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.

High Cholesterol Conditions
Treatment, Medications, Food, Supplements, Herbs - July 2011
THIS WEBSITE TALKS ABOUT THE SIDE EFFECTS AND THE POTENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF HERBS, SUPPLEMENTS,
PHYTONUTRIENTS AND DRUG PRODUCTS. THIS WEBSITE ALSO TALKS ABOUT SOME POPULAR HEALTH ISSUES AND
DISEASES. ARTICLES IN THIS WEB SITE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, YOU SHOULD
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