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How I lowered my cholesterol count seventy-three points...the supplements
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Nothing in this article should be construed as medical advice. Thorough research should be done before taking any medication or natural supplements.
The pharmaceutical community is all over cholesterol medicine and why not? People the world over want to know, "How can I lower my cholesterol level? Am I destined for an early heart attack if my cholesterol remains elevated?" Big Pharma has responded. Just a portion of their offerings, available from your local pharmacy, are Lipitor, Zocor, Colestid, Tricor and Zetia. As we now know it is not only what we eat that affects our cholesterol level, but Uncle Fred and Aunt Edna as well. There is a genetic component just as there is a dietary component. As I previously mentioned, my doctor had suggested that I begin taking cholesterol medicine as a result of my score of 251 during my physical.
At the time of my blood test in March 2008, I was already taking a number of vitamins and supplements, all of the "natural" variety. As best as I can remember, I was taking a multi-vitamin, B-Complex, 400 IU of vitamin E, 500 mg of vitamin C and some measure of chromium picolinate each day. There may have been more as it was kind of a scatter gun approach, as much to make me feel better about taking them as to make me feel better. Upon researching suggested supplements, I settled on two that had demonstrated some success in lowering cholesterol: grape seed extract (which is thought to have the same effects as drinking red wine in moderation) and red yeast rice which behaves like a statin. I also began taking organic flax seed oil at the same time. I then dropped all other supplements except the multi-vitamin.
Taking new meds or supplements is, in most instances, a step of faith (for me it was faith added to the prayer already begin offered). Whether a physician makes a recommendation or research is done from a website, the popper of the pill has no idea if things will change until it has been taken and results can be measured. Additionally, as watchers of medicinal television commercials know, taking certain prescription medications can result in hair loss, hearing loss, renal failure, heart palpitations, sweaty palms, wetting the bed, sun sensitivity, ingrown toenails, miscarriages, liver damage, inflamed buttocks, fatigue, excess energy, runny nose, body odor or sudden death. When I started taking my supplements I didn't really expect to know if things had changed until I returned to the doctor for my twelve week return checkup. I got my first hint of change just a few weeks later.
For a number of years I had suffered hideously in the spring and early fall from pollen allergies. Never wanting to bother with being tested for the specific one, I just took Claritin every day and waited for pollen season to die down. During April of last year, I was walking across a parking lot with a friend when he remarked, "Man the pollen is killing me!" I looked over at his wet, swollen eyes and runny nose with shock. In years past I would never have made it out the door for an hour without suffering the same effects, but I had none. I did not even realize that the pollen season had started! Not a single symptom had flared up, nor did any through the entire spring. For me, this was an added benefit and one that I never expected.
As the twelve week deadline approached I grew anxious to see whether all the changes in my lifestyle had paid off and could not wait the entire time, so I made an appointment 2 weeks early for another blood test. It was the result of this second test, just ten weeks after my doctor recommended cholesterol lowering medication, that found my cholesterol count down seventy-three points to 178 and my white cell and sugar counts back to normal. I can also say that, having been on the natural supplements for almost a year and a half, I have experienced no side effects.
Whether any or all of these things that helped me would help others I do not know, but if you find yourself in the same situation as me, I would encourage you to try changing your diet, starting an exercise program and taking natural supplements before deciding to take a prescription drug that may cost a lifetime of co-pays and potentially harmful side effects.
Grape Seed Extract (or Complex) and Red Yeast Rice are available through online suppliers like Nutrition Surplus.com as well as your local CVS, Walgreen's, Publix or Kroger.
Also in this series:
How I lowered my cholesterol count seventy-three points in 10 weeks...without medication
How I lowered my cholesterol count seventy-three points...the exercise regimen
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