095 - Beyond Statins: Holistic Cholesterol Management

Today we’re continuing our conversation about cholesterol and debunking the myths around it. In their 50s, approximately 40-50% of men have some degree of coronary artery disease. This risk only increases as age advances. Poor food choices, sedentary lifestyle, and exposure to toxins also increases this risk.

Half of men who experience a heart attack don’t even have any symptoms prior to this event. For the men who don’t make it through the heart attack, they will never get the chance to do anything about it. This highlights the importance of early detection of heart disease, especially in men.

So, low cholesterol isn’t healthy, but neither is excessively high cholesterol. It’s time to start seeking support and get evaluated by your doctor. If you have high cholesterol, you will need to change your diet (low in saturated fats and high in vegetables, fiber, and protein). You also need to engage in regular activity.

Statins are widely used to help manage cholesterol levels, however they come with a fair amount of side effects. The most commonly reported side effect is muscle pain and weakness. It can also lead to constipation, bloating, and liver damage. Statins may also cause dizziness and could increase the risk of rhabdomyolysis. 

If you want to improve your nutrition and lower your cholesterol, include more soluble fiber in your diet. Omega 3 fatty acids (found commonly in fish) offer heart-protective benefits. Vitamin B3 increases good cholesterol while lowering bad cholesterol, but this should be taken with supervision. COQ10 supports heart health and is especially helpful if you’re taking a statin. 

 

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