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.freetrainer.com in Escondido, California.
shuttle to Midway Beardstown .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareHave you ever purchased something thinking you had bought a... Read More
Myocardial infarction is a technical term used to describe an... Read More
When it comes to personalized weight loss programs and their... Read More
Supplement is a word defined by Webster as such: Something... Read More
Vitamin E is an absolutely vital nutrient in your body,... Read More
Most people are becoming more health conscious. Many of the... Read More
If you're smart, you should not only be focused on... Read More
Since its discovery in the late 1950???s Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)... Read More
Whey protein is available in supplement form and whey protein... Read More
Before you read the rest of this article I want... Read More
Liquid vitamins are the same vitamins that you find in... Read More
I have frequently heard alcoholics who are in early recovery... Read More
You've probably been eating blueberries since you were a little... Read More
Do you ever wonder why the experts keep saying that... Read More
At times, due to your busy and fast life, we... Read More
Whey protein is a high quality powder made from cow's... Read More
Vitamin B3 is one of the vitamins that make up... Read More
Did you know?? 20% of Australian children reported symptoms of... Read More
Over the past few years, Coral Calcium has received a... Read More
Ever wondered whether amino acid supplements really work? We reveal... Read More
In part one of this series, titled "Take Back Your... Read More
Iron is a mineral that is essential to the health... Read More
Suppose you can turn back the hands of time to... Read More
With dietary supplements making their way in our daily life,... Read More
Nutritional supplements can play a key role in the health... Read More
Green Bay Hummer H2 SUV rentals ..A healthier diet is very much in the news these... Read More
I often hear people say that they have smoked for... Read More
While HA has dramatically increased in popularity and use within... Read More
Turmeric, in all honesty is not a vitamin, but it... Read More
Since coral calcium is one of he hottest products on... Read More
In July of 1995, the United States Department of Agriculture... Read More
Herbal Supplement ? what is it?So what is an herbal... Read More
Vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are essential to the health... Read More
Currently, there are no known side effects for most hyaluronic... Read More
A naturally occurring compound, L-Glutathione (Tathion,) has demonstrated that it... Read More
Over the past few years, Coral Calcium has received a... Read More
Vitamins are organic compounds that our bodies use, in very... Read More
Folic acid is actually just one of the many vitamins... Read More
A 2002 study reported, funded by the Swiss National Science... Read More
Every day, it seems like we are living in an... Read More
HMB stands for beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate. It is a metabolite of... Read More
Numerous studies and surveys have consistently shown that a majority... Read More
Some fitness adherents are supplement crazy and spend money like... Read More
A deficiency of vitamins can lead to a variety of... Read More
The ancient Egyptians had a cure for "night blindness". They... Read More
It's absolutely crucial that your body gets the nutrients it... Read More
The malabsorptive nature of the gastric bypass system prohibits adequate... Read More
Ideally, humans would eat wholly nutritious diets rich in protein,... Read More
During the past few years, I've become more interested in... Read More
Carbohydrate blockers seem to have come and gone with the... Read More
Nutritional Supplements |