DO YOU HAVE HIGH CHOLESTEROL READ THIS BEFORE YOU FILL THAT PRESCRIPTION

Statin Drugs vs. Red Yeast Rice / fish oil therapy
AAHF | A newly published, randomized–controlled trial has concluded that a natural supplement, red yeast rice, had significant cholesterol-lowering properties. This is important news for those who have a cholesterol issue and choose to steer clear from Statin Drugs.
It is believed that Statin drugs have been oversold to physicians and patients alike, with little risk-to-benefit ratio analysis. Statins are not without side effects www.statineffects.com. Statin side effects range from muscle fatigue and complete muscle shutdown to increased risk of heart failure and loss of memory just to name a few.
I’m not saying you should ignore high cholesterol levels, the idea that treating high cholesterol based on projected health problems in my opinion is a fallacy, because it overlooks the lifestyle factors that underlie many of the risks associated with heart disease. Relationships, family history, stress levels, systemic inflammation, homocysteine levels, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, insulin sensitivity, the type and amount of dietary fat you ingest, highly refined carbohydrates and c reactive protein which is a non specific test that measures inflammation in the body all have critical roles to play in the picture of who develops heart disease.
What matters more than the total cholesterol, is the ratio of HDL TO LDL that are key in determining cardiac risk factors, and even then you can and should try and resolve this NATURALLY before resorting to Statin Drug Therapy.
David Becker, MD, who led the trial at Chestnut Hill Hospital in Pennsylvania, studied patients with extremely high LDL levels who had tried statin drugs, only to stop them because of the side effects. Half the group took 1800 mg of red yeast rice twice a day for 24 weeks; the other half took a placebo. The average drop in LDL cholesterol levels among those taking the red yeast rice after 12 weeks was 43 points. The placebo group dropped an average of 11 points. The infrequent side effects associated with the use of red yeast rice were mild—at most, mild headaches and abdominal discomfort and some muscle cramping. Note, however, that red yeast rice is not recommended for those with liver disease, but then again neither are Statins so the choice should be left to the patient.
RED YEAST RICE LOWERS LDL the fact is indisputable, and used with high quality fish oil, high fiber diet, NIACIN therapy and a change in diet I believe that cholesterol can be managed naturally. These therapies have a lower price tag, and a much lower risk of side effects, why has the medical profession failed to inform patients they have another treatment option? Well my friends, Red Yeast Rice comes from nature and therefore isn’t patentable, so there is no real market for it. Some Medical Journals have now published the research to back the use of red yeast rice for those who cannot use statin drugs because of their side effects. Why are physicians failing to mention these much healthier options? In 2007, statin drug sales in the US reached $33.7 billion. And Doctors receive incentives for prescribing the drug of the month. Could it be that the drug industry is too powerful a vested interest in our medical system? I’m not gonna go there, I’d prefer to use this forum to EDUCATE YOU THE READER. Because you are reading this you have already made the conscious choice to be your own advocate. Don’t let anyone be in control of your health unless you verify all information they give you. Chances are, if your cholesterol is high ( or better out of balance) there are simple affordable easy changes you can make right now to bring those levels back in balance….,oh and removing eggs is not the answer, but that’s another article.

Cara Trentadue