RZR
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20953
posted
Anything I can take over the counter? My overall number is high and so is my LDL (bad cholesterol).
Thanks, Jen
-------------------- Tick bite May 2009 Diagnosed June 2009 Posts: 2329 | From SouthEast | Registered: Jun 2009
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Pocono Lyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5939
posted
Niacin works for me.
-------------------- 2 Corinthians 12:9-11
9 But he said to me, �My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.� Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ�s power may rest on me. Posts: 1445 | From Poconos, PA | Registered: Jul 2004
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Lymeorsomething
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16359
posted
Cherrios
Well, they work for some...
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
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disturbedme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12346
posted
Red Yeast Rice is good.
Extra fish oil supplements.
For me, nothing has worked. I've tried pretty much everything. Even when I was vegan, thin, fit, and worked out for 1 to 2 hours a day, that didn't work either.
The Red Yeast Rice worked to a point for me, but then kind of hit a plateau and would not go any lower even though my cholesterol was still way too high.
Cheerios did nothing for me. Food in general doesn't do a thing for me. Even when I was eating extremely healthy, that did nothing.
In my opinion, my cholesterol problems are due to the lyme or to a virus in my system.
-------------------- One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar. ~ Helen Keller
My Lyme Story Posts: 2965 | From Land of Confusion (bitten in KS, moved to PA, now living in MD) | Registered: Jun 2007
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Lymeorsomething
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16359
posted
Some claim these too: garlic, artichoke, vitamin B3 (niacin).
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
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RZR
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20953
posted
quote:Originally posted by Pocono Lyme: Niacin works for me.
I have been taking Niacin. What dosage do you take?
-------------------- Tick bite May 2009 Diagnosed June 2009 Posts: 2329 | From SouthEast | Registered: Jun 2009
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Pocono Lyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5939
posted
jennie,
I only take 200mg per day but my cholesterol isn't that high. It worked the last time but I stopped as I was starting Actigall with Rocephin at the time. Niacin can reduce the effectiveness.
Forgot to go back on it.
There is a pricey prescription for cholesterol and it just amazes me that the ingredient is plain old niacin, 500mg. Too much for many to tolerate. I don't remember the name of it.
I use the regular formula (not the no flush kind)as you can tell when you get to the maximum dose for you if you care to do more.
Also, no matter what you use, it takes months to lower it, so I wait at least 5 months before repeating bloodwork as you'll be told it's not working and you need the $Rx.
-------------------- 2 Corinthians 12:9-11
9 But he said to me, �My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.� Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ�s power may rest on me. Posts: 1445 | From Poconos, PA | Registered: Jul 2004
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springshowers
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19863
posted
What about Welchol or Cholestrymine
Used for Lyme patients to detxo and bind toxins but were made for Cholesterol treatment.
Posts: 2747 | From Unites States Of America | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
Plant stanols and sterols can lower cholesterol 10-15% if taken 2000mg daily in a divided dose (morning and evening). This is backed by research.
These are being added to many foods (like Benecol, yogurts, granola bars) They are naturally occuring in some foods but not at high enough levels to make a difference
I think it is best to take it in supplement form. Easier than 2 or more TBSP of benecol/day A good book on non-prescription ways to decrease cholesterol is "cholesterol down"
Posts: 207 | From NH | Registered: Jul 2009
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posted
What is your TSH level? See my post above about "subclinical" hypothyroidism and elevated cholesterol.
Half of all people who have a heart attack have normal cholesterol. It is more about the inflammation- cardio CRP can measure that- than the cholesterol level itself.
Posts: 819 | From East Coast | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
I am taking cholestryramine to detox and bind neurotoxins. 1 LLMD and her daughter with Lyme at my support group mentioned that. I then left a message for my LLMD asking for it, and he called it into my pharmacy (after just 1 visit with him) without question. It is covered by my insurance, thank god, so i pay $25 per month for it.
My cholesterol levels had been high in the past, but the main reason i use it now is for detox. Drink it with OJ only. And if your insurance doesnt cover it, forget it. But if you have insurance and high cholesterol levels, just ask your PCP if easier than getting it from LLMD.
Posts: 123 | From Minneapolis, MN | Registered: Jul 2009
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posted
Also, if you get cholestryamine, mix it with OJ 1/2 hour before eating something with healthy fats ( i do peanut butter but any nuts or whatever will work) and make sure you dont take abx close to it. I usually do my cholestryamine in the am and wait about 2 hours before abx...altho 4 is better.
Some recommendations are to drink it 3xs per day, but i find that difficult to time since cholest. will extract any meds out of the body which we dont want when taking abx and supplements.
There is good info online about cholestryamine but the best advice i have found is right here. I can tell you that adding cholest and sauna has helped me feel better. Take Care~!
Posts: 123 | From Minneapolis, MN | Registered: Jul 2009
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gwb
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7273
posted
quote:Originally posted by massman: There is zero evidence that cholesterol is related to heart disease.
Access "What If It Has Been A Big Fat Lie" (article) and "Good Calories Bad Calories" (book) both by Gary Taubes.
Original Framingham MA study showed zero connection between cholesterol and heart disease according to the two docs in charge of the study.
The amount of cholesterol one eats has zero to do with the amount in your body. Cruise www.westonaprice.org
The Cholesterol Myth www.drjacktips.com The Cholesterol Myths (book) Ufne Ravenskov
Most MDs believe the drug reps. Drug companies just want your money !
This is the "diet" (way of eating) that got me off blood pressure pills. It brought my cholesterol levels down to normal. My heart doctor was astounded when he saw the dramatic improvements in my blood pressure.
I'm still having a lot lyme issues right now, but one month ago I could barely walk across the room without almost fainting.
My youngest son turned me on to this and I really believe this is why I am able to function at all today. This is NOT a Dr. Atkins diet, it's much more fuller (variety), healthier and a very natural approach to eating.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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gemofnj
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15551
posted
I would recommend doing alot of research on how to raise HDL and lower LDL. Checking in with your family doctor may be good idea if heart disease runs in your family.
my husbands heart specialist at Jefferson University said Niacin is more effective than red yeast rice, but should be monitored under a doctors care.
A close friend of mine had good results with Niacin and actually no longer needed to use statins.
Of course lowering fatty foods in your diet and exercise will most definitely make a difference.
Olives (oil) Walnuts and salmon are a few really great HDL boosters. You can google for lots of good info.
posted
"Of course lowering fatty foods in your diet"
Sorry, gotta rain on this parade. What you eat has about zero / zippo / nada to do with your levels.
Eating fat = increased cholesterol ? It aint that simple ! Doc says "no fat + exercise" so you do that and not much difference.
Then doc says "well you tried and that did not work with you so now you HAVE TO TAKE STATINS."
The body is supposed to DIGEST foods.
NOT just take thru undigested + paste 'em around. A piece of that undigested brussel sprout will get stuck in your nose ! Dont eat Brussel Sprouts !
Real problem with fats is that toxins + unnatural substances are stored in fats. Been saying that for a few years. To confirm that toxins info access the current thread on lyme / autism / etc with info from top dogs...oooops I mean top docs !
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pamoisondelune
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11846
posted
Policosanol is being promoted by some doctors; it's a non-prescription supplement.
My husband successfully brought his cholesterol levels way down using Niacin ---- but it HAS to be the plain kind; the No-Flush or sustained release kind does NOT work.
--- Polly Polygonum
Posts: 1226 | From USA | Registered: May 2007
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Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
Vitamin E will dramatically reduce your cholesterol
levels. It is not promoted as such because it is
cheap, and a nutritional supplement,
because they have money hungry pharmaceuticals that need supported.
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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Lymeorsomething
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16359
posted
I stumbled across this study regarding berberine and cholesterol:
quote:Originally posted by Pinelady: Vitamin E will dramatically reduce your cholesterol
That explains my most recent cholesterol test results. It was even lower than before. It's 161. Dr doesn't want it any lower.
I've been taking Vitamin E for about 2 months.
I also take Omega 3's and have been for about a year now.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
Benicar : )
2 birds one stone, right?
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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massman
Unregistered
posted
lymetoo - lower here is waaaay worse than "high".
But hey, I am only a natural health doc that has been studying it for years.
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
I'm copying from an older post of mine:
Dr. Sherry A. Rogers, author of "Detoxify or Die" believes that high cholesterol is a sign of increased ROS activity.
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) kill bacteria and neutralize toxins. Our ROS increases with infection.
Once ROS (naked, wildly destructive electrons) are on the loose, they eat holes in arteries that then attracts nature's band-aid, cholesterol. Increased cholesterol indicates increased ROS.
Lyme increases ROS so it is natural to have increased cholesterol. You can help balance ROS with anti-oxidants. I think the best way to lower cholestrol is by treating the infections and dealing with the toxins.
Vitamin e is a powerful antioxidant.
edited to add a portion of an article that I wrote several years ago. Basically, controlling blood sugar can help control cholesterol.
Statin drugs control cholesterol by inhibiting the eznyme (HMGCoA). The two main hormones that control the release of the enzyme (HMGCoA) are glucagon and insulin.
Glucagon inhibits the enzyme, and insulin activates it, therefore one possible way to control cholesterol is to lower cholesterol production by increasing glucagon and decreasing insulin.
Dietary changes and supplementation can be helpful in increasing glucagon and decreasing insulin. The key is to keep your blood sugars stable.
Terry I'm not a doctor
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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RZR
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20953
posted
quote:Originally posted by pamoisondelune: Policosanol is being promoted by some doctors; it's a non-prescription supplement.
My husband successfully brought his cholesterol levels way down using Niacin ---- but it HAS to be the plain kind; the No-Flush or sustained release kind does NOT work.
--- Polly Polygonum
I have been using Niacin 500mg no-flush for many months. In fact, my doctor told me to buy that kind. It has not helped my cholesterol. I guess I need to buy plain Niacin.
-------------------- Tick bite May 2009 Diagnosed June 2009 Posts: 2329 | From SouthEast | Registered: Jun 2009
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