By Frederick Cheng, R.Ph., and Christine Cheng, R.Ph.
The prescription “statin” medications used to control cholesterol carry the risk of irreversible muscle damage. Isn’t that ironic, since minimizing bad cholesterol is key to minimizing risk of heart attack and stroke, yet the very mediations prescribed has potential to damage the heart muscle? Yet, statins, such as atorvastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin, are widely used.
The best thing you can do to ward off high cholesterol is a THERAPEUTIC NUTRITION lifestyle of adequate protein, bountiful vegetables, and low fat, low carbohydrate. This type of diet will typically help lower cholesterol levels within 2 months, and is safe to practice for the rest of your life. If you need some effective, direct guidance and coaching, see Fred Cheng, R.Ph., Christine Cheng, R.Ph., and their team of integrative pharmacists and coaches at Cloverdale Pharmasave and Pharmasave Steveston Village for help.
An interesting product, called “CHOLESTEROL” by Richmond-based company, Organika, makes use of plant sterols and red yeast rice extract. Red yeast rice is a fermentation product of culturing rice with Monascus purpureus yeast that has been used in food preparations for over 2000 years. The red yeast rice extract mimics the action of statins without the same potential negative effects on your muscles. Oat seed and green tea extract (75% catechins) are also included to take advantage of their synergistic total-cholesteral-lowering capacity.
Nothing beats eating healthy and using food as your medicine, but if you want to try something natural to control cholesterol levels, then Organika’s “Cholesterol” is generally safe and effective. Be sure to consult with your integrative physician or pharmacist before trying anything to treat high cholesterol.
(Christine and Fred are a passionate, charismatic sister-brother integrative pharmacist team at their unique, family-operated, community-driven Pharmasave stores in Cloverdale and Steveston Village, B.C. Come see what they have in store for your integrative health and veterinarian needs.)
