INTRODUCTION
More than 50 million Americans have elevated cholesterol levels, this elevated cholesterol
level is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease. Polycosanol is one of the natural way
to lower cholesterol. Cuban researchers found its cholesterol-lowering effect was related to
cholesterol synthesis. This web-page provides related information on this chemical.
CHOLESTEROL
Cholesterol is transported through the bloodstream by a vehicle called lipoprotein. There are
three types of lipoprotein: high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and
very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). LDL carries fats from the liver to the other parts of the
body, while HDL carries fat back to the liver. The higher the LDL level, the more fat we have
in circulation and the greater risk we have for fat-related diseases-atherosclerosis. In
contrast, HDL carries fat back to the liver, i.e. HDL removes fat from the circulation. We
always want more HDL but less LDL, or a high HDL/LDL ratio. Consequently, people always
call HDL as good cholesterol, LDL as bad cholesterol.
FACTS Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance, made in the body by the liver. It is also
present in food, especially animal foods, such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs and milk. Usually,
foods high in animal fats are also high in cholesterol, except liver and eggs. They are not
high in fat but high in cholesterol.
SUGGESTIONS 1. Have low-saturated-fat, low-cholesterol diet, 2. Increase physical
activity, 3. Lose weight if overweight 4. Control all heart disease risk factors-smoking, high
blood pressure & diabetes.(from National Cholesterol Education Program).
MEDICAL TREATMENTS
1. resins (cholestyramine, colestipol)-inhibits lipid reabsorption and increase their excretion.
2. HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (lovastatin (Mevacor), provastatin (Pravochol) and
simvastatin (Zocor))-mediates sterol bio-synthesis
3. fibric acid derivatives (gemfibrozil (Lobid) and clofibrate (atromid-S))-increases
catabolism of VLDL
4.nicotinic acid (niacin)-inhibits VLDL secretion and decreases LDL production.
FOOD YOU SHOULD AVOID- THEY MAY ELEVATE YOUR SERUM CHOLESTEROL,
LDL CHOLESTEROL AND/OR REDUCE YOUR HDL CHOLESTEROL
Beef, pork, veal, poultry, cheese, butter, egg, ice cream and all other forms of dairy products
not labeled "fat free" contain large amount of saturated fat [1-3]. Palm and coconut oils
contain small amounts of saturated fat. Overall, they have been reported to elevate
cholesterol [4-14]. In addition, drinking boiled or French press coffee and stress increases
cholesterol levels [15, 16]. Eating sugar may reduce protective HDL cholesterol [17-18].
People with high cholesterol are commonly advised to reduce their consumption of dietary
cholesterol and saturated fats. However, some people who significantly reduce intake of
animal fats for months but do not see a reduction in cholesterol levels [19].
FOOD YOU SHOULD ADD INTO YOUR DIET-THEY MAY LOWER YOUR SERUM
CHOLESTEROL, LDL CHOLESTEROL AND/OR IMPROVE YOUR HDL
CHOLESTEROL
They include yogurt, acidophilus milk, kefir, fiber-beans, oats, psyllium seed, pectin,
flaxseed, soy products, olive oil,fish, alcohol (moderate consumption) and nuts. Exercise
including walking and weight loss can also improve your cholesterol profiles.
Thompson Coon JS and Ernst E from Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, UK, reviewed 25
randomized clinical studies for 11 herbal products in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia (high
cholesterol levels). They concluded that guggul (Commiphora mukul), fenugreek (Trigonella
foenum-graecum), red yeast rice, and artichoke (Cynara scolymus) have been most extensively
studied and have demonstrated reductions in total serum cholesterol levels of between10% and
33%.
Supplements, foods, herbs, phytonutrients that may reduce or affect our
cholesterol or lipid levels include: acetyl-L carnitine, alfalfa, apple, asparagus, banana,
barley, benaba leaf, beet, beta-glucan, black soybean, borage oil, cactus, canola oil,
cauliflower, celery, chitosan, chlorella, cinnamon, dandelion, dill, fenugreek, flaxseed meal,
grape seed extract, green tea, guar gum, guggul, gymnema, hibiscus, linseed oil, maitake,
niacin, Oregon grape, peony, pychogenol, lecithin, lettuce, policonsanol, peas, almonds,
avocados, red yeast rice, rice bran, rhubarb, rutin, garlic, taxifolin and more.
THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR INFORMATION ONLY. IT IS NOT A MEDICAL ADVICE. TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE
TALKING ANY SUPPLEMENT OR DRUG PRODUCTS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2011 DO NOT COPY TO OTHER
WEBSITE(S) OR BLOG(S).
References
1. Kromhout D, Menotti A, Bloemberg B, et al. Dietary saturated and trans fatty acids and cholesterol and 25-year
mortality from coronary heart disease: the Seven Countries Study. Prev Med 1995;24:308-15. 2. Tell GS, Evans
GW, Folsom AR, et al. Dietary fat intake and carotid artery wall thickness: the Atherosclerosis Risk in
Communities (ARIC) study. Am J Epidemiol 1994;139:979-89. 3. Ornish D, Brown SE, Scherwitz LW, et al. Can
lifestyle changes reverse coronary heart disease? The Lifestyle Heart Trial. Lancet 1990;336:129-33. 4. Denke
MA, Grundy SM. Comparison of effects of lauric acid and palmitic acid on plasma lipids and lipoproteins. Am J
Clin Nutr 1992;56:895-8. 5. Zock PL, de Vries JHM, Katan MB. Impact of myristic acid versus palmitic acid on
serum lipid and lipoprotein levels in healthy women and men. Arterioscler Thromb 1994;14:567-75. 6. Kumar PD.
The role of coconut and coconut oil in coronary heart disease in Kerala, south India. Trop Doct 1997;27:215-7. 7.
Denke MA, Grundy SM. Comparison of effects lof auric acid and palmitic acid on plasma lipids and lipoproteins.
Am J Clin Nutr 1992;56:895-8. 8. Mendis S, Kumarasunderam R. The effect of daily consumption of coconut fat
and soya-bean fat on plasma lipids and lipoproteins of young normolipidaemic men. Br J Nutr 1990;63:547-52. 9.
Thorogood M, Carter R, Benfield L, et al. Plasma lipids and lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in people with
different diets in Britain. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1987;295:351-3. 10. Burr ML, Sweetnam PM. Vegetarianism,
dietary fiber and mortality. Am J Clin Nutr 1982;36:873-7. 11. Resnicow K, Barone J, Engle A, et al. Diet and
serum lipids in vegan vegetarians: a model for risk reduction. J Am Dietet Assoc 1991;91:447-53. 12. Ornish D,
Brown SE, Scherwitz LW, et al. Can lifestyle changes reverse coronary heart disease? The Lifestyle Heart Trial.
Lancet 1990;336:129-33. 13. Ornish D, Scherwitz LW, Billings JH, et al. Intensive lifestyle changes for reversal of
coronary heart disease. JAMA 1998;280:2001-7. 14. Connor SL, Connor WE. The importance of dietary
cholesterol in coronary heart disease. Prev Med 1983;12:115-23 [review]. 15. Urgert R, Schulz AG, Katan MB.
Effects of cafestol and kahweol from coffee grounds on serum lipids and serum liver enzymes in humans. Am J
Clin Nutr 1995;61:149-54. 16. McCann BS, Warnick R, Knopp RH. Changes in plasma lipids and dietary intake
accompanying shifts in perceived workload and stress. Psychosomatic Med 1990;52:97-108. 17. Yudkin J, Kang
SS, Bruckdorfer KR. Effects of high dietary sugar. Br Med J 1980;281:1396. 18. Reiser S. Effect of dietary sugars
on metabolic risk factors associated with heart disease. Nutr Health 1985;3:203-16. 19. Dreon DM, Fernstrom
HA, Williams PT, Krauss RM. very-low-fat diet is not associated with improved lipoprotein profiles in men with a
predominance of large, low-density lipoproteins. Am J Clin Nutr 1999;69:411-8.
More than 50 million Americans have elevated cholesterol levels, this elevated cholesterol
level is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease. Polycosanol is one of the natural way
to lower cholesterol. Cuban researchers found its cholesterol-lowering effect was related to
cholesterol synthesis. This web-page provides related information on this chemical.
CHOLESTEROL
Cholesterol is transported through the bloodstream by a vehicle called lipoprotein. There are
three types of lipoprotein: high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and
very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). LDL carries fats from the liver to the other parts of the
body, while HDL carries fat back to the liver. The higher the LDL level, the more fat we have
in circulation and the greater risk we have for fat-related diseases-atherosclerosis. In
contrast, HDL carries fat back to the liver, i.e. HDL removes fat from the circulation. We
always want more HDL but less LDL, or a high HDL/LDL ratio. Consequently, people always
call HDL as good cholesterol, LDL as bad cholesterol.
FACTS Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance, made in the body by the liver. It is also
present in food, especially animal foods, such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs and milk. Usually,
foods high in animal fats are also high in cholesterol, except liver and eggs. They are not
high in fat but high in cholesterol.
SUGGESTIONS 1. Have low-saturated-fat, low-cholesterol diet, 2. Increase physical
activity, 3. Lose weight if overweight 4. Control all heart disease risk factors-smoking, high
blood pressure & diabetes.(from National Cholesterol Education Program).
MEDICAL TREATMENTS
1. resins (cholestyramine, colestipol)-inhibits lipid reabsorption and increase their excretion.
2. HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (lovastatin (Mevacor), provastatin (Pravochol) and
simvastatin (Zocor))-mediates sterol bio-synthesis
3. fibric acid derivatives (gemfibrozil (Lobid) and clofibrate (atromid-S))-increases
catabolism of VLDL
4.nicotinic acid (niacin)-inhibits VLDL secretion and decreases LDL production.
FOOD YOU SHOULD AVOID- THEY MAY ELEVATE YOUR SERUM CHOLESTEROL,
LDL CHOLESTEROL AND/OR REDUCE YOUR HDL CHOLESTEROL
Beef, pork, veal, poultry, cheese, butter, egg, ice cream and all other forms of dairy products
not labeled "fat free" contain large amount of saturated fat [1-3]. Palm and coconut oils
contain small amounts of saturated fat. Overall, they have been reported to elevate
cholesterol [4-14]. In addition, drinking boiled or French press coffee and stress increases
cholesterol levels [15, 16]. Eating sugar may reduce protective HDL cholesterol [17-18].
People with high cholesterol are commonly advised to reduce their consumption of dietary
cholesterol and saturated fats. However, some people who significantly reduce intake of
animal fats for months but do not see a reduction in cholesterol levels [19].
FOOD YOU SHOULD ADD INTO YOUR DIET-THEY MAY LOWER YOUR SERUM
CHOLESTEROL, LDL CHOLESTEROL AND/OR IMPROVE YOUR HDL
CHOLESTEROL
They include yogurt, acidophilus milk, kefir, fiber-beans, oats, psyllium seed, pectin,
flaxseed, soy products, olive oil,fish, alcohol (moderate consumption) and nuts. Exercise
including walking and weight loss can also improve your cholesterol profiles.
Thompson Coon JS and Ernst E from Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, UK, reviewed 25
randomized clinical studies for 11 herbal products in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia (high
cholesterol levels). They concluded that guggul (Commiphora mukul), fenugreek (Trigonella
foenum-graecum), red yeast rice, and artichoke (Cynara scolymus) have been most extensively
studied and have demonstrated reductions in total serum cholesterol levels of between10% and
33%.
Supplements, foods, herbs, phytonutrients that may reduce or affect our
cholesterol or lipid levels include: acetyl-L carnitine, alfalfa, apple, asparagus, banana,
barley, benaba leaf, beet, beta-glucan, black soybean, borage oil, cactus, canola oil,
cauliflower, celery, chitosan, chlorella, cinnamon, dandelion, dill, fenugreek, flaxseed meal,
grape seed extract, green tea, guar gum, guggul, gymnema, hibiscus, linseed oil, maitake,
niacin, Oregon grape, peony, pychogenol, lecithin, lettuce, policonsanol, peas, almonds,
avocados, red yeast rice, rice bran, rhubarb, rutin, garlic, taxifolin and more.
THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR INFORMATION ONLY. IT IS NOT A MEDICAL ADVICE. TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE
TALKING ANY SUPPLEMENT OR DRUG PRODUCTS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2011 DO NOT COPY TO OTHER
WEBSITE(S) OR BLOG(S).
References
1. Kromhout D, Menotti A, Bloemberg B, et al. Dietary saturated and trans fatty acids and cholesterol and 25-year
mortality from coronary heart disease: the Seven Countries Study. Prev Med 1995;24:308-15. 2. Tell GS, Evans
GW, Folsom AR, et al. Dietary fat intake and carotid artery wall thickness: the Atherosclerosis Risk in
Communities (ARIC) study. Am J Epidemiol 1994;139:979-89. 3. Ornish D, Brown SE, Scherwitz LW, et al. Can
lifestyle changes reverse coronary heart disease? The Lifestyle Heart Trial. Lancet 1990;336:129-33. 4. Denke
MA, Grundy SM. Comparison of effects of lauric acid and palmitic acid on plasma lipids and lipoproteins. Am J
Clin Nutr 1992;56:895-8. 5. Zock PL, de Vries JHM, Katan MB. Impact of myristic acid versus palmitic acid on
serum lipid and lipoprotein levels in healthy women and men. Arterioscler Thromb 1994;14:567-75. 6. Kumar PD.
The role of coconut and coconut oil in coronary heart disease in Kerala, south India. Trop Doct 1997;27:215-7. 7.
Denke MA, Grundy SM. Comparison of effects lof auric acid and palmitic acid on plasma lipids and lipoproteins.
Am J Clin Nutr 1992;56:895-8. 8. Mendis S, Kumarasunderam R. The effect of daily consumption of coconut fat
and soya-bean fat on plasma lipids and lipoproteins of young normolipidaemic men. Br J Nutr 1990;63:547-52. 9.
Thorogood M, Carter R, Benfield L, et al. Plasma lipids and lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in people with
different diets in Britain. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1987;295:351-3. 10. Burr ML, Sweetnam PM. Vegetarianism,
dietary fiber and mortality. Am J Clin Nutr 1982;36:873-7. 11. Resnicow K, Barone J, Engle A, et al. Diet and
serum lipids in vegan vegetarians: a model for risk reduction. J Am Dietet Assoc 1991;91:447-53. 12. Ornish D,
Brown SE, Scherwitz LW, et al. Can lifestyle changes reverse coronary heart disease? The Lifestyle Heart Trial.
Lancet 1990;336:129-33. 13. Ornish D, Scherwitz LW, Billings JH, et al. Intensive lifestyle changes for reversal of
coronary heart disease. JAMA 1998;280:2001-7. 14. Connor SL, Connor WE. The importance of dietary
cholesterol in coronary heart disease. Prev Med 1983;12:115-23 [review]. 15. Urgert R, Schulz AG, Katan MB.
Effects of cafestol and kahweol from coffee grounds on serum lipids and serum liver enzymes in humans. Am J
Clin Nutr 1995;61:149-54. 16. McCann BS, Warnick R, Knopp RH. Changes in plasma lipids and dietary intake
accompanying shifts in perceived workload and stress. Psychosomatic Med 1990;52:97-108. 17. Yudkin J, Kang
SS, Bruckdorfer KR. Effects of high dietary sugar. Br Med J 1980;281:1396. 18. Reiser S. Effect of dietary sugars
on metabolic risk factors associated with heart disease. Nutr Health 1985;3:203-16. 19. Dreon DM, Fernstrom
HA, Williams PT, Krauss RM. very-low-fat diet is not associated with improved lipoprotein profiles in men with a
predominance of large, low-density lipoproteins. Am J Clin Nutr 1999;69:411-8.
 |  |  |  |  |
High Cholesterol Conditions
Treatment, Medications, Food, Supplements, Herbs - July 2011
Treatment, Medications, Food, Supplements, Herbs - July 2011
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