The U.S. medical community uses a "total" cholesterol number, and then splits it between "good cholesterol" (high density lipids, or HDL), "bad cholesterol" (low density lipids, or LDL), and some other things like triglyceride count. We are told we should try to get to a total number of under 200 and an HDL number of at least 45.
Cholesterol levels are one of several factors which affect our likelihood of having certain kinds of heart disease. High cholesterol, especially high LDL and low HDL, is associated with arteriosclerosis. High cholesterol can be caused by both diet and heredity. Sometimes reducing fat and cholesterol-laden foods (i.e., egg yolks) isn't enough, because the ol' liver just keeps pumping cholesterol into the bloodstream. Statin drugs and similar treatments essentially tell the liver to knock it off. Unfortunately, this can put a strain on the liver and cause damage, although this is relatively rare. A small but significant minority of people cannot tolerate statin drugs, and experience side effects including muscle pain and weakness and should NOT take Lipitor, etc.
I control my cholesterol with a combination of diet (well, I try, anyway), exercise (yeah, right) and three non-prescription dietary supplements: niacin, pantethine and phytosterols.
Information on all is available in a book entitled
The New 8 Week Cholesterol Cure by Robert Kowalski. The book and the products I mentioned above are available from
Endurance Products Company.
I've had good results (overall number of 265 brought down to 190) and no side effects. However, and I can't stress this enough, you absolutely need to have your doctor involved in your decision on what approach to take to your cholesterol issues. What works for one can be dangerous to another. High cholesterol has virtually no noticeable symptoms prior to a cardiac event. CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR.
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