Is there an alternative to statin drugs such as Lipitor and Pravachol? If yes, does it have any side effects? Physicians are facing these questions each day however, most have bought into the drug companies marketing, and have not done the research for themselves. The truth is that there a number of naturally-occurring compounds that will work as well as, or better than, these multi-million dollar drugs. These compounds are found naturally in our bodies, or are found in nature. They don't cause the side effects commonly found with statins, and are much safer to use. These compounds have been clinically shown to improve cholesterol levels without the heart damaging side effects found with statin drugs.
So what are these compounds, and why hasn't the doctor told me about them? Well, there are a couple of them. The first is Pantethine. Pantethine is a compound in your body that is created from vitamin B-5. Although your body produces it through enzyme metabolism, supplementation of Pantethine has been shown to significantly improve your cholesterol levels. As your body uses Pantethine, it slows down cholesterol production in your liver. It also increases the rate at which your metabolism uses fats. Because of this effect, Pantethine has been clinically demonstrated to increase your level of good cholesterol (HDL) while lower the level of bad cholesterol (LDL) in your body.
Where is the proof? Japan has actually been using Pantethine for over 30 years. There are a number of clinical trials that demonstrate its effectiveness on cholesterol levels, as well as improved liver function.
In addition to Pantethine, the mineral Niacin has been shown to greatly decrease the levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) in the blood stream. Our Niacin intake is typically pretty low in western diets because of the number and type of processed foods that we eat. Subsequently, supplementation has been shown to significantly improve our cholesterol profile. In fact, the combination of Niacin and Pantethine can be more effective than statins in improving overall cholesterol levels.
The impact of this is significant, especially when you consider that side of effects of Pantethine and Niacin are non-existent when compared to the effects of statin drugs on you heart, liver, and short term memory. In fact, there are no documented short or long-term side effects with Pantethine,. The only side effect with Niacin is a short term hot flash that is harmless, and can be avoided by taking time-release Niacin or taking an aspirin fifteen minutes before taking the Niacin.
Why hasn't the doctor told me about Pantethine? Well, the answer is, he may just not know about it. Unlike drugs companies that spend millions of dollars on advertising and have sales reps whose only job is to push their statin drug, Pantethine and Niacin are naturally occurring compounds. Because they are natural and common compounds, nobody can patent them. Because a drug companies cannot patent and therefore have exclusive right to sell the compounds, no significant investment in marketing or education for Pantethine and Niacin has been made. Subsequently, your doctor may just not know.
The final compound that has been demonstrated to have a dramatic effect on cholesterol levels is Policosanol. This compound is a waxy substance taken from sugar cane or beeswax. It has been demonstrated to significantly reduce bad (LDL) cholesterol and to raise good (HDL) cholesterol levels in the blood stream. The specific mechanism that Policosanol uses to improve cholesterol levels is not as understood as that of Niacin and Pantethine. However, it is believed to both increase the elimination of LDL cholesterol in the blood stream and aid the liver in creating good (HDL) cholesterol in a manner similar to Pantethine.
What does all of this mean? Well, if you have high cholesterol, it means you have choices. Statin drugs are highly effective. However, side effects for statins range from muscle atrophy to loss of short term memory to significant heart damage. Because statin drugs block your body from producing an enzyme that makes an essential heart health vitamin as well as cholesterol, the potential for negative side effects can be significant. Alternatively, supplementation with Pantethine, Niacin, Policosanol, or all three simultaneously has been shown to have no damaging side effects and can be just as effective as statin drugs.
About The Author
Barrett Niehus is a principal at IP Ware http://www.freetrainer.com and is a technical associate of Compound Solutions, http://www.compoundsolutions.com in Escondido, California.
A long time ago, in the country far, far away,... Read More
Vitamins, like minerals, are an essential part of the function... Read More
You probably know that ladies who are planning on having... Read More
Coenzyme Q10 (also known as ubiquinone, but most widely referred... Read More
Vitamin E is a family of eight related molecules known... Read More
Fish oil is oil derived from the tissues of fatty... Read More
Since Dr Basant Puri, a consultant psychiatrist and senior lecturer... Read More
As consumers, we are faced daily with choices about what... Read More
VITAMINS:Vitamins are major for Healthy life. Vitamin D may reduce... Read More
Many years ago I became convinced of the need to... Read More
Have you ever purchased something thinking you had bought a... Read More
April 14,2005 federal judge Tena Campbell of the federal district... Read More
Nitric oxide supplement has many benefits and there are many... Read More
Taurine is the second most abundant amino acid in the... Read More
Over the past few years, Coral Calcium has received a... Read More
Selenium is a type of trace mineral which supports healthy... Read More
When looking for health care supplements Texas residents can enjoy... Read More
Does this describe you: You walk into the living room... Read More
L-tyrosine is a protein that the body produces from phenylamine,... Read More
As you may have already experienced, figuring out how to... Read More
If glyconutrients are for real, why aren't they all over... Read More
Imagine this scenario by the end of next August...You contact... Read More
Everyone has an occasional sleepless night, and this is not... Read More
If you think that smoking is a harmless little hobby... Read More
You Need Probiotics For Better Digestion and Overall HealthInside your... Read More
Since ancient time bee pollen has been considered as an... Read More
We live in a health conscious generation where vitamins and... Read More
If you suffer from arthritis pain, chances are you've heard... Read More
"But I eat healthy," you might say. That may be... Read More
The findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and... Read More
For women, calcium is one of the most important nutrients... Read More
Unfortunately nobody can tell that question over the internet, but... Read More
Vitamins and mineral supplements are a good way to supply... Read More
Whey protein concentrate popularity has increased dramatically in recent years... Read More
If I read 1 good valid murder mystery book, would... Read More
During the past few years, I've become more interested in... Read More
Both types of unsaturated fatty acids are contained within neuronal... Read More
Use of herbs and herbal therapies has been an integral... Read More
The food is the raw material for the body. Minerals... Read More
With a high cholesterol and heart disease in the family,... Read More
If you suffer from arthritis pain, chances are you've heard... Read More
HGH is an exciting new phenomenon, which aspires to help... Read More
Over the years, amino acid usage has become more and... Read More
"But I eat healthy," you might say. That may be... Read More
Did you know that when you take vitamins and minerals... Read More
Since coral calcium is one of he hottest products on... Read More
Every minute of every day the cells of our... Read More
Liquid vitamins are the same vitamins that you find in... Read More
Supplementing with relatively small amounts of riboflavin (vitamin B2) may... Read More
Vitamin supplement - why is it important?Vitamin supplement or supplements... Read More
Vitamins seem to be so good for everything. The newly... Read More
We all want healthy skin. While the main reasons for... Read More
If glyconutrients are for real, why aren't they all over... Read More
Vitamin B is no small time player in the high... Read More
We have all heard that it is important to eat... Read More
As much as we would like to deny it, the... Read More
Nutrition Supplement ? nutrition.Nutrition supplement is a term familiar to... Read More
Moderate amounts of vitamin E in the diet can protect... Read More
Every day, it seems like we are living in an... Read More
Benefits of using Vitamin A products:Retinol is pure and active... Read More
It is well known and scientifically proven that vitamins and... Read More
GlutImmune? is a very convenient high absorption source of glutamine.... Read More
Biological oxidation involves transferring electrons from one oxygen molecule to... Read More
A dose of vitamin C may give a quick boost... Read More
Carboloading of a different variety.Saturday in Tucson before the 1982... Read More
BCAA stands for branched chain amino acids and is increasingly... Read More
Nutritional Supplements |