what are the alternatives to statins

[hinton]

[YvonneD]

I am a female who was diagnosed with Familial Hypercholesterolaemia almost thirty years ago. I have always preferred natural remedies to chemical drugs so first started to change my diet, which helped reduce my cholesterol levels slightly.

I was then recommended (by a health food shop owner) to try Kyolic age dried garlic tablets. These reduced my total cholesterol down, in one year, from 7.2 to 5.2. The medical experts assure me that it was not the tablets that did this but I had made no other changes to my diet or lifestyle.

As I have got older I have had to increase the strength but, during the intervening years, each time I have stopped taking them - my cholesterol levels have increased and, each time I have started again - they have reduced. I am not saying these are the answer for everyone but I have proved to my satisfaction that they work for me.

[rocheen in reply to YvonneD]

Hi, what mg do you take.

[YvonneD in reply to rocheen]

Started of with 100mg. then, as the years passed and my cholesterol levels increased, I upped the dose to 200mg. Am now on 300mg per day. All our bodies are different though so why not do what I did - take the tablets and see how they affect you. After all the "experts" all assured me that they would not work but, for me, they did. Only one way to find out.

[rocheen in reply to YvonneD]

Hi, started 100mg last week. How long did it take to lower. Did it lower your blood pressure at all.

thanks.

[YvonneD in reply to rocheen]

Over 1 year on Kyolic tablets, Total Cholesterol (TC) reduced from 7.2 mmol to 5.2 mmol. No idea about blood pressure as never had a problem there.

[rocheen in reply to YvonneD]

Fantastic new. Well done. Will continue taking them.

[betabalance]

Hi Hinton,

Depends what you mean as an alternative. If you mean other classes of medications then this is one thing (and not my specialist subject). If you mean natural or non-medication based alternatives then,,,

The following two foods are the only ones with EFSA approved claims to LOWER LDL cholesterol:

Foods with Stanol or sterol esters e.g. Flora Proactive and or Benecol

Oat and Barley Beta Glucan - from Oats or barley (unsurprisingly). My favourite (DISCLAIMER: for obvious commercial reasons) mainly due to the fact that it is natural and has other general positive health benefits on glucose levels, digestion and post-postprandial glucose response.

To achieve an EFSA (European Food Standards Agency) claim you require an overwhelming body of good science.

In addition:

Very recently (within days) Red Rice Yeast has been approved to "maintain a healthy" LDL cholesterol level (there is some controversy here - but I won't bore anyone with that).

No other foods have an approved claim - but foods such as soya and almonds (primarily due to pufa content) have long been associated with a heart healthy diet - hence the UCLP diet.

Last but definitely not least - regular EXERCISE is a must.

Best regards,

BetaBalance

[patch14]

Having had to change my diet recently due to dairy intolerance after nearly 30 years of IBS I have found that taking oat and soya milk, and replacing all dairy with soya or oat replacements plus a more natural diet with fresh fruit and veg and, as above, regular exercise my life has improved 100 percent. No you don't need to sign on a a gym all you need to do is walk twice a day for 30 minutes each and you will feel wonderful! My cholesterol figures have hardly moved since I began this but my LDL has decreased and my HDL has increased. The figures are almost the same!! I am a statin sceptic and worry about the dire lives those on statins have to endure because of horrendous side effects. Drs just seem to be more reliant on a tablet than trying to get patients to follow a healthier lifestyle. It's an easier option for them! Advice from a dietician, a more natural approach to supplements, and a healthier lifestyle should do as much, if not more, than popping a pill regularly. Worth a try. However, there are those who feel that Drs know best. That is their choice, particularly when they have a family history of FH or have had heart problems. It is a tricky road to walk along and one that can only be done when you have all the facts at your fingertips. All the best to you , and good health.

[ChasB in reply to patch14]

Great news, Patch! The best of health to you.

[Penel]

Hi Hinton

This study shows that a low carbohydrate diet improves HDL and lowers LDL cholesterol, might help keep the statins at bay

webmd.com/cholesterol-manag...

[hinton in reply to Penel]

Thank you Penel , I have found that all of my replies have helped me to create changes in diet and lifestyle . A combination of the comments and advice will hopefully reduce my cholesterol , a period of change beckons!

[lumzgood]

Hi hinton

I read your post and was wondering how you got on reducing your cholesterol

I too have hereditary high cholesterol and refuse to take statins

Any tips welcome please

Regards

[YvonneD in reply to lumzgood]

Try Kyolic Garlic tablets from Health Food shops.

[lumzgood in reply to YvonneD]

Thankyou i will

[YvonneD in reply to lumzgood]

Please remember to let the forum know if it works for you as all the medical experts have told me over twenty-five years that these cannot work. Kyolic works for me - hope it does for you too.