If it seems as though your cholesterol may need a little more
adjusting, it might be benificial to incorporate supplements into your
exercise and diet regimen. William B. Parsons, Jr., M.D., the author of
Cholesterol Control Without Diet: The Niacin Solution, suggest
using specific supplements in addition to using cholesterol-lowering
drugs, or "statin" drugs. His choice of supplements is niacin, a
nutrient that was studied in the Coronary Drug Project.
In
addition to niacin, there are other supplements that may help tame your
cholesterol levels. For instance, Rita Elkins, M.H., author of Chinese Red Yeast Rice, suggest using Chinese red yeast rice because it contains monacolin, a substance regarded as a cholesterol-reducing agent.
Matthias Rath, M.D., author of Cellular Health Series: The Heart,
tells readers about the benefits of vitamin C. Studies have shown that
people who take a higher concentration of vitamin C daily have higher
HDL blood levels. Rath also advises taking other supplements that work
synergistically with vitamin C, such as vitamin B-1, B-2, B-3, B-5,
B-6, vitamin E, biotin, and folic acid.
One of the more recently discussed nutrients is policosanol. In her April 2005 article, "Policosanol," appearing in Better Nutrition, Kim Schoenhals states that it has been shown to lower cholesterol, reduce platelet aggregation, and even combat obesity.
Stephen L. DeFelice, M.D., shares his supplement wisdom in his book The Carnitine Defense.
He tells readers that carnitine is capable of preventing damage that
leads to cardiovascular disease, helps alleviate current heart damage,
and may reduce the risk of heart attack.
Soy protein can be very
benificial, especially if used as a replacement for animal protein.
According to DeFelice, Studies show that it not only lowers cholesterol
levels, but also triglyceride levels. He says the effectiveness of soy
protein may be directly related to the presence of isoflavones.
DeFelice
also states that CoQ-10, taken as a supplement, has been shown to lower
blood pressure and cholesterol within four to 12 weeks. He writes that
it may also lessen the incidence of arrhythmias and angina after heart
attacks.
By practing any or all of these approaches, you can be
making the first step in taking your heart health into your own hands.
As William Parsons states, "This skill can allow a patient to avoid
living the rest of his (or her) life as a heart attack survivor.
Instead, he (or she) can enjoy life as one who has not had a heart
attact." WF
References:
Lower Cholesterol Without Drugs, by Roger Mason
'"The Truth About Women and Heart Disease," The National Heart Foundation
The Fat Flush Foods, by Ann Louise Gittleman, M.S., C.N.S.
Cholesterol Control Without Diet: The Niacin Solution, by William B. Parsons, Jr., M.D.
Chinese Red Yeast Rice, by Rita Elkins, M.H.
Cellular Health Series: The Heart, Matthias Rath, M.D.
"Policosanol," by Kim Schoenhals, April 2005, Better Nutrition
The Carnitine Defense, by Stephen L. DeFelice
