Cholesterol Heart Disease and Supplements Part 2

Guggul:

Guggul is the name given to the yellowish resin produced by the stem of the

mukul myrrh (Commiphora mukul) tree found throughout India. It has been used

in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries in the treatment of arthritis, obesity,

and one of its prime uses was for “medoroga”. Medoroga is basically an

ancient diagnosis for what we know as atherosclerosis. It was effective for

this problem because of its ability to lower serum cholesterol and

triglycerides.

Guggul extract isolates contain safe plant steroid compounds known as

guggulsterones, which have been shown to lower lipid levels in your

blood. They actually lower serum triglycerides and cholesterol, as well as

LDL VLDL cholesterols (the “bad” ones) and as a bonus..raises HDL cholesterol

(the “good” guys). Guggulsterones also act as antioxidants in that they keep

LDL cholesterol from oxidizing, protecting you further from

atherosclerosis. Guggul has also decreased the “stickiness” of platelets,

which of course also lowers the risk of coronary artery disease and stroke.Â

There was a study which actually found guggul extract similar and even

slightly better than clobfibrate for lowering cholesterol levels…..

Niacin:

For some time, some practitioners have been using high amounts of niacin

(Vitamin B3) (also called nicotinic acid) to lower cholesterol. The problem

with this is that at the doses needed, about 3 grams per day, divided dosing,

patients experience side effects of flushing, headache, stomach pains and

even chronic liver damage, diabetic responses, gastritis or stomach

inflammation, eye damage and even gout. The other common form of B3 -

niacinamide (also called nicotinamide) - does NOT help cholesterol levels.

An acceptable variation on niacin called inositol hexaniacinate has more

recently been prescribed by European doctors for cholesterol treatment

without the unwanted effects of niacin. It is used at the 500 to 1,000 mg

taken three times per day. It is newer and fewer studies have been done, so

if one takes it, make sure you have your cholesterol monitored to evaluate

its effectiveness and have liver enzymes, uric acid and glucose levels

checked just to be sure you are not one of the people prone to problems with

B3 therapy…..

[You may also try niacin in the form of "no flush" niacin hexaniacinate,

which most health shops sell - alone or in combination with small doses (less

than 150mg) of regular niacin (to minimise the uncomfortable flushing). It

is a good idea to take the niacin in combination with other members of the

vitamin B family - vit B complex, with at least 50mg of most Bs. MCS]

Other Factors:

Supplementing with Vitamin E (800 IU per day), Vitamin C (2-3 grams per day),

Octacosanol (from wheat germ..another good reason to use this food, as it is

also high in beta-sitosterol), Lecithin (2-3 grams per day), and garlic

supplements (600-900 mg per day) all have shown to be very helpful in

reducing cholesterol and triglycerides levels.

*** Here is some very brief information on other helpful supplements to

assist in managing different cardiovascular problems.

OTHER CHOLESTEROL LOWERING SUPPLEMENTS

Since lecithin is a very effective emulsifying agent, which also contains

choline and inositol, some authorities also suggest taking at least 1200mg of

lecithin capsules or granules 3 times daily. By the way, for those who take

skim or reduced fat milk, blending or shaking a teaspoon or two of lecithin

granules into the milk makes it taste much creamier and more palatable - add

according to your personal taste.

Chinese red yeast extract

Chromium picolinate

L-carnitine (2-4gm daily on an empty stomach)

L-arginine on empty stomach (avoid if suffering from herpes, shingles,

schizophrenia)

Bromelain and pectin enzymes (on an empty stomach)

Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) 1000mg daily (begin with 200-400mg daily)

Vitamin C (plus bioflavonoids)

Oats (fibre) and other brans

Olive oil (raw, virgin, cold pressed, kept in refrigerator)

Fish oil

Green tea

Hawthorne berry (also for heart arrhythmias and hypertension)

Grapefruit (note that this can accentuate the effects of some cardiac drugs)

Boswellia

Aloe Vera

Alfalfa

Dandelion

Thyme

Turmeric

Other Supplements for Cardiac Use:

(e.g. for reducing inflammation of tissues, reducing blood pressure or

“thinning” the blood)

CoQ10 (75-150mg a day, with lecithin)

Magnesium (maleate, citrate, aspartate)

Willow bark, Aspirin (75mg a day with meals)

L-arginine on empty stomach (avoid if suffering from herpes, shingles,

schizophrenia)

Ginger

Fish oil

Capsaicin (from “hot” peppers)

MSM

Gotu kola

Ginkgo biloba

Bilberry

Primrose oil

Turmeric

AVOID

Refined carbohydrates

Highly sugared drinks (pop, sodas, etc)

Licorice (can increase blood pressure)

Hydrogenated or “partially hydrogenated” fats (in many cereals, margarines,

candies)

Transfatty acids (in many margarines, cakes, cookies etc)

Heated or fried fats and meats

Fatty meats

Lard and animal fat (many fast food chains use these fats in many products)

Coffee

Ephedra, ephedrine

Shark cartilage

NOTE

If you are considering the use of any of the above supplements, remember that

you should find out as much as you can by reading reputable web pages on each

of them, or consulting books such as:

Balch & Balch, “Prescription for Nutritional Healing”

If you suffer from any cardiac problems, it is essential that you seek

professional medical advice and ascertain if any supplements may interact

adversely with any medication which you may be taking. For example, if you

are on anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin) or heparin, other

supplements such as fish oil, garlic, aspirin, vitamin E (large doses) and

several others can reduce the clotting ability of your blood even further.

If you are on a cholesterol-lowering medication such as one of then statins,

then many of the above supplements can increase the potency of these drugs,

so, in consultation with a suitable medical expert, you should adjust your

dosage accordingly or gradually wean yourself off such drugs, according to

your particular situation. If doing this, it is important that you regularly

have your cholesterol and HDL/LDL ratios checked and that you work under the

supervision of your doctor.