Natural cures for high cholesterol

Yesterday we talked about the dangers of Vytorin. I have learned since then that the drug Baycol was removed from the market after numerous deaths were attributed to its use.

Since all pharmaceuticals carry risk, and since cholesterol drugs seem to carry side effects that lead to death, it seems like it might be a good idea to see what you can do without drugs.

According to the Mayo Clinic site, the first thing to do is reduce the amount of saturated and trans fats in your diet. Unfortunately, that means staying away from store-bought cookies, crackers, and cakes. (unless you read the ingredients and find there are no trans fats)

Next, add some good foods: oatmeal and oat bran, walnuts and almonds (in moderation, of course, because they're high in calories), fish and omega-3 fatty acids (like ground flaxeed), olive oil, and foods fortified with plant sterols or stanols. (Look for this on the labels of margarines, orange juice, and yogurt drinks.)

What else can you do? Research has shown that the following natural supplements can be of benefit. Just remember that each body is different, and what works for one might not work for another.

• B Vitamins
• Carnitine
• Chromium
• Coenzyme Q10
• Garlic
• Grape Seed Extract
• Pantothine
• Red yeast rice
• Royal Jelly
• Soy
• Vitamin C

I always recommend doing your own research. You'll find a myriad of resources on line, as well as in natural health books.

One of my favorites is A Drug-Free Approach to Health Care by Dr. David Tanton. In it, Dr. Tanton outlines the many natural remedies available for all of our common health concerns - and some that are not so common.

Cholesterol Drug Vytorin ingredients possibly lethal

Isn't that nice? The FDA is beginning an investigation into ezetimibe and simvastatin, the two compounds found in Vytorin which are designed to lower cholesterol levels.

A 5-year trial was conducted to see if the combined ingredients could "reduce cardiovascular events in patients with a diagnosis of aortic stenosis." The trial found that no, there were no benefits. However, a larger percentage of those treated with Vytorin (as opposed to the placebo group) were diagnosed with and died from various forms of cancer.

Two other ongoing trials will end in 2010 and 2012. I feel for those patients taking part in the trials. Why would anyone take that kind of chance with their health?

Cases such as this are a good reason not to take any drugs that haven't been around for a good long while - unless, of course, your condition is terminal and they offer some relief.

If you're taking Vytorin, you might want to go back to your doctor and ask for something safer. Or, you might want to try treating your high cholesterol with diet, exercise, and some natural remedies. I'll tell you about those tomorrow...

The FDA fails again

Here we go again - learning that the FDA didn't really check the facts before they said yes to big pharm. This time it's Vytorin in the news.

The news post (link below) and the comments that follow it are pretty interesting, and also pretty scary. Just think how many people are on cholesterol lowering drugs - and then think about the natural health practitioners who say that no one should be taking those drugs - at all. The better solution is a healthy diet.

Are Americans so brainwashed by big pharm that they'll just pop any pill that promises health while eating junk food and never moving from the couch? That mindset scares me almost more than the FDA failing to do its job.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/03/30/cholesterol.drug.ap/index.html

In case you missed it, The Readers Digest recently ran a very informative article about the corruption in the FDA - how researchers were told to "shut up" about negative and even deadly findings when the big guys wanted to approve a drug. (Gee, I wonder why?)

Anyway, if you're taking Vytorin, you might want to read the article and consider your options. After I heard about it this morning I tried the newspaper and found not a word (?) but a friend sent me this link to the CNN site.

Wishing you health - pharm-free health, if possible!

Marte