Natural Treatments For High Cholesterol Levels
High cholesterol is one of the leading health problems in the United States today, but with the number of cholesterol lowering medications found to have serious side effects, more and more people are looking for a natural approach to lowering high levels of cholesterol.
Fortunately, there are a number of natural treatments for this serious condition, including niacin, guggulipid, pantethine, and inositol hexaniacinate. Of course, the use of these supplements should be part of an overall health improvement program including dietary changes, increased exercise and changes in lifestyle. Those currently taking prescription drugs to lower cholesterol should not change their treatment without talking to their doctors.
Niacin (Vitamin B3)
Niacin, or nicotinic acid as it is scientifically known, is often the first supplement tried by people seeking to lower their cholesterol level. Niacin has been shown to lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, while at the same time raising the level of HDL, or good cholesterol.
Niacin does have some unwanted side effects, like flushing of the skin, nausea, stomach upset, intolerance for glucose, elevated levels of uric acid in the blood, vision problems and damage to the liver. It is important to take niacin supplements only under the supervision of a doctor. In order to minimize the most frequent side effect, that of flushing, there are a number of timed released and non-flushing niacin supplements on the market.
Inositol Hexaniacinate
Inositol hexaniacinate is the safest form of niacin on the market. This special type of niacin has not been shown to have serious side effects, and it has long been used in Europe to lower cholesterol and improve circulation of the blood.
Guggulipid
The supplement guggulipid, also called guggul, is a standardized extract derived from the mukul myrrh tree. This tree, native to India, provides a supplement that research has suggested is effective at increasing the breakdown of bad cholesterol in the liver. It has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol levels by as much as 25-35%.
The main side effect of guggulipid is mild abdominal discomfort, but even that has only been reported in a small percentage of people taking it.
Pantethine
Pantethine is actually a form of pantothenic acid, also known as vitamin B5, and it has been shown to help lower levels of cholesterol in the blood. Pantethine specifically lowers levels of LDL and total cholesterol, while raising the level of HDL, the good cholesterol, and it has been shown to lower triglyceride levels as well. Pantethine is thought to work by improving the metabolism of fat and slowing down the production of cholesterol in the liver.
today, but with the number of cholesterol lowering medications found to have
serious side effects, more and more people are looking for a natural approach to
lowering high levels of cholesterol.
Fortunately, there are a number of natural treatments for this serious
condition, including niacin, guggulipid, pantethine, and inositol hexaniacinate.
Of course, the use of these supplements should be part of an overall health
improvement program including dietary changes, increased exercise and changes in
lifestyle. Those currently taking prescription drugs to lower cholesterol
should not change their treatment without talking to their doctors.
Niacin (Vitamin B3)
Niacin, or nicotinic acid as it is scientifically known, is often the first
supplement tried by people seeking to lower their cholesterol level. Niacin has
been shown to lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, while at the same
time raising the level of HDL, or good cholesterol.
Niacin does have some unwanted side effects, like flushing of the skin, nausea,
stomach upset, intolerance for glucose, elevated levels of uric acid in the
blood, vision problems and damage to the liver. It is important to take niacin
supplements only under the supervision of a doctor. In order to minimize the
most frequent side effect, that of flushing, there are a number of timed
released and non-flushing niacin supplements on the market.
Inositol Hexaniacinate
Inositol hexaniacinate is the safest form of niacin on the market. This special
type of niacin has not been shown to have serious side effects, and it has long
been used in Europe to lower cholesterol and improve circulation of the blood.
Guggulipid
The supplement guggulipid, also called guggul, is a standardized extract derived
from the mukul myrrh tree. This tree, native to India, provides a supplement
that research has suggested is effective at increasing the breakdown of bad
cholesterol in the liver. It has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol levels by
as much as 25-35%.
The main side effect of guggulipid is mild abdominal discomfort, but even that
has only been reported in a small percentage of people taking it.
Pantethine
Pantethine is actually a form of pantothenic acid, also known as vitamin B5, and
it has been shown to help lower levels of cholesterol in the blood. Pantethine
specifically lowers levels of LDL and total cholesterol, while raising the level
of HDL, the good cholesterol, and it has been shown to lower triglyceride levels
as well. Pantethine is thought to work by improving the metabolism of fat and
slowing down the production of cholesterol in the liver.
