Cholesterol imbalance is a significant risk factor in heart attacks and strokes. We use the following nutritional approaches in guiding our patients. Continue reading for an explanation of why they help and how they work!
Note: Evergreen and Apex formulas are professional products. Clicking Evergreen product links will take you to product pages on our site. Clicking on Apex products will open a new window on the Apex product page for your review.
These formulas must be used under supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Contact Us or call us at 714-886-9026 to qualify for purchase
Evergreen Herbs Cholisma (ES)™
Apex Energetics CoQ10 SUPERMAX™
Several herbs and supplements have scientific evidence of effectiveness in regulating cholesterol. 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.
Garden of Life Raw Probiotics Ultimate Care
Micro Ingredients Odorless Aged Garlic
Clean Nutraceuticals Polyphenol Supplement
NOW Foods Organic Red Yeast Rice
Cholesterol levels play a major role in the development and progression of CAD. While high cholesterol is a significant risk factor, many individuals who experience heart attacks have cholesterol levels that would not traditionally indicate high risk. This underscores the importance of diet, exercise, lifestyle changes, nutrition, natural supplements and for some, medication managing risk of CAD.
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.
So what is the problem?
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.
Unfortunately, we do not understand the body very well, even in this age of AI! Clearly, liver inflammation is involved. 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.
What else can I do?
Traditional Chinese Medicine:
According to traditional Chinese medicine, cholesterol is considered as an excess deposit of dampness and phlegm in the blood vessels. To effectively reduce plasma levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, treatment must focus on dissolving damp, eliminating phlegm, and invigorating blood circulation.
Evergreen Cholisma™: Studies show that ingredients in this formula have effects of reducing plasma levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, reducing absorption of fatty food and enhancing breakdown of fatty tissues, lowering serum glucose level and reducing synthesis of cholesterol and triglycerides, and have a diuretic effect to reduce blood pressure. Fatty liver is additionally targeted with Evergreen Cholisma (ES)™ Call or email us for more on purchase and use of these professional formulas.
Western approaches use herbs and nutrients that can correct cholesterol imbalance directly, and also offer help for those who insist on taking statins.
Apex CoQ10 SUPERMAX™: $74.00/90 caps. Apex Energetics makes a powerful formula for countering the disruption caused by statins and hyperlipidemia, supplying therapeutic levels of CoQ10, pyrroloquinoline quinone and Trans-Geranylgeraniol. Call or email us for more on purchase and use of this professional formula.
Apex Cholestar-RF™ – $42.00/90 caps.Helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels, a powerful antioxidant with inositol, hexanicotinate, garlic extract, pantethine and chromium. Call or email us for more on purchase and use of this professional formula.
OTCs
Fibrolytics: Spliferkou Liposomal Lumbrokinase Nattokinase Serrapeptase Complex Capsules contain enzymes that help dissolve fibrin clots, which are the primary structural components of blood clots. Specialists look at the ratio of fibrinogen to albumin (FAR) in the blood as an indicator of disease risk. High fibrinogen (largely due to genetics) is responsible for many heart attacks, strokes, and a plethora of disease states. Your doctor might not be aware of this approach, and your insurance may not cover the tests in all cases.
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.
FAR Tests: Fortunately you can order the two tests needed to calculate your FAR on your own (do doctor needed, through Life Extension Foundation. Order:
Fibrinogen, Activity Blood Test #LC001610 ($29)
Complete Blood Count (CBC) / Chemistry / Lipids Panel Blood Test Item # LC381822 ($35)
May not be available in New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island
Garden of Life Raw Probiotics Ultimate Care: contains the most effective strains for managing cholesterol: Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium infanti, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve. These strains are able to colonize in the gut and correct balance by reducing cholesterol absorption from diet, producing short-chain fatty acids to reduce cholesterol levels in the bloodstream, reduce LDL and increase HDL and to influence the expression of genes responsible for cholesterol synthesis in the liver.
CoQ10: For the muscle destruction statins cause, add CoQ10 to your supplements. CoQ10 is a natural substance in your body that gets “burned up” by statins. A deficiency causes cellular damage. (In Apex CoQ10 SUPERMAX™)
Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ): A nutrient with the ability to modulate lipid metabolism, reduce oxidative stress, and improve mitochondrial function. (In Apex CoQ10 SUPERMAX™)
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 . (In Apex CoQ10 SUPERMAX™)
Zazzee Extra Strength Pomegranate 20:1 Extract Capsules: Pomegranate extract (whole fruit including skins, not just the juice) may reduce LDL oxidation, boost removal of cholesterol from tissues to the liver, and can lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.
Micro Ingredients Odorless Aged Garlic Capsules: Aged garlic contains bioactive compounds shown to lower LDL and TC while increasing HDL, reduces soft plaque volume in arteries, and may modestly reduce triglycerides.
Clean Nutraceuticals Resveratrol Berberine Grape Seed Extract Quercetin Green Tea Extract Polyphenol Supplement are flavonoids that reduce hepatic cholesterol synthesis, increase cholesterol excretion, reduce triglyceride synthesis and absorption and modulate enzymes that enhance HDL functionality.
NOW Foods Organic 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. This favorable profile is apparently due to RYR having many constituents that work together to rebalance the system, rather than a single, isolated molecule taken in an excessive, pharmaceutical form.
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!
Call us today! (714) 886-9026
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.