Home remedies for high cholesterol
Dear Dr. Gott: I am a 69-year-old woman. I live a fairly active and healthful life. For decades, however, I have been troubled by poor circulation. Through diet, I have eliminated coffee, most fats and fried foods, and have tried to include whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables each day. Owing to a busy schedule, daily exercise is limited to 10 to 20 minutes.
Instead of medicine (to which I have an aversion, mainly due to bad side effects), I am striving to lower my cholesterol by taking vitamin C, vitamin E, gingko biloba, Vitamin B50 complex, calcium, magnesium and zinc. To fight off my high cholesterol of 254 and an LDL of 167, I was also taking niacin 100, but it seemed that my body would flare up quite red with no temperature. So I have eliminated niacin.
My circulation has gotten quite bad, especially at night when I have to refrain from even bending my elbow to keep my hands from tingling. How can I improve my blood circulation?
Dear Reader: From the sound of your letter, I surmise you are doing everything you can to maintain a healthful lifestyle by eating well and exercising as much as time allows. You don’t indicate, however, whether you eat red meat, hot dogs, lots of cheese, sausage, cold cuts, pastries, whole milk and other foods that could have “hidden” cholesterol. If you do, you might try to reduce some of those items.
The side effect you experienced from the niacin is a common one. The nonflushing version contains inositol that renders it ineffective for lowering levels in some people. The tip to taking the sustained-release form is to take an antihistamine 15 minutes before. Niacin should always be taken with food to avoid stomach upset. An initial dose should be no more than 250 milligrams daily with a gradual increase to 1,000 milligrams as long as no side effects are present. While difficult, this can be done by taking smaller doses two or four times each day.
Some people have found success by adding cinnamon to their daily diets. It can be used on toast, over cereal and in baking. Still others have used over-the-counter drugs with plant sterols and stanols.
Peripheral vascular disease (poor circulation) occurs when there is limited blood flow to the heart, extremities and other areas of the body. Blood vessels become blocked with a fatty tissue known as plaque.
Home remedies include quitting smoking, eating well, exercising regularly, wearing support hose and reducing stress through meditation, such as yoga. Supplements include vitamins B6, 12, C, E, niacin, magnesium and omega-3 oils. It appears you have done your homework and are taking positive steps already.
I might suggest you sit with your legs elevated, take warm baths or showers in the evening to improve circulation, and join a local fitness center.
To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Understanding Cholesterol.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a check or money order for $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.