Cholesterol Drugs and the Liver
By Clell M. Fowels
Cholesterol is a subject on a lot of people's minds - especially if they are concerned with cardiovascular health. We have known for some time that cholesterol is essential as the backbone of hormone production. We now know, however, that a high cholesterol level (usually defined as above 200 mg/dl) can be detrimental to cardiovascular health. High levels of cholesterol can add to the plaque buildup in the arteries of the circulatory system. This buildup can lead to a number of problems with the circulatory system, especially a narrowing of the arteries which leads to high blood pressure and decreased circulation. It is, therefore, imperative to achieve and maintain a healthy cholesterol level.
Physicians and health care professional usually will suggest diet and exercise to an individual who has high cholesterol. Diet and exercise are very beneficial to anyone with high cholesterol and cardiovascular problems, but sometimes they are still not enough. If this is the case, the physician will usually prescribe a medication to help lower cholesterol levels. By far the most commonly prescribed medications for lowering cholesterol are the statin medications. We all know what these are since they are heavily prescribed and advertised. Every day I'll bet I see at least a half a dozen commercials for statin medications - and I don't watch that much TV! The statin medications are so named because their generic names all end with -statin.
The most commonly prescribed statins include: Mevacor (lovastatin), Zocor (simvastatin), Pravachol (pravastatin), Lescol (fluvastatin), and Lipitor (atorvastatin). Another statin medication, Baycol (cerivastatin), was recently removed from the market due to pronounced side effects which, in several instances, included death.
These medications also come with a myriad of side effects. Some of these side effects include: headache, dizziness, nausea/vomiting, constipate, insomnia, shoulder or back pain, chest pain, dry mouth, diarrhea, heartburn, leg pain, rash, myalgia (pain in a muscle), fatigue, blurred vision, cough, and arthralgia (a severe pain in a joint). Any of these side effects can be dramatic enough to require stopping the medication. Several of these side effects, such as rash, can be signs of very serious medication-induced side effects which can be fatal.
The statin medications work in the liver on the production of cholesterol. They are classified as inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (called HMG-CoA) reductase (collectively called "HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors). HMG-CoA reductase is an enzyme that converts HMG-CoA to mevalonate. This conversion occurs early in the synthesis of cholesterol. Therefore, if HMG-CoA reductase is blocked, the amount of cholesterol the body can produce is reduced. This has proven a very effective means of controlling cholesterol levels.
One other cholesterol medication worth mentioning at the point is called Lopid (gemfibrozil). Lopid does not work as an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor. The way in which Lopid works to reduce cholesterol is not known. It is known, however, that Lopid reduces total cholesterol and increases HDL (HDL is the "good" cholesterol) The statins reduce total cholesterol and LDL (LDL is the "bad" cholesterol.)
The enzymatic formation of cholesterol happens in the liver. This is also where the statin medications work. Proper liver health is essential in cholesterol production. When a physician starts someone on a statin medication, he will often order a liver panel, which is a test done to measure liver enzymatic function or liver enzymes. If the reading get too high while the person is on a statin medication, it indicates the fact that the drug is being too hard on the liver and must be stopped. In some cases, statins can increase liver enzymes which then do not return back to normal once the medication is stopped. This indicates serious damage done to the liver by the medication.
Another drawback to the statin medication is the fact that they burn Co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) stores in the body at exponential rates. CoQ10 is essential to proper cardiovascular health. Our bodies only have a limited amount of CoQ10 is reserve, and we rely on a poor diet (in most cases) to get the rest. Add a statin medication in the mix and a person can become depleted of CoQ10 very quickly. It is highly recommended that any individual taking a statin medication also supplement with CoQ10 (at least 100 mg. per day. CoQ10 is extremely safe, so there is no concern about overdosing-hence, 100 mg/day would be the recommended starting dose).
[NSP sells three forms of CoQ10 - CoQ10 Plus, CoQ10 (75mg) softgel, and CoQ10 (30mg) ]
Natural alternatives to the prescription medications for high cholesterol are very easily utilized and quite effective. High on the list is fiber. Supplements such as psyllium and psyllium hulls add fiber to the diet. Not only is this healthy in providing bulk for the intestinal system, it also reduces cholesterol. Cholesterol is produced in the liver and then stored in the gall bladder along with and as part of the bile salts. This is then secreted into the intestinal system from the gall bladder to aid in digestion. Further down the intestinal system, this cholesterol is reabsorbed. Fiber can effectively bind the cholesterol in the intestinal system and remove it with the additional waste. Cholesterol must then be made by the liver to form new bile salts. Supplementation with a fiber product can produce a significant lowering of cholesterol levels. This is something that can be easily incorporated into a cholesterol-healthy diet and with cholesterol lowering drugs. Care should be taken to consume plenty of water with a high fiber product. You should also space the time you take medications or supplements, not to coincide with the fiber products, since the fiber product could also remove (or bind) part of the medication or supplement. In many cases, fiber supplementation is all that is required to reduce cholesterol levels to normal.
[Additional NSP fiber supplements in Bulk form are - Psyllium Hull combination, Loclo with Stevia & Nature's Three]
High Potency Garlic is a favorite supplement for many individuals. It is also an excellent supplement for those with high cholesterol. It has been recently discovered that garlic exhibits a non-specific mechanism of action to reduce cholesterol levels and LDL levels. Using about 1-2 cloves of fresh garlic (which is one or two tablets of High Potency Garlic) each day goes a long way towards promoting a healthy cholesterol level. Garlic can also be used quite safely with the cholesterol -lowering medications we've discussed. Garlic has an added benefit- helping to reduce high blood pressure, which is a common problem with those suffering with high cholesterol levels.
Since the demise of Cholester-Reg (which contained red rice extract, a product which the government has gone after with a vengeance), Nature's Sunshine has introduced Cholester-Reg II. Cholester-Reg II contains policosanol, phytosterol, inositol nicotinate, resveratol and artichoke. Policosanol seems to work on cholesterol in much the same way that the red rice did, by limiting cholesterol production. The phytosterols (which are plant sterols), are chemically quite similar to cholesterol. These phytosterols compete with cholesterol for absorption, which then limits the amount of cholesterol absorbed.
Inositol nicotinate is a form of niacin. Niacin has been known for some time to help reduce cholesterol levels and blood pressure. The problem with taking straight niacin is that is causing excessive flushing. This can be quite bothersome and makes a person look ill. The inositol nicotinate is niacin in a form which does not cause this unwanted side effect.
Also contained in Cholester-Reg II are resveratrol and artichoke. Resveratrol is a potent antioxidant which aids the cardiovascular system by preventing stiffening of the artery wall. Antioxidants allow the arteries to remain pliable, which reduces blood pressure and allows for more efficient blood flow. Artichoke contains several active components which benefit the liver and promote proper digestion.
Having high cholesterol is not the end of the world. If you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol, you should consult with a health practitioner regarding the best course of action for you. It is recommended that diet and exercise be employed to begin to get a grip on the problem. After that, there are many safe and effective natural alternatives which can promote more healthy levels of cholesterol.
Best of Health to you!
Clell M. Fowels is pharmacist who manages the NSP Health Sciences departemnt. He is one of the instructors in the NSP Certified Natural Health Consultant program (NHC) and author of his new book Drugs and Natural Alternatives.
(Blue highlighted italicized info added by Karen Doolan.)
Cholesterol is a subject on a lot of people's minds - especially if they are concerned with cardiovascular health. We have known for some time that cholesterol is essential as the backbone of hormone production. We now know, however, that a high cholesterol level (usually defined as above 200 mg/dl) can be detrimental to cardiovascular health. High levels of cholesterol can add to the plaque buildup in the arteries of the circulatory system. This buildup can lead to a number of problems with the circulatory system, especially a narrowing of the arteries which leads to high blood pressure and decreased circulation. It is, therefore, imperative to achieve and maintain a healthy cholesterol level.
Physicians and health care professional usually will suggest diet and exercise to an individual who has high cholesterol. Diet and exercise are very beneficial to anyone with high cholesterol and cardiovascular problems, but sometimes they are still not enough. If this is the case, the physician will usually prescribe a medication to help lower cholesterol levels. By far the most commonly prescribed medications for lowering cholesterol are the statin medications. We all know what these are since they are heavily prescribed and advertised. Every day I'll bet I see at least a half a dozen commercials for statin medications - and I don't watch that much TV! The statin medications are so named because their generic names all end with -statin.
The most commonly prescribed statins include: Mevacor (lovastatin), Zocor (simvastatin), Pravachol (pravastatin), Lescol (fluvastatin), and Lipitor (atorvastatin). Another statin medication, Baycol (cerivastatin), was recently removed from the market due to pronounced side effects which, in several instances, included death.
These medications also come with a myriad of side effects. Some of these side effects include: headache, dizziness, nausea/vomiting, constipate, insomnia, shoulder or back pain, chest pain, dry mouth, diarrhea, heartburn, leg pain, rash, myalgia (pain in a muscle), fatigue, blurred vision, cough, and arthralgia (a severe pain in a joint). Any of these side effects can be dramatic enough to require stopping the medication. Several of these side effects, such as rash, can be signs of very serious medication-induced side effects which can be fatal.
The statin medications work in the liver on the production of cholesterol. They are classified as inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (called HMG-CoA) reductase (collectively called "HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors). HMG-CoA reductase is an enzyme that converts HMG-CoA to mevalonate. This conversion occurs early in the synthesis of cholesterol. Therefore, if HMG-CoA reductase is blocked, the amount of cholesterol the body can produce is reduced. This has proven a very effective means of controlling cholesterol levels.
One other cholesterol medication worth mentioning at the point is called Lopid (gemfibrozil). Lopid does not work as an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor. The way in which Lopid works to reduce cholesterol is not known. It is known, however, that Lopid reduces total cholesterol and increases HDL (HDL is the "good" cholesterol) The statins reduce total cholesterol and LDL (LDL is the "bad" cholesterol.)
The enzymatic formation of cholesterol happens in the liver. This is also where the statin medications work. Proper liver health is essential in cholesterol production. When a physician starts someone on a statin medication, he will often order a liver panel, which is a test done to measure liver enzymatic function or liver enzymes. If the reading get too high while the person is on a statin medication, it indicates the fact that the drug is being too hard on the liver and must be stopped. In some cases, statins can increase liver enzymes which then do not return back to normal once the medication is stopped. This indicates serious damage done to the liver by the medication.
Another drawback to the statin medication is the fact that they burn Co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) stores in the body at exponential rates. CoQ10 is essential to proper cardiovascular health. Our bodies only have a limited amount of CoQ10 is reserve, and we rely on a poor diet (in most cases) to get the rest. Add a statin medication in the mix and a person can become depleted of CoQ10 very quickly. It is highly recommended that any individual taking a statin medication also supplement with CoQ10 (at least 100 mg. per day. CoQ10 is extremely safe, so there is no concern about overdosing-hence, 100 mg/day would be the recommended starting dose).
[NSP sells three forms of CoQ10 - CoQ10 Plus, CoQ10 (75mg) softgel, and CoQ10 (30mg) ]
Natural alternatives to the prescription medications for high cholesterol are very easily utilized and quite effective. High on the list is fiber. Supplements such as psyllium and psyllium hulls add fiber to the diet. Not only is this healthy in providing bulk for the intestinal system, it also reduces cholesterol. Cholesterol is produced in the liver and then stored in the gall bladder along with and as part of the bile salts. This is then secreted into the intestinal system from the gall bladder to aid in digestion. Further down the intestinal system, this cholesterol is reabsorbed. Fiber can effectively bind the cholesterol in the intestinal system and remove it with the additional waste. Cholesterol must then be made by the liver to form new bile salts. Supplementation with a fiber product can produce a significant lowering of cholesterol levels. This is something that can be easily incorporated into a cholesterol-healthy diet and with cholesterol lowering drugs. Care should be taken to consume plenty of water with a high fiber product. You should also space the time you take medications or supplements, not to coincide with the fiber products, since the fiber product could also remove (or bind) part of the medication or supplement. In many cases, fiber supplementation is all that is required to reduce cholesterol levels to normal.
[Additional NSP fiber supplements in Bulk form are - Psyllium Hull combination, Loclo with Stevia & Nature's Three]
High Potency Garlic is a favorite supplement for many individuals. It is also an excellent supplement for those with high cholesterol. It has been recently discovered that garlic exhibits a non-specific mechanism of action to reduce cholesterol levels and LDL levels. Using about 1-2 cloves of fresh garlic (which is one or two tablets of High Potency Garlic) each day goes a long way towards promoting a healthy cholesterol level. Garlic can also be used quite safely with the cholesterol -lowering medications we've discussed. Garlic has an added benefit- helping to reduce high blood pressure, which is a common problem with those suffering with high cholesterol levels.
Since the demise of Cholester-Reg (which contained red rice extract, a product which the government has gone after with a vengeance), Nature's Sunshine has introduced Cholester-Reg II. Cholester-Reg II contains policosanol, phytosterol, inositol nicotinate, resveratol and artichoke. Policosanol seems to work on cholesterol in much the same way that the red rice did, by limiting cholesterol production. The phytosterols (which are plant sterols), are chemically quite similar to cholesterol. These phytosterols compete with cholesterol for absorption, which then limits the amount of cholesterol absorbed.
Inositol nicotinate is a form of niacin. Niacin has been known for some time to help reduce cholesterol levels and blood pressure. The problem with taking straight niacin is that is causing excessive flushing. This can be quite bothersome and makes a person look ill. The inositol nicotinate is niacin in a form which does not cause this unwanted side effect.
Also contained in Cholester-Reg II are resveratrol and artichoke. Resveratrol is a potent antioxidant which aids the cardiovascular system by preventing stiffening of the artery wall. Antioxidants allow the arteries to remain pliable, which reduces blood pressure and allows for more efficient blood flow. Artichoke contains several active components which benefit the liver and promote proper digestion.
Having high cholesterol is not the end of the world. If you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol, you should consult with a health practitioner regarding the best course of action for you. It is recommended that diet and exercise be employed to begin to get a grip on the problem. After that, there are many safe and effective natural alternatives which can promote more healthy levels of cholesterol.
Best of Health to you!
Clell M. Fowels is pharmacist who manages the NSP Health Sciences departemnt. He is one of the instructors in the NSP Certified Natural Health Consultant program (NHC) and author of his new book Drugs and Natural Alternatives.
(Blue highlighted italicized info added by Karen Doolan.)
posted by Karen Herrmann-DeSantis, Herb Specialist, Natural Health Educator | 11:21 PM
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