Statins are the world’s most-prescribed class of medications.  One in four Americans over the age of 45 take cholesterol-lowering drugs for the primary prevention of heart attacks and strokes!  Unfortunately, most patients put themselves at greater risk for developing heart attacks and strokes with prolonged statin consumption. As a result, your body makes less cholesterol possibly leading to a greater production of plague buildup in your arteries.   Also, the potential side effects from statin consumption can cause numerous health problems from liver and muscle damage to kidney failure, and digestive dysfunction.  Because statin drugs pose such great dangers, one should consider these keys below of lowering your bad cholesterol (LDL) and raising your HDL (good cholesterol).

**If you potentially have or have high cholesterol and is on statin medications,  please consult your primary care doctor to review options regarding your cholesterol and statin consumption.

Physical activity and eating a well-balanced diet are probably the largest 2 factors for LDL production in the body.  Eating a high sugar, high saturated fat, and low protein diet can make you a prime candidate for increased production of LDL in your body.  Stick to a high protein, and low sugar diet to obtain the nutrients your body can use for energy and to reduce the ominous nature of a heart attack, stroke, or PVD (peripheral vascular disease-plaque buildup/blockage of a blood vessel away from the heart) that could be pending.  Physical activity should be of moderate to high intensity for 30-45 minutes 3-4x/week.

Also, consuming CoQ10 (ubiquinol) and Omega 3 Fatty acids can lower your risk of heart attacks because it is a powerful antioxidant.  It helps to improve your heart health by increasing blood flow and circulation (which can lower your blood pressure), boosting your immune system, increasing your energy levels, and lowering your cholesterol & triglyceride levels. Foods high in CoQ10 and Omega 3 Fatty Acids, respectively, include chicken and beef organ meats (liver, heart), fish (sardines, mackerel, salmon and cod).

**Please consult your health care provider about what supplements you should be taking as they may interact with any medication you are on and cause side effects due to the interactions.

Stay tuned for next month’s blog!