The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Red Yeast Rice
Posted by KAYJAY (TEXAS) on 01/13/2024
★★★☆☆
Hi,
So three months ago, I found out I have a high total cholesterol of 229. My LDL was 165. I am 51 and I am active only as a mom and one who does pilates four days a week. I call myself a vegan slash pescatarian slash vegetarian low on the dairy though slash turkey or chicken maybe once every two week. Put it like this people were shocked when i told them i had high cholesterol. Anywho my nurse practitioner decided to have me tested for this genetic disorder. My brother actually has the genetic disorder that makes his cholesterol high so he's on statins. Well i refuse to get on that medication because i understand the side effects are not good but to each his own and no judgment here. Not at all. My nurse practitioner put me on fish oil and red rice yeast to treat my high cholesterol but check this out before being put on red rice yeast my a1c was good. It was 5.4, but after three months on red rice yeast my a1c which has never been high shot up three points 5.7. I am wondering if this red rice yeast caused my a1c to rise. I heard prescription statins do the same thing. I meet with my practitioner this week and will ask her if this is a side effect of red rice yeast. If it is i want to get off. I have already started adding more carido to my exercise routine and cut those carbs out i know are not good for me but they taste so good even if theyre organic and used with good ingredients. Okay so what are your thoughts on red rice yeast and the possibility they elevate your a1c? I have a gut feeling it has increased my a1c. Also, my three month check up my total cholesterol went down from 229 to 209. My LDL went down from 165 to 140. So it appears it is working but I also believe changing my diet and doing intermittent fasting 16:8 has helped too. I appreciate any comments and i look forward to reading them. Bye
High Cholesterol Readings
Posted by famcoll (Nashville, TN) on 01/01/2023
★★★★★
It's important to assess a determination of "high cholesterol" before you decide to do something about it. Look at the lipid panel yourself and check to make sure your HDL (good cholesterol) isn't so high that it is throwing off the total cholesterol numbers. Many years ago, the doctor told me that my total cholesterol would always look high because my HDL is so very high. That has proven over and over again to be the case. If you want to use your lipid panel to check for your risk of heart disease due to high cholesterol, enter your numbers, age, etc, at this Univ. of Wisconsin website
https://www.mcw.edu/calculators/ldl-cholesterol-goal-level
Oatmeal
Posted by Tom (Los Angelez) on 07/23/2021
Hi, Good to know about oats and sharing all these details.I was wondering did he add any kind of milk in the oatmeal?
BTW fish oil and COQ10 alone does not lower cholesterol. You need to Red Yeast Rice along with it.
Give it a try.
Thank you,
Tom
Brazil Nuts
Posted by Margie S. (United States) on 08/27/2019
★★★★★
A coworker of mine introduced me to Nutritionfacts.org. There is an article called
Four Nuts Once a Month by Dr. Greger. I started eating 1 Brazil nut every day (even though the article said you would get the same results eating 4 nuts a month).
My results are as follows: I went from 224 down to 204 down to 136. I get mine already shelled at Trader Joes. They will always be a daily staple of mine. Brazil nuts are high in selenium.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Beatriz D. (California) on 02/19/2022
Hello Carla! What time of the day do you take the ACV? and do you do it after a meal or before? Thank you!
Dietary Changes
Posted by Timh (Ky) on 12/21/2017 2042 posts
K: Here are 3 clean artery remedies.
-Nattokinase and Serrapeptase
-Herbs that clean and allow the plaques to absolve.
Take in capsules or as a tea ---Garlic, Cayenne, Ginger, Hawthorn, Lemon, ACV
-Dr Linus Pauling artery cure is daily Vit-C & Lysine *would like to add that daily Grapeseed Extract alone also prevents "hardening of arteries"*.
As for fat burning, Triple Strength Lecithin is good along with Choline/Inositol supplement. The amino acid Methionine w/ B-12 & Folic Acid is my fav.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Pacific Coast Lady (USA) on 01/22/2021
Thank you, Sharon in MO, I just got my bloodwork back and my cholesterol is still high. I've had it high most of my life I think, but never kept good track. I run around 300 plus (combined LDL and HDL, LDL is 239 of the 330 on "just received" results). I am going to shop for clean, organic lecithin today. Thank you again, it will be worth a try for sure.
PS I was diagnosed with 3rd degree Heart Block in 97, not sure if that is caused by cholesterol. I have a pacemaker since then and I am 68.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Pacific Coast Lady (USA) on 02/24/2021
I am concerned I may not have ordered the right Lecithin. I'm not sure I can mention a brand or put a link, so I'll mention the brand I ordered. I don't want to do anything against the site rules, but I know they check all the posts before they allow them so I'll go ahead. I ordered granules (lecithin) from Life Extension. The ingredients sounded good and reviews, but someone mentioned, back in 2015 post, that there is not GMO Soy, no matter what the label says? Thanks again for any help,
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Pacific Coast Lady (USA) on 02/26/2021
Hello Art, good to find your post.
I got my Lecithin. It sure doesn't taste bad at all, and I could just chew it up in my mouth if I had to ;) I dissolved a tbsp of the granules in my decaf Green Tea (which I like to chill to make it ice-tea) I don't notice any difference in taste with that. It takes just a little time, maybe 15 min. to dissolve in the cold tea but people can use a blender to speed up the process if need be. I read it's good to do it for about 30 min. before I eat so am doing it that way. I hope it works, and I don't know if I should do the 3 tbsp, 3 x a day. I don't see anywhere you mention how much you used per day? I'll just keep taking some each day. I didn't get my Lecithin until this afternoon in the mail, so it has nothing to do with what happened to me this a.m. I have Type 2 diabetes just diagnosed Jan 20.
I cut my carbs way back to I think below 30g a day, I was so concerned about having something like Diabetes. Anyway, yesterday got to talk to a dietician, and leary of them as well but I listened. She encouraged me to eat more carbs, 30g per meal say. So I started that today. But from 6 a.m. to 9:15 I felt so good and healthy, lots of energy, and for the first time in weeks, no headache on awakening.
Then at 9:15 or so, I got the bad shakes, like the hypoglycemic thing I got as a kid when I didn't eat soon enough. Then a headache that didn't feel like any headache I'd ever had, so really clueless. I don't do this unless I know something is way wrong, I went to the emergency room, and all I got done was my blood pressure, temperature, checking stuff.
My blood pressure for the first time I know of in 68 years was 170/??, I can't remember the bottom number but it might have been 120, or not. I was just so upset because the waiting room was full, the inner exam rooms were full, sick people surrounding me, and I didn't stay as my head stopped hurting and I figured I wouldn't be seen anyway.
I plan to contact the clinic tomorrow and ask about my blood pressure, they are open on Saturdays. If this crazy new way of eating, high cholesterol, and of course high triglycerides are the cause of now, High Blood pressure, I can only hope I can find an answer for that here too. I'm 5'2" and right at 129, exercise regularly walking, never ate a whole lot of carbs and all this. Kind of overwhelming, but I trust alternative medicines/home-remedies over drugs and I won't give up. Thanks for your's and everyone's input on the site,
Low Carb Diet
Posted by Rw (Southwest Virginia) on 01/17/2017
★★★★★
All of my cholesterol levels were bad but then improved an average of over 30% by eating a low carb diet. They're all back down in the healthy range. I did not cut down on fats at all, just carbs. I bought a glucose meter and learned how to eat so that my blood sugar stayed under 110 after meals (it usually peaks around 1 1/2 hours after a meal.) I eat about 15 grams of carbs at each meal and I make sure I eat a good portion of protein first to balance it. Yeah, it was some getting used to, but it's not problem now and I don't have any carb cravings or anything. I also took fish oil and drank matcha tea, but I don't think it would have been such a dramatic difference without cutting the carbs. My doc was impressed when he saw the numbers. He said, "What did you do?" :)
Niacin
Posted by Phe (Los Angeles, California) on 03/22/2016
★★★★★
I am happy to report that 1000-1500 milligrams of niacin daily drastically reduced my high triglycerides in just under four months. I am a 41 year old male who was diagnosed with high triglycerides back at end of October 2015. My blood test revealed my triglyceride level was 449 mg/dl (optimal reference range is below 150 mg/dl) which was due in part to being to being overweight, which was a result of poor dietary habits and too much alcohol. Fast forward to February 2016, along with a healthy diet and exercise and the crucial inclusion of daily niacin intake, my triglycerides dropped 80% to 87 mg/dl. I lost about 40lbs in that time but I know that the rapid lowering of my triglyceride level was not only due to weight loss but the niacin which is well-documented for its effect on high triglycerides and cholesterol. Simply stated niacin works.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Brigitte (Houston, Tx) on 09/28/2015
My cholesterol has always been high. Cholesterol Total 256; HDL 142; LDL 107 and Triglyceride 35.
I am not taking any medication, but will try the organic apple cider vinegar in some warm water early in the morning. Hope it will lower my numbers.
I am 75 years old, work full time, exercise three times a week and eat a very healthy diet but love a glass of good red wine. I wonder whether I have to cut that out.
Brigitte
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Shamoon (Washington, D.C.) on 08/05/2015
★★★★★
I agree that ACV works well at cholesterol/LDL reduction. It does not, repeat Does NOT raise cholesterol or deplete HDLs.
Niacinamide
Posted by Lisa (Southern California, US) on 03/02/2015
★★★★★
I started taking 1000 mg of niacinamide, which is vitamin B3, to help me get to sleep. When I went in for my annual check up with the doctor, my cholesterol actually went too low and she told me to lower my dose to raise my cholesterol. It took about 6 months of taking it. Also, niacinamide doesn't make you flush like niacin, and it still worked to lower cholesterol. The only side effect is it makes you really sleepy, so take it before bed.
Carrot Juice
Posted by Luciakc (Nanuet, New York) on 07/06/2012
★★★★★
Drink at least an 8 oz. Glass of Carrot Juice a day and it will lower your Cholesterol Significantly anywhere between 3-6 months! It does work! My Cholesterol was 294 and now it is 184- IT WORKS! Try it and you'll definitely like it, It tastes great too!
Lecithin
Posted by Wbones (Las Vegas, Nv) on 04/28/2011
★★★★★
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.
Vitamin D
Posted by EB (England) on 10/20/2021
If you juice a bunch of celery every morning and drink it you will lower your cholesterol. I did it for 3 weeks between appointments and it brought it way down.
Garlic
Posted by Cynthia (San Francisco, CA) on 02/03/2007
★★★★★
THIS INFORMATION WAS VERY HELPFUL FOR ME AND THE REMEDY GARLIC REMEDY WORKED FOR ME VERY WELL AND LOWERED MY BLOOD PRESSURE AND HIGH CHOLESTEROL. THANKS AGAIN HAVE A GOOD DAY.
Oatmeal
Posted by Cammie (USA) on 12/29/2006
★★★★★
morning - oatmeal w. "Smart Balance" spread & baked apple or cut up fresh apple, include skin & cinnamon (no sugar) plus 1 tablespoon psyllium in water at night. Lowered cholesterol 22 points.
Red Yeast Rice
Posted by Art (California) on 10/29/2022 2440 posts
Alan M.,
I forgot to answer your question about what to take for the muscle pain. CoQ10 has been shown to alleviate the muscle pain :
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.118.009835
Here is what they concluded :
' CoQ10 supplementation ameliorated statin‐associated muscle symptoms, implying that CoQ10 supplementation may be a complementary approach to manage statin‐induced myopathy. '
It may be more beneficial to use CoQ10 in a soft gel form for best absorption.
Art
Lecithin
Posted by Yvonne (PA) on 04/26/2022
★★★★★
I followed Ted's high cholesterol protocol (
https://ted.earthclinic.com/cures/cholesterol2.html) of granulated lecithin, 1 teaspoon twice a day, mixed with lemon oil (or d-limonene) 10 drops twice a day too, as well as 1 teaspoon of glycine twice a day, green tea extract 1/8 teaspoon twice a day, and lysine 1/4 teaspoon twice a day to reduce triglycerides. I did not do borax in water 1/8 teaspoon to reduce triglycerides.
I also made oatmeal porridge with soy milk.
I got tested two months after I began the regimen and my total cholesterol decreased from 249 to 208. Triglycerides reduced from 57 to 48. (My HDL went from 106 to 81; LDL, from 134 to 118).
This is amazing! I have always had elevated cholesterol but this is the lowest it has ever been. I am ever so grateful for Ted's protocol.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Charity (faithville, Us) on 08/17/2021
Oatmeal
Posted by beverly (Texas) on 04/20/2023
I started the carnivore diet three months ago and have never felt better. About to turn 75 next month. Before I never really felt good........always blah and had lots of allergies. Vast improvement. I researched it for months before taking the leap. Lots of info on utube.
Apple Pectin, Green Tea
Posted by Ria (Nevada) on 04/03/2021
★★★★★
Apple Pectin For Cholesterol Reduction, Green Tea For Triglycerides
My cholesterol was around 263 when my specialist freaked out about it.
I did research and read about apple pectin, which is a soluble fiber.
I took one capsule of 750 mg for four to six months on an empty stomach in the afternoons with a large glass of water.
Six months later, my cholesterol was down significantly, and my doctor was rather surprised. The only reason I didn't take more was that my stomach is delicate and I've had problems with other supplements before.
Now I'm down to 224 and my new doctor freaked out about it. I went back to apple pectin again, and we're re-testing in six months.
My triglycerides were consistently in the high 100s and I heard at a health seminar that green tea reduces them.
I started to drink 2 cups of green tea decaf most days (can't do caffeine) and the last two times my triglycerides were 84 and 85.
They have never been so low. Keep in mind that psyllium is also a soluble fiber and any powdered supplement you can buy in the stores that contain it will do the same thing. I prefer the capsules because I can't stomach the sweet flavor of the powders. Good luck, people!
Celery Juice
Posted by 4001 (New Jersey) on 01/28/2021
★☆☆☆☆
I had no problems with cholesterol, I started having celery juice and my last test shows my cholesterol of 253. Now I have some doubts about the celery juice. It is good for cleaning the stomach though.
Fenugreek
Posted by Art (California ) on 06/28/2018 2440 posts
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Anon (Not Canada) on 10/10/2020
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Pacific Coast Lady (USA) on 01/22/2021
Yes, I do not want statins which is all a doctor offers me. I'm going for the lecithin, I was anyway, but when I read your post Art, with friends/family as witnesses as well, sounds good to me.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lily (Kelowna, BC) on 01/25/2021
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper in 1/3 c. of water, chase with /2 to 1c. of water for 2wks. after that once a week. I agree with low fat diet as well instead use flax seed oil, omegas, coconut oil.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Pacific Coast Lady (USA) on 02/28/2021
Hello Art, Thank you for your reply :) I haven't had any further Niacin flushes without taking any Niacin, lol ;) Thank goodness, no liver issues (disease). My hair is still in good shape, but I think it's beginning to thin a little. I will see about adding Zinc and Selenium to my regime. Right now, with all else, I stopped my B-complex and Glucosamine blend because I wanted to see if that might have caused the headaches, etc. I can add them back with my D3 1000iu recommended by my doctor (not sure their right, of course but not ill effects I know of) and my "just" 200mg of Magnesium Citrate (I know this one isn't hurting me but use to take it at 400 mg a day which I think is better). I feel comfy with just the 2 tbsp of Lecithin, one in a.m., one in p.m. with either green tea or my turmeric juice and ginger juice mixture. I bought that from a company here in California, but of course, it is processed by them. I hope it's healthy though, for anti-inflammatory. I haven't had any arthritic pain since I've been drinking it. It seems I read that if the thyroid is working right, many other things can start working right as well. I can't remember where or who I heard it from though.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by jwel2nd (Jakarta, Indonesia) on 08/03/2023
★★★★★
Take a big coffee cup, add some honey, just enough to cover the bottom. Add your 2 tablespoons of ACV. Fill the cup with lemon juice. Stir well to get the honey all mixed up. Drink it down. Tastes great, Lemon juice and honey are also helpful for many things. Your ACV will do it's job well using this recipe
Low Carb Diet
Posted by Hal (Ny) on 01/22/2017
I eat high fat, low carb. My cholesterol was always low and I knew the high fat diet would raise it, but I know enough about the cholesterol B.S. that I wasn't worried. My bkfst usually consists of 2 tbsp. (grass-fed) butter, 1 tbspn of MCT oil, 1 tbsp. of cocoa powder blended in cup of very warm water. I was using Bulletproof Coffee, but I gave up coffee, so I just substituted cocoa.
By April 2015, my Cholesterol was 315. I didn't mind that much, but I started taking Calcium D-Glucarate 2x/day (thanks Dave Asprey), and Tocotrienols 2x/day. By 6/16 it was 236.
As of 11/23/16, my Cholesterol is 198 (HDL - 73, Triglycerides - 64, Chol/HDL ratio - 2.7). I backed off to once a day each because I don't want to be below 200.
Hope this helps.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by D (Usa) on 09/02/2016
I put mine in grapefruit juice to make it easier to drink and almost cannot taste it, unlike in water. Not good for your teeth straight, or your stomach. Also, I try to eat something before, even if it is just a small snack.
Niacin
Posted by ORH (TEN MILE , TN) on 11/04/2021
BETTY, ORH here and I love you, but you do not understand niacin. There are many forms. Niacianamide will take care of Alzheimer's and flushing niacin will take care of your heart. Most of EC's posts are good, but some will cause you grief. I am a Redneck, which means that I am an opinionated person. All know this after 20 + years of my postings.
Betty, your problem is that you are half smart like me and need to read more. ===ORH===
Niacin
Posted by Rose (BAY OF PLENTY, NZ) on 07/14/2024
Just a note on the Niacin warning. If you take Niacin on a full stomach immediately after a meal, the likelihood of a flush is greatly reduced. Never take it on an empty stomach!
High Cholesterol Readings
Posted by Sam (Florida) on 06/07/2014
1) Unless your Chol. is over 300, no need to worry if ALL your ratios are within normal range.
2) Know your LP(a) level. If elevated, nothing you do will lower it, as it is a whole different ball game. LP(a) role is not known yet. It is produced in liver and destroyed in kidneys. Check your kidneys. People with elevated LP(a) have a chance to live to 100(and age slowly), as well as have increased risk of CVD. That is why scientists don't understand it.
3)Worried or concerned? Have PLAC test done. Can be done in any private lab without requisition. Cost under $100.
50% of heart attacks and ischemic strokes occur in patients with normal cholesterol.
The PLAC Test measures Lp-PLA2, an enzyme that, when elevated, indicates arterial inflammation, making heart attack or stroke more likely.
All we have to fear is fear itself.
Understanding Cholesterol Test Results
Posted by Mike62 (Denver) on 01/24/2014
Ppodruga: Hdl should be 60. High hdl indicates oxidation making bad hdl. Ldl should be below 130. Total cholesterol should be below 200. The cholesterol of Mike Adams is approximately 70/70. Taking meds is not good. Eating cooked conventionally grown foods does not provide enough nutrition for optimal functioning. Search raw food and super food videos. Take yucca spray dried for horses. The saponins are very beneficial. Take black chia seeds and organic apples. The soluble fiber is very beneficial. Take organic beans. Small red, kidney, and pinto are best. Take desiccated liver. A good liver makes good cholesterol. Take non denatured whey isolate. This makes glutathione that mops up free radicals and prevents oxidation. Take raw cocoa powder and 90, 000hu cayenne. This is best for the cardio vascular system. Take 3ml/day skate liver oil. If you have not been taking a d3 supplement then take 5000iu d3/day. Make green smoothies from organic baby greens and add some nutritional yeast every 4 hours. Take 1 organic strawberry every 4 hours or take 200mg vitamin c from a whole food concentrate. After that take 50mg c from the whole food concentrate 4x/day.
Understanding Cholesterol Test Results
Posted by Mama to Many (TN) on 12/12/2023
Dear Lynn,
I don't think Prioris has posted in while...
Regarding whether or not to be concerned about the cholesterol number... have you had any other testing done? Do you have any other risk factors for heart disease?
My husband's cholesterol number was not a concern for his doctor until he also had a bad calcium cardiac score; that combined with high blood pressure and some extra weight made it a concern. Plus, my husband's father died of a heart attack at age 37. So we worked on his cholesterol through diet, which also helped him lose weight.
If you are healthy and have no health problems, it may not be a concern for you.
~Mama to Many~
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Prioris (Fl) on 12/04/2013
Why is taking down your cholesterol important? Studies have shown that cholesterol level does not make one more or less prone to heart attacks. People with low cholesterol get heart attacks as much as people that have high cholesterol.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Happy (Up The Creek In Wv, Usa) on 12/07/2013
Prioris from Fl: You are correct. The clinical trial that is used to falsely assert that high cholesterol is connected to heart problems actually proves that there is no such correlation. Anyone can read the study and see this fact for themselves. The cholesterol mania was just a fear campaign. A conspiracy to defraud the public. A treason against the citizens.
You are entirely correct to point this out to anyone who is worried about their cholesterol numbers.... Even if they do not appreciate it now, they hopefully will later, when they are able to see more clearly what kind of mental prison the conspirators have put them in. Carry on.
Red Yeast Rice
Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 10/02/2013
To Lorene A, re Red Rice/Cholesterol,
Your advice is the same as mine and I did try the Red Rice once; maybe three years ago. The friend who was recommending it warned me that he did experience what he thought was a side effect; brain fog. Well, I'd never had problems with brain fog so decided to give the Red Rice caps a try and in two weeks was having trouble concentrating; perhaps a coincendence but I immediately got off the Red Rice and cleared up immediately. I read how the Red Rice works and as you point out and Mercola points out, it works like a statin.
A statin works at the liver level to STOP cholesterol production. But as bad a rap as cholesterol has taken in the past 20 years, cholesterol is essential for cellular health and especially the brain. The problem with cholesterol, is that if there is not enough Vitamin E (natural, not synthetic) in the system, then any fat might start sticking to the veins and arteries. The cause of plaque build up is not the presence of cholesterol but the absence of Vit E.
Got that? The cause of plaque build up is not the presence of cholesterol but the absence of Vit E.
So I got off the Red Rice and the fog went away and I just keep on taking my 800 iu daily of natural E (d alpha tocopherol/ NOT dl alpha tocopherol... The "l" after the "d" tells you it is synthetic. Just get your E at the health food store. Drug stores sell synthetic. ) My cholesterol has always been high but I believe the use of E, CoQ 10, magnesium and potassium, arginine and hawthorn etc has warded off heart issues all these years. I'm 64 and have good BP and can still engage in vigorous exercise. No circulatory issues at all.
Dave
