Wellness

[juanitalinda]

After reading comments on a previous thread I thought I would try berberine to lower chloresterol and triclycerides.   I also improved my diet ... not a total overhaul, but I eliminated some foods, cut back on others, and added more nuts, seeds and veggies.  

My triclycerides increased 15% ... ldl went up 2 points ... and my hdl dropped 10% in my 3.5 month trial. 

Such a disappointment ... I guess I am back to the drawing board.  

As they say, every body responds differently to medications ... and supplements.  

[AuntG]

It is too bad you didn't get the results you wanted. I wish I had some advice.

[Icegoddess]

@juanitalinda You might re-think the nuts.  Look at their fat content and how some can raise your LDL.  

I looked at the Berberine, but the cost and the fact that I have trouble swallowing capsules, especially the ones with powder inside, turned me off.  I'm already adding enough powders to my yogurt, so I didn't want to add another and I wasn't even sure it would be tasteless.  

[msgb]

There are other natural ways to try to get the cholesterol down.

Garlic, Niacin, Red Yeast Extract, Fish Oil, COQ10, Magnesium. (Magnesium is a natural statin--stay away fron the Oxide form though).

Olive Leaf Extract, Grape Seed Extract.

There is also maintaining hydration.

And exercise.

Not everything thing works for everyone.

I had only heard of berberine to help with blood sugar.

The amounts for the supplements would have to be discussed with your medical professional.

[ThinkingOutLoud]

I suggest you do some research on cholesterol. Your body makes it for a reason and there could very well be a link between too low of numbers and dementia/alzheimers since our brains need it to function at their best. Start by reading up on what's considered normal range in other countries.

[KittySoftPaws]

@juanitalinda  Try Bergamot. I have hereditary high cholesterol. My Doctor has me on Berberine but he also told me that cholesterol really only becomes a problem when you have inflammation in the body. Which can create a whole host of problems. Luckily, my recent bloodwork showed that I don't have inflammation. Plus, know that our bodies and brains need cholesterol. It's not the boogey man that most are made to believe. I recommend doing some research of your own. Excercise also moves excess out of the body. 

[wagirl]

Yes-- I did go thru several months of berberine, red yeast rice and the other things that @msgb  mentioned --did it for a few years as per my cardiologist--with no positive results---also took niaspan which is niacin and that did great, but I couldn't tolerate the flushing it has--my cholesterol issues are a family thing, so nothing will touch it--- not even doing the right kind of diet and exercising .  I have very bad re- actions to any/all statins too. Now I give myself 3 shots a month,  of a drug called Repatha and that has been what has done wonders for me.  Still watch my diet and do walk most days--when I had spouses insurance coverage, which was top notch----it would never cover the cost for this drug--had to wait til I was on Medicare took it and cover most of the cost. . 

[Shelbelle]

From what I have read Berberine is really touted as a blood sugar reducer, not for cholesterol which is why I never bothered to take it. I took plant sterols like Lessmans Cholestacare for 20 years and it kept my chol in check until last year when at 71 it suddenly shot up, I refused a statin but now I take Zetia to keep it in normal range. 

[juanitalinda]

@wagirl 

I think I will talk with my doctor about Repatha.  At this point in my life, I simply can not afford any additional muscle aches and weakness, and so far every prescription drug has made it worse.  Although I haven't tried Zetia yet.  

But my doctor is adamant that I should get that pesky little LDL number under 200.  We have tried various supplements, as much diet change as I am willing to live with, and tons of exercise.  I swear they all make it worse ... like my body over-compensates.   

You just can't beat genetics.  

[Icegoddess]

I would stay away from the Red Yeast Rice.  It has the same list of side effects as statins do.  At least with a statin you're sure to get a regulated dose.  

Tried the niacin.  There's a slow release one that doesn't cause flushing.  Tried Bergamot.  

My A1C is good, so I don't need help with my blood sugar level.  

My doctor thinks my high cholesterol is genetic and the statin I'm on now seems to be working for me, so I'll just stick with that.