The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Low Carb Diet
Posted by Rw (Southwest Virginia) on 01/17/2017
★★★★★
All of my cholesterol levels were bad but then improved an average of over 30% by eating a low carb diet. They're all back down in the healthy range. I did not cut down on fats at all, just carbs. I bought a glucose meter and learned how to eat so that my blood sugar stayed under 110 after meals (it usually peaks around 1 1/2 hours after a meal.) I eat about 15 grams of carbs at each meal and I make sure I eat a good portion of protein first to balance it. Yeah, it was some getting used to, but it's not problem now and I don't have any carb cravings or anything. I also took fish oil and drank matcha tea, but I don't think it would have been such a dramatic difference without cutting the carbs. My doc was impressed when he saw the numbers. He said, "What did you do?" :)
Niacin
Posted by Phe (Los Angeles, California) on 03/22/2016
★★★★★
I am happy to report that 1000-1500 milligrams of niacin daily drastically reduced my high triglycerides in just under four months. I am a 41 year old male who was diagnosed with high triglycerides back at end of October 2015. My blood test revealed my triglyceride level was 449 mg/dl (optimal reference range is below 150 mg/dl) which was due in part to being to being overweight, which was a result of poor dietary habits and too much alcohol. Fast forward to February 2016, along with a healthy diet and exercise and the crucial inclusion of daily niacin intake, my triglycerides dropped 80% to 87 mg/dl. I lost about 40lbs in that time but I know that the rapid lowering of my triglyceride level was not only due to weight loss but the niacin which is well-documented for its effect on high triglycerides and cholesterol. Simply stated niacin works.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Brigitte (Houston, Tx) on 09/28/2015
My cholesterol has always been high. Cholesterol Total 256; HDL 142; LDL 107 and Triglyceride 35.
I am not taking any medication, but will try the organic apple cider vinegar in some warm water early in the morning. Hope it will lower my numbers.
I am 75 years old, work full time, exercise three times a week and eat a very healthy diet but love a glass of good red wine. I wonder whether I have to cut that out.
Brigitte
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Shamoon (Washington, D.C.) on 08/05/2015
★★★★★
I agree that ACV works well at cholesterol/LDL reduction. It does not, repeat Does NOT raise cholesterol or deplete HDLs.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jo Ana (Fl) on 04/24/2015
Try a teaspoon of organic ACV in every glass of water you drink. This is a great way to get your needed ACV every day. I've been doing this for years and when I'm someplace where organic isn't available, I feel badly deprived.
It's so easy, and it gives the water a flavor that once you become accustomed to it, you will look forward to drinking your water often throughout the day.
Carrot Juice
Posted by Luciakc (Nanuet, New York) on 07/06/2012
★★★★★
Drink at least an 8 oz. Glass of Carrot Juice a day and it will lower your Cholesterol Significantly anywhere between 3-6 months! It does work! My Cholesterol was 294 and now it is 184- IT WORKS! Try it and you'll definitely like it, It tastes great too!
Lecithin, Astaxanthin
Posted by Wbones (Las Vegas, Nv) on 04/28/2011
★★★★★
High triglycerides: My wife and I were told by our doctor that our triglycerides were high and the doc was suggesting I start taking meds for the problem. I checked online for a solution. We both started taking 2 TBS of Lecithin Granules and 2 pills of 4 MG of Astaxanthin daily for 2 weeks before our blood work. When we went back for the results My wifes had dropped 70 points, and mine had dropped from 320 to 200.
Dark Chocolate
Posted by Susan (Ripley, WV, WV) on 08/10/2008
★★★★★
My cholesterol stayed around 345 for years. I heard about dark chocolate. I eat one little square of Dark Chocolate daily and I brought my cholesterol down to 245 in 6 weeks. Haven't had it checked lately but it will probably be down another hundred by the time I get back to the doctor. Eating that small amount of chocolate, I didn't gain one ounce so hope you enjoy.
Vitamin D
Posted by EB (England) on 10/20/2021
If you juice a bunch of celery every morning and drink it you will lower your cholesterol. I did it for 3 weeks between appointments and it brought it way down.
Oatmeal
Posted by Cammie (USA) on 12/29/2006
★★★★★
morning - oatmeal w. "Smart Balance" spread & baked apple or cut up fresh apple, include skin & cinnamon (no sugar) plus 1 tablespoon psyllium in water at night. Lowered cholesterol 22 points.
Red Yeast Rice
Posted by Art (California) on 10/29/2022 2326 posts
Alan M.,
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
Dietary Changes
Posted by Charity (faithville, Us) on 08/17/2021
Oatmeal
Posted by beverly (Texas) on 04/20/2023
I started the carnivore diet three months ago and have never felt better. About to turn 75 next month. Before I never really felt good........always blah and had lots of allergies. Vast improvement. I researched it for months before taking the leap. Lots of info on utube.
Celery Juice
Posted by 4001 (New Jersey) on 01/28/2021
★☆☆☆☆
I had no problems with cholesterol, I started having celery juice and my last test shows my cholesterol of 253. Now I have some doubts about the celery juice. It is good for cleaning the stomach though.
Brazil Nuts
Posted by Margie S. (United States) on 08/27/2019
★★★★★
A coworker of mine introduced me to Nutritionfacts.org. There is an article called
Four Nuts Once a Month by Dr. Greger. I started eating 1 Brazil nut every day (even though the article said you would get the same results eating 4 nuts a month).
My results are as follows: I went from 224 down to 204 down to 136. I get mine already shelled at Trader Joes. They will always be a daily staple of mine. Brazil nuts are high in selenium.
Fenugreek
Posted by Art (California ) on 06/28/2018 2326 posts
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Anon (Not Canada) on 10/10/2020
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Pacific Coast Lady (USA) on 01/22/2021
Yes, I do not want statins which is all a doctor offers me. I'm going for the lecithin, I was anyway, but when I read your post Art, with friends/family as witnesses as well, sounds good to me.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Pacific Coast Lady (USA) on 02/24/2021
I am concerned I may not have ordered the right Lecithin. I'm not sure I can mention a brand or put a link, so I'll mention the brand I ordered. I don't want to do anything against the site rules, but I know they check all the posts before they allow them so I'll go ahead. I ordered granules (lecithin) from Life Extension. The ingredients sounded good and reviews, but someone mentioned, back in 2015 post, that there is not GMO Soy, no matter what the label says? Thanks again for any help,
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lily (Kelowna, BC) on 01/25/2021
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper in 1/3 c. of water, chase with /2 to 1c. of water for 2wks. after that once a week. I agree with low fat diet as well instead use flax seed oil, omegas, coconut oil.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Pacific Coast Lady (USA) on 02/28/2021
Hello Art, Thank you for your reply :) I haven't had any further Niacin flushes without taking any Niacin, lol ;) Thank goodness, no liver issues (disease). My hair is still in good shape, but I think it's beginning to thin a little. I will see about adding Zinc and Selenium to my regime. Right now, with all else, I stopped my B-complex and Glucosamine blend because I wanted to see if that might have caused the headaches, etc. I can add them back with my D3 1000iu recommended by my doctor (not sure their right, of course but not ill effects I know of) and my "just" 200mg of Magnesium Citrate (I know this one isn't hurting me but use to take it at 400 mg a day which I think is better). I feel comfy with just the 2 tbsp of Lecithin, one in a.m., one in p.m. with either green tea or my turmeric juice and ginger juice mixture. I bought that from a company here in California, but of course, it is processed by them. I hope it's healthy though, for anti-inflammatory. I haven't had any arthritic pain since I've been drinking it. It seems I read that if the thyroid is working right, many other things can start working right as well. I can't remember where or who I heard it from though.
Low Carb Diet
Posted by Hal (Ny) on 01/22/2017
I eat high fat, low carb. My cholesterol was always low and I knew the high fat diet would raise it, but I know enough about the cholesterol B.S. that I wasn't worried. My bkfst usually consists of 2 tbsp. (grass-fed) butter, 1 tbspn of MCT oil, 1 tbsp. of cocoa powder blended in cup of very warm water. I was using Bulletproof Coffee, but I gave up coffee, so I just substituted cocoa.
By April 2015, my Cholesterol was 315. I didn't mind that much, but I started taking Calcium D-Glucarate 2x/day (thanks Dave Asprey), and Tocotrienols 2x/day. By 6/16 it was 236.
As of 11/23/16, my Cholesterol is 198 (HDL - 73, Triglycerides - 64, Chol/HDL ratio - 2.7). I backed off to once a day each because I don't want to be below 200.
Hope this helps.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by D (Usa) on 09/02/2016
I put mine in grapefruit juice to make it easier to drink and almost cannot taste it, unlike in water. Not good for your teeth straight, or your stomach. Also, I try to eat something before, even if it is just a small snack.
Niacinamide
Posted by Lisa (Southern California, US) on 03/02/2015
★★★★★
I started taking 1000 mg of niacinamide, which is vitamin B3, to help me get to sleep. When I went in for my annual check up with the doctor, my cholesterol actually went too low and she told me to lower my dose to raise my cholesterol. It took about 6 months of taking it. Also, niacinamide doesn't make you flush like niacin, and it still worked to lower cholesterol. The only side effect is it makes you really sleepy, so take it before bed.
Niacin
Posted by ORH (TEN MILE , TN) on 11/04/2021
BETTY, ORH here and I love you, but you do not understand niacin. There are many forms. Niacianamide will take care of Alzheimer's and flushing niacin will take care of your heart. Most of EC's posts are good, but some will cause you grief. I am a Redneck, which means that I am an opinionated person. All know this after 20 + years of my postings.
Betty, your problem is that you are half smart like me and need to read more. ===ORH===
Niacin
Posted by Rose (BAY OF PLENTY, NZ) on 07/14/2024
Just a note on the Niacin warning. If you take Niacin on a full stomach immediately after a meal, the likelihood of a flush is greatly reduced. Never take it on an empty stomach!
High Cholesterol Readings
Posted by Sam (Florida) on 06/07/2014
1) Unless your Chol. is over 300, no need to worry if ALL your ratios are within normal range.
2) Know your LP(a) level. If elevated, nothing you do will lower it, as it is a whole different ball game. LP(a) role is not known yet. It is produced in liver and destroyed in kidneys. Check your kidneys. People with elevated LP(a) have a chance to live to 100(and age slowly), as well as have increased risk of CVD. That is why scientists don't understand it.
3)Worried or concerned? Have PLAC test done. Can be done in any private lab without requisition. Cost under $100.
50% of heart attacks and ischemic strokes occur in patients with normal cholesterol.
The PLAC Test measures Lp-PLA2, an enzyme that, when elevated, indicates arterial inflammation, making heart attack or stroke more likely.
All we have to fear is fear itself.
Understanding Cholesterol Test Results
Posted by Mike62 (Denver) on 01/24/2014
Ppodruga: Hdl should be 60. High hdl indicates oxidation making bad hdl. Ldl should be below 130. Total cholesterol should be below 200. The cholesterol of Mike Adams is approximately 70/70. Taking meds is not good. Eating cooked conventionally grown foods does not provide enough nutrition for optimal functioning. Search raw food and super food videos. Take yucca spray dried for horses. The saponins are very beneficial. Take black chia seeds and organic apples. The soluble fiber is very beneficial. Take organic beans. Small red, kidney, and pinto are best. Take desiccated liver. A good liver makes good cholesterol. Take non denatured whey isolate. This makes glutathione that mops up free radicals and prevents oxidation. Take raw cocoa powder and 90, 000hu cayenne. This is best for the cardio vascular system. Take 3ml/day skate liver oil. If you have not been taking a d3 supplement then take 5000iu d3/day. Make green smoothies from organic baby greens and add some nutritional yeast every 4 hours. Take 1 organic strawberry every 4 hours or take 200mg vitamin c from a whole food concentrate. After that take 50mg c from the whole food concentrate 4x/day.
Understanding Cholesterol Test Results
Posted by Mama to Many (TN) on 12/12/2023
Dear Lynn,
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~
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Happy (Up The Creek In Wv, Usa) on 12/07/2013
Prioris from Fl: You are correct. The clinical trial that is used to falsely assert that high cholesterol is connected to heart problems actually proves that there is no such correlation. Anyone can read the study and see this fact for themselves. The cholesterol mania was just a fear campaign. A conspiracy to defraud the public. A treason against the citizens.
You are entirely correct to point this out to anyone who is worried about their cholesterol numbers.... Even if they do not appreciate it now, they hopefully will later, when they are able to see more clearly what kind of mental prison the conspirators have put them in. Carry on.
Ted's Remedies
Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 10/02/2013
To Lorene A, re Red Rice/Cholesterol,
Your advice is the same as mine and I did try the Red Rice once; maybe three years ago. The friend who was recommending it warned me that he did experience what he thought was a side effect; brain fog. Well, I'd never had problems with brain fog so decided to give the Red Rice caps a try and in two weeks was having trouble concentrating; perhaps a coincendence but I immediately got off the Red Rice and cleared up immediately. I read how the Red Rice works and as you point out and Mercola points out, it works like a statin.
A statin works at the liver level to STOP cholesterol production. But as bad a rap as cholesterol has taken in the past 20 years, cholesterol is essential for cellular health and especially the brain. The problem with cholesterol, is that if there is not enough Vitamin E (natural, not synthetic) in the system, then any fat might start sticking to the veins and arteries. The cause of plaque build up is not the presence of cholesterol but the absence of Vit E.
Got that? The cause of plaque build up is not the presence of cholesterol but the absence of Vit E.
So I got off the Red Rice and the fog went away and I just keep on taking my 800 iu daily of natural E (d alpha tocopherol/ NOT dl alpha tocopherol... The "l" after the "d" tells you it is synthetic. Just get your E at the health food store. Drug stores sell synthetic. ) My cholesterol has always been high but I believe the use of E, CoQ 10, magnesium and potassium, arginine and hawthorn etc has warded off heart issues all these years. I'm 64 and have good BP and can still engage in vigorous exercise. No circulatory issues at all.
Dave
High Cholesterol and Heart Disease
Posted by Prioris (Fort Pierce, Fl, Usa) on 06/19/2013
The reason people want to lower cholesterol is because of heart disease. People should be aware that medical studies concluded many years ago that there is no correlation between heart disease and cholesterol. Heart disease comes down to one thing - cleaning your arteries. You use fibrolytic enzymes like nattokinase and serrapeptase for that. They protect you from stroles and heart attacks. Cholesterol is there to protect you. If it wasn't for that, you'd be dead. Do the research. Even the so called "bad" cholesterol. Stop worrying about cholesterol and focus cleaning your arteries.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mama to Many (Tennessee) on 10/03/2014
Dear Donna,
I think a good time to take it is first thing in the morning or between meals.
You might also consider taking cayenne pepper and eating oatmeal a few times a week. Also, eating carrots or drinking carrot juice regularly may be helpful.
~Mama to Many~
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Migs (Leigh-on-sea, Essex, Uk) on 05/28/2013
★★★★★
On 25th May 2012, my overall cholesterol reading was 6.9, which is high. I decided to try organic apple cider vinegar to lower it. For the last year I have daily had a table spoon of high quality organic pure apple cider vinegar diluted with water in a large mug. I drank this once a day, straight after a breakfast of cold porridge, honey and soya milk. Initially it was hard to drink as it was a bit acidic tasting, but now I quite like it. Occasionally I would have it later in the day after a different meal, but it was mainly first thing in the morning.
At end of May 2013, my cholesterol had reduced to 4.1! I was amazed by this. There were no other changes to my lifestyle except sticking to only having any refined sugar (chocolate, sweets, cakes etc) every other day, rather than almost every day. Sometimes in the last year I would go 3/4 days with no refined sugar, but would have natural sugar via fruit. This is also quite a big change, but I am sure it's the vinegar that's the main cause of the massive reduction as I have always had some refined sugar in my diet.
Migs
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Love-n-life (Philadephia, Pa) on 04/04/2012
★★★★★
I started ACV & Honey for cholesterol on a daily basis on Feb. 20, 2012. At that time, my total cholesterol was 264, drinking the mixture once a day for about a month. I had blood work done on March 24, 2012, my total cholesterol was down to 233... The ONLY change was the mixture, I haven't even started working out, my physician was very impressed and told me while it was still high, it's much better and keep up the good work. I have not mentioned to her about the ACV & Honey (i'll do that later) but in short I just wanted to say this mixture has really worked for me. Best of Luck to everyone....
SIDENOTE: My diet consist of no fried foods, mostly baked, boiled, fruits and veggies... I do have "snacks" on occasion.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kitt (Pa) on 04/17/2016
Doctors never like to even hear the word natural, after all they get paid to keep you sick! They don't believe in vitamins or natural cures. They are paid kickbacks for pushing medicine that has worse side effects then the problem you went in with. then you have nurses who think they know everything! I have used ACV for the last year, not even the organic, the regular stuff from the market, for psoriasis. Even that works!!!
I drink a tablespoon a day and wash my hair with it. Absolutely works!!! It even helps with acid reflux, crazy enough!
Red Yeast Rice
Posted by Carolyn (Hobbs, Nm Usa) on 10/14/2009
★★★★★
Response to Patricia. Yes the red yeast rice works better than the statin drugs and it is all natural. Much better for the body. But be sure you take at least 200 mg. of COQ10 with it because red yeast rice takes COQ10 out of your body. Besides COQ10 protects the heart. My husband has been doing this for years and his doctor can't believe how good his cholesterol levels always are.
God Bless,
Carolyn
Niacin
Posted by Cindy (Ft Lauderdale, FL) on 11/12/2008
★★★★★
High Total Cholesterol, High LDL, High triglycerides, High Lipitor expense, Low bank account balance
All my numbers were greatly improved within 6 months after my visit to www.cholesterolscore.com . This website focuses primarily on the therapeutic use of niacin. The therapeutic use of niacin is nothing less than miraculous. Even my HDL, which had been my only acceptable lipid number, shot from 65 to 92.
All my other cholesterol numbers are now at healthy levels. I had been spending nearly $100 a month in insurance co-payments for Lipitor before switching to niacin. The little bit of niacin flush is nothing much at all. Especially when a year's supply of niacin costs me only $70.
