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Proven Natural Options Cholesterol Today cholesterol has become the number one public health issue nation-wide. The US National Institute of Health (NIH) has even gone as far as to classify Hypocholestemia or high cholesterol as an epidemic. This is really no surprise since heart disease kills more Americans each year than any other disease category and elevated cholesterol is the dominant risk factor for heart attack. In an effort to stem the increasing death toll, the NIH has recently revised its Cholesterol treatment guidelines. The New guidelines lower the acceptable levels of cholesterol and instruct doctors to consider patients as "at risk" much earlier than previously. Doctors are further instructed to introduce preventative programs or treatments that will reduce patient cholesterol levels and thereby reduce the occurrence of more serious diseases. These changes are expected to swell the number of Americans taking cholesterol-lowering drugs from 13 million to 36 million, and those on dietary restrictions for the condition from 52 million to 65 million.1 Statins are the family of drugs most commonly prescribed to treat high cholesterol. Although effective, they are not without risk or controversy. Statins (and their herbal source, red rice yeast) may cause muscle damage, and in some cases may be fatal. These concerns have forced some statins to be removed from the market.2 Phytosterols Phytosterols are compounds found only in plants. They are similar to cholesterol. However, they differ from cholesterol in structure, shape and function. Unlike cholesterol, they have been clinically proven to have many health promoting and healing effects.9 Unfortunately, phytosterols are leached out of our diets by modern food processing techniques. Even vegetarians often have insufficient phytosterol intake. This is partially due to phytosterols being hard for our bodies to separate from the plant fibers to which they are bound. Multiple clinical studies have shown that phytosterols are vital in combating heart disease. They lower blood cholesterol levels, and triglycerides. Phytosterols eliminate unnecessary bad cholesterol (LDL) that would otherwise be absorbed into the blood stream, without affecting good cholesterol (HDL) levels. Phytosterols reduce blood cholesterol by blocking the body's ability to absorb both the bad cholesterol in the foods we eat (dietary) and the bad cholesterol our bodies produce (biliary). These findings have lead the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to allow Phytosterol products to claim cholesterol lowering effects and allow their use in the treatment and prevention of bad cholesterol. The evidence is so compelling that the U.S. National Institute of Health now recommends the intake of phytosterols to help reduce bad cholesterol levels.10 Treatment There are options other than statins for the treatment of Hypocholestemia that are effective, clinically proven, safe and recommended by the NIH as part of a hypocholestemia treatment or prevention plan: The NIH recommends a diet that is Ultimately the best course of action in treating and preventing high cholesterol is to follow the NIH guidelines and eat a diet rich in fiber, low in cholesterol and saturated fats, and to support this diet with high fiber supplementation (Clog Cleanse) and a supplement rich in phytosterols and fenugreek (Cholesterol Clean). The combination of this diet and supplementation regimen along with physical exercise will help to reduce the risk of hypocholestemia. About two-thirds of cholesterol in the body is manufactured by the liver, its production stimulated by saturated fat. As saturated fats in the diet increase, so too do blood cholesterol levels.3 Trans-fatty acids are also a concern for those trying to prevent hypocholestemia. Some experts believe that these partially hydrogenated fats are even worsethan saturated fats since they simultaneously increase LDL and reduce HDL cholesterol levels.4 Increasing fiber intake is key to reducing hypocholestemia risk, it is particularly useful for lowering cholesterol levels. Fiber combines with intestinal bile salts and dietary cholesterol, preventing their absorption from the gut and hastening their elimination from the body.5 Fenugreek seeds are an ideal fiber source with additional benefits for treating hypocholestemia. They contain compounds known as steroidal saponins that inhibit cholesterol absorption in the intestines as well as cholesterol production by the liver. Additionally, Fenugreek seeds are exceptionally high in soluble fiber that acts to reduce LDL cholesterol levels and triglycerides.6 Multiple human clinical studies have found that fenugreek can help lower total cholesterol in persons with moderate atherosclerosis as well as diabetics.7 Phytosterols offer a unique option in cholesterol treatment. Clinical trials have proven their efficacy in reducing LDL cholesterol levels, and their safety even at exceptionally high dosages. They can be used effectively on their own or in combination
with pharmaceutical treatments. Other anti-cholesterol products block substances needed for cholesterol production, thereby reducing levels in the liver and stimulating the liver. 8 Endnotes 1. NIH issues tougher guidelines for cholesterol.CNN.com May 15, 2001. |