Take Control of Your Cholesterol Naturally
Millions of Americans are concerned about their cholesterol. They become concerned after a check up at the doctors because they have NO SYMPTOMS. A sample of blood is taken, sent to some mysterious place, and if it is bad, then they get a prescription to take the rest of their life or fear a heart attack. Indeed, heart disease is the NUMBER ONE killer of Americans, however, there has to be a way to manage your heart attack risks without this mysterious do or die scenario.
The situation is presented as if cholesterol in and of itself is the deadly killer – responsible or an early indication of heart disease. We are told that cholesterol blocks up our arteries and veins and leads to arthrosclerosis and heart disease. If the medical community finds this deadly killer in abundant supply in YOUR bloodstream, we are told that it must be stopped with a prescription.
Folks, elevated cholesterol is not equivalent to a prescription deficiency. Most of the hype about cholesterol is strangely parallel to the fat-free fad that resulted in even worse body weight challenges and INCREASED heart disease and diabetes incident. This is because it was all based on a bunch of “bad science”. Myths and bad information resulted in sales of products that were not needed before the bad science. Notice that “fat free” food is still everywhere, even though most of us know that “fat free” was a bunch of junk. Now you have to get your fat in capsule form. You used to be able to get life supporting fats in tuna and salmon. Nope, not anymore. The precious omega-3 fatty acids have been removed. If you are depending on these fish to supply your body with omega-3’s, you need to look closer. It is not there anymore.
I am told that blood testing for cholesterol is done by the doctor, on a schedule determined by the insurance agency, and the results may or may not be disclosed to you as you are probably not able to understand the test’s meaning. Wow, these reading are generally a three digit number that falls into a range. Most people’s car payment is a three digit number. How is it that you are smart enough to understand your car payment but not a simple cholesterol test result?
If cholesterol is in YOUR body, and YOU are concerned about it, shouldn’t you determine how often you want it checked? Shouldn’t you be given the results since you are the one who can manage your cholesterol? It is your body. Shouldn’t you be the one to understand how it works, and the REAL dangers of adding a pharmaceutical to your body?
You can be the one who is in charge of your health. You CAN check your cholesterol anytime you want. It does not cost hundreds of dollars like at your usual semi-annual or annual check up. Even better is that YOU interpret the results yourself. I have found two sources that are reasonably priced and covenant.
If you want to go to a lab, call First Link Medical to schedule a test. They advise that a cholesterol test costs around $30.00 and does not need a doctors order. They have facilities all over the country to provide the testing. The phone number to reach them is 1 (866) 302-5663 or visit the website http://www.1stlinkmedical.com/tests.asp.
You can also purchase home testing kits to track your progress. An excellent source is HomeTestMed.com found at http://www.hometestmed.com/.
Now that you have a way to check your cholesterol, how can you manage the number?
First you need to understand that the body is creating a lot of cholesterol to manage inflammation, or trying to repair damaged cells. The answer is not to get rid of the cholesterol, but to get rid of the inflammation. Please do not see cholesterol as the villain any more than we learned to see fat as the villain. These myths just didn’t work out. Ron Rosedale, MD suggests that cholesterol does NOT cause heart disease or any other kind of disease. He advises that statin drugs have anti-inflammatory properties that in fact reduce cholesterol. He further notes that a simple aspirin also reduces inflammation and works just as well without the costs or dangers. Please read his article http://www.mercola.com/2005/may/28/cholesterol_heart.htm.
As a naturopath, the question for us is why is the body inflamed? Is inflammation resulting from toxins, stress, or unnatural lifestyle? There ARE some natural remedies to reduce toxins, and inflammation and subsequently reduce cholesterol.
Omega -3 fatty acids – a natural way to rebuild cell walls and neurological structures. These oils are essential to health but are sorely missing from our diet. Please include these daily. Use Flax seed, Fish Oil, Borage, Pumpkin, Black Currant, or your favorite.
Omega -6 Tonalin CLA – another natural essential fatty acid used by the body to rebuild cell structures.
Artichoke – Nature’s way to detoxify the liver and remove toxins that add to inflammation.
Chinese red yeast rice extract – known for its cholesterol reducing properties.
Garlic – mother Nature’s cure all – anti bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory. Garlic has been shown repeatedly to reduce cholesterol.
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