Plant Sterols

[Ellemod]

Has anyone found taking plant sterols have reduced their high cholesterol? My fasting blood test shows my LDL is 3.94. Dr insisting I take Atorvastatin. I like to try alternatives first.

[Hidden]

Not really, to be honest. I do sometimes take the revolting drink, but then we go away and you can't get it in France or Germany, so I forget. But I have read that you have to take an awful lot to make any difference. Meanwhile, I am very happily on Atarvostatin, and don't know I'm on it!

[Ellemod in reply to Hidden]

OOh that's helpful. My GP wants me on that, he's advised 20mg per day.

[DiscoLover]

I took Nature Made Cholestoff Plus pills for 2 years because they contain plant sterols and thought it might help but it did not help my high cholesterol at all so I stopped taking them. They were expensive so I’m happy I am not taking them anymore. Both of my parents take those pills and it has helped them. I guess some things work on some people and not on others. Like me, they don’t want to start on a statin so they are trying to bring their cholesterol down with other methods. They also eat a tiny handful of nuts and dark chocolate every day along with Krill Fish Oil pills which their doctor recommended to them to help with their cholesterol. I just started doing all that too. I like eating the nuts and chocolate so I hope all of this helps me since I just had my Cholesterol re-checked at my annual physical a few weeks ago and my total cholesterol is now at 315 so I am worried.

[Ellemod in reply to DiscoLover]

Thanks for reply, very helpful

[Batty1]

I have been using crushed flaxseed and I have managed to drop my cholesterol by 12 points but I haven’t had a test in a while so Im not sure if it’s still trending down with flaxseeds.

[Ellemod in reply to Batty1]

Wow that encouraging...ok off to buy some flaxseeds

[Batty1 in reply to Ellemod]

It wasn’t instant gratification it took 2 months of everyday use… I did one tablespoon vs the recommended 4.

[DicCarlson]

Best bet is to change your diet to mostly vegetarian. I tried the statins - too many side effects - muscle pain, exercise intolerance, etc. I cut out most all sat. fat and ate vegetarian (fish and chicken, maybe once/week). I also ganged up ALL the supplements: Berberine, citrus bergamot, artichoke extract, Amla, and Pantethine. Studies also show blueberry tea can help.

Here's a gaggle of videos - all backed by studies - scroll down watch the one diet vs. drugs...

nutritionfacts.org/topics/c...

[Ellemod]

Thank you. I have been a pescatarian for years and exercise walk everyday , no alcohol, so I'm not clear what I'm doing wrong..maybe a little too much cheese. Thanks for the videos

[HJC321]

Ellemod - I was the same not wanting statins as too many side effects. I think most GP’s push these, but I take plant sterols that I bought from Amazon and my Cholesterol levels reduced. Also Biocol milk and Benecol spread help. Good luck 🤞

[Ellemod in reply to HJC321]

Yes I've been reading about GP's pushing statins. I can see the reasons but don't think they see individual needs. My GP would not even discuss alternatives just kept repeating 'you need to take statins like a mantra. It's great to come on here and see all the alternatives a peoples lived experience.'

[Thingybob]

Hi , I was told that 20% of cholesterol is influenced by diet/ lifestyle choices and supplements, the other 80% is due to individual and genetic response which cannot be changed by diet and lifestyle. I am slim, good diet, good level.of activity etc etc and am.taking statins as I am doing the right stuff and still had chlo at 5.8 .

[Ellemod in reply to Thingybob]

Thank you.....Same re lifestyle. Maybe it is hereditary with me too. I have no idea re my parents as both died young.

[Thingybob in reply to Ellemod]

Both my parents chlo was fine or low. But mine was above 5. As my doc says taking statins are a bit like using toothpaste, it just helps in a preventative way. Like crossing a road using a pelican crossing rather than running across a 4 lane motorway.

All the best 🙂

[CDreamer]

Yes, plant sterols with prebiotics worked quite well for me. I will never take statins.

[CDreamer]

As an aside there has been a recent Gov warning about anyone starting statins within the last 3 months & experiencing muscle weakness, fatigue & cramps. Recent studies have shown that statins can cause an autoimmune condition called Myasthenia gravis. I have Mg & it’s long been known statins exacerbate Mg. If you do experience symptoms go see your GP and take this link with you

Statins: very infrequent reports of myasthenia gravis

gov.uk/drug-safety-update/s...

[Ellemod in reply to CDreamer]

OOh sorry to hear you have Mg. So far i've not had any muscle weakness or fatigue but I will monitor myself closely thank you

[doris500]

I only come on here occasionally but I find it very helpful looking at all the replies to your post. I hope your levels can come down and you avoid the statins🤞🏼🤞🏼I too need to bring mine down. Constant battle trying to do the right thing😂 good luck everyone🙏🏼

[Chelator]

I take Sterol 117 which maybe helping a little. I take it mainly for immune support.

solasintegratedhealth.com/s...

There are a number of other non-statin approach you might consider

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Armolipid Plus® is a widely tested and used proprietary formulation of six naturally occurring substances containing red yeast extract (200 mg, corresponding to 3 mg of monacolin K), policosanols (10 mg), and berberine (500 mg), in addition to folic acid (0.2 mg), astaxanthin (0.5 mg), and coenzyme Q10 (2 mg)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/266...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/279...

mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/2/638

frontiersin.org/articles/10...

heartandstroke.ca/heart-dis...

[Ellemod in reply to Chelator]

Thank you