ASK BONNIE for July 2001

Question #1:

Bonnie, what is your feeling about the new proposed cholesterol guidelines by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)?

Answer #1: 

While I feel that this is just another way for the pharmaceutical industry to sell more cholesterol-lowering meds, lowering the bar for cholesterol standards in the name of prevention is fine by me. Cholesterol-lowering medications may have serious side-effects and one recommendation I agree with, besides the obvious (eating right, exercising, lowering stress), is to supplement with plant stanols and sterols. These have no side effects and have been clinically shown to be effective in lowering cholesterol. Although, the current brands on the market contain saturated fat (which promotes heart disease) or artificial ingredients. I have just been introduced to a saturated fat/artificial ingredient-free product that I personally endorse. It is called Basikol by Health from the Sun/Akropharma. This phytosterol product falls under the first line of defense before medication for moderately high cholesterol as recommended by the National Cholesterol Education Program. Plant stanols and sterols can also be used in conjunction with cholesterol-lowering meds if you are already taking them. As always, if you are taking cholesterol-lowering medication, supplement with Co-Enzyme Q10, which can minimize the heart failure side-effect associated with statin drugs. 

Have a happy, healthy day.

Past Ask Bonnie entries: 1999 June, July, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec,                                              2000 Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, June, July, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec                                  2001 Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, June

 

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