' A total of 8 RCTs were eligible. Meta-analysis suggested a significant association between melatonin supplementation and a reduction in triglycerides (WMD: −31.54 mg/dL, 95% CI: −50.71, −12.38, p = 0.001), and total cholesterol levels (WMD: −18.48 mg/dL, 95% CI: −35.33, −1.63, p = 0.032), while no significant effect on LDL-C (WMD: −2.37 mg/dL, 95% CI: −11.61, −6.86, p = 0.615) and HDL-C (WMD: 1.28 mg/dL, 95% CI: −0.66, 3.23, p = 0.197) was found. In sub-group analysis, a significant decrease in triglycerides was found at doses ≥8 mg/d and when trials last ≥8 weeks. In addition, a significant decrease of total cholesterol was found at doses ≥8 mg/d and when total cholesterol baseline levels were ≥200 mg/dL. '
Art
Berberine
I want to bring that number down and my trigs were also lower in past tests and I was running at 300 plus with TC. I'm a bit afraid a doctor will dump me from his patient list if I don't take something to lower my C. I'm going to also reply to the Melatonin thread as I don't want to change the subject of this thread, but I have bad insomnia some nights, especially if I don't get any exercise during the day.
Thank you again, Denise!!
Berberine
Although studies do show that berberine has cholesterol lowering effects and as being good for diabetics to help maintain healthier glucose levels among many other benefits, I do not consider it to be a potent anti cholesterol supplement based on my experience. If you cholesterol is significantly high, berberine may not be potent enough to get it low enough, but it wouldn't hurt to try it and it will help with lowering glucose levels.
For the purpose of lowering cholesterol, I have had good results using two level full tablespoons of soy lecithin granules each day. I use a 4 ounce glass of water and dump the granules in it and drink it down right away in one go with no mixing. Others put it into their smoothies, or yogurt.
I have no recommendation for a brand of berberine as I have used several and they were all effective. I think the divided dose would be important for optimal effect.
Art
Berberine
If Art Solbrig is around I would love to ask him about it. I will post one link to a very short video from one of my fave online doctors, Dr. Benjamin Bikman. He is big on Metabolic Syndrome/Insulin Resistance, and I have beaten T2 Diabetes just using Ketogenic nutrition. But with Keto, I get a high number on my Lipid tests and worry my doctor til I think he'll have a heart-attack because I won't take a statin. Berberine sounds good to me, but feedback is very welcome, and a brand name would be very helpful,
Thank you in advance, Denise
Plant-Based Diet
High Cholesterol Readings
Who to believe and why is that website more reliable?
High Cholesterol Readings
★★★★★
★★★★★
It's been 10 months since my report on my husband's success with a plant-based diet for his high cholesterol.
Since then, he has introduced a more regular use of chicken and turkey (mostly added to curries! ), an egg here and there, and fish (salmon) a couple of times a month. He drinks a glass of wine with dinner once in a while and has an occasional beer. He is still gluten free and sugar free and eats no dairy or red meat or pork. I would call it a plant-based diet still, but we were not sure what the changes would do to his cholesterol. He still consumes oatmeal and raw carrots most days.
He had bloodwork done last week. His cholesterol is down to 114! HDL is still 65. Doctor was thrilled. His blood pressure is even a bit lower, and he got the go ahead to try going without medication for a while and see what happens.
His decades of ibs-d symptoms are also pretty much gone. I believe dairy was the problem all along.
I also had bloodwork done and my cholesterol is 110. HDL 48. I eat pretty much the same as my husband, minus the beer and wine and carrots. (I don't like beer, wine gives me a headache, and carrots are hard on my jaw.)
Any special diet is easier to do with someone else! When we go to pot lucks I often bring a Massaman Curry and rice, our favorite, and now a favorite of some of our friends.
Happy early Thanksgiving, you all!
~Mama to Many~
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
Happy you found it worked for you. I use B----'s Organic ACV with the “mother.” I luv the taste. Dilute it w water and lemon and drink one TBP in the am half hour before I eat. It really helps. Best of health always.
Red Yeast Rice
I forgot to answer your question about what to take for the muscle pain. CoQ10 has been shown to alleviate the muscle pain :
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.118.009835
Here is what they concluded :
' CoQ10 supplementation ameliorated statin‐associated muscle symptoms, implying that CoQ10 supplementation may be a complementary approach to manage statin‐induced myopathy. '
It may be more beneficial to use CoQ10 in a soft gel form for best absorption.
Art
Red Yeast Rice
Red yeast rice has the active component Monacolin K which is chemically identical to the active ingredient in the statin drug Lovastatin :
Here is a relevant quote :
' Red yeast rice products may not be safe; some may have the same side effects as certain cholesterol-lowering drugs, and some may contain a potentially harmful contaminant. '
Lovastatin is known to cause muscle pain and muscle damage :
https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs/lovastatin-oral-tablet#important-warnings
Here is a quote from the article :
' Serious muscle damage warning: Using lovastatin raises your risk of serious muscle problems. These problems include myopathy, with symptoms that include muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness. Myopathy can lead to rhabdomyolysis. With this condition, muscle breaks down and can cause kidney damage and even death. If you have unexplained muscle pain or weakness, stop taking lovastatin right away and call your doctor. '
Another option might be lecithin granules at two tablespoons / day. It can be thrown in a small glass of water without mixing and just drink it down or it can be sprinkled on foods, desserts or added to smoothies.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3065734/#:~:text=Lecithin is capable of reducing, nervous system and brain activities.
Here is a relevant study quote :
' One-two months before the treatment beginning, blood samples were collected for total lipids and cholesterol fractions analysis. The results showed a reduction of 40.66% and 42.00% in total cholesterol and of 42.05% and 56.15% in LDL cholesterol after treatment for one and two months, respectively. A significant reduction in total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations was observed during the first month of treatment, suggesting that the administration of soy lecithin daily may be used as a supplemental treatment in hypercholesterolemia. '
Art
Red Yeast Rice
Have always had good numbers on almost all health related things. Played 4 sports and when I couldn't anymore due to an injury, I took up walking some years ago. Now at 69, still walking 4-5 miles every day, I find myself with high cholesterol and triglycerides. Most of that is genetic, but I didn't expect it as I thought I could get around it by walking.
Tried red yeast rice about 2 weeks ago and developed extreme pain in my left thigh. Of course I have stopped taking it, but in the meantime I am almost unable to sleep because of the pain, going on about 5 days now.
Once I get moving the pain fades into the background and it seems to occur when I am laying down. I guess I'll go back to ACV which fixed my acid reflux a few years ago. Does anyone have an antidote to Red Yeast Rice?
★★★★★
1: Eat oatmeal daily I get gluten-free oats.
2: Cut back on eating nuts, eat it in moderation
3: Take Psyllium Fiber or buy them in capsules
4: Eat flaxseeds I sprinkle some on my oats, it's really softened my skin
5: Eat beans
6: Eat apples
7: Take Plant Sterols with your largest meal of the day I take Cholestoff Plus which has been clinically proven to lower cholesterol.
8. Add garlic to your food
10: Exercise we take a quick 30 minute walk daily
Wishing everyone good health.
Serrapeptase
Thank you so much for sharing Brooklyn Baby
Serrapeptase
★★★★★
I'd never heard of Serrapeptase before however, when I was researching Earth Clinic for remedies on Inflammation for Nasal Polyps I stumbled upon this gem. I purchased the Serrapeptase that was Enteric coated to survive acidic stomach conditions. I started out by taking one 80,000 capsule and slowly increased it. I am now up to 6 capsules a day which is where I think that I will stay. I started taking Serrapeptase less then a year ago and 2 weeks ago when I went for my annual physical my cholesterol levels had come down 200 points. No side effects for me whatsoever. It cleared up my sinuses and eradicated the acid reflex that I've had for the last 20 years. I know that it sounds like it's too good to be true but in this case it is definitely good as well as being absolutely true.
★★★★★
I also made oatmeal porridge with soy milk.
I got tested two months after I began the regimen and my total cholesterol decreased from 249 to 208. Triglycerides reduced from 57 to 48. (My HDL went from 106 to 81; LDL, from 134 to 118).
This is amazing! I have always had elevated cholesterol but this is the lowest it has ever been. I am ever so grateful for Ted's protocol.
Fenugreek
Brazil Nuts
Daily Water Salad
★★★★★
Daily Water Salad
07/10/2021
I created this curement on my own. This has amazing results. I use this daily salad for at least 12 years, usually 5 to 6 times per week, one time a day (every midday or in the morning). It my keeps all my analysis of Cholesterol, LDL Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Blood pressure, cleaned fatty liver, all in normal levels.
Speak with your doctor before using this curement. Use this curement completely on your own responsibility (earthclinic or me, have no responsibility), since this is given as a suggestion.
It works directly for lowering Cholesterol, lowering Triglycerides, lowering blood pressure, cleaning fatty liver.
Use:
1 garlic clove (2 grams about)
2-3 grams of onion
4-5 grams of celery
4-5 grams of parsley
4-5 grams of lettuce
Put this in a blender with water. Drink this juice, within 7 minutes, after you get the juice out of the blender (Do not let the juice more than 7 minutes in the glass, without drinking it, since it will weaken its power). Add some extra water after making the juice. You can use the juice in one or two glasses of water (Use two glasses of water in case the taste is difficult for you). It has rather difficult taste, but the results really worth it.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar
Plant-Based Diet
I would add Vitamin K2 to his regimen. It was researched a few years ago.. it is the mineral mover of the body...Moving excess minerals from arteries and into the bones. Study showed...To get enough one would need to eat 30# of broccoli per day. It is sometimes packaged with D. Less than 10$ for 3 months supply..
Plant-Based Diet
Plant-Based Diet
Plant-Based Diet
★★★★★
In July, my husband's doctor was concerned because his cholesterol (specifically, the "bad cholesterol") was elevated AND his calcium cardiac test revealed significant blockages in all of the main arteries in his heart. My husband has a bad heart history in his family.
His doctor said, "I can write you a prescription for statins or you can go vegan, gluten free, sugar free." The doctor said that would be the diet that could potentially reduce the plaque in his arteries.
So, my meat and potatoes husband went gf, sf, vegan. (He didn't have to give up potatoes! ) This is about how I eat anyway, due to Alpha Gal Syndrome. It was more motivating to make interesting meals for more than just myself.
Anyway, labs this week were the proof in the pudding!
In six months, his total cholesterol went from 182 to 122!
In six months, his LDL went from 121 to 65!
I am very proud of him.
We did not repeat the calcium cardiac score yet due to the significant amount of radiation exposure with that, but these numbers plus the other health benefits are motivating him to stay on this diet.
Some other things to note, which may have helped to improve his numbers -
He eats oatmeal every day for breakfast. Oatmeal is supposed to be good for cholesterol.
He eats raw baby carrots with guacamole or hummus with his lunch 5 days a week. Carrots are supposed to be good for cholesterol.
He uses a monkfruit sweetener in his coffee. He also uses oatmilk as a cream alternative.
My primary oil to use is olive oil. We also use some plant butter.
I make so many lentil recipes, his potassium is actually a tad elevated. (Lentils are a good source of potassium! )
I have made many, many recipes from a food blog - minimalist baker. They have been a lifesaver - fast recipes with not a ton of ingredients - and delicious. She even has a df, gf biscuit recipe that is amazing.
My husband's blood pressure is doing much better on this diet and he has been able to cut his blood pressure med in half and still has better readings than he did 6 months ago on the full dose! He may be able to get off this med completely.
He does eat fish and chicken and bread once in a while, mostly when we go out and he does partake in celebratory meals like weddings and holidays - he just tries to be moderate with portion sizes.
Oh, and he lost 50 pounds total without any effort beyond the effort of staying on the diet!
I am thankful for his perseverance. I want him to be around a long time. :)
~Mama to Many~
Niacin
====ORH====
Niacin
Niacin
Betty, your problem is that you are half smart like me and need to read more. ===ORH===
Niacin
Niacin
Gene DeCode has a detox for the jab that will soon be on his new site..... blessed for service.org. One brilliant man. ====ORH====
Niacin
Vitamin D
Vitamin D
Hydrogen Peroxide
Oatmeal
Dietary Changes
Dr. Berg's Wife Has Crazy High Cholesterol of 261.. - YouTube
Dietary Changes
Dietary Changes
Now I'm changing my dairy intake to pretty much zero because my cholesterol shot up to 389. I've read many times it is most important to divide your Triglyceride # by your HDL #. I've also read and heard that people that are living longer have high cholesterol numbers, and those that die earlier have low LDL numbers (low total cholesterol numbers).
I'm nervous about information being true, or untrue, so I am going for lowering my intake of dairy products. I have to tell you though, long (back to my 20s and I'm 68 now) I did not do dairy! I just didn't care for any dairy products! But I'm going to try anyway. I eat mostly lean meats but add some olive oil, lots of veggies, low amounts of carbs and only safe carbs (so I've read) like berries (strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and I gotta have a few blueberries).
I can't remember why but I was scared off from Lecithin when I used it for a couple of weeks. I first ordered the wrong thing, then bought what was supposedly the right thing but something was going on that made me think it was the lecithin. I know I need to keep better track of these things. Input welcome, I just think we should talk more about our basic diets before piling on the ACV, Lecithin, or any other fix.
I'm just up for reading more studies that have been coming out for some time on this topic, and I haven't put my faith in conventional medicine for some time ;) Feedback from anyone is welcome as I remain open-minded, and, I do understand that if ACV works for you, don't "fix" it ;) I had to change my way of eating because of Type 2 Diabetes, and the fact that I have a 3rd degree AV Node block and am on my 3rd Pacemaker since 1997.
Oatmeal
Good luck with your health.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal
BTW fish oil and COQ10 alone does not lower cholesterol. You need to Red Yeast Rice along with it.
Give it a try.
Thank you,
Tom
Oatmeal
★★★★★
My husband was very faithful in taking these supplements for a year. He made no other changes to diet, supplements, exercise, etc.
A year later (January 2020) his cholesterol was higher and his LDL was worse! Hmmphh.
So we dropped those supplements. No use taking them or wasting money on them anymore.
I suggested oatmeal. Like, oatmeal for breakfast EVERY day. I eat a lot of oatmeal and my cholesterol has always been on the lower side. And some studies seem to show that oat lowers cholesterol. He was game.
So every morning for the last six months, (at least 13 out of 14 mornings), he and I have had a bowl of oatmeal together. He made no other dietary changes or changes in exercise or supplements.
Sometimes I make steel cut oats in the instant pot with dried cranberries and coconut flakes. Sometimes I made quick oats on the stovetop and add fresh fruit like oatmeal or peaches. I add a little salt and maple syrup. I put a little butter in his and a little plant butter in mine.
Six months and about 175 bowls of oatmeal later, he had labs done again.
His total cholesterol dropped from 198 to 182. (An 8% drop! )
His LDL went from 140 to 121. (Still higher than desired but a 13% drop! )
His LDL/HDL ratio is back in the "normal" range.
We will continue our breakfast for oatmeal routine. Perhaps over time there will be more improvement. I will let you know!
~Mama to Many~
Apple Cider Vinegar
