Vegetarian diet, exercise, and stress reduction can lower cholesterol

Recently, I began having pain on the left side of my neck. I asked my heart specialist for another ultrasound on my neck arteries.

The results? I have minor plaque buildup on the left side of my neck.

What did my heart specialist recommend? Cholesterol-lowering drugs.

My decision? Not now.

Why? I'm concerned about the side effects of cholesterol drugs.

According to the Mayo Clinic, cholesterol drugs can cause:

•  Muscle and joint aches (most common)
•  Nausea
•  Diarrhea
•  Constipation

Two potentially serious side effects of statins are:

• Liver damage
• Muscle problems

In addition, recent research is raising questions about the effectiveness of cholesterol drugs.

“Do Cholesterol Drugs Do Any Good?” the cover story of Business Week, January 17, 2008, stated research suggests that, except among high-risk heart patients, the benefits of statins such as Lipitor are overstated.

What am I doing to do to lower my cholesterol?

I’m on a vegetarian diet, I’m exercising more, and I’m going to find some new stress reduction techniques.

Several years ago, I interviewed Dr. Dean Ornish, who directed clinical research demonstrating that comprehensive lifestyle changes may begin to reverse even severe coronary heart disease without drugs or surgery.

Ornish's Lifestyle Modification Program to treat and prevent heart disease addresses the underlying causes of disease rather than just treating its symptoms. The components of his program are a very low-fat, whole foods diet, moderate aerobic exercise, stress management techniques, and support groups.

Learning about Ornish's work convinced me that I should try alternative medicine treatments that are more gentle for the body for heart problems, if I should ever need them.

Two of Ornish’s book are:

“Dr. Dean Ornish’s Program for Reversing Heart Disease.”

“Eat More, Weigh Less.”

Among the books on cholesterol drug are:

“Statin Drugs Side Effects” by Duane Graveline.

“Natural Alternatives to Lipitor, Zocor, and Other Statin Drugs: What to Use And Do to Help Lower Your Bad Cholesterol” by Jay S. Cohen.

“Hidden Truth about Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs” by Shane Ellison.

Comments

[Andrew Peters]

Hi Robison,

I think you have written a very informative piece of article on your current situation. I hope for all the best of recovery for your minor plaque buildup on your neck.

I just want to share that while most cholesterol drug companies are pushing and selling their products and sharing how good are their products, HypoCol tend to be different.

It is made from the extracts of red yeast rice, thus it is a natural cholesterol lowering pill and it has no known side effects.

I just want to share with you a free eBook by Cholesterol Talk! community where you can download and read at your own pace everything on Cholesterol Wellness.

Feel free to email me if you have any other suggestions and enquiries!

Link: http://ebookdownload.yourheartyourlife.com

Wishing you all the best in your health,
Andrew Peters
Cholesterol Talk! Community Manager
(http://hypocol.ning.com)

[Richard]

Vegetarian Diet will not [only] clean our body from harmful materials but also heals our body from many diseases or sickness.

I myself experienced the healing power of vegetarian diet. I was only 37 years old when I suffered from heart attack. There was 90% blocked on my blood vessel that carry blood to my heart. I am blessed to reach the hospital and survived that ordeal.

This resulted from unhealthy eating habits such as animal meats which is high in bad cholesterol.

I am now gradually working on consuming only vegetables and fruits in my diet. I feel healthy and strong.

Do as well.

Richard http://www.download-success.com/vegan

[Rita]

Hi Andrew and Richard,

Thank you for your comments. Healthy eating is so important to heart health.

Rita

[Buy Acai Capsules]

This is just one of the many causes of being a heavy weight. This should be a lesson for those fat so for them to be conscious on their body, health and the things it might cause.

[Zocor Prescription Medication]

My name is Todd Thomas and i would like to show you my personal experience with Zocor.

I am 55 years old. Have been on Zocor for 4 years now. Zocor did lower my cholesterol. I also have RA and did not know which caused pain stopped Zocor, pain improved dramatically, but weakness remains. Dr says permanent damage. Now I my cholesterol is high.

I have experienced some of these side effects -
Leg pain and weakness

I hope this information will be useful to others,
Todd Thomas