Are You On A Statin Drug?
| Millions of Americans are too so you're not alone. There are some newer ideas about statins and cholesterol of which you should be aware. I believe we'll see the numbers of people taking statins drop over the next decade as people become more aware of the risks involved in taking these drugs and learn how to change their diets and lifestyles in ways that lower cholesterol naturally.
I recently had my annual physical with a new MD. I told her before my blood test that my cholesterol was likely to be high (it has been for as long as I've been getting it tested). She warned me that she's very "aggressive" in using statin drugs against cholesterol. I warned her back that i'm "aggressively" opposed to taking statins. She glared at me for a moment and we then decided to wait and see what the blood test revealed. She then took the opportunity to say, "Then don't blame me if you have a heart attack in 10 years!" which sort of shocked me. I assured her that I wouldn't hold her accountable.
As I expected it would, my LDL cam back high -- 158. The "normal" range is below 130. (I put normal in quotes because I'm not certain I believe in the guideline numbers that are used in modern medicine. As a follower of ayurveda, I believe that we all have appropriate cholesterol ranges given our own unique physiologies. There's no "normal" that fits everyone.) I negotiated a 3-month stay in order to try to reduce my cholesterol naturally before discussing statins (knowing full well I'd likely change doctors before doing this). Incidentally, the tests also showed that my thyroid had become slower in the past couple of years as well which can contribute to high cholesterol...but this is a whole 'nother subject.
Long story short, I started doing cardio again even though it makes me cranky (in addition to my regular yoga practice), changed my diet slightly (to include more nuts, smaller portions, more fiber, less sugar, etc.) and started taking some supplements specifically for hypothyroid and high cholesterol.
Within 2 months, my LDL cholesterol had gone down 30 points and is now in the range of "normal". My thyroid is now in the "normal" range as well. The doctor was thrilled and wanted to know what I'd done to get such great results so quickly. I cheekily replied that my methods aren't in the New England Journal of Medicine but I'd be happy to tell her. With that, she decided she was uninterested. With that, I decided she was no longer my doctor. Excellent as she is, our philosophies differ. I prefer to focus on disease prevention where she prefers to treat diseases.
Please educate yourself about the drugs you're taking and whether there are natural alternatives!
Here are two great articles, among many, regarding cholesterol and statins by Dr. Mercola:
The Truth About Statin Drugs Revealed
Making Sense OF Your Cholesterol Numbers
Dr. Marc Hyman has a terrific one as well:
Why Cholesterol May Not Be The Cause Of Heart Disease
If your cholesterol is elevated, definitely look into Red
Yeast Rice. Keep in mind that it's a natural form of statin so you
should be under the care of an MD who will test your liver enzymes.
Also, no matter what sort of statin you're taking, you MUST be taking
200 mgs of Co-Enzyme Q10 or 100 mgs of Ubiquinol per day.
In the meantime, here are some basic cholesterol regulating tips:
* Reduce, with the plan of eliminating, sugars in your diet. Eat the right foods for your type.
* Make sure you are consuming high-quality, omega-3 fats (see below).
* Other heart-healthy foods include olive oil, coconut and coconut oil, organic raw dairy
products and eggs, avocados, raw nuts and seeds, and organic grass-fed meats, as
appropriate for your type.
* Exercise daily.
* Address your emotional and spiritual needs. You know I'm a big fan of meditation.
* Avoid smoking or drinking alcohol excessively.
* Be sure to get plenty of good, restorative sleep.
|
|
Supplement Of The Month: KRILL OIL
| As stated above, eating high-quality fats is beneficial for many reasons. Among them: a healthy heart, good concentration & memory, blood sugar health, joint comfort, fighting signs of aging,
cholesterol and blood lipid regulation, efficient liver function, relief of normal PMS symptoms, mood support, optimal skin health.
Krill Oil is superior to Fish Oil because it's absorbed and used by your body more readily, it contains beneficial antioxidants (it's bright red), krill is far less likely to be contaminated by mercury, PCBs, heavy metals or other toxins. Krill are a highly renewable source. They are the largest biomass in the ocean and there is no risk of over-harvesting. Krill Oil is more stable and more resistant to rancidity than conventional fish oils. This means it will last longer and won't oxidize in your body due to rancidity.
I read a few studies related to Krill Oil and blood lipid health and decided to add it to my daily routine and I believe you should consider it as well!
|
NEW PRODUCT LABELS!!!
|
I finally got all professional and stuff, sort of. I bought a fancy new label printer that prints in color and, most importantly, prints on labels that are water and oil resistant. I'm so thankful for those of you who've put up with ineffective labels while I was developing and testing products. I haven't finished doing everything but most are done. Check them out!
I'm thinking of developing a cleanser, hydrating gel and spot treatment for oily/acne-prone skin featuring neem, lavender and tea tree oil. If this interests you, please let me know!
|
YOGAHOUSE is in the howssse!
|
In addition to the ongoing Conscious Relaxation sessions I've been leading at Tejas Yoga and Gilda's Club, I'll be at a new yoga studio, YOGAHOUSE, on Saturday, October 16 from 2 pm - 3 pm. Please see my EVENTS page for details!
|
Claudia & Elesa
|
Two of my favorite teacher of all time are doing great things you should know about!
· Elesa Commerse, meditation guru extraordinaire, is doing two workshops at Tejas Yoga this fall. In October, she'll lead Sacred Chant: The Body As Sound Resonator. I've chanted with Elesa before. Whether you're an experienced chanter or have never chanted an om in your life, you'll love this! In November, she'll teach "Meditation & The Brain". I'll be at both.
* Claudia Welch, Doctor of Oriental Medicine and ayurvedic practitioner, has just published a book and will be in Chicago teaching a weekend workshop in April. More on this later. To get of flavor of Claudia's "voice" and outrageous ability to pull such disparate sources as Emily Post, George Washington and the Charaka Samhita (an ancient ayurvedic text) together in an entertaining piece about manners, awareness and Awareness, click here: Claudia rules!
|
 Love,
Karen Klutznick
312.445.8532
KK AYURVEDA
KK@KKAyurveda.com
|
|
|
