Update on Using Plant Sterols

[CDreamer]

I am someone who won't take statins period but I have been getting somewhat alarmed at the rise in my cholesterol, even though the % of LDL and HDL were good. I have suffered from Colitis and IBS since the early 1970's and other autoimmune diseases for some time so I know my inflammation levels are high.

I consulted a nutritionist some time ago who did a comprehensive GI test which came back with some interesting results and as a result she recommended some changes to diet - exclusion of gluten, one third of plate to be protein & fat to come from mainly fish, chicken, unprocessed meat and lentils and nuts. I also take a variety of supplements - specific to my requirements as the GI test showed up an imbalance in gut flora, inability to absorb nutrients as a result and inability to excrete toxins due to production of an enzyme which blocks absorption of short chain fatty acids. Also to add Kefir - I have plenty of grains to spare.

After about 6 weeks of staying with the changes and taking the supplements my cholesterol has dropped from 7.9 to 6.8.

One of the supplements is a plant sterol which I take with every meal. I can keep my GP happy as long as I keep my level below 7. Yeah - result!

[sandybrown]

Where did the number 7 come from for cholesterol?

Regular exercise, watching out for hidden and free sugar and food & drink intake can help towards a healthy life.

[CDreamer in reply to sandybrown]

Seems to be the trigger no for my GP surgery to ring me about taking statins when I already said - Never.

[ILowe]

Why are you concerned about Cholesterol levels? Cholesterol is made in the body if there is a deficiency, and too little is known to be harmful, not too much (barring extremes). Do you want me to provide the evidence for this?

[sandybrown in reply to ILowe]

Please do provide your evidence. Thanks.

[CDreamer in reply to ILowe]

Actually I know the evidence, thanks. I am not too concerned about my cholesterol numbers - but my GP, cardiologist and Neuro seem to be.

The GI analysis was excellent, very specific and the supplements seem to be working Ian - so I am a happy bunny!

[ILowe in reply to CDreamer]

Since bala has asked, here is the evidence to hand. CDreamer, what major argument could be added?

By coincidence there is a recent thread here: healthunlocked.com/choleste...

I have been watching this cholesterol debate for some time, but cannot argue the details yet. I have been very impressed by Dr Malcolm Kendrick. You can read him for free on his blog: drmalcolmkendrick.org/2015/...

Some basic facts to think about.

1. Cholesterol is made by the body, so, if the liver is working properly, what is the point of reducing dietary intake? This fact alone I think is extremely significant.

2. It seems that except for genuine extremes, cholesterol is actually good for you, and rising levels in old age are natural and helpful

3. Statins may have a specific use in small specific areas, but their cholesterol lowering effect is not needed, so why take them?

4. When Cholesterol goes up, heart disease goes down.

drmalcolmkendrick.org/2015/...

[ILowe in reply to CDreamer]

First thing to be convinced yourself. Then to work out what will convince a medic, and how best to present it. I have started keeping a file of key articles and producing them as needed.

[CDreamer in reply to ILowe]

There was a good extract from a post on here a few days ago - posted as a reply by Tiblington

healthunlocked.com/choleste...

Malcom Kendrick again, his book on Cholestrol was excellent - also I like Dr Sarah Myhill - although she writes mainly on ME - I am fairly sure she did something on Cholesterol - she goes into quite good detail of the chemistry I seem to remember - had a quick look but I think it is in her book as the page on raised cholesterol - reasons has been removed.

drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/Main_Page

There is still debate and conflicting views, no absolutes. Personally I think reducing carbohydrates intake is more beneficial than staying on a low fat diet.

[Fran182716]

That's encouraging, thanks! My total cholesterol at the end of march was 7.6 I'm being re tested end of sept. I had already reduced sugar since Christmas and since this test have reduced (a little) saturated fats but I've lost almost a stone in weight and hoping to lose at least another half stone before my re- test which would bring my bmi down to about 27 and hoping this will have made a difference. If not was planning to try the benecol yoghurts, is this what you have had?

[CDreamer in reply to Fran182716]

No, I stay well away from processed foods. I take a supplement capsule with every meal. I think diet is important and nutritionist has got me to increase my fat intake, not decrease it but very specific about what fats to use - cooking - only butter or coconut oi; add cold pressed olive oil after cooking; only 10% of intake to be carbohydrates of any type - including starchy vegetables such as carrots, parsnips, potatoes etc. increase starch resistant foods - cashew nut, cold brown rice, cold gluten free pasta etc. About 60% of plate to be green vegetables, whole grains a very minor contribution as is fruit - no more than a small handful per day. Every meal to include protein, fat and some carbohydrate.

My weight is currently stable but I am hoping for some reduction over time.

My aims are - to get my gut into good health; to lose weight; to reduce inflammation in my body - cholesterol should then reduce as a result.

I am not focusing on solely reducing cholesterol - as ILowe says - that is not really the issue as 90% of blood serum cholesterol is produces by the body,

[4BBK]

I am in your camp, I recently had open heart surgery and tow major strokes. so need to work on my body, not on cholesterol count.

[sandybrown in reply to 4BBK]

What is your plan? Are you getting any help? You are not looking at cholesterol, OK.

Have you been given statin as medication after your heart procedure?

Sorry to ask the questions but we need to understand the medication ,life style change after any procedure.

[4BBK in reply to sandybrown]

I had a stent put in about 14 years ago, my heart specialist put me on Lovastatins for inflammation as my cholesterol was OK.

but since then seeing GP's the inflammation was lost or forgotten and the Gp started pushing to lower my fatty blood.

then about two years ago I had a 5 bypass open heart surgery and my cholesterol med was doubled in amount.

I then had two bad strokes that took its toll. I recovered my walking in time but couldn't hardly get out of my easy chair. I was constantly sick to my stomach. and had dizzy spells and a few black outs. I didn't know if it was my medication, heart problems are my stroke that took my normal health away. but medication was the only thing I could control, so started experimenting with it. I quit taking losartan potassium has I was taking beta blockers for my blood pressure. that made me feel much better but was still suffering from the side effect of my atorvastatin. I then started reading up on statins. and finallly came to the conclusion that I would rather die with hi cholesterol than not having a life. so after much debate with my wife and some with by GP i decided to cut down the amount by half then after about two weeks I would quit..

One of the blog followers introduced to me the good efffects of vitamin B1.b6 and B12 started on those and they took away most of my problems. I am waiting on my CoQ10 and will start taking those.

I am 76, and just now found out that I can still function. I am up to two miles a day with my walking, well with rest stations. but hey it is a big improvement.

That is where I am at today.

[sandybrown in reply to 4BBK]

Sir, thank you for your response. Good luck, enjoy your walking and enjoy life.

[Garlicity]

What is the plant sterol that you take with every meal?

[CDreamer in reply to Garlicity]

Sterolvite

[Garlicity in reply to CDreamer]

thank you, I'll try too

[sandybrown in reply to CDreamer]

Unable to find sterolvite in Google!

[Garlicity in reply to sandybrown]

bodykind.com/product/859-st...

[Garlicity]

Sorry to trouble you again - forgot to ask if there are any side effects on taking these? If not, where's the best place to get them? I don't suppose they are on NHS prescription?

[CDreamer in reply to Garlicity]

No they are not but you could ask. My Nutritionist prescribed them - I bought them from

naturaldispensary.co.uk/pro...

NOT ADVERTISING - other suppliers are available!

Because my nutritionist is registered with them I get a good discount though.

[CDreamer in reply to CDreamer]

It does sort of look like these may be a discontinued line as on the BioCare site they seem to be replaced with

biocare.co.uk/cholesterase-...

I am seeing my Nutrionist again in July so I will ask.

I am not advocating their use, I want to be clear about this, just saying that along with other supplement regime which was tailored to my individual needs after GI testing, my levels dropped quite dramatically in 1 month - whereas they had been rising for the past 2 years at rather an alarming rate.

[Garlicity in reply to CDreamer]

Are there any side effects?

[CDreamer in reply to Garlicity]

Not for me - I take SO many meds and supplements that it would be rather difficult for me to distinguish but I am not aware of anything like the side effects that people report of statins.

[Garlicity in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you and have a good evening

[sof5ia in reply to Garlicity]

Replying to your enquiries 2 years later. I take plant sterols which I buy from Boots the chemist, sometimes callled stenols. I take the lower dosage. You can by 3 lots for 2 coming to £20-00 + instead of £30.00+

They are large green capsules which you take with a meal. My cholestrol needs to be under control as I am an inherited type 2 diabetic but I do also take a10mg statin at night, which is the time when cholestrol forms.

[Tako2009]

Hi CDreamer - I have been really interested in some of your posts (and others on this forum) about nutritional changes and supplements that can help in the ongoing fight against the progression of AF.

I am 67 and currently only suffering from occasional episodes of AF, usually at night (so also reading up on Vagal nerve), have recently seen an EP who has agreed I can reduce the amount of the dreadful Bisoprolol as well as reducing Flecainide to Pill in Pocket use only. His final advice was to look into lifestyle changes including any that will keep my Blood Pressure down.

So now I am starting to make those lifestyle changes we all talk about, moving towards a plant based diet - increasing the veggies and have nearly eliminated meat/fish from my diet (can't part with the fish, yet!) - reading up on the subject, I think Vegan is the way to go for heart health, but I think I will achieve this in stages rather than all at once, especially as I have a determinedly carnivorous bunch to cook for at home. I am also building up exercise - coming at it from the starting point of couch potato, so again this is a gradual process for me.

I am really interested in the nutrition approach - I don't currently have a problem with cholesterol levels (according to the most recent blood tests my GP occasionally requests) - but I am interested in being properly tested and finding out if specific changes to my diet or supplements could help.

So my question is - what should I look for by way of qualifications or membership for a Nutritionist? I would need to find one privately, locally (Southampton, Hampshire) and wondered if there was anything specific I should search for to make sure I find a reputable expert?

I am really interested in any advice you might have on the diet/nutrition aspects of alleviating AF.

Many thanks

Liz

[sandybrown in reply to Tako2009]

Have a look at this link for a free course, if you have the time you can do the course and learn from it.

shawacademy.com/learning/?p...

[Tako2009 in reply to sandybrown]

Thanks I will take a look and maybe put it on my retirement to-do list - really interested in nutrition to improve my general health. Liz

[Berthold]

There could be a concern if one is hyper absorbing fat and there is a blood sterol test for that. In the USA there is a test

bostonheartdiagnostics.com/...

The explanation is here

revolutionhealth.org/medica...

Those with naturally higher cholesterol likely have some degree of abnormally so it might be better to be sure and test as sterols can worse the acceleration of heart disease but it takes searching to find the information.

[CDreamer in reply to Berthold]

Since that post - some 2 years ago - I have lost 8kg since then and my cholesterol is under control - by eating more saturated fat, increasing protein and fibre and drastically reducing carbs. I used the plant sterols for a very short period - 2 months.

[Berthold]

CDreamer I'm glad to hear the good news! I noticed it was an old post as there are a few other posts so I thought to at least to put the information out to anyone looking.