Have leg cramps? Lipitor may be the culprit

Anyone who has ever had a muscle cramp in the calf of his leg knows that the pain is excruciating. For that matter, a cramp anywhere in the body can make you wish you'd just pass out so you couldn't feel it.

It turns out that a deficiency of Co-Q10 could be causing the cramps - and the use of Lipitor causes that deficiency. One study revealed that patients suffered a deficiency of more than 50% after using Lipitor for just one month.

Co-Q10 is a naturally occuring and vital enzyme in your body - one whose production diminishes with age, so all of us over the age of 20 should be supplementing with it.

If you're taking Lipitor for high cholesterol, talk to your doctor about a reduced dose, and do start taking Co-Q10!

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...

Lower cholesterol levels naturally

While doctors and pharmaceutical companies push and pound at you about high cholesterol and urge you to take their toxic drugs, a 2003 study showed that something you buy at the grocery store lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels even better than statin drugs.

Not only that, it could improve your blood-glucose and lipid levels. But of course, no one is talking about this, because they can't patent a natural product. There's simply no money in it for them.

What is it? Cinnamon.

A quarter teaspoon or so on your morning cereal or toast could do you more good than any expensive drug on the market. The side effects: some users report heartburn.

Keep reading all you can find - and trying natural products. Soon you could be free from prescription drugs and feeling better than you have in years.

Natural Cures for High Cholesterol

If cholesterol reducing drugs scare you as much as they do me, you'll be glad to hear that oatmeal and oat bran are both good at reducing cholesterol- because they're rich in soluble fiber.

You do need to eat quite a bit of it, so make oatmeal a routine, and add a bit of oat bran to give it a boost. You can also find a recipe on the Quaker Oat Bran box for making a delicious loaf of cholesterol-reducing bread.