Lower Cholesterol Naturally - Alternatives to Statin Drugs
By Ben Lynch

Huge topic. I can write a book on this but best not yet! Two more years of med school yet and by then I'll be even more versed in how to lower cholesterol naturally.

First: What is cholesterol?

According to Stedman's Medical Dictionary, cholesterol is "the most abundant steroid in animal tissues, especially in bile and gall stones, and present in food, especially rich in animal fats, circulates in plasma complexed to proteins of various densities and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atheroma formation in arteries."

What is pathogenesis of atheroma? It is the beginning stage of atherosclerosis which is the building of lipid [cholesterol] plaques within the structure of arteries. These plaques narrow the vessel wall thereby limiting the flow of blood. Limiting the flow of blood causes turbulence which causes further deposition of plaque. The slowed speed of blood through the arteries helps lay down more plaque as well.

Ways to lower cholesterol naturally:

1. Exercise: damn. How many times do you have to hear it - everyone says it. Because it works better than any drug out there. Why does it work? Simple biochemistry and physiology. Exercise requires energy. Energy comes from sugars, fats and proteins. When the sugars and proteins are burned, fats must be converted into useable forms of energy. The liver steps up by making good cholesterol, HDL. HDL goes around and picks up bad cholesterol, LDL. It converts this into useable energy. So, by exercising, your energy requirements increase thereby lowering cholesterol naturally. Exercise 30 minutes a day as often as you can in a week. Try one day a week and build up. You'll become addicted to it. Better that than statins.
2. Eat soluble fiber: Where can you find that? In beans and whole grains. Fruits and vegetables contain insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber actually binds to cholesterol removing it from your body. Insoluble fiber adds bulk to your stools making you more regular - which is extremely vital as well.
3. Limit animal fat foods: damn again. Even Stedman's Medical Dictionary said cholesterol is the most abundant steroid in animal tissues. They didn't say plant tissues. I'm not saying avoid it completely. Just keep an eye on it - don't chomp down endless roast beef sandwhiches with mayo and four kinds of cheese.
4. Inositol: This is time-released niacin in the no-flush form. Niacin is a main player in cellular metabolism. If one is low in niacin, then the energy reactions do not go forward. If they do not go forward, lipids accumulate which is directly tied to high levels of choleterol. A study on time-released niacin shows its effectiveness. The study I found used pharmaceutical time-released niacin but I believe these two are very similar - with the natural form being superior. The bottom line of the study: "The results show that niacin ER [extended release] produces a beneficial effect on lipoprotein subclasses, specifically decreasing the more atherogenic small, dense LDL particles and enhancing the cardioprotective large HDL particles." Remember what I said about bad LDL and good HDL? The inositol sounds pretty good now doesn't it?
5. Red Yeast Rice: This is what the pharmaceutical companies make some statin drugs from - directly! So why not take it in its natural state? It works quite well. It works by limiting the cholesterol reaction from going forward. This means that cholesterol's production is slowed down thereby lowering cholesterol naturally. I have found a great research article on PubMed for Red Yeast Rice. The research was done by the Center for Human Nutrition and is not biased by a natural supplement company. Here is another study about the cholesterol-lowering effects of a proprietary Chinese red-yeast-rice dietary supplement.
6. Policosanol: This is sugar wax. Sound safe? It is. It does not turn off the cholesterol forming reaction as strongly as statin drugs. Our bodies need some cholesterol formed. Without it, numerous hormones would not be made and we would be dead. Thus, it is better to moderately limit production rather than severly limit. Policosanol has also shown to increase the levels of HDL. Do statin drugs do this? No. There is a good study on Policosanol that I found on PubMed. You'll notice it is not a study made by a natural supplement company or with biased interests. The title of the study is: Comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of policosanol with atorvastatin in elderly patients with type II hypercholesterolaemia.
7. Bio Lipotrol:
   Bio-Lipotrol has been shown to naturally lower cholesterol. Bio Lipotrol has Red Yeast Rice, Inositol, Policosanol and Guggal Gum extract. I have visited with physician after physician that have used Bio Lipotrol and the results are seen within a few weeks. Now this doesn't mean you can sit on your couch eating hamburgers and pizza while popping Bio Lipotrol capsules. I have already stated that exercise is the best medicine - along with the limitation of animal fats and an increase in soluble fiber. I did not know about Bio Lipotrol until a classmate kept buying it. I found her in the hall one day and asked her what it is. She told me it is working very well on her grandmother's high cholesterol levels. Then I became more interested. The benefits of being in med school - you find what works and what doesn't.

What are the dangers of Statin drugs?

I don't know all of the dangers but I know one that is not often addressed. Statin drugs give the false impression that the one taking them does not have to be proactive in lowering cholesterol. If a drug is lowering cholesterol without them doing anything, why not chomp on fatty foods? I'll tell you why. Statin drugs limit the production of cholesterol. They do not limit the intake of cholesterol. You do.

Also - statin drugs seriously limit the production of Coenzyme Q10. This is a major energy source for the human heart and electron transport chain. So if you are on statin drugs, take CoQ10. I believe statin drugs also limit the conversion of active Vitamin D. This I need to check on but it makes sense if following the reactions down from HMG-CoA, which is the limiting step in cholesterol synthesis.

If you want to lower cholesterol naturally, these steps will no doubt help you. I recommend having a sit-down chat with your physician. Most docs will listen to you and be supportive and knowledgable about this arena. If not, find a licensed and qualified naturopathic physician who will listen to you.

This information is not telling you to stop taking your statin drugs. It is merely information. Do not stop your statin drugs without consulting with your physician. Only then, under their direction, stop the meds if you implement other means.

If you are not on statin drugs and you don't have money to see a doctor, these steps may help you lower cholestrol naturally. But as I am not a doctor yet, I am not prescribing any of this information to you. It is up to you.

I hope you are still awake. That is a ton of information. I know I'm wiped. I've got to get away from this computer now.

Take care and stay healthy. And again - if you have any health questions, do ask me. I am here to help.

In health,

Ben

(c) 2005 Benjamin Lynch of HealthE Goods

Benjamin Lynch has a BS degree in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Washington. Currently, he is obtaining his doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine at Bastyr University. You may find BioLipotrol Cholesterol Supplement at Bens online health site, HealthE Goods. We provide physician-grade non-prescription natural health products and natural health articles.

Does Red Yeast Rice Lower Cholesterol Safely?
By Max Wardlow

Does red yeast rice (RYR) lower cholesterol? Is it a safe natural alternative to the commonly prescribed cholesterol lowering drugs?

It has been used since the 7th century A.D. in China as both a food and medicinal nutrient. It has been noted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as having the benefits as both a promoter of blood circulation and a digestive stimulant.

It is a by-product of cooked rice on which red yeast has been grown. The rice is then dried, powdered and used medicinally.

Its effectiveness in lowering cholesterol is backed by reliable and consistent scientific data as well as centuries of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Based on a recent study, 62 people with high cholesterol took red yeast rice daily for six months, and the other half of the study participants received identical placebo capsules. They also made changes in eating habits, exercise and other lifestyle adjustments. After three months, the LDL (so-called "bad" cholesterol) levels of those taking the active supplements had declined 27%, compared to 6% in the placebo group.

The participants in this study were unable to continue treatment with prescription cholesterol lowering drugs, due to adverse and possibly dangerous side effects. There were no significant side effects reported while using RYR.

Is Red Yeast Rice Safe?

Those raising safety concerns say that since RYR contains natural statins similar in effect to cholesterol lowering drugs, it's logical that it would have the same risks. This argument is not valid because statins in prescription drugs have been chemically altered in a laboratory, whereas the statins in red yeast rice are naturally occurring.

Detractors often say that RYR is not regulated by the FDA and the supplements on the market vary in quality and may not be safe.

All dietary supplements are regulated by the FDA based on the guidelines of the Dietary Supplement Health Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994. Under DSHEA, supplement companies are responsible for determining that the nutritional supplements they manufacture are safe and that any claims made about them are substantiated by adequate evidence.

Although some critics argue that DSHEA is no regulation or excessively lax regulation, it seems that nutritional supplements are generally safe enough that this legislation does what it's intended to do. Almost never do you hear of dietary supplements causing extreme and/or dangerous side effects or death.

The same cannot be said about the pharmaceutical industry, where drugs that have proven to be dangerous are regularly recalled by the FDA and personal injury law suits are common.

Although acceptance in the mainstream medical community is slow, at this time, there is no solid evidence that red yeast rice is unsafe. Although there is some variation in the quality of nutritional supplements, and under DSHEA, consumers are responsible for locating high quality and safe supplements produced by firms that adhere to agreed upon good manufacturing practices (GMP).

Of course, you may want to consult your health care provider before starting any supplementation program or to have any questions or concerns addressed. Also, it's not recommended that you take red yeast rice if you're also taking prescription cholesterol lowering drugs.

At this time, research and centuries of use in traditional medicine show that the answer to the question, "does red yeast rice lower cholesterol safely?" is "yes it does." If you have high cholesterol and are unable to take prescription drugs because of side effects or you just want a safer, natural alternative, red yeast rice may be worth looking into.

Max Wardlow is an independent natural health and nutritional supplement researcher and helps manage a website about natural remedies. Visit today to find out more about red yeast rice supplements

How Dangerous Are Red Yeast Rice Side Effects?
By Max Wardlow

What are red yeast rice side effects? Is it a safe natural alternative to help support balanced cholesterol levels?

These are valid questions especially in view of the controversy generated around red yeast rice the last several years as several popular brands of red yeast rice (RYR) supplements were pulled from the market by the FDA.

RYR has been used for over a thousand years in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a promoter of blood circulation and a digestive stimulant.

Recent research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine concludes that red yeast rice has significant cholesterol-lowering effects.

Based on recent research, 62 people who were unable to continue treatment with prescription cholesterol lowering drugs due to adverse side effects, took RYR supplements and made lifestyle adjustments for six months. After three months, the LDL (so-called "bad" cholesterol) levels of those taking the active supplements had declined 27%, compared to 6% in the placebo group.

Red Yeast Rice Side Effects - Is It Safe?

In 2007, several brands of popular RYR supplements were pulled from the market by the FDA. The official reason given was safety concerns because of the use of standardized extracts which FDA tests found contained high levels of lovastatin, the active ingredient in Mevacor, a prescription drug approved for marketing in the United States as a treatment for high cholesterol.

Although safety reasons were the official explanation for pulling the RYR products, there has been legal dispute as to whether RYR is a drug or a dietary supplement, involving the supplement manufacturers, the FDA and the pharmaceutical industry, particularly producers of so-called "statin drugs."

Apparently, the safety concern is based on the known risks and side effects of prescription cholesterol lowering statin drugs which rely on lovastatin as the main active ingredient. The safety concern was for only certain red yeast rice supplements containing high levels of the standardized extract lovastatin. This is why manufacturers of holistic herbal remedies don't use or approve of the standardization process.

The standardization process involves the isolation and concentration of a single ingredient (lovastatin for example). This is done with harsh chemicals, traces of which can't be fully removed from the final product. It's a well known principle in traditional herbalism that isolation and concentration enhances the potency of a single ingredient while also increasing the risk of side effects.

Another recent example of the dangers of using this manufacturing process includes the development of liver toxicity from using Kava Kava standardized extract, an herb which has been safely used for hundreds of years.

Red yeast rice in its natural state consists of 14 monacolin compounds such as monacolin K, a natural lovastatin. From a holistic point-of-view these other monacolins, along with its naturally occurring fatty acids, anti-oxidants and other nutrients, work together to enhance its cholesterol-balancing and other health enhancing benefits without producing negative side effects.

The mainstream medical community is slow to accept red yeast rice as an alternative to statin drugs, even though there is no solid evidence that RYR is unsafe. The quality of nutritional supplements on the market does vary and it's the responsibility of the supplement user to locate high quality products manufactured by companies that follow agreed upon good manufacturing practices (GMP).

If you have concerns about red yeast rice side effects, look for supplements produced without the use of standardized extracts. Take a little time to read labels and research products. If you have questions or concerns, consult your health care provider before starting any supplementation program.

Max Wardlow is an independent natural health and nutritional supplement researcher and helps manage a website about natural remedies. Visit today to find out more about safe, high quality red yeast rice supplements.

Red Yeast Rice and Cholesterol - Learn the Facts
By Lisa Pedersen

In the battle against fats, red yeast rice and cholesterol are starting to garner quite a bit of attention by pharmaceutical companies. A lot of supplement manufacturers have been using this unique ingredient in their formulations for years already.

Red yeast rice and cholesterol are like an allergy medicine and a huge ball of cat hair. The red yeast rice produces substances called monacolins which are converted by the body into enzymes that actually stop the production of cholesterol by the body.

Does it really work?

You will find sites that claim anything is good for cholesterol. They could be trying to sell something as basic as fish oil tablets which do help cholesterol levels but aren't a magic bullet by any means. The great thing about red yeast rice and cholesterol is that is was proven by a study at UCLA on 84 people. After 12 weeks, every single subject had lower levels of the bad LDL cholesterol. That's pretty amazing really. Usually studies on a basic ingredient like this won't be unanimously positive. This ingredient is still being heavily studies so there isn't a lot of other information but the UCLA medical department is one of the best facilities in the country.

Where can I get it?

The best place to find red yeast rice and get a good amount of it daily is simple. All natural supplements are becoming extremely popular to treat high cholesterol. This is because they are usually side effect free and actually do what they are supposed to do. Some of the best natural cholesterol supplements on the market will contain this ingredient as well as some other proven ingredients so you will be sure to give your system all the tools it needs to get your levels in check.

If you're interested in learning the secrets of finding the best natural cholesterol supplement, visit my website, where I share the products that have been proven fast, safe and effective in lowering cholesterol naturally.

You can visit my website at http://www.naturalcholesterolremedies.net/.

Red Yeast Rice - Cholesterol Lowering Supplement
By George Christodoulou

In recent months, red yeast rice has received a lot of attention from the medical community because there is hope that it may be a great alternative to prescription cholesterol medication. I will attempt to offer some background about the substance, what it is, and finally how it can help you.

What is Red Yeast Rice?

By reading the name you can understand fully that it is a rice that is covered in a red fungus. Like the yeast you use to make bread rise or to make beer, it naturally occurs in nature with rice. As spelled out for you in the name, it is a red substance that coats some kinds of rice. In China, medical experts have found ancient writings about this miracle substance that recounted its amazing effects in improving stomach problems, improved the circulatory system, and spline function.

This news of this amazing substance has been taken very seriously because it can be an alternative to prescription cholesterol drugs. Many people know that these types of drugs carry with them the risk for extremely severe muscle conditions that lead to death.

What are the benefits?

Studies at the University of Pennsylvania concluded that the substance successful reduced the levels of bad cholesterol (or ldl) in the blood. The blind study was conducted by offering half of the group 2 tablets of 600 mg red yeast rice to one group and placebo (sugar pills) tot eh other group with instructions for improving diet, exercise, and relaxation.

Statistically, the study proved that the group who received red yeast rice showed reduced levels of bad cholesterol. The group saw no decrease in good cholesterol or important blood enzymes (as is common with cholesterol drugs) The study proved that this amazing substance can definitely improve cholesterol numbers and help people who are unable to take prescription drugs.

How Does Red Yeast Rice Work?

Red yeast rice is a product of fermentation by monascus purpureus a kind of fungus that grows on rice. The fermentation process creates a substance called lovastatin. This substance is exactly the same as in the drugs that conventional medicine offers to patients. Even more amazing is that it works without the side effects or the high price of those other drugs.

Lovastatin works by preventing the liver from producing more cholesterol to send to the rest of your body. There is debate as to whether or not red yeast rice is a drug or a supplement because of this naturally occurring substance, lovastatin.

Where Do I Find It?

There are many supplements that contain red yeast rice. Unfortunately, not all of them are effective. Some do not actually contain the much needed lovastatin. If the supplement version does not contain this ingredient it is almost completely worthless.

Dozens of supplements with red yeast rice have been reviewed and the top 3 have been displayed: http://lowercholesterolreview.com

The characteristics of these 3 supplements that make them the best are their ability to reduce cholesterol, their price, and their overall customer feedback level.

To learn more about red yeast rice cholesterol supplements read our reviews.

You too can finally have lower cholesterol. I hope this article inspired you to take action today so you don't have to suffer the consequences of high cholesterol tomorrow.