Statins are a popular prescription drug that lower high cholesterol however many people are looking for natural alternatives to statins.
We have a few natural alternatives to statins listed below but first it is helpful to know more about statins.
Statins are considered HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) because they inhibit a key enzyme involved in making cholesterol. This is a key enzyme in the cholesterol synthesis pathway known as hydroxy-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) is blocked by statins to inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol.
Statins approved in the US include atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol, Lescol XL),lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev), pravastatin (Pravachol), rosuvastatin (Crestor), simvastatin (Zocor), and pitavastatin (Livalo).
Common side effects of Statins
– Headache
– Difficulty sleeping
– Flushing of the skin
– Muscle aches, tenderness, or weakness (myalgia)
– Drowsiness
– Dizziness
– Nausea or vomiting
– Abdominal cramping or pain
– Bloating or gas
– Diarrhea
– Constipation
– Rash
Statins also carry ‘warnings’ which include:
– memory loss
– mental confusion
– high blood sugar
– type 2 diabetes
Natural alternatives to statins include bergamot, fiber, and berberine.
Bergamot to lower cholesterol – Bergamot is a citrus fruit that is grown in southern Italy. The flavonoids in the fruit are known to help reduce cholesterol. One study reported an almost 30 percent decrease in total cholesterol after just 30 days.
Fiber for lowering Cholesterol – Fiber and more specifically, the soluble form, will help soak up fiber and lower cholesterol. When using a fiber product you want to make sure it is a soluble fiber form and not the insoluble form.
Berberine to lower cholesterol – Berberine is found in many plants and has been shown in clinical trials to reduce cholesterol. The mechanism is different because berberine increases the amount of LDL receptor on liver cells. This then allows the receptor to bind cholesterol in the blood and remove it.
Take away message:
If your doctor has told you your cholesterol is too high there are some simple lifestyle choices that you can try before starting a statin. In fact, if you look at the current cholesterol treatment guidelines the very first thing to do is to exercise. Exercise is the best way to raise HDL which is often considered the ‘good’ cholesterol. Men should have an HDL above 40 while women should have an HDL above 50.
There are many natural alternatives to statins. One option is to add fiber to your daily routine to help lower cholesterol. A little bit of fiber at every meal is best because it can soak up the cholesterol in your digestive tract. This prevents cholesterol from getting absorbed. Another option is Bergamot which activates a key protein called AMPK. This master regulator will decrease cholesterol levels. Another option is berberine which can lower cholesterol. Berberine works by increasing the LDL receptors on your blood and binding LDL cholesterol and breaking it down.
His research on plant medicine has led to more than 45 publications and abstracts.This research has been presented at international meetings in the USA, France, Turkey, Peru, Israel, Austria, and Italy.
Categories: Plant Medicine
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