By Jurriaan Plesman BA (Psych), Post Grad Dip Clin Nutr.
Patients are advised to always discuss with their health practitioners any change in medication, or combination therapy with statins.
Statins are used globally to lower cholesterol levels, thereby reducing the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). In 2005, Australia spent 945 million, or approximately 16 per cent of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) budget on statins alone. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics statins are the type of lipid-lowering drugs and their use has doubled between 1998 -2000. For a critical view of the use of statins please see here.
Guggul (Commiphora mukul)also know as Gugulipid and Gum guggula
Policosanol is derived from sugar cane wax and has been studied over last ten years. These tests have shown that that Policosanol is safe and effective in lowering LDL cholesterol by preventing its oxidation and promoting normal blood fluidity. 14 PubMed Studies. Negative study in JAMA See also comments .
Red Yeast Rice, Plant stanols and sterols, green tea catechins, black tea theaflavins
Pantethine, the stable disulphide form of pantotheine is the major precursor of coenzyme A, which plays a central role in the metabolism of lipids and carbohydrates. Pantothine is considered the more active form of of pantothenic acid or Vitamin B5. It is a co-factor in about 70 enzymatic pathways, including fatty acid oxidation, carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid catabolism, heme synthesis, acetylcholine synthesis and has a beneficial effects in vascular diseases. PubMed.
Niacin or nicotinic acid – this is a B vitamin (vitamin B3) that exists in various foods. You can only get very high doses with a doctor’s prescription. Niacin brings down LDL and increases HDL levels (24). Side effects might include itching, headaches, hot flashes (flushes), and tingling (mostly very mild if they do occur). This can be avoided by taking inositol hexaniacinate. Combination statin therapy with niacin administration may also improve renal tissue and renal function. 8 PubMed Studies
Curcumin is an extract of from the spice Turmeric (Curcuma longa syn.) belonging to the ginger family. It has been shown to have multiple health benefits, especially common liver problems and insulin resistance. It has strong antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, hypopglycemic and cholesterol lowering effects.
Psyllium could produce dose-and time-dependent serum cholesterol-lowering effect in mild and moderate hypercholesterolemic patients and would be a useful adjunct to dietary therapy for hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol levels). 11 PubMed Studies.
Garlic (Allium sativum) shows therapeutic effects as a dietary supplement such as age garlic extract (AGE) used in reduction of blood pressure or hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, anti-platelet activities, reducing DNA damage. Its close relatives include chives, onion, leek and shallot. Diallyl disulfide (DADS) and diallyl sulfide are the major metabolites found in garlic oil ad have been reported to lower cholesterol and prevent cancer. 11 PubMed Studies & herbs2000.com
Fishoil (Omega-3) present in linseed oil, nuts, soya beans, wheat and cold water fish in the diet and n-3 fatty acid supplementation have long been associated wit cardiovascular protection. Although there does not seem any evidence that ome-3 fatty acid lowers cholesterol levels it supplementation is associated with a lower rates of all-cause mortality and adverse cardiac outcomes. Negative results 2 PubMed Studies Positive results 9 PubMed Studies See also Omega-3 for ventricular dysrhythmias William S Harris Ph.D, Linus Pauling Institute on Long chain Omega-3 fatty acids.
Beta-Sitosterol is another natural remedy, which should be taken 300 mg twice a day. It lowers serum cholesterol and triglycerides with few diet changes and little or no exercise. It is one of several phytosterols whose chemical structure resembles cholesterol. It is found in black cumin, Nigella Sativa, pecans, saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), Curcurbita pepo (pumpkin seeds), Pygeum africanum, cashew, rice bran, wheat germ, corn oils, soybeans, sea-buckthorn and wolberries. In combination with other phytosterols it reduces cholesterol and is used in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, benign prostatic hypertrophy (enlarged prostate gland), prostate cancer and breast cancer. (Wikipedia) Linus Paulin Institute Phytosterols.
Sweet Broomweed, a.k.a. Sweetbroom, Vassourinha, Mithu patti, licoriceweed (Scoparia dulcis): An aqueous extract of the plant has been found to have antihyperlipidemic and antihyperglycemic (anti-diabetic) action. 5 PubMed Studies
Bouganvillea spectabillis contains an active principle, D-pinitol (3-)-methyl-chiroinositol, that can exert an inulin-like effect to improve glycemic control in hypoinsulinemia (type II Diabetes), 2 PubMed Studies
Anti-Diabetic Natural Remedies
Casearia esculenta root 14664341
Fenugreek lipid lowering effects 15298761
Aloe vera anti-diabetic agent lipid metabolism 16487267
Eugenia jambolana seed kernel, an anti-diabetic agent 15964674
Vanadyl sulfate (VOSO4) is a well-known inorganic compound of vanadium. It can mimic the effects of insulin and may reduce hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, a risk in diabetes in rats. 16431126
Momordica charantia (karela) bitter lemon antidiabetic 8 PubMed Studies
Propolis is a resinous mixture that honey bees collect from tree buds, sap flows, or other botanical sources. It is used as a sealant for unwanted open spaces in the hive. It has been marketed in health food stores as traditional medicine for human health. Propolis extract offers promising antidiabetic and hypolipidemic effects, that may be mainly attributed to its potent antioxidant potentional. 19339227
Dihar a polyherbal formulation of eight different herbs viz, Syzygium cumini, Momordica charantia, Emblica officinalis, Gymnema sylvestre, Enicostemma littorale, Azadirachta indica, Tinospora cordifolia and Curcuma longa. Administrtion to diabetic rats signifiantly reduced the levels of lipd peroxidation and increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes in type 1 diabetes, 19761040
Also search herbal remedies for some cholesterol lowering herbs.
See also:
Natural Cholesterol lowering Remedies
Herbal Treatment of High Cholesterol by Herbs2000