High cholesterol’s link to heart attacks and strokes is widely recognized, but using statins to lower cholesterol remains controversial. Statins can have significant side effects, and research even suggests they might contribute to coronary artery calcification (Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol).
However, there’s clear agreement that both fatty deposits and blood clots depend on fibrinogen for their formation. Levels of fibrinogen can be affected by genetics and inflammation. To learn more about the critical role of fibrinogen, see our page: Should You Take Fibrolytics?
Natural Alternatives to Statins and Fibrinogen Regulation
Several natural substances help balance cholesterol and fibrinogen levels effectively and safely:
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Red Yeast Rice: Proven to be safer and more effective than Lovastatin, with fewer side effects! (Phytotherapy Research)
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Apex CoQ10 Supmax™: $74.00/90 capsules. Enhances effectiveness of cholesterol-lowering medications by replenishing essential nutrients depleted by statins. Contact Us or call 714-886-9026 to order.
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Apex Cholestar-RF™: $42.00/90 capsules. Supports healthy cholesterol with antioxidants, inositol hexanicotinate, garlic extract, pantethine, and chromium. Contact Us or call 714-886-9026 to order.
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Lumbrokinase, Nattokinase, Serrapeptase Complex: Enzymes that normalize fibrinogen, essential in managing blood clot risks. Note: Only use if medical labs show your FAR score is too high! See our page Should You Take Fibrolytics?
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Probiotics: Shown to lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and raise HDL (good cholesterol). Research is focusing on identifying the best strains for an individual’s needs. (Disease and Stroke) Contact Us for help!
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Pomegranate Extract: Lowers LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, supports healthy blood vessels, and reduces blood pressure. (Rambam Maimonides
Medical Journal) -
Aged Garlic: Reduces LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL oxidation, and blood pressure. (Journal of Nutrition)
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Polyphenols: Antioxidants that reduce LDL cholesterol and inflammation, improve fat metabolism, and prevent arterial plaque. (Foods)
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CoQ10: Essential nutrient often depleted by statins, helps prevent leg cramps and cellular damage. (American Heart Association)
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Pyrroloquinoline Quinone (PQQ): Reduces fat accumulation, modulates obesity progression, reduces oxidative stress, and improves mitochondrial function. (Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences)
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Geranylgeraniol: Regulates testosterone production, protects against statin-induced cellular damage. (Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry)
These links will take you to Amazon to view the products we use in our clinic. We’ve carefully selected these products for quality, efficacy, purity, and competitive pricing. We may earn a small affiliate commission from your purchase, which does not affect your price or influence our selections.
Cholesterol and Fibrinogen: Essential Health Indicators
While cholesterol is crucial to health—forming cell membranes, vitamin D, hormones, bile, and nerve function—imbalances can cause arterial plaque, raising heart attack and stroke risk.
Statins partially reduce cholesterol production but don’t correct underlying imbalances, potentially disrupting essential bodily functions.
Elevated fibrinogen levels, often overlooked in routine medical tests, significantly impact cardiovascular risk. Over-the-counter enzymes called fibrolytics can effectively lower fibrinogen levels, although these are rarely promoted medically. See our page on Should You Take Fibrolytics? for more details and testing information.
Lab tests for cholesterol and fibrinogen are available through your physician, but fibrinogen tests are typically not covered by insurance and can be expensive. You can directly order affordable lab tests yourself (excluding residents of New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island).
What You Should Know About Cholesterol
Cholesterol isn’t inherently harmful—it’s essential to life. Problems arise when cholesterol levels become imbalanced. Cholesterol is produced in the liver, helping transport fats and nutrients throughout the body. Imbalances can lead to artery-clogging plaques.
Diet can influence cholesterol production, with certain fats (omega 6, 9 from meats) potentially increasing cholesterol. Conversely, omega-3 fatty acids, maintaining healthy body weight, and regular exercise help manage cholesterol and cardiovascular risk.
Caution
Extremely low cholesterol (<125 mg/dl) poses serious health risks, including cognitive impairment, depression, anxiety, and physical damage to cells.
Regular testing of cholesterol and hormone levels (thyroid, adrenal, sex hormones) is crucial, especially if taking statins. Many healthcare providers might underestimate these risks—be proactive in managing your health!
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Statements contained on this website are based in science, referenced to accepted scientific journals. They have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products do not claim to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease outside of our licensed ability to practice. Information provided by CHS is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. Any information given is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from scientific world literature. You are encouraged to make your own health care decisions based upon your own research of the subject and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.