Natural Solutions for High Cholesterol: Effective Home Remedies

Hello: In late January, I had bad cholesterol of 181. I don't know what the other numbers were. I was prescribed statins. I didn't take any. Instead, I started an exercise and diet program.

DIET: I cut out all red meat, switched to soy milk. Primarily, I would eat pinto beans with brown rice for dinner with salsa and avocado, sometimes a veggie chicken patty with brown rice and veggies. Breakfast was nonfat greek yogurt or a flax muffin. Lunches were sushi or a subway veggie delight sandwich on wheat. Occasionally, I would eat chicken and fish. I tried NOT to eat anything with saturated fat at all. Lots of bran!

EXERCISE: This might be the most important element. I exercised nearly every day. 45 minutes on the eliptical M-F and an hour on the weekends, plus some weights and crunches on the weekends. If you want to lower your bad cholesterol, YOU MUST EXERCISE LIKE THIS.

PILLS: I started out trying lecithin and red yeast rice, but I read that red yeast rice is identical to taking a statin, and not regulated so they can have a lot of impurities in red yeast rice. The lecithin made me headachy and, I think, made me have heart palpitations. So instead, I decided to try one pill of D-Limonine (Orange Oil), one pill of Fish Oil and one pill of Psyllium every day.

RESULT: I think I started this on January 25 or so. My blood was tested on March 29. Got the results today and my bad cholesterol was only 127!!!!! Hooray!!!

I don't know what the other numbers were, I was just too happy about my bad cholesterol. No idea if the Orange Oil was the key, but I am going to keep taking it and try to get my bad cholesterol under 100. I think exercise and weight loss are critical, however. I lost about 20 pounds in about two months. Good luck to all!

I started ACV & Honey for cholesterol on a daily basis on Feb. 20, 2012. At that time, my total cholesterol was 264, drinking the mixture once a day for about a month. I had blood work done on March 24, 2012, my total cholesterol was down to 233... The ONLY change was the mixture, I haven't even started working out, my physician was very impressed and told me while it was still high, it's much better and keep up the good work. I have not mentioned to her about the ACV & Honey (i'll do that later) but in short I just wanted to say this mixture has really worked for me. Best of Luck to everyone....

SIDENOTE: My diet consist of no fried foods, mostly baked, boiled, fruits and veggies... I do have "snacks" on occasion.

Similar to the garlic and lemon cure (amazing for high blood pressure! ) from a Bulgarian professor: Peel 400g garlic and grind it together with 4 whole lemons. Add 300g honey. Put the mixture in a jar and let stay in the fridge for 25 days. Then every morning before breakfast take the following: Put 3-4 tbsp yoghurt in a cup and add a teasoopnful of the mixture. Add 20 drops of propolis tincture and 1tsp cinnamon. Mix well and take. Do the same before going to bed. In a few days the blood pressure would go down to normal.

Barkha, Some more to read re: cholesterol levels...

http://healthimpactnews.com/2012/coconut-oil-and-heart-disease/

Hope this helps you, T

can we drink ACV if we are taking lipitor please someone reply I stopped taking lipitor for three months and drank aCV and when I went for blodd test my cholesterol levels had increased much more and I have to start lipitor again but dont want to stop ACV can I have both together?

Do not worry too much about cholesterol, it is essential to your good health, it is the bodies messenger system and a tiny fraction of which is caused by diet. Beware Statins, there has been talk for as long as I can remember about having them pulled off the market for the number of serious side effects. Statins are extremely dangerous and the longer you take them the more likely you are to have serious long term irreversible side effects. I have read that only exceptional high readings of cholesterol should be of any concern, ie almost off the charts. The cholesterol myth started in the 50s and in spite of all eveidence to the contrary was never debumked, whereas the link to heart disease, diabetes and most other modern plagues has all been firmly established in rats and mice with Sugar.

Please worry more about your blood pressure as this is a more accurate guage of your hearts health. There is a huge amount of information here on EC to help you with this. Try Co Enzyme Q10 and Vitamin C, Aloe Vera Juice, absolutely Eliminate refined Sugar and High Fructose Corn Syrup from your diet. Take 1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper mixed with hot water building up to 1 whole tsp gradually, read the Cayenne Pepper section first. Swap to healthy fats, Coconut Oil being the best. Also I would take EDTA for as long as you can afford to, this will clean your arteries right out and give you some peace of mind.

Good Luck and stay away from Statins no matter what.

Cameron.

Denis, I reviewed Dr. Uffe Ravnskov's book on the book review page. It is a very important book full of easy to understand information. First he was demonised in I think Swedish TV, later he was reinstated in the papers because after all he was right. I think that they burned his first book on TV. Stay away from statins, please.... my father goes through life with awful pain in his feet because of statins but he won't stop and probably by now it wouldn't help anyway! Try to find a good natural doctor, someone you can go for advice at all times! I haven't found one yet but I hope one day I will! Sometimes one can feel quite lonely and confused with all the information out there! All the best....

Please let people know of this information.. My cholesterol lvl is very high thus I'm only 28.. The doctors insist I start using statins.. I don't want to... please share this info http://www.westonaprice.org/cardiovascular-disease/benefits-of-high-cholesterol

I'm 39 years old, 6'-0" 188lbs. I'm a pretty healthy looking athletic guy. I've been doing boxing training twice a week for 1.5 hours.... or surfing once a week 1 hour.

Anyways, I've had high cholesterol for at least 10 years. Once, it was recorded as high as 350. Other times it's been 250 or 230... Anyways, I was put on Simbastatin.

I started waking up in the middle of the night feeling out of breath. My first few breaths would hurt my chest until my lungs became re-inflated. Finally, I put two and two together, and realized it was the Statin. so.... My blood test came in at 207, which is great for me..... 145ldl, 39hdl, 93 trig. BUT, breathing is a priority for me right now.

So, I told my doctor I'm not taking the drugs anymore. I now realize my hair loss, memory loss, etc.... could all be results of the statins I've been taking for nearly 5 years.

I'm going to try this ACV, and red rice yeast, and Lecithin...... and see what happens.

Wish me luck.

Try the milk thistle with artichoke in the capsule. Artichokes scrub the liver clean.

I happened to see the thread about apple cider vinegar 4 weeks ago and decided to give it a try. (Ä ± had been suffering from high cholesterol 324, LDL 242) The vinegar itself was repulsive but found out about GNC apple cider vinegar and have been taking twice a day two capcules before brkfst and dinner for 4 weeks. I also accompany it with vigorous exercise 5 days a week on a strict cholesterol diet. Today, I had my lipids checked and had a big surprise: total chols. 215, ldl 163! ...

Try Yarrow oil, exellent for gums.

i have not tried any chelation but I take cinnamon and honey several times a day and my latest blood work showed for the first time in years my cholestrol is normal. I have found the honey from a health store is better than honey found in reg. Stores hope this helps somebody jean

Re: Detoxing High Fructose Corn Syrup From Body

Cheryl, the fructose that your body doesn't burn during digestion, is converted into triglycerides and stored in fat tissue; this is why high fructose corn syrup can cause obesity.

To remove the triglycerides take lots of B vitamins. B-100 2 or 3 times daily. To further enhance energy production you can add any or all these nutrients: DMG, CoQ10, ALA. To increase thermogenesis, use caffeinated coffee or tea; along with some cardio, this should burn those stubborn fats.

Hi to share my story about high cholesterol like everybody here. My cholesterol is around 250 low HDL high LDL I am very active, moderate diet (almost never overeat), Exercise at least every other day for at least 1 hour non stop. Still my cholesterol is inherited condition. Doctor sugested that I took statin. After about 2 weeks then I started feeling the side effects then called the doctor that sad to stop the medicine. Started checking sites on line then found EC site started reading about how many people have used ACV to lower cholesterol I was amazed. There has to be something good about it. Why the doctors do not prescribe it even if it works for 10-20 or more % of the people with high cholesterol I have no idea. Decided to give ACV a try to see if it will work better. Have altered my diet too. Today is 24 Dec 2011 will report in about 1-2 months. Thanks EC and all members for your info.

Tried the ACV and it triggered a gout attack. It's too acid for me. I had to chug black cherry juice and take capsules to pull out of it. I would not reccomend ACV for gout sufferers. Looks like it won't work for me. Dang!!

Doctors get kickbacks from pharmaceutical companies? My husband is a doctor. The only things he gets -- on occasion -- are samples, which help patients without insurance.

On another note, I am anxious to try the vinegar regimen! Thank you for the information.

To Mark from La Jolla, If you get an Organic Orange, wash it well, trim off the blossom end and the stem end and discard them (unseen pests can reside there), chop the orange up unpeeled and throw the whole thing in the blender with some pure distilled water, there will be Orange Essential Oil in the resulting blend.

The essential oil of the orange fruit resides in the orange-colored zest of the peel.

Regards, Linda

How many times a day and when to take? Do I take it before or after the meal? Can I take the ACV and Baking soda drink as well, right after or before this mixture? Any response will be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot in advance yo all who are willing to share their experinces.

My Dr. told me if you take 1 baby aspirin before taking niacin there will be no flushing and it works great.

I think I would be more concerned about taking the cholesterol medication than high blood pressure or thyroid meds. They really do help and are not as harmful as the cholesterol meds. That is what I have seen in various friends who take these meds for long period of time and are doing fine.

Hi Mark, I do not know the answer and don't know the products you mention. Having said that when I read about the orange oil that Ted mentioned my thought was that it would be 100% orange essential oil that was cold pressed and has no additives.

fish oil if taken 1 gram twice daily can and will reduce your cholesterol. My cholesterol was 188 and now it's 122. I did not change my diet. All I did was invest in a good quality fish oil supplement and voila!

I am sorry but there is good evidence nowadays that eggs have nothing to do with cholesterol! Also the liver makes much more cholesterol than what you could ever eat so if you eat a bit more the liver will make less! I have no idea who Edgar Cayce is but I don't think that he is right!

Quick question, how much and how did you have the ACV?

Thanks, Albert

Ted, I followed this pectin experiment on hogs. I ate one-half grapefruit a day, . I peeled the skin and ate everything including the pith (white part) , except seeds. I took most of the pith from the peeling and ate them too. Little bit bitter, but after one month my cholesterol dropped down a lot.

Dr, . Ellis, East Texas prescribed one Vitamin B-6 a day to prevent stroke.

Edgar Cayce said egg yolks should be eaten only when soft-boiled everyday- very nutritious for all- babies, kids and adults. Boil eggs in cool water and its done when water starts boiling.

Hard boiled gives you cholesterol.

What a disappointment after using Apple cider vinager for sometime now I have just been re-assessed with my doctor and the conclusion is that I have now got Accute pancreitis this seems to be my main trouble so now I am on a high quantity of flax oil two desert spoons and two high fish oil tablets, for the moment I have given up the ACV. I am due to go back to the doctors for another blood test if this shows that my AP problem has not reduced I will accept Statins and a high fish oil content capsules

I must stress the AP problem is not related to drink

peter do you or anyone know if this mixture is safe to take if you have had a stent? we want to try this but are fearful if it does work it would loosen the stent? please advise right away thank you

Try AJWA DATES. You will be surprised. I have stent in my heart 10 months ago. Tried many ways to lower my cholesterol such as oat, fish, mushroom, greentea, etc. Anyhow, AJWA DATES worked the best.

Can you tell me who your doctor is in Houston? I need one who cares about the whole person and who doesn't jump at the chance to put me on meds!

Thank you.

I had extremely high Cholesterol all my life. My parents and grandparents had high cholesterol all their lifes. I even had extremely high cholesterol during the 3 years I lived completely vegan, no animal products at all. I blamed it on genetics and stress. For 2 years now my cholesterol is completely normal, since I changed my diet after I read about the South beach diet. For me even whole grain bread makes my Cholesterol go up again, which is for me the evidence that starch is the culprit for high cholesterol.

I eat now lots of mixed salads with lots of lettuce, and veggies, I eat 3 times a day protein in form of eggs, goat milk, goat/sheep cheese and meat (chicken, beef, lamb, fish, but no pork). I eat pretty much all veggies raw or steamed with fresh herbs and flax seed oil or coconut oil or as a soup. I eat not more than max 2 cups of fruit per day, because I think the sugar in fruit caused my high cholesterol during my vegan time and caused problems with blood sugar and pancreas.

I completely avoid everything with starches, esp. Bread, noodles, rice, deserts and everything with sugar. I do eat once in a while steamed potatoes or fresh corn on the cobb or a bean dish.

I use Stevia to sweeten my milk shakes which I make with a few strawberries, blueberries and goat milk since I get sinusitis and gain weight from cow milk.

I do make my salad dressings with ACV and flax seed oil (refrigerated) and Herbamare, a salt herb mix. I do not restrict my fat intake, but I don't use butter, or whipped cream, but quite a bit flax seed oil and coconut oil. I also take baking soda 2x a day in water.

Now my blood pressure, my cholesterol and my weight are perfect.

Hi there. Try rebounding or using a mini-trampoline. It's the best exercise on earth. A rebounder costs around 50 bucks and the benefits are numerous. I do 20 minutes per day which is equal to 1 hour of jogging (plus it's 68 percent more effective than jogging without the added stress on the joints). Look it up and try it! All the best. Tanja

ps. you can do abdominals and crunches til the cows come home. They don't work.

I have read Teds comments on raising HDL- where can one purchase the proper orange oil to injest, a few places I called and asked said it cannot be injested. I recently bought this product, Orange Citri-Chol contains the essential oil Sweet Orange Zest that is high in coumarins which is know to be a blood thinner. Orange Zest is an oral grade essential oil that cuts lipids, or cholesterol in your blood stream. 4 oz. But the price is quite high. Any help would be appreciated.

Toneyroos, My Cholesteral is 210 (HDL- 126, LDL- 84). I am 43, thin, smoke, drink but eat healthy and take supplements. My Dr. thought my numbers looked great (not that different from yours). Keep in mind that almost as many people with regular and low cholesteral have heart attacks as do those with high cholesteral. Big pharma has gotten to your Dr.!!!

We need cholesteral to make hormones, including vitamin D, to give our cells structure and protection, help strengthen our immune system and to make bile that helps us break down fats.

Your LDL is low, that is what most Dr.s would worry about, not having a high HDL. We want a high HDL. If you are still concerned about your numbers, please do not take a statin, it restricts circulation of oxygen to your heart, cause muscle weakness and spasms. It can cause eye problems, and general loss of quality of health. Consider taking more fiber in your diet. This will absorb the cholesteral in your bile and prevent it from being reabsorbed back into your body via the intestinal wall. Consider niacin flushes (start with a very low dose to get used the the feeling of turning red and tingely! ).

There is so much good information here on this site, you will do so much better for your body by taking the natural route instead of listening to your Dr. on this one. I am blessed I have a great Dr. She spends up to an hour with me on most visits, and treats my whole person, not just the symptoms!

High triglycerides: My wife and I were told by our doctor that our triglycerides were high and the doc was suggesting I start taking meds for the problem. I checked online for a solution. We both started taking 2 TBS of Lecithin Granules and 2 pills of 4 MG of Astaxanthin daily for 2 weeks before our blood work. When we went back for the results My wifes had dropped 70 points, and mine had dropped from 320 to 200.

When you refer to garlic should the entire bulb be used or a piece of the bulb ?

Sorry about your ecz. And your chol. problems. I am not an expert, however, from the years of reading, have you addressed a congested liver?You may know about liver cleanses, but if you don't I'd read up on them first, do some thinking, get feedback and don't jump into things and see what your higher self recommends. I am about to embark on them. I found several that are not as drastic as Hulda Clark's, although when I get the druthers I will do that one as well.

You might want to go to Curezone.com and see what they may have to add, however, I would definitely stay away from the debate forums, at least for me they're a melange of highly principled individuals to lunatics.

Keep putting one foot in front of the other and don't give up! You're on your way to your answers and solution! The best to you. : )

Jus' me

apple cider vinegar for high cholesterol and eczema

what is the dosage appropriate for me? I have high bad and good cholesterol which is of familial origin. a total 0f 297. i have been also suffering from eczema for 4 years, jst rotating the topical meds that dr prescribed but haven't get rid of it.

thank you Peter for you info it look great, vue that I really like garlic and lemon too. I have a question though, is it possible to have the same result if I vitamix half a lemon, a large clove of garlic and a cup of water freshly every day without boiling? then do the same protocol 3 weeks on 1 week off 2 times? thank again

Peter, can you tell me why you specify a metal pot? Does it create some kind of chemical reaction? Just wondering if a glass pot would do, or if metal is a must? Also, wondering if a small glass would be an 8 oz. Glass? Thanks for taking the time to share with us. Kay

20 years ago suffering chest pains, I had an angiogram and plaque was found in my arteries. Many of my family have had heart problems. I was informed that I would probably need bi pass surgery in about fifteen years from that date if the blockages became worse. A friend who had been scheduled for bi pass surgery told me of a mixture he had taken that completely cleared all the blockages so much that they cancelled the surgery as they said there was no need as all his arteries were found to be clear of blockages. Anyway at a later date I tried the mixture. After 2 months my doctor sent me for MRI scans. They found most of my arteries clear of any plaque or blockages.

So hopefully you can use the following information to help someone. Clearing veins and arteries also helps blood circulation.

First use fresh water to wash the lemons and garlic.

Take 6 lemons cut up including peel (Make sure the lemons are the thin-skinned types). If you can only get the thick-skinned ones simply peel the thin outer yellow peel. Place this in a heap ready to go into the mixture. Then peel off the thick white stuff and throw away. No need on the thin-skinned lemons, just chop them up. The garlic (30 cloves) you usually get about ten cloves per bulb of garlic. Just separate the cloves and chop up (no need to worry about a bit of peel or shell), as the whole lot will be strained when finished.

Place 3 lemons and 15 cloves of garlic in blender or vitamiser. Top it up with water (If you want you can add a little sugar for taste) and then vitamise.

Pour into a metal pot. Then repeat the process with the other 3 lemons and 15 cloves of garlic. Finally was the vitamiser out with another litre of water and pour this also into the pot. Reason for only mixing half quantities is the standard vitamiser or blender will not take 6 lemons, 30 cloves of garlic an 3 litres of water. Overloading will damage the blender; so small loads are better than large.

Bring the pot to boil, and then simmer for five minutes. Pour through a strainer, and let liquid drain into another pot. Finally when all the liquid has drained into the pot, leave it for some time to cool.

When it has cooled use a strainer and funnel to pour into bottles. Note: give the mixture time to drain through the strainer. And do not keep the slurry from the strainer. Simply throw it away.

You should finish up with (About 3 to 4 Litre Bottles Quantity). Store in fridge. NOTE: DO NOT USE PLASTIC BOTTLES(Plastic bottles with filled warm or hot liquid can cause serious health problems), as plastic particles will leach into liquid in bottle. Use only GLASS Bottles to keep the mixture in.

First Dosage: Drink 1 small standard glass each Day for three weeks. Then stop for one week.

Second Dosage: Drink 1 small standard glass each day for the final three weeks.

Remember this mixture will definitely clear all the plaque that it has taken your whole life to build up. So it should be many years before heart blockages reoccur. The high antioxidant levels in the mixture could also help address the problem of other conditions such as cholesterol, high blood pressure, kidney, bursitis, fluid and renal problems.

You can also warm the liquid if preferred, or even dilute it with water and ice for a refreshing summer drink. The lemons kill the smell of garlic on your breath. The secret of the mixture is it's easy to prepare, and inexpensive to make up.

Note: The mixture originally comes from Ireland and has worked naturally for many people

You may need to take a look at your diet as well. Don't rely on one fix, but look at your overall health. Include exercise when possible. You may be one of the people that needs the meds afterall, but try some other fixs first.

Totally agree about natural alternatives. V. C. O works from me. Gave up 8 meds and my health is great! ~:>)~~~Cholesterol is not da for you. Read Dr. Mercola's webpage~

Ok, here's my story. I'm a 49 yr old male who exercises 3x a week. I'm eat oatmeal for breakfast and turkey on whole wheat for lunch everyday. I eat a normal dinner. And don't eat sweets. I have always had a hard time keeping my cholesterol in check. Guess it's hereditary. I recently had my blood work back in Nov 2010. My numbers were : total cholesterol 226, HDL 156 and LDL 52. My doctor want to put me in a statin because my HDL kep going higher each year.

I searched on the internet for natural ways to lower cholesterol and found that apple cider vinegar was a cure to lower it. I went for my new blood work and told the PA that I was drinking AVC to lower my cholesteral. She gave me a smirk like I was wasting my time trying this.

Just got back my new bloodwork results and here they are: total 186 , HDL 126 and LDL 42. The nurse who read me my results suggested that I still consider statin medication since I will still over the HDL guideline of 100. I told her that I would pass.. So in 4 months my cholesteral dropped significantly. I drink Trader Joe's organic ACV. And I also added Bob Mill's flaxseed to my oatmeal in the morning. My advice is try and fix your "ailments" naturally before you start to take medication prescribe by your doctor who is getting kickbacks from drug companies.

Cholesterol can easily be lowered, in fact your body will normalize all functions if you just transition to a plant based lifestyle and alkalize to 7.365. Cheating sets you back a long way so no cheating. The food must be seasoned properly or it won't taste good and taste is the attraction to liking the food of course. We are health ministers and we know what it takes to be healthy. Be patient you didn't get that way overnight and it won't go away over night. But it will go away if it isn't normal.

Rich: I don't have a protocol nor dosages together, but I do have a list of nutrients, foods and spices good for high triglycerides:
the 2 you mentioned
niacin (Vitamin B3, but NOT same as niacinamide or nicotinic acid! Niacin is the one that causes a hot flush in doses of more than a few hundred mg at a time)
cinnamon, ground (or 'Cinnulin' name)
guggulipid (ancient India Ayurvedic) available any health store in capsules
oatmeal
apples
lecithin (from soy, as supplement, so try to get non-GMO)
rice bran oil (crushed;not solvent extracted)
tocotrienols (these are the 4 optical isomers that are; not the other 4 that make up the 'Vitamin E'=alpha, beta, gamma, delta)

Not a remedy but looking to see if you have information on how to reduce high triglyceride levels? I know of fish and fish/flax oils etc. Just curious if others know of any other natural help with this. Any combination or protocols developed.

The only way to know if it's the tea is for them to get tested WITHOUT drinking it first, and compare the results. Ideally, there would be a few tests with and without to be sure.

If you say so I will have to believe you, but isn't there the danger that you get too much fluoride? Ok, they only drink it once in a while. Anyway, I have no idea how old they are but haven't heard that cholesterol shouldn't be lowered in older people because it might cause Alzheimer's and it surely shouldn't be lowered in women because those with higher cholesterol live the longest? And races with very high cholesterol don't have to be less healthy that those with lower one, on the contrary so the whole subject is not that simple, I'm afraid...

Green Tea lowers your cholesterol

Both of my parents are frequently tested for high cholesterol. A couple days before each test, they drink a few cups a day, and their lab tests always come out normal. I imagine if they drank it regularly it would keep the levels down consistently. They're just funny that way.

Francisca: On the subject of the cholesterol scare/scam, after decades of misdirection, lies and propaganda there have now been many scientific studies that show that it is only the level of oxidized cholesterol in the blood that is related to cardiovas diseases.

The simplest fact to take in is that it was also very well known for decades that if you look at a statistical bell curve of cholesterol levels in the population, there are just as many heart attacks and CVD in people on the left of the median as those whose cholesterol puts them on the right of that median!

There is a new book out 2008, rather small at 78 pages, which documents the dangerous oxidative damage cholesterol undergoes when it comes in contact with chlorine in the blood from chlorinated water either drunk or showered in and thus absorbed via the lungs.

The chlorine gas is in no way similar in its toxic effects to the normally present harmless reduced chloride ion Cl-, ubiquitous throughout the body.

"Coronaries, Cholesterol, Chlorine" by Dr. Joseph Price, any bookstore.

If you'd search "statin-induced neuropathy" on the web and you'll be amazed at how many people are suffering from this statin drug. I am one of the victims by this big Pharma scam! Most of us suffer debilitating pains in our lower bodies plus other symtoms due to the damage caused by statins on our peripherol nurvous systems. This disease can hit some patients even after they stopped their statins for four years! Sadly, it is not reversable and so far, there is no cure! A former NASA medical doctor, spoke from his own experience, said:"Don't waste your time and money, just take as much CoQ10 as you can afford!".

So beware! Those who are being advised to take statins by your doctors should pay close attention to your body reactions. The best thing is to evaluate yourself if it is reallly benefitial to you. Is cloresterol as bad as they claim? Search the web and you'll find many infos that might shock you! It was too late for me! Cholesterol has been distorted by the big Pharma for they can benefit big time in it - worldwide sales of statins is over $160 billion annually. But to those who suffer this so called side effects from the statins everyday, it is a killing drug! Many healthy people became sick and a few died from this drug! I don't know how much incentive my doctor who prescribed me the statins had received, but I wish him and those who push the statins to burn in hell!

PS - I wonder if EC would open a new link on this topic? I am sure I am not the only victim of statins over here! Ironically, if I didn't suffer from this thing, I would'nt be connected to this wonderful website! Thank you, EC!

Book Review: Fat and Cholesterol are Good for you - Dr. Uffe Ravnskov

I first read "The Great Cholesterol Con" by Dr. Kendrik but I wasn't too impressed with his joking tone (I suppose many people will love it but for me this subject is too important to lose too much time with jokes!). And I found the message a bit confusing. After researching a bit further I found "Fat and Cholesterol are good for you" and the title is so controversial that I had to read it. My interest in cholesterol and fats came from the fact that a while ago I found coconut oil in a health shop and thought that I should only use it on my skin as I believed that saturated fats were very bad for your health. Then Bill from the Philippines suggested I start cooking with it but I needed to read more about the subject before adding it to our daily menu. Cholesterol is a subject I knew nothing about although I know that mine is on the high side. The only thing you usually hear about it is that it is something bad which will shorten your life, something to be afraid of. Well, in the meanwhile I know that this is not true especially for me as a woman.

I find it a pity that this book is badly edited. Even if the author had to publish it on a small budget maybe a friend could have had a look through... but the message is there! At times all the studies were a bit much for me but I can't say that they are not interesting. What I found very weird, coming from a country considered Mediterranean was the Mediterranean diet used in one of the studies which included margarine made with rapeseed oil while everybody knows that in Mediterranean countries people cook mostly with olive oil. And also the fact that people were encouraged to eat poultry instead of pork. People in Mediterranean countries do eat quite a bit of pork, beef and lam.... this goes to show that these studies are often based on errors and therefore their conclusions can't be taken seriously!

I can't agree with the author when he says that many people realize that statins are toxic. I know quite a few elderly people on statins or similar drugs who show all the symptoms of their side effects but who have no idea of what is going on. Very sad that our health is used for financial gain and not many doctors seem to care about what happens to us. Weather we live a miserable life or die it doesn't matter, we are just a statistic and a way to get rich even quicker!

This book demystifies a lot of concepts which exist in our society about the dangers (or not) of cholesterol and the author, having done a thorough research, presents his point of view in a scientific way. He also explains thoroughly how studies are misinterpreted in order to fit the directors' goals and how badly studies often are set up. He is also very clear about the financial links between the directors' and the pharmaceutical industry who as a rule finance the whole thing anyway.

Too bad that people are still being misled but then aren't we being misled on a lot of important subjects anyway? I want to read more about the use of coconut oil and the benefits for one's health but for the time being I am convinced that we have made the right choice and I don't think that I will let any doctor lower my cholesterol! After all women with higher cholesterol seem to be the ones who live the longest! But... wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to go to your doctor and be able to trust him with your wellbeing instead of having to dig around and try to find the truth yourself?

Don't know if it's true or not... but recently my Mother told me that margarine is one molecule short of being plastic! I think the more natural butter would be a safer choice between the two... but depending on what you might be using it for, try coconut oil. Just a thought.