Questioni am a 44 yr. old male in good health, other than IBS. i have tried zocor and niacin for lowering cholesterol. both worked well, but over time have badly aggrivated my IBS - so i cannot take either. do you have any suggestions on what i can take that will help my cholesterol levels, but won't upset my IBS. When on zocor my total ranged from 116-150 and when on niacin it was 153. I need advise on other options that won't affect my stomach condition. Thank you very much!
AnswerMike,
Cholesterol Support with from VSN (www.vitasanus.com) it is not advertised on the web site but they stock it.
Policosanol is perhaps one of the most exciting additions to cholesterol treatment. Derived from the coating on sugar cane, policosanol is now approved for treating cholesterol in two dozen countries. Clinical studies have shown policosanol to be at least as effective as the best current medications for this purpose. A recent study however does not make the same conclusion. It works by inhibiting the formation of cholesterol in the body.
Because policosanol is a blood-thinning agent, those already on warfarin (Coumadin) and hemophiliacs should be cautious in its use. Tocotrienols have been shown to be effective nutritional agents to treat high cholesterol in recent research programs.
Gugulipids have long been used in Ayurvedic medicine to prevent atherosclerosis. They appear to be effective in lowering blood levels of both total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, possibly by stimulating the liver to remove LDL from the bloodstream.
Phosphatidylcholine, also known as Lecithin, was shown in a 1999 study to improve metabolism of cholesterol in the digestive system. Soy isoflavones have been shown in studies to reduce total cholesterol over 9% and LDL cholesterol by almost 13%. Good HDL cholesterol was raised over 2%. Artichokes contain 'cynarin' which creates support for lowering cholesterol.
Garlic has also been shown to improve the HDL/LDL ratio.
JP Saleeby, MD
www.saleeby.net
check out my blog for article "Beyond Cholesterol"
