There is some work that indicates that in some individuals that while it cannot hurt, low fat diets do nothing specific. It is alleged that only a high anti-oxidant status can help these people. (work on Sami or Lapps of Finland) Some people are dietary reactive as regards cholesterol, and some are not. However most react to anti-oxidants. This seems to fly in the face of metioned data on this thread advising against using lots of anti-ox when both statins and niacin are being used. I pointed out that mere serum reduction numbers do not prove the most important point, and that was that reduction of plaque formation is the key, not just serum cholesterol reduction.
Since work on "Super HDL" (referred to on this thread) it has been realized that HDL and its size/shape in serum specifically is a very important factor. It would appear that anything that increases HDL size and amount in serum is extremely desirable. The only cholesterol mediating substances that do any amount of that are pantethine, inositol hexanicotinate, (niacin no flush), guggulipid and policosanol. (and to a lesser extent clofibrate and gemfibrozil) All 4/5 together have to exercise important synergies it would seem. (these, except for the statins are over the counter). It is important in taking anything that affects the liver to take COQ10), the COQA liver enzyme precursor, and possibly silymarin as well. Niacin, IHC and the statins affect the liver. So does guggulipid. test the liver enzymes every 2 months. Stop taking any statin if you start getting muscle cramps or unusual forgetfullness.
It has been found that folic acid, B12, B1, B6 and magnesium may have a hand in increasing HDL and decreasing homocysteine, as does moderate alcohol (red wine is good) consumption and semi-aeriobic exercise. (walking, biking, swimming, skiing, running)
It would also appear that a few other strategies are important to pursue.
1. Platelet disaggregation and size decrease,
2. defeating monocyte adhesion on the enothelium (artery walls) which is precursor to foam cell and plaque intimation and adhesion.
3. decreasing the peroxidization of cholesterol. Only oxidized cholesterol will cause "plating-out" of calcic-lipoprotein on the arteries.
4. in concert with 3, reducing inflammation and possibly bacterial infection which cause arterial repair mechanism to go out of whack. to this end boosting the immune system and detecting low level chlamydia or other blood infections and taking appropriate antibiotics.
5. mediating metabolism and raising insulin sensitivity.
6. ridding yourself of unecessary levels of anti-biotics, hormones, pesticides and herbicides.
7. pursue a diet that is high in fiber, whole grains, fruits nuts and vegetables, and fish may be helpful.
8. cut out smoking and do not drink excessively.
9. do not eat trans fats, hydrogenated vegetables oils, refined flour products, or much sugar. Fructose is far less harmful as it does not create an insulin reaction and contribute to syndrome X. This is why fruit and honey are "not bad" for you.
Possible ways of implementing these strategies may be as follows.
1. aspirin (enteric novasen), L-arginine, and vitamin C have been found to encourage thinner blood and less clotting. This lowers blood pressure as well. vitamin E has a strong role her was well. Be wary of overdoing combinations of all items here.
(If prone to bleeding stroke familialy, seek medical advice. Substances that repair and strengthen the peripheral vascular system should be sought.)
2. L-Proline, L-Lysine, vitamin C, and glutaric acid will interfere with the starting process of plaque formation.
3. anti-oxidants hesperidin, pectin, rutin, pro-xanthocyanidin, selenium, vitamin E, Vitamin C, L-Taurine and various citrus and other bioflavonoids may have a role in reducing cholesterol oxidation. This is unseen in serum levels however, but very important. They are found in onions, apples, to a great extent in apple juice and orange juice, in dark fruit and vegetables and yellow and red fruit and vegetables.
4. Get tested for low level bacterial infections gram negative and positive in order to start medical treatment of same. Find out of Lyme disease is a possibility and seek a specialist in this area. It has been suggested that 40% of all heart disease connected with cholesterolemia may be due to this cause. Other strategies connected with boosting the immune system may be investigated.
5. Several ideas to reduce weight and increase insulin sensitivity should be investigated. Gymnema sylvestre, chromium, small amounts of vanadium, 5-beta glucan, alpha-lipoic acid, maybe helpful. Increasing B vitamins, folic acid, lipotropic factors, copper, zinc, magnesium are probably helpful.
6,7, 8 and 9 are self explanatory. There are a several large studies to show that these strategies in diet and exercise have beneficial effects.
Having both a good medical practicioner and a naturopath acting as a dietary advisor and monitor of progress would be a good idea. There are no magic bullets here. You have to work at getting well. The consensus is that improvement is possible in just about every case.
Lifestyle illnesses require a patient's active participation in his treatment in order to administer a complete prescription and therapy.
We have not touched on homocysteine to HDL ratio or Lipoprotein A to HDL levels. These new all important ratios should be worked on. Raising HDL seems to be one way to do that. Killing off homocysteine by using more B vitamins can also be a strategy. Raising serum B12 levels should be a goal. It is hard to overdose on B12 and folic acid, so getting more of these in supplements and food could be a boon. I know that probably had a hand in lowering my homocysteine and raised my HDL in tests over a 3 month period. LDL and Lipoprotein was also reduced markedly as well. The responsibility for this effect was probably shared by other strategies including exercise and losing weight.
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