Denise E (Crescent City, CA) on 06/14/2023
If Art Solbrig is around I would love to ask him about it. I will post one link to a very short video from one of my fave online doctors, Dr. Benjamin Bikman. He is big on Metabolic Syndrome/Insulin Resistance, and I have beaten T2 Diabetes just using Ketogenic nutrition. But with Keto, I get a high number on my Lipid tests and worry my doctor til I think he'll have a heart-attack because I won't take a statin. Berberine sounds good to me, but feedback is very welcome, and a brand name would be very helpful,
Thank you in advance, Denise
Replied By Art (California) on 06/14/2023
Although studies do show that berberine has cholesterol lowering effects and as being good for diabetics to help maintain healthier glucose levels among many other benefits, I do not consider it to be a potent anti cholesterol supplement based on my experience. If you cholesterol is significantly high, berberine may not be potent enough to get it low enough, but it wouldn't hurt to try it and it will help with lowering glucose levels.
For the purpose of lowering cholesterol, I have had good results using two level full tablespoons of soy lecithin granules each day. I use a 4 ounce glass of water and dump the granules in it and drink it down right away in one go with no mixing. Others put it into their smoothies, or yogurt.
I have no recommendation for a brand of berberine as I have used several and they were all effective. I think the divided dose would be important for optimal effect.
Art
Replied By Denise E (Crescent City, CA) on 06/16/2023
Hello Art, and thanks so much your reply. I'm a bit shy of Soy Lecithin, as I heard that Sunflower Lecithin is the best, but also, I can't remember what it was that worried me about the Soy. I don't eat anything, or drink Soy so again, a bit shy of that. It may just have been something I read. I hope no one faints, but I do want to say that I believe, or am at least pretty secure with the info on high cholesterol not being dangerous, and that it's the Trigs divided by HDL that is the number to watch, mine is 3.0 right now, latest Lipids, but the total cholesterol is 511.I want to bring that number down and my trigs were also lower in past tests and I was running at 300 plus with TC. I'm a bit afraid a doctor will dump me from his patient list if I don't take something to lower my C. I'm going to also reply to the Melatonin thread as I don't want to change the subject of this thread, but I have bad insomnia some nights, especially if I don't get any exercise during the day.
Thank you again, Denise!!
Replied By K (Calif) on 10/20/2024
I tried Berberine and the only thing that dropped was my HDL, which is unacceptable to me. I couldn't find anything about this effect on the web so I don't know why that happened.
Replied By Art (California) on 06/16/2023
Denise,Since you are considering using melatonin, the following meta analysis should interest you regarding triglycerides :
Here is a relevant quote :
' A total of 8 RCTs were eligible. Meta-analysis suggested a significant association between melatonin supplementation and a reduction in triglycerides (WMD: −31.54 mg/dL, 95% CI: −50.71, −12.38, p = 0.001), and total cholesterol levels (WMD: −18.48 mg/dL, 95% CI: −35.33, −1.63, p = 0.032), while no significant effect on LDL-C (WMD: −2.37 mg/dL, 95% CI: −11.61, −6.86, p = 0.615) and HDL-C (WMD: 1.28 mg/dL, 95% CI: −0.66, 3.23, p = 0.197) was found. In sub-group analysis, a significant decrease in triglycerides was found at doses ≥8 mg/d and when trials last ≥8 weeks. In addition, a significant decrease of total cholesterol was found at doses ≥8 mg/d and when total cholesterol baseline levels were ≥200 mg/dL. '
Art
Replied By Art (California) on 06/16/2023
Denise,If soy lecithin granules is not to your liking for lowering cholesterol, another option is Fenugreek.
Art
Replied By Clem (Blue Ridge ) on 06/18/2023
What is your LP(a)? Ratios? PLAC? Did you have a cardio IQ test with PLAC and LP(a) included?
Replied By Clem (Blue Ridge) on 06/18/2023
The only thing that matters is LP(a) reduction. So far nothing works.