Lower Your Cholesterol Naturally

Many people find elevated cholesterol levels to be worrisome. They’ve been convinced that having a high cholesterol level means having an increased heart attack risk. I want you to understand why you need cholesterol for your health. You should also know the truth behind the cholesterol-heart disease theory. I can also share some natural ways to lower your cholesterol.

Dr. Michael Cutler | Mar 25, 2013 

Why You Need Cholesterol
The liver produces about 80 percent of the cholesterol in your body. You must have sufficient cholesterol in your diet to make sufficient amounts of these critically important hormones:

• Progesterone and estrogens (for women).
• Aldosterone.
• Cortisol.
• DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone).
• Testosterone.

As you can see in the diagram below, these and other vital hormones are manufactured from cholesterol:


The Cholesterol-Heart Disease Theory
Both doctors and the public embrace the idea that dietary cholesterol is bad for you and that high cholesterol is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD). It’s true that high LD (bad) cholesterol can be associated with CVD, but it is not the actual cause of heart disease. ^[1] Inflammation is the real cause. We know that elevated, oxidized LDL cholesterol is simply a result of inflammation and that there are numerous causes for inflammation. If your doctor measures your cholesterol to monitor cardiovascular risk, make sure he measures the particle number and particle size of your LDL. That is the new standard in lipid measurements.

Origins Of Theory
The cholesterol-heart disease theory originated in the early 1950s when political pressure was put on the medical industry to find a cause for CVD, a problem that was becoming the top killer in the United States.

In 1964, the famous heart surgeon Dr. Michael DeBakey of Houston reported that he and his colleagues studied 1,700 surgical patients and found no correlation between blood cholesterol levels and the extent of coronary artery disease seen during open heart surgery. This was reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association. ^[2]

You should also know that about 50 percent of people hospitalized for heart attacks or undergoing CABG (coronary artery bypass graft) surgery have normal cholesterol levels.

Furthermore, in 1992, Dr. William P. Castelli, former director of the Framingham Heart Study, reported a similar discovery: “[I]n Framingham, Mass., the more saturated fat one ate, the more cholesterol one ate, the more calories one ate, the lower the person’s serum cholesterol…” ^[3]
I’ll qualify this quote by stating two important points. First, animal meat in high amounts generally triggers inflammation, but fresh produce lowers inflammation. Secondly, 15 percent to 25 percent of the population is sensitive to dietary cholesterol, with a threefold disease increase among these hyper-responders. Also, obesity, diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance contribute to a hyper-response to dietary cholesterol. And, according to some recent scientific literature, consuming one to seven eggs per week does not increase the risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke in men and women.

Lower Your Cholesterol Naturally
So you want to lower your risk of heart attack? The most important and effective way to lower heart attack risk is to lower inflammation in your body through a clean (nutrient-rich, whole food) diet, low emotional stress and consistent, enjoyable exercise and then to use nutrient supplements to help even further.

It has been shown scientifically that you can lower (normalize) your lipid measurements with targeted nutrient supplements that rival or surpass what prescription medications can do. ^[4] The best recommendations for this, according to the American Academy of Anti-aging Medicine (and these references found in the peer-reviewed scientific literature), ^{[5] [6]} include:

• Eat mostly whole foods, with six vegetable and four fruit servings daily. ^[7]
• Exercise 60 minutes daily, both aerobic and resistance exercise.

You should also use a variety of these supplements:

• Vitamin E (gamma/delta tocotrienols 200 mg) each night with food.
• Pantethine (active form of vitamin B5) 450 mg twice daily.
• Omega 3 fatty acids 4,000 mg daily with EPA/DHA at a 3/2 ratio.
• Lycopene 20 mg daily.
• Trans-resveratrol 250 mg daily.
• N-acetyl cysteine 500 mg twice daily.
• Aged garlic (Kyolic) standardized 600 mg twice daily.
• Carnosine 500 mg twice daily.
• Quercetin 500 mg twice daily.
• Niacin (nicotinic acid) 500 mg to 3,000 mg daily as tolerated. (To prevent flushing, precede this with a baby aspirin or applesauce or other food.)
• Red yeast rice 2,400 mg to 4,800 mg at night (with food).
• Probiotics standardized to 15 billion organisms twice daily.
• Curcumin 500 mg twice daily.
• EGCG 500 mg twice daily or 60 ounces to 100 ounces of green tea daily.
• Plant sterols 1.6 grams to 3 grams daily.
• Pomegranate juice 8 ounces daily with the juice of one lemon or lime.
• CoQ10 (Ubiquinone) 200 mg to 300 mg per day to inhibit LDL-cholesterol oxidation.

It’s worth taking a dedicated trip to the health food store to find these. The higher your risk for heart disease, the more on this list you’ll want to add to your treatment regimen.
To feeling good for life,
Michael Cutler, M.D.
Easy Health Options

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[1] Djoussé L, Gaziano JM. Dietary cholesterol and coronary artery disease: a systematic review. Current Atherosclerosis Reports 2009 Nov;11(6):418-22.

[2] DeBakey, Michael: JAMA 189:655, 1964

[3] Castelli, William P: Arch Int Med 152:1371, 1992

[4] Houston M. The role of nutraceutical supplements in the treatment of dyslipidemia.
J Clin Hypertens 2012 Feb;14(2):121-32.

[5] Houston, MC et al. Nonpharmacologic Treatment of Dyslipidemia. Progress in Cardiovascular Disease 2009;52:61-94

[6] Nijjar PS, Burke FM, Bloesch A, Rader DJ. Role of dietary supplements in lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol: a review. J Clin Lipidol. 2010 Jul-Aug;4(4):248-58.

[7] J Am Diet Assoc 1995; 95:775-780.

CLA: A Very Special Oil

NewsmaxHealth

Wednesday, March 6, 2013 09:06 AM

By: Russell Blaylock, M.D,

The main omega-6 oil, called linoleic acid, can trigger inflammation when consumed in excess. This can cause a number of diseases, and may also worsen many existing diseases.

However, if linoleic acid undergoes a chemical alteration called conjugation, it becomes a very healthy oil. In fact, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) can reduce cancer risk and cancer growth, lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, lower triglycerides, reduce inflammation, and improve brain function.

The effects of various forms of CLA differ and vary among the tissues of the body. For example, the effect on the liver is somewhat different than in the brain.

A number of studies have examined how CLA affects cells. It operates through multiple mechanisms, such as cell-signaling, effects on cell membranes, production of eicosanoids, and genetic effects.

One of the best-studied effects of CLA is its ability to prevent cancer and reduce the growth and spread of certain cancers. Several animal studies have shown that CLA inhibited tumors of the breast, colon, and stomach triggered by carcinogenic chemicals.

In one of the studies, CLA did not reduce the number of pancreatic tumors induced by a carcinogenic chemical, but it significantly reduced the metastasis (spread) of the tumors, which is the main reason cancers are deadly. (For more information on fighting cancer, read my special report "Prevent Cancer Before It's Too Late.'')

Caution should be exercised in giving CLA to cancer patients, as some studies have found that for less-common tumors — cancer of the small intestine and certain liver cancers, for instance — CLA can actually make the tumor grow faster.

But for most cancers, CLA suppresses both growth and spread. These include:

• Colon cancer

• Breast cancer

• Prostate cancer

• Primary brain tumors (gliomas)

• Pancreatic cancer

 

Several companies are now selling CLA as a weight-loss product. This, however, is a bit misleading, as it may make people actually gain weight by increasing muscle growth along with the loss of fat tissue. Muscle is much heavier than fat.

Rats given CLA experienced a dramatic loss of subcutaneous fat. A recent analysis of a number of human studies also found fat loss, but it was less impressive. For detailed information on losing weight, read my special report "The Fat Cure: Health Secrets to Losing Weight Permanently."

I once had a young female patient who had a problem with localized fat accumulation that was resistantto both exercise and dietary control. I put her on 2,000 mg of CLA twice a day. Over the next several months, she lost the unwanted fat.

What was interesting about this case was that the fat was localized in her thighs, which can be the most difficult to lose. Yet she lost that fat without losing excess fat in other areas.

In repeating this treatment for other patients CLA has also been found to reverse obesity caused by monosodium glutamate, or MSG, which can be a very difficult fat to lose. It also works well against intra-abdominal fat — the kind that is particularly inflammatory and harmful.

 

© 2013 NewsmaxHealth. All rights reserved.

Reduce Unnecessary Chemical Exposure to Your Family

The list is endless and depressing of what you should avoid so let's focus on what you can do to lead a healthier lifestyle and minimize chemical exposures as much as possible. 

 

Have your tap water tested and, if contaminants are found, install an appropriate water filter on all your faucets (even those in your shower or bath).  Look at purified alkaline ionized water as a alternative.  The Alkal-Life 7000sL Water Ionizer utilizes a process, known as electrolysis, which is capable of breaking down large water molecules into smaller micro-clusters that are more completely absorbed by human cells, producing superior hydration and stimulating a range of health benefits:

• Slows the aging effects of oxidization
• Reduces exposure to disease from untreated water
• Promotes healthy weight loss through reduced acidity
• Boosts immunity for improved health and resilience
• Increases nutrient absorption for increased vitality

As much as possible, buy and eat organic produce and free-range, organic foods to reduce your exposure to pesticides and fertilizers.  Use the EWG list of the worst pesticide foods if you can’t afford to buy all organic, at least buy organic on the worst offenders of pesticides.  

Eat only wild caught fish that is lab tested for purify.  Avoid eating farm-raised fish, which are often heavily contaminated with PCBs and mercury.  Supplement with a high-quality purified krill oil, as even eating too much wild caught fish can have dangers.  

Use only natural brands of toiletries such as shampoo, toothpaste, antiperspirants and cosmetics. Don’t be fooled by labels and advertising, learn to read the ingredients of any products you are buying.  JES Organics offers some of the highest quality natural organic products that are non-toxic.  

Eat mostly raw, fresh foods, avoiding processed, prepackaged foods of all kinds. This way you automatically avoid artificial food additives, including dangerous artificial sweeteners, food coloring and MSG.

Use glass rather than plastic for food & beverage storage.  Avoid using plastic wrap and canned foods (which are often lined with BPA-containing liners).

Only use natural cleaning products in your home.  Baking soda & vinegar can be used for many household cleaning chores.  

Avoid using artificial air fresheners, dryer sheets, fabric softeners or other synthetic fragrances.  JES Organics has natural organic aromatherapy sprays that can be used around the house, on your body and on your clothing.  

 Replace your non-stick pots and pans with ceramic or glass cookware.

Avoid spraying pesticides around your home or insect repellants that contain DEET on your body. There are safe, effective and natural alternatives out there.   JESOrganics has an organic insect deterrent. 

 

When designing, buying a new home or re-modeling your existing home, look for "green," toxin-free alternatives for flooring, paint, wood, etc.  

Replace your vinyl shower curtain with a fabric shower curtain, or install a glass shower door. Most all flexible plastics, like shower curtains, contain dangerous plasticizers like phthalates.

Limit your use of drugs (prescription and over-the-counter) as much as possible. Drugs are chemicals too, and they will leave residues and accumulate in your body over time.

Multiple Systemic Infectious Disease Syndrome - Lyme MSIDS and non-Lyme MSIDS

I was fortunate to be able to listen to a web-nar last night with Dr. Richard Horowitz from New York. Don't know if you all know him but he is an expert and pioneer in treating lyme and is brilliant. Sorry this is long.

He talked really fast and it was very scientific because it was a web seminar with health professionals but I was able to get a few notes down for everyone. By the way, he has written a new book called "Why Can't I get Better, Solving the Mystery of Lyme & Chronic Disease. It is due out this September.

He said that there are at least 100 strains of BB in the U.S. and important to have lyme testing at IgeneX because Lab Corp and others don't test for all of the strains. Also the new culture at Advanced Laboratories. The culture has a 94% sensitivity for BB.

The following bands indicate exposure to Lyme disease but not necessarily active disease. 23, 31, 34, 39, 83-93.

Antibiotics alone do not completely eradicate Lyme, can get better but almost always relapses. Need integrative therapy.

Glutathione is crucial and also DIM and Magnesium - all help with DETOX issues.

Grapefruit Seed Extract is good alternative for cystic forms.

NEEM is a natural germ fighter. Olive Leaf Extract. Colostrum has Transfer Factors.

Also the company Researched Nutritionals has Transfer Factors specific for lyme and other TF's for the other infections like CMV, Herpes, etc. 

Oregano Oil and Pau D'ARCO.

OptiCleanse from Xymogen for Leaky Gut and Food Allergies.

EFT and Meditation for Psychological issues.

High protein diet with a lot of cruciferous vegetables. Avoid diary, wheat, sugar for most people.

Paleo Diet for sugar & gluten sensitivity.

Crucial to get inflammation down. Curcurmin (Tumeric) helps. I personally use the Organic India Tumeric capsules and my CRP is normal for the first time ever. it needs to be at least 95% curcurmoids (sp)

Far Infrared, colon cleanses are imperative for detoxification. The sit in type saunas only penetrate 1-2 inches into the body plus they are emitting harmful EMF's, the biomat penetrates 6-9 inches into the body and has a chip to block the EMF's. Remember not to buy through e-bay, amazon, etc. as they are selling on there illegally which could cause the customer warranty or other issues. E-mail me if you want to know more about the biomat. I am healing myself with only natural methods. The body can heal itself given the proper tools.

Any young man with low testosterone - always think lyme disease.

For Sleep issues - need a sleep study. 5HTP, Valerian Root, GABA-L-theanine, Relax Max from Xymogen can help. Relax Max with Inistisol can also help with OCD and bipolar.

Key issues to address is inflammation, food allergies and sleep in order to get well.

He refers to chronic illness as MSIDS - Multiple Systemic Infectious Disease Syndrome. Lyme MSIDS and non-Lyme MSIDS. This syndrome really affects our hormones.

He identities these factors in MSIDS
1. Infections - Bacterial - Lyme, Ehrilichiosis, Bartonella, Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, Q-Fever, Tick Paralysis, RMS F, Typhus, Tularemia.  Viral - EBV, HHV-6, CMV, West Nile, Heartland v Powassan, encephalitis, & other viral encephalopathies. Candia & other fungi.

2. Parasites - Babesiosis & other piroplasms, filariasis, amebasis, giardiasis

3. Immune Dysfunction - ANA+, Rheumatoid Factor+, increased HLA DR-4

4. Inflammation - Increased IL-1, IL-6, TNFx equals "Sickness Syndrome"

5. Toxicity - MCS, Environmental Illness, Heavy Metals, Mold, Neurotoxins

6. Allergies - foods, drugs, environmental

7. Nutritional Enzyme Deficiencies - abnormalities in biochemical pathways. deficiencies in magnesium, zinc, iodine

8. Mitochondrial dysfunction - fatigue 1/3 of lyme patients have this dysfunction.

9. Psychological Disorders

10. Neurological dysfunction

11. Endocrine Disorders

12. Sleep Disorders - hallmark of Lyme (cyokines)

13. Autonomic Nervous System dysfunction +/-POTS (low B/P, palpitations)

14. GI Disorders - Celiac, Leaky Gut, Parasites, Gluten Sensitivity

15. Elevated LFT's - Babesia, Lyme, Wilson's

16.Pain Syndromes - Lyme mimics every pain syndrome

17. Deconditioning - need physical therapy