Over 45% of people are harmed or killed by low-fat diets. Consider the fact that 60% of people who have heart attacks have "normal" cholesterol and triglyceride levels (because other factors, such as CRP inflammation level, homocysteine, types of LDL and HDL (subclasses), etc. aren't taken into consideration. (Caution: for some people, low-fat diets are beneficial.)

Our family (it's genetic) needs about 30% of our calories to be from healthy oils (fish oil with the mercury & PCB's removed, cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, flax seed [not oil], etc.) and we need to avoid white starch and sugar or our triglycerides will go sky-high and the bad chol (LDL) will become worse (it'll turn into "small-particle LDL", which is a lot more atherogenic) and the HDL will convert to a form that is not beneficial. There is a blood test that can be done for this; fortunately, I had my blood tested while I was following the doctor's low-fat diet instructions to the letter and found that my health was in jeopardy. I also had a carotid ultrasound scan done that showed my carotid arteries were plugged up significantly. In addition the various cholesterol-lowering drugs (Atromid-S/clofibrate, Mevacor & Lipitor) severely elevated my liver enzymes, putting my liver in jeopardy from possible liver cancer that cholesterol-lowering prescriptions often cause. Fortunately, after I discontinued the prescriptions and took supplements (shown on my Hepatitis page), my SGOT/SGPT (ALT/AST) came back down to normal.

It's best that any grains you eat be whole grains (e.g., brown rice, whole grain macaroni/spaghetti/bread, old fashioned oatmeal (with no hydrogenated fat added), beans (with no fat added), millet, amyranth, and other whole grains. Be wary of products stating that they're "whole grain" or "whole wheat" but list regular, unbleached, unbromated wheat flour in their ingredients, along with a token amount of whole wheat.) See my "Metabolic Type" webpage for information on finding out what metabolic type you are.

Another thing to avoid totally is hydrogenated (trans) fat, which causes cancer and heart disease. Freshly ground organic flaxseed (taken with GLA, or gamma lineolic acid -- see http://www.jonbarron.org/newsletters/news021021.htm), raw almonds and shelled, raw pumpkin seeds have good oil in them, too.

Get the Most Out of Your Medical Exam

[My LDL converts to the extremely harmful Small Particle LDL and my HDL converts to the least beneficial HDL3 when I don't eat enough healthy fats and if I eat too many whole grain carbs (even when I was eating no sugar or white starch!). The trigger level for me is about 35% of my calories have to be from healthy fats (molecularly-distilled fish oil 4TBS/d, borage/evening primrose oil 1000mg GLA/d, extra virgin coconut oil 1-2TBS/d, raw seeds & nuts, cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil 5-6TBS/d). Since my metabolic type (see cancer pages) requires more healthy fats and protein to be healthy, I get about 15-20% of my calories from protein (including any in beans that I often have). Carbs need to be limited and mostly from vegetables; any from grains should be very limited, even if they're whole grain. I have about 3-4TBS of cooked, steel-cut oats, 1 slice of Ezekiel bread and 1-1.5 cups of dark-colored beans or 2-3TBS brown rice as grain carbs for a typical day. The rest of my approximately 35-40% of carb calories come from raw vegetables that are washed in vegetable wash and scrubbed; these should make up a large amount of your diet, along with a few fruits that are not too sweet (or supplement extracts with no added sugar or corn syrup). When we chew our food, we get about 10% of the phytonutrients from them; blenderizing (with VitaMix 5000) lets you absorb about 90% of the nutrition from them, but you also need to be careful to choose certain vegetables each day, too. See the "Cancer Fasting" page on my website www.distance-healer.com, along with the other pages -- they apply to being healthier from all kinds of diseases, not just cancer.]

The best way to get more from your doctor visit is to open lines of communication. Here’s a list of what you should ask about the next time you have blood work done:

1. A complete breakdown of your cholesterol — specifically the measure of the two types of LDL cholesterol: large, buoyant LDL and small, dense LDL. High levels of small-dense LDL-cholesterol increases the risk of its oxidation, and this increases risk. High levels of HDL-cholesterol usually lower your risk, but only if you are free of chronic inflammation. The combination of antioxidants and high HDL is very protective against heart attacks and strokes. The small, dense LDL level should be less than 20 mg/dl. HDL cholesterol levels should be over 55 mg/dl. This should be mostly of the HDL2 type, which should be greater than 15 mg/dl.

2. Lipoprotein(a) levels — This is a hereditary factor. If your father’s or mother’s level was high, yours will also likely be high. Some studies have shown that an elevated lipoprotein(a) increases your risk of a heart attack or stroke by 70 percent. Levels should be less than 10 mg/dl.

3. C-reactive protein — This test is more indicative of heart and stroke risk than cholesterol. This test measures inflammation, a key factor in atherosclerosis. The most accurate test is the highly sensitive CRP, called hs-CRP. Your level should be less than 1.69 mg/l.

4. Homocysteine — This measures a breakdown product found during the metabolism of the amino acid methionine. Even levels that are in the higher ranges of normal put you at a high risk of a stroke or heart attack. Your level should be between 4.72 and 7.0 umol/l.

5. Fibrinogen — This tests measures how easily your blood coagulates. A high level means your blood clots very easily, increasing your risk of a heart attack. Your level should be between 180 and 350 mg/dl.

-- Dr. Russell Blaylock

Along with a good lifestyle and diet (please see other health and cancer pages regarding healthy diet and lifestyle), some of the supplements that I take for help with cholesterol and triglyceride support include:

Liver C/S Plus, 4/d, http://thymic.com/liverplus.php -- Call for health practitioner discount, 800-556-5530 / 770-972-2129, #22 for reorder (tell them if credit card change) Jill (je@thymic.com) Preventative Therapeutics, Inc. (with discount: $10.50)

Livotrit, 3/d, http://store.yahoo.com/spinelife/livotritplus.html, http://store.yahoo.com/spinelife/biotics-research.html  -- qty180 Tablets $15.60; (spineliferewards101 for 10% discount)

TMG, 2/d, Swanson qty90, 500mg, $3.59, SW549

L-Taurine, 2/d, Swanson SW827, qty100, 500mg, $3.14

Lecithin, Now non-GMO Lecithin granules, 2TBS/d, best to take with immune boosters to enhance absorption, http://www.luckyvitamin.com/733739022639.html  [733739022639, NOW Foods - Lecithin Granules (Non-GMO) Mega Pack - 10 lbs., $32.94]

Fish oil (molecularly distilled liquid oil -- and avoid omega-6 oils: corn, safflower, soybean, sunflower, peanut, canola, etc.), http://www.vitacost.com/NSI-Liquid-Mega-EFA-Omega-3-EPA-DHA-Lemon-Flavor,  (3-4TBS/d; I would ramp up to this amount so that clotting can get used to it and watch clotting) -- omega-3 oils are absolutely essential with cancer and heart disease.

Zyflamend (New Chapter), anti-inflammatory (inflammation is one of the causes of cancer, heart disease, arthritis, etc.), http://www.vitacost.com/New-Chapter-Zyflamend, ($32.87, qty120, CH 040541), 2/d

L-Carnitine, 3/d; http://www.vitacost.com/NSI-L-Carnitine-Fumerate, (500mg, qty300, $29.99), 3/d, (I take for help with cholesterol/triglycerides)

Cinnulin (water-soluble cinnamon extract; Dr. David Williams says that regular Cassia contains coumarin in its oils that can damage kidneys and liver over time), 4/d with meals, http://www.vitabase.com/supplements/split/diabetes/cinnamon.aspx  ($12.96, 250mg, qty60, Cinnulin-PF, Free S+H >$50, otherwise $4.95 -- I take for help with cholesterol/triglycerides and blood sugar/insulin resistance)

Vitamin E

oil-soluble - http://www.swansonvitamins.com/, Swanson qty120, SWU209, $44.79, 2/d (equiv to 400iu each capsule)

water-soluble - Vitamin E succinate (400iu is in Jarrow Multi Easy already)

Vitamin C

oil soluble - Ascorbyl Palmitate Vitamin C, 1 capsule/day, http://www.vitacost.com/NSI-Ascorbyl-Palmitate  (500mg, qty180, $11.99, contains 200mg Vitamin C)

water-soluble - Magnesium Ascorbate powder (measure and mix in green drink), 1000mg 3 times a day, preferably taken between meals to prevent excess iron absorption. (Multi Easy has 500mg water soluble),  http://www.vitacost.com/Source-Naturals-Magnesium-Ascorbate,  ($10.19 for 189 servings of 1000mg)

Bioflavonoids, Full Spectrum Citrus Bioflavonoid Complex (3/day needed with 3000mg Vitamin C; 700mg mixed bioflavonoids for each 1000mg of vitamin C that you take.) www.swansonvitamins.com, SW128, 700mg, $6.99/250

Magnesium Citrate powder (source of Magnesium), Blaylock recommends 900mg/d of elemental magnesium (JME has 250mg, so I would make up the balance of 650mg by mixing it with my green drinks twice or 3 times a day) http://www.luckyvitamin.com/733739012951.html  ($5.50) or http://iherb.stores.yahoo.net/magnesiumcit.html (iherb, NOW-01295, $6.70, Now Mg Citrate powder, 8oz, 1tsp=450mg, 80 servings/container)

Coconut Oil (extra virgin), www.swansonvitamins.com, JR014, Jarrow, 16oz (32 1 TBS servings), organic expeller pressed, $7.79 

GLA, http://www.vitacost.com/NSI-BioAsteri-Borage-Oil-1-300-mg-240-softgels, ($27.99, qty240, 1300mg: 480mg GLA) or http://www.vitacost.com/NSI-Evening-Primrose-Oil, ($.569/g GLA; $19.99, qty300, 1300mg: 117mgGLA). Dr. Blaylock advises at least 1000mg of GLA/day. (I take 2 EPO + 3 Borage per day, and keep open bottles of oil in refrigerator to minimize oxidation. Also, I mix powdered Rosemary, some lemon juice and squeeze a capsule of oil-soluble Vitamin E into open bottles of olive oil).

Flaxseed (organic golden), 2-3TBS/d, http://www.vitacost.com/Arrowhead-Mills-Organic-Golden-Flax-Seeds  [AW 476856, Arrowhead Mills Organic Golden Flax Seeds, 14 Ounces, $1.95*16/14 = 2.23/lb] (I use a little Proctor-Silex Coffee Grinder for it)

Jarrow Bilberry/Grape Skin extract, 3/d, (280mg Jarrow has Bilberry 25% 80mg & grapeskin polys 30% 200mg120caps) http://www.iherb.com/store/ProductDetails.aspx?c=Herbs&pid=JRW-14028, (iherb, JRW-14028)

BerryVin, NSI Berryvida High Orac Berries, 2/d, http://www.vitacost.com/NSI-BerryVin-FKA-Berryvida-High-Orac-Berries, NI 001996, NSI BerryVin (FKA Berryvida) High Orac Berries -- 500 mg - qty120 Capsules, $18.99

Gugulipid, http://store.yahoo.com/iherb/guggulsterones.html, SNS-01840, $10.99*.86, qty120, 37.5mg gugulsterones, 375mg 10%, 3/d, (I take for help with cholesterol/triglycerides)

Pantethine, 3/d, www.swansonvitamins.com, SWU150, 300mg, qty60, $10.49, (I take for help with cholesterol/triglycerides)

Policosanol, 2/d, Swanson SWU268, qty60 capsules, 10mg, $4.49 from sugar cane. [SWU204, qty60 capsules, 20mg, $8.29 are sometimes on sale - buy one, get one free], (I take for help with cholesterol/triglycerides)

Flush-Free Niacin (inositol hexaniacinate), 3-6/d (higher dose if cholesterol is out of control and liver is fine), www.swansonvitamins.com,  [Swanson SWU081, 500mg Niacin + 140mg Inositol, qty240 capsules, $14.99, (I take for help with cholesterol/triglycerides and blood sugar/insulin resistance)

Garlicin, qty90, 350mg, $6.89, Swanson NW015, 2/d

Aged Garlic, Swanson KY048, Kyolic #100 Yeast-Free Garlic, qty300, 300mg, $16.99, 2/d

Jarrow Multi Easy vitamin powder, 1 scoop or just over 3.5 tsp/d (actually 3 3/5 tsp/d -- I take half a scoop in AM and half scoop PM in water, http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?c=1&pid=242&at=0,   (JRW-01019, Jarrow Multi Easy powder 13.77); [http://www.luckyvitamin.com/790011010197.html  ($13.29) [Note that taking isolated vitamins without a good multivitamin/mineral base can stimulate cancer – see Dr. Blaylock’s book, “Natural Strategies for Cancer Patients”. He also explains why the forms of the various vitamins and minerals is critical (e.g., methionate, amino acid chelates, aspartate, glycinate, etc. are harmful] and why binders, such as magnesium stearate, stearic acid and di-calcium phosphate can prevent more than 60% of the nutrient from being absorbed (i.e., “toilet bullets” pass through you unchanged).

Links:

Advanced Cholesterol Formula
http://chetday.com/statinsideeffects.htm (also Dr. Blaylock, in his Diabetes newsletter, states that all statins, such as simvastatin, lipitor, mevacor, etc. cause cancer and increase death from all causes, as well as cause "brain fog").

Excellent product developed by Dr. Rowen for Cholesterol: http://www.healthyresolve.com/cholesterol/
http://www.secondopinionnewsletter.com/alert-detail.php?ha_id=13
"I've found several supplements that may raise HDL. These include niacin, policosanol (I recommend Healthy Resolve's Advanced Cholesterol Formula – call 800-728-2288 for more information), turmeric, and curcumin." -- Dr. Rowen.

Is High Cholesterol Actually “Good” for Your Brain?
http://www.secondopinionnewsletter.com/alert-detail.php?ha_id=38
I personally think essential phospholipids are one of the best supplements you can take for circulation protection. They help raise HDL cholesterol’s scouring activity. You can buy essential phospholipids in a product called LipoFlow, which is available at many health food stores and on the Internet.

 * Other supplements that may raise HDL include fish oil, niacin, policosanol (which is available in Healthy Resolve’s Advanced Cholesterol Formula (http://www.healthyresolve.com/cholesterol/), and curcumin.

 * You also need to get plenty of exercise. Walking and other types of exercise can overcome a lot of bad habits. And it’s great for your circulation.

 * And finally, the best advice I can give you is to watch your diet! Increase the amount of natural protectors you eat. These include onions, fish, and soluble fibers found in apples, citrus, grapes, legumes, and fruit. My HDL was once 45 with total cholesterol of 155. Today, with 10 more years under my belt, my numbers are even better – 58 and 168 (notice my overall cholesterol number went up, but my numbers are better because my HDL went up even more as a percentage). I attribute the HDL difference to my diet, which is primarily made up of raw fruits and vegetables. Prevention is always your best medicine.
---

Why statins will destroy your brain

You may know that cholesterol is needed for your body to produce vitamin D, steroid and sex-hormone production, and for healthy cell membranes. You also may know that statins can lower your cholesterol so far that your body can't make these vital nutrients. But did you know that statins will also impair your cognitive function as you age?

It's true! Your liver isn't the only organ in your body that produces cholesterol. Your brain makes it as well. Cholesterol makes up a large portion of the membranes in your neurons. Since neurons are mostly membranes, a lack of cholesterol might impair their function. I predicted years ago that research would eventually connect low cholesterol to poor memory and overall brain function. And now we have the proof.

Researchers recently performed a study on 1,181 subjects over the age of 64. They found that low levels of cholesterol significantly lower general cognitive abilities. They also found that low cholesterol reduces your brain's processing speed. The authors agreed that lower total cholesterol is a strong marker for predicting lower cognitive function in those over 64.

This should be on the front page of every newspaper in the country. But with Pharma owning the health news that spoon-feeds most Americans, it's buried. But Second Opinion readers know better. You won't let them bamboozle you into dropping your total cholesterol below 170 with drugs.

In fact, unless you have a hereditary disorder of really high cholesterol (over 270), I would be wary about any statin use altogether. The doctors want to cut off the enzyme in your liver that makes cholesterol. With the same enzyme making essential cholesterol in your brain, you might trade "doctor happy" ultra-low cholesterol for a "personally sad" case of cognitive decline.

I've shown you many ways to safely lower your cholesterol without any commercial statin. You can read these on my website. In the next health alert, I'm going to show you another safe way to lower your cholesterol that most doctors never consider.

Yours for better health and medical freedom,
Robert Jay Rowen, MD

Neurobiology of Aging, 2007 Sept 19