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The Kitchen Table

Alternatives to Statins (please share??!!)

12 years ago

In recent threads, some of you shared supplements used for lowering cholesterol levels.

I am hoping those of you who have seen the success through blood tests, would share not only the supplements you use, but also the dosages and how (what times of day) you take them.

My dh needs something, but did not tolerate the statin.

Thanks for your sharing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Comments (20)

lydia1959
12 years ago
Here is some info on Red Rice Yeast. I did take it for awhile with no side effects and my Cholesterol did go down. It's been several years though so I can't help with dosage.

Here is a link that might be useful: Red Rice Yeast
User
12 years ago
They put me on Nicain, 500 mg 2 times a day (get flush free). Also Omega 3 (fish Oil 1200 mg) I take 3 a day or more if needed. You can get them in the "burp free" I get them at walmart. They have no taste. I could not take lipitor
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"Research studies, there have been several good ones on this topic, show that a good quality fish oil works as well as statins with none of the bad side effects." I have not heard of any such studies. Can you cite them? "Folks using statins have a decreased rate of second heart attacks, but have an increased rate of sudden death heart attacks. In other words, you are less likely to have one but if you do its more likely you'll die from it." In reality, evidence on sudden death risk points in the opposite direction. A review of controlled clinical trials on statin use found a decreased risk of sudden cardiac death: "Twenty-nine trials of statin vs. control (113 568 participants) were included in the main analyses. In these trials, statin therapy did not significantly reduce the risk of ventricular tachyarrhythmia..., but was associated with a significant 10% reduction in sudden cardiac death...This compared with a 22% reduction in the risk of other 'non-sudden' (mostly atherosclerotic) cardiac deaths...Conclusion: Statins have a modest beneficial effect on sudden cardiac death."
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rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
12 years ago
I am another who cannot take statins. My doctor recommended triple strength fish oil capsules and I take two a day, with a meal. I buy mine from Vitamin World. Blood test results improved within one month.
paleblue
12 years ago
my suggestion is to try different statins and perhaps
differnt dosages. I could not tolerate them (various brands)for many
years and finally my heart doctor put me on a lower dose and now everyting is OK. Be sure your DH gets CQ10, because
satins deplete body of necessary elements.
oldgardener_2009
12 years ago
My cholesterol dropped 40 points when I added salmon, oatmeal and walnuts to my daily diet. I don't remember if it improved my triglycerides, HDL, LDL though.

Forty points wasn't enough, so my doctor put me on lovastatin and I haven't had any problems with that at all.
RuskitD
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you for sharing this info! Its deeply appreciated!!!
chessey24
12 years ago
Red rice yeast is what my dr. recommended for me after trying several statins and none of them tolerated well. I take one 600 mg. capsule twice a day - morning and evening. My levels have been good for the past few years.
chessey24
12 years ago
Sorry, it's red yeast rice - not the other way around
marie_ndcal
12 years ago
Please watch out for Q-10. I almost ended up in the hospital twice due to extemely severe nose bleeds because of the high blood pressure meds at that time. It is a blood thinner.
User
12 years ago
Better check the side effects of the Red Yeast Rice before you try it. I was going to buy it but reconsidered,

Here is a link that might be useful: Side Effects
lydia1959
12 years ago
Statins have loads of side effects as well. The link below talks about side effects plus questions if our cholesterol levels need to be lowered to begin with.

Here is a link that might be useful: Truth about Statin drugs
kudzu9
12 years ago
RuskitD-
I'm hoping that you are going to consult a physician on this. What works for one person may not work for another, and in fact, some of these things can cause new problems while not helping with the cholesterol levels.
Hellion
12 years ago
I am on Zetia which is not a statin and works in the digestive tract. My last blood tests were good. I could not take the statins either.
RuskitD
Original Author
12 years ago
kudzu, thank you for the reminder! Yes, we are working with the doctor on this. She is all for him trying alternative things. I wanted to get some input on what worked for others, as a guideline to go by. And not just of 'suggested doses on bottles'. I like the personal 'reviews'!

joann, thank you for the info! I had already read that. Of course, what works for one, doesn't work for all, as clearly seen with the statin debate alone!

Now I will run it by the doctor!

But lurkers who may be reading this should remember, though we should take control of our own health, we need back up from a doctor!! Its a team effort for our health!

Hellion, I never heard of Zetia. Will check that out!

Thank you to everyone who posted!!!!
jel48
12 years ago
joann_fla, you mentioned Niacin, 500 mg 2 times a day and said (get flush free). I had asked my doctor about taking Niacin and she said that it can cause hot flashes. Is 'flush free' related to that? I also found that, when I increased my fish oil from 2 to 4 per day (on the recommendation of my Diabetic Clinic Nurse Practitioner) that my cholesterol levels dropped by about 10, taking me from borderline high to a more acceptable level.
User
12 years ago
The flush free will not give you the hot flashes. I was taking the regular one for a few days and got so hot I felt like my skin was on fire, it scared me! So if it ws the niaicn reg, I will not take it again.
pump_toad
12 years ago
Jel48-
You mentioned taking fish oil so am wondering how many mg.of this do you take a day.
Lois
phoggie
12 years ago
My Cardiologist told me to take 4,000 mg of fish oil and
a Red Yeast Rice tablet once a day....but I have not had it checked since beginning this...anxious to do so. I also could not take statins...made my muscles ache so badly that I could hardly walk~
If taking this much fish oil makes you "burp", freeze it before taking...it will melt in your stomach instead.
patti43
12 years ago
Harry takes fish oil, CoQ10, niacin and a statin. He had such a hard time with the statin he stopped taking it. We talked to his cardiologist and he was taking it at the wrong time. (Would've been nice if they'd put it on the bottle!!)

Statins should be taken at NIGHT. Worked well for Harry. Plus if you are experiencing weakness, muscle soreness, etc. tell your doctor so he can adjust your dosage. I really dislike a lot of meds, but now they've found statins can maybe (big maybe?) prevent a heart attack.
lette_04
12 years ago
RuskitD

My husband is heart patient and the cholesterol med were causing him to have a sciatic problem. He is now taking natural med and doing fine. Blood pressure and Cholesterol. If you are interested in the names and where I purchase... I will be happy to share. Just email me.

Paulette

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