Posted by JLx on October 2, 2005, at 15:59:23
In reply to Re: AT MY WITS END -- Cholesterol Homocysteine » neuroman, posted by vitaqueen on September 29, 2005, at 12:44:33
Some food for thought on some of the pages on Dr. Lam.com, which could use more proofreading, I notice. Lam is an anti-aging specialist apparently. Not all, but most, of what he has to say seems pretty solid to me, albeit alternative/natural. I like how he has things highlighted so you can skim.
I know you said you've had high cholesterol since childhood, but since it's getting more resistant to your efforts, maybe there will be some info of value there.
One interesting thing was his comment about hypothyroidism, which we can be at increased risk for as we get older:
"As many as 10 percent of 98 million Americans with high cholesterol and high LDL ("bad") cholesterol may not know that their cholesterol is high due to undiagnosed thyroid problem. Older women with sub clinical or under-active hypothyroidism was shown to be twice as likely as women without this condition to have heart attacks." http://www.drlam.com/physician_support/hypothyroidism.cfm#4
This was an interesting article:
New Markers of Cardiovascular Health http://www.drlam.com/A3R_brief_in_doc_format/1999-No5-NewMarkersofCardiovasularDisease.cfm
Have you been tested for lipoprotein(a)?
I'm going to get some ascorbyl palmitate, as it seems a good idea in general to have a fat soluble Vit C. Interesting that what he recommends, per Linus Pauling protocol for reducing cardiovascular disease, includes most of what he also recommends for adrenal insufficiency, namely proline, lysine, Vit C, and pantothenic acid.
In his article about cholesterol, http://www.lammd.com/A3R_brief_in_doc_format/Cholesterol.cfm , he mentions pantethine and pantothenic acid, which you are already taking but not in the dose he discusses.
"Typically, a daily dose of 900 mg pantethine has been shown to reduce triglyceride by 20-30%, total cholesterol by 10-20%, LDL cholesterol by 10-20%, and a rise in HDL cholesterol by 10-20% in many studies."
He also talks about digestive enzymes, probiotics and milk thistle besides what you've already said you're taking.
You asked about carbohydrates influencing cholesterol and Dr. Lam discusses that too:
"The surest way to reduce cholesterol is by reducing sugar intake and not reducing dietary cholesterol alone."
"b. Eliminate refined carbohydrates and sugar from your diet and substitute complex carbohydrates that have lots of fiber. Fruit should be the major source of sweetness in your diet. Fruits are filled with pectin and fiber, which work wonders in lower serum cholesterol.
c. Foods that have been shown to lower LDL cholesterol include oat bran, oatmeal, and dry beans out of a can. Oat bran has been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol by up to 20%. Grapefruit - segments and membranes, not the juice - drives down cholesterol. Also fresh oranges, apples, garlic, onions, barley, ginger, and shitake mushrooms.
d. Eat lots of raw onion - at least half a medium onion a day. This has been shown to raise the good HDL cholesterol by up to 30%. Oat bran has also been shown to increase HDL cholesterol by up to 20%."
There you go, raw onion every day. ;)
Dr. Joseph Mercola is practically rabid on the subject of statins. He says about carbs,
"A health food plan that is focused on consuming little to no sugar and grains will effectively lower insulin levels. Elevated insulin levels are one of the primary drivers for raising cholesterol." http://www.mercola.com/2005/may/19/statins_otc.htm
http://www.mercola.com/2001/jul/14/insulin.htmThe more I can avoid sugar, simple carbs and high glycemic foods in general, the better I feel. It's just so hard to do.
You didn't mention if you are taking magnesium. Magnesium has really helped me with depression, so I take it for that. But when I read both "The Miracle of Magnesium" and "The Magnesium Factor", I thought I would be taking it to prevent heart disease and diabetes otherwise.
Magnesium orotate is one that I've been reading about lately as especially valuable for heart utilization. http://www.aor.ca/MedicalAbsDetail.asp?abs_id=87 I bought some recently from Beyond a Century, in bulk as it's cheaper, but it tastes terrible.
I take a lot of supplements too and the cost horrifies me sometimes which is why I try to get some things there. Also, at iherb if I can stand to order things all at once, there's no shipping charge and a discount for bigger orders. It's not that hard to rack up $120 worth and that's an 8% discount on prices already lower than my local store.
JL
poster:JLx
thread:559795
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20050924/msgs/561988.html