What alternative things do you take and do instead... - Page 3

River Song · ‎03-15-2010

Rather than looking for 'the magic supplement' to lower cholesterol, I suggest investigating a low carb lifestyle.

Dr. Eric Westman is a medical doctor and professor at Duke University that is a proponent of keto. And not crazy-wacko keto, either. He runs an obesity clinic and has clinical experience treating his obese patients with the keto way of eating. He has many YouTube videos and may I suggest you view his Cholesterol on Low-carb - Dr. Eric Westman video. He has about a dozen videos on cholesterol that are very informative and interesting.

Anyway, a low-carb diet can lower inflammation which may help with the OP's other physical ailments.

Yes, eating low-carb is a lifestyle change. No, you don't need to count carbs or spend money on special keto foods that are all the rage now. Dr. Westman's approach to keto is pretty simple to follow. I don't follow his strictest keto diet because I'm not morbidly obese but I've lost almost 30 lbs. over the past year and a half by following his moderate keto diet.

“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.” ~ Voltaire 1694-1778

on the bay · ‎03-09-2010

@Sunshine Kate,

Oh I was going to put that in and by the time I got to the end I forgot😄

Usually just Nature Made which Iget at Walmart.

"If you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you'll learn things you never knew. Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains? can you paint with all the colors of the wind?"

on the bay · ‎03-09-2010

Though low carb or any healthy diet may help some, if you have familial high cholesterol, inherited, a healthy diet, exersice etc won't really help.

"If you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you'll learn things you never knew. Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains? can you paint with all the colors of the wind?"

ID2 · ‎06-25-2012

My health has never been this good since my doctor put me on a statin! My blood tests results are text book perfect! I've been on for 5 years. I just don't understand all the complaining. Don't read the internet, ask and discuss with your doctor. If some notice side effects, forge through and exercise! I'm sure your doctors are suggesting exercise. JMO take it or leave it.

"Pure Michigan"

granddi · ‎03-16-2010

@SeaMaiden I have been a supplement taker for decades. My go to resource is usually Memorial Sloan Kettering site.

As I have aged my cholesterol number are changing.

Foxxee · ‎10-03-2014

I have a friend who can't take statins. She read that Niacin worked. Her doctor told her to give it a try at 2 capsules, 1000 mgs a day. A few studies say you need much more than that, so I don't know. I would ask your doctor about it.

She said it is working.

If you do want to try it, use flush free.

Pook · ‎03-20-2010

@CelticCrafter wrote:
@AngelPuppy1 how elevated?

My husbands total was 202, so just over.

Everything with this doctor is a pill because it's a "little high" so she prescribed Atorvastatin the generic for Lipitor.

You have no idea what it did to his blood sugar and we are still trying to get it back to where it had been.

I worked in an office with about 100 people and at least 20 of them were put on statins and 16 of them became pre diabetic or diabetic and also got pancreatitis. Some foolishly went back on it after going off it because of the pancreatitis and were given a drug for the pre diabetic condition and that stuff probably caused strokes in all 6 of them! Seems too many of them to be a coincidence!!

on the bay · ‎03-09-2010

Many doctors do receive payments for prescribing a specific drug from the company that makes it.

It seems unethical but it is common.

I've also experienced side effects from a certain drug and the doctor will say, oh it shouldn't cause that. Then when I look up side effects, it is listed as one of the first several side effects!

I really do think we have to be our own advocate.

"If you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you'll learn things you never knew. Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains? can you paint with all the colors of the wind?"

HisElk1 · ‎09-29-2015

@SilleeMee wrote:
Berberine has done wonders for me. It made my cholesterol and A1c numbers normal. Now I no longer take any Rx meds.

ETA-
There is and has been ongoing research about berberine. The NIH has published many articles regarding it's effects on cholesterol and glucose management. In the works is the FDA's approval of berberine used as a drug for heart heath which includes A1c and cholesterol monitoring.

Berberine, like metformin, is made from a plant root and both share glucose-lowering capabilities. The difference is berberine does not have the side effects as metformin nor does it come with any similar to those described as side effects of taking statins. It's a win-win situation.

@SilleeMee , @AngelPuppy1 , I agree about the Berberine. It has done wonders for both DH and I. Really helped our cholesterol and A1c.

KathyM23 · ‎11-20-2010

I was put on statins and after taking them for a few months my blood tests started to show an increase in liver enzymes. Lab notes said likely caused by statins. Dr. decreased the mg of statin from 40 to 20 and lab work still showed liver numbers increasing and my cardiologist took me off the statin and my liver numbers are now back to normal.

Something to think about. Between a rock and a hard place.