Great topic. I can write a book on this, but better yet not! Two more years out of med school yet and by then I’ll be even more versed in how to lower cholesterol naturally.

First: What is cholesterol?

According to Stedman’s Medical Dictionary, cholesterol is “the most abundant steroid in animal tissues, especially in bile and gallstones, and present in foods, especially rich in animal fats, circulates in the plasma complexed with proteins of various densities and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atheroma formation in arteries”.

What is the pathogenesis of atheroma? It is the initial stage of atherosclerosis, which is the construction of lipids. [cholesterol] plaques within the structure of the arteries. These plaques narrow the vessel wall, limiting blood flow. The limitation of blood flow causes turbulence that leads to increased plaque deposition. The slower speed of blood through the arteries also helps to deposit more plaque.

Ways to lower cholesterol naturally:

1. Exercise: Dammit. How many times do you have to listen to it? Everyone says so. Because it works better than any drug out there. Why does it work? Simple biochemistry and physiology. Exercise requires energy. Energy comes from sugars, fats, and proteins. When sugars and proteins are burned, fats must be converted into usable forms of energy. The liver increases the production of good cholesterol, HDL. HDL goes around and picks up the bad cholesterol, LDL. Convert this into usable energy. So when you exercise, your energy requirements increase, which naturally lowers cholesterol. Exercise 30 minutes a day as often as you can in a week. Try one day a week and build up. You will become addicted to it. Better than statins.
2. Eat soluble fiber: Where can you find that? In beans and whole grains. Fruits and vegetables contain insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber actually binds to cholesterol and removes it from your body. Insoluble fiber adds bulk to your stool making it more regular, which is also extremely vital.
3. Limit foods with animal fats: damn it again. Even Stedman’s Medical Dictionary said that cholesterol is the most abundant steroid in animal tissues They did not say plant tissues. I’m not saying avoid it completely. Just keep an eye on it: Don’t eat endless roast beef sandwiches with mayonnaise and four kinds of cheese.
4. Inositol: This is extended release niacin in the leave-in form. Niacin is a major player in cellular metabolism. If one is low on niacin, then the energy reactions do not proceed. If they don’t progress, lipids accumulate, which is directly related to high cholesterol levels. A study on extended-release niacin shows its effectiveness. The study I found used pharmaceutical extended release niacin, but I think these two are very similar, with the natural form being superior. The final result of the study: “The results show that the ER niacin [extended release] produces a beneficial effect on lipoprotein subclasses, specifically by decreasing the more atherogenic small dense LDL particles and enhancing the cardioprotective large HDL particles. Remember what I said about bad LDL and good HDL? Inositol sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?
5. Red yeast rice: This is what the drug companies make some statins from, straight up! So why not take it in its natural state? It works pretty well. It works by limiting the reaction of cholesterol in the future. This means that cholesterol production slows down, which lowers cholesterol naturally. I found a great research article on PubMed for Red Yeast Rice. The research was conducted by the Center for Human Nutrition and is not biased by a natural supplement company. Here’s another study on the cholesterol-lowering effects of a proprietary Chinese red yeast rice dietary supplement.
6. Policosanol: This is sugar wax. Sound safe? This. It doesn’t shut down the cholesterol-forming reaction as strongly as statins. Our bodies need some cholesterol formed. Without it, numerous hormones would not be produced and we would be dead. Therefore, it is better to moderately limit production rather than severely limit it. Policosanol has also been shown to increase HDL levels. Do statins do this? No. There is a good study on Policosanol that I found on PubMed. You will notice that this is not a study conducted by a natural supplement company or with biased interests. The title of the study is: Comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of policosanol with atorvastatin in elderly patients with type II hypercholesterolemia.
7. Biolipotrol: Bio-Lipotrol has been shown to naturally lower cholesterol [http://www.healthegoods.com/product/bio-lipotrol-biogenesis-biolipotrol/natural-health-supplements]. Bio Lipotrol has Red Yeast Rice, Inositol, Policosanol and Gum Guggal extract. I have been to doctor after doctor who have used Bio Lipotrol and the results are seen within a few weeks. Now, this does not mean that you can sit on your couch eating hamburgers and pizza while taking Bio Lipotrol capsules. I’ve already said that exercise is the best medicine, along with limiting animal fats and increasing soluble fiber. I didn’t know about Bio Lipotrol until a classmate kept buying it. I found her in the hallway one day and asked her what it is. She told me that it is working very well on her grandmother’s high cholesterol levels. So I got more interested. The benefits of being in medical school: You find out what works and what doesn’t.

What are the dangers of statins?

I don’t know all the dangers, but I do know one that is often not addressed. Statins give the false impression that the user does not have to be proactive about lowering cholesterol. If a drug lowers cholesterol without doing anything, why not eat fatty foods? I’ll tell you why. Statins limit cholesterol production. They do not limit cholesterol intake. You do.

Furthermore, statins severely limit the production of coenzyme Q10. This is an important source of energy for the human heart and the electron transport chain. So if you’re taking statins, take CoQ10. I believe that statins also limit the conversion of active vitamin D. I need to verify this, but it makes sense if you follow the reactions from HMG-CoA, which is the rate-limiting step in cholesterol synthesis.

If you want to lower cholesterol naturally, these steps will certainly help you. I recommend having a sit down with your doctor. Most doctors will listen to you and be supportive and knowledgeable about this field. If not, find a qualified and licensed naturopathic doctor who will listen to you.

This information is not telling you to stop taking your statin drugs. It is merely information. Don’t stop your statin medications without talking to your doctor. Only then, under your direction, stop the drugs if you implement other means.

If you’re not taking statins and don’t have the money to see a doctor, these steps can help you lower your cholesterol naturally. But since I am not a doctor yet, I am not prescribing any of this information for you. It’s your decision.

I hope you’re still awake. That’s a ton of information. I know I’m deleted. I have to get away from this computer now.