The importance of normalizing cholesterol to prevent heart attacks and strokes has been well publicized, but use of statins is controversial. There are well documented adverse effects from these chemicals, and there is published research that statins may be causative in coronary artery calcification. Statins stimulate atherosclerosis and heart failure: pharmacological mechanisms. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(04)15739-5
Not controversial is that fatty deposits and blood clots also require fibrinogen to aid in formation. Fibrinogen levels are influenced by genetics and inflammation. See Should You Take Fibolytics for more on this important science.
Several natural substances promote cholesterol and fibrinogen balance Red Yeast Rice: A recent study in the journal Phytotherapy Research found that red yeast rice (RYR) was more effective that Lovostatin, and “could serve as a safe alternative to statins”. It has far fewer adverse effects that statins, although it can have mild effects that are similar. Red Yeast Rice or Lovastatin? A Comparative Evaluation of Safety and Efficacy Through a Multifaceted Approach https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39511729/
Apex CoQ10 SUPERMAX™: $74.00/90 caps. Apex Energetics makes a powerful formula that works well to support cholesterol lowering drugs, supplying therapeutic levels of CoQ10, pyrroloquinoline quinone and Trans-Geranylgeraniol. Contact Us or call us at 714-886-9026 to purchase.
Apex Cholestar-RF™ – $42.00/90 caps. Helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels, a powerful antioxidant with inositol, hexanicotinate, garlic extract, pantethine and chromium. Contact Us or call us at 714-886-9026 to purchase.
Lumbrokinase Nattokinase Serrapeptase Complex contains enzymes that help normalize fibrinogen levels, which are the primary structural components of blood clots. Read below for an explanation and how to test if your level is too high. Oral fibrinogen-depleting agent lumbrokinase for secondary ischemic stroke prevention: results from a multicenter, randomized, parallel-group and controlled clinical trial. Cin Med J https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24229674/
Probiotics: Research shows that probiotics can help lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and increase HDL (good cholesterol) through several mechanisms. Potential Benefits of Probiotics and Prebiotics for Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke. Nutrients. doi: 10.3390/nu13082878.
Pomegranate Extract: Research shows that pomegranate lowers LDL and triglycerides, enhances bile acid excretion, improves blood vessel function and lowers blood pressure. Pomegranate for your cardiovascular health. Rambam Maimonides Med J. https://doi.org/10.5041/rmmj.10113
Aged Garlic: Research shows that aged garlic lowers LDL and triglycerides, prevents LDL oxidation and lowers blood pressure. Antioxidant health effects of aged garlic extract. J Nutr. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/131.3.1010s
Polyphenol Supplement: Polyphenols are plant-based antioxidants shown to lower LDL and triglycerides, improve fat metabolism, regulate bile acids, reduce inflammation and prevent plaque formation. Bioactivity of Dietary Polyphenols: The Role in LDL-C Lowering. J Foods. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10112666
CoQ10: CoQ10 is a natural substance in your body that gets “burned up” by statins. A deficiency causes cellular damage. Effects of Coenzyme Q10 on Statin-Induced Myopathy:An Updated Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. J Am Heart Assoc. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30371340/
Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ): A nutrient with the ability to modulate lipid metabolism, reduce oxidative stress, and improve mitochondrial function. Pyrroloquinoline-quinone to reduce fat accumulation and ameliorate obesity progression. Front Mol Biosci. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmolb.2023.1200025
Geranylgeraniol: A natural compound that plays an essential role in the synthesis and function of certain proteins, lipids, and vitamins, to counter statin-caused damage to the mevalonate system. A novel function of geranylgeraniol in regulating testosterone production. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. https://doi.org/10.1080/09168451.2017.1415129
Links to additional recommendations will take you to the product pages on Amazon. These products have been carefully reviewed by us and offer the best efficacy, purity and absorbability at a competitive price. We receive a small payment from Amazon for each recommendation, although this does not affect your price and does not affect our choices.
Cholesterol levels play a major role in the development and progression of coronary artery disease. BUT, while high cholesterol is a significant risk factor, many individuals who experience heart attacks and strokes have cholesterol levels that would not traditionally indicate high risk. Elevated FIBRINOGEN may be the most important factor for many.
Fibrinogen has be very well studied by science. It is seldom talked about in the doctor’s office, and almost never tested. Over the counter fibrolytics (enzymes that lower elevated fibrinogen levels are inexpensive but not patentable, so are not promoted to physicians and not advertised in the media. Click on our page Should You Take Fibrolytics for information, and how you can test to see if it is a problem you you.
Lab testing of you cholesterol and fibrinogen level is available from your physician, but beware, medical insurance will almost always deny payment for the fibrinogen test, and can leave you with a bill for the “rack rate” of this test. You can order tests directly yourself. Order yourself lab tests are not available in New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island.
what is the problem With Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is not a bad substance, it is the “glue” that holds every cell in our body together; we simply would MELT if all of our cholesterol was removed! It is the substance that gets converted to vitamin D by sunlight. Cholesterol is the precursor for our sex hormones, adrenal hormones, thyroid hormones and many others, bile for digesting our food, and even is needed for proper nervous system function.
Cholesterol is produced in the liver. As it picks up fats, fat soluble vitamins and other necessary nutrients, the molecule’s density gets lighter (oil floats!), and we call it LDL. After dropping off nutrients at the waiting cells, the density increases and we now call the same molecule HDL.
Cholesterol can get out of balance due to several causes (most of which are not understood yet). This can lead to buildup of deposits (plaques) in arteries, impairing blood flow and increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Statins partially block the production of cholesterol. They do not address causes of the imbalance. This throws off all of the normal, needed cholesterol functions, which is why they have so many negative effects on so many body systems.
The normal fibrinogen-to-albumin in healthy individuals <0.1. Unhealthy FAR Threshold: Ratios above 0.1 are often considered elevated and may indicate significant systemic inflammation or disease.
*Order yourself lab tests are not available in New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island
Our diet choices sometimes (but not always!) can affect the amount of cholesterol being produced. In general, meats produce a form of fats (omega 6, 9) that, although nutritious, seem to “anger” the liver and cause more cholesterol to be produced. Body fat releases chemicals that also can inflame the liver. Fat deposits on the liver (fatty liver) strongly affect cholesterol balance. Exercise increases the need for fat and fat soluble vitamins, which seem to cause excess cholesterol to be reabsorbed. That is why omega 3 fatty acids (fish, etc), healthier body weight and exercise seem to reduce cardiovascular disease. Even individual genetics are involved. CAUTION:
Too low cholesterol can cause serious physical damage and can result in feelings of depression, anxiety and cognitive impairment. Cell walls can start to break down with significant physical damage to your body. If your total cholesterol falls below 125 mg/dl you risk serious harm.
Be sure to have your cholesterol and endocrine hormones tested, including thyroid, adrenal and sex hormones, to spot statin damage before it becomes life threatening. Your doctor might not be fully aware of these risks, please be responsible for your own 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.