Cardiologist Recommends Red Yeast Rice to Replace Statins

Approximately 20 percent of all patients taking statin drugs have a dangerous side effect called "myopathy," which means muscle pain, and have to stop taking the cholesterol-lowering drugs.

A study published Monday in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that the over-the-counter supplement Red Yeast Rice, combined with diet and lifestyle changes, lowers LDL cholesterol by 20 percent without the risk of side effects.

In a recent CNN article, Cardiologist David Becker says that the statins work for some people, but can cause myalgia symptoms in others, so the supplement is not a panacea for all patients.

In a previous study conducted by Becker, a combination of Red Yeast Rice and Fish Oil outperformed Simvastatin, the generic version of Zocor.

What does this mean to you, the person who has borderline cholesterol that's going to be re-checked at your next yearly check-up? This is the perfect time to make diet and lifestyle changes that will reduce your cholesterol.

As a natural medicine practitioner, I see people improve their cholsterol levels without the aid of medications, but often they have to possess the willpower to make substantial lifestyle changes. Our bodies have the ability to heal themselves if treated correctly.

If that doesn't work, and your doctor suggests that you take a statin drug, I would recommend asking if you can come back for another blood test in three months. Tell him or her you'd like to try a natural remedy and if your levels don't improve you'll happily go on the statin.

Most doctors will agree to this. It's a perfectly reasonable request.

Try taking the recommended dosage of Red Yeast Rice, in conjunction with the recommended dosage of Fish Oil. If you don't have any noticeable side effect after three months, then it's time to take the medication. But the above studies suggest that if you stick to this regimine, you will have lowered your cholesterol by 20 percent without taking medication.

And if you lose your medical insurance for any reason, a walk in the park, Red Yeast Rice and Fish Oil are a lot cheaper than statin drugs. Just sayin'.

Don't Believe the Influenza Hype

I'm not here to tell you that the swine flu is nothing to worry about, but the level of fear associated with the media coverage in the past week seems inappropriate to me.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, the 1918-19 Influenza Epidemic was not caused by the influenza virus acting on its own -- most of the victims that succumed to death also suffered from concurrent bacterial pneumonia infections. Pathologists who examined individuals effected by the 1918 virus found that the virus destroyed the cilia in the lungs that fight infection, leaving the body vulnerable to a bacterial attack.

Another reasearcher, Lawrence Broxmeyer, MD, believes that the virulence of this particular influenza strain could be boosted by a concurrent exposure to the tuberculosis mycobacterium, based on the symptoms associated with TB, the age range of affected persons, and the high case rates for TB among Mexican immigrants.

Here's the good news: Given the state of modern medicine, both bacterial pneumonia infections and mycobacterial infections like tuberculosis are highly treatable with antibiotics.

The most important thing to do is get checked at the first signs of flu-like symptoms, get tested, and get the appropriate treatment.

Don't forget my tips for boosting your immune system.

Be Well!

Boost Your Immunity and Beat Swine Flu

At the time that I'm writing, 103 people have died in Mexico from swine flu and there are 40 cases reported in the United States. All of the cases in the U.S. are mild, but there is a world-wide alert to prevent a possible pandemic.

The U.S. government has declared a public health emergency, and U.S. citizens are being advised to avoid any non-essential travel to Mexico.

Sounds scary, but there's a lot that you can do as an individual to boost your immunity and keep yourself healthy and strong while others are getting sick around you.

Here are six important tips for keeping your immune system functioning at its peak:

1. Put Lemons in Your Water - This simple health tonic benefits your entire system. Although Lemons are acidic, they help boost your body's natural alkalinity. Also, Lemons are rich in flavonoids, nutrients that are essential to your immune system functions.

2. Take Herbs to Boost Your Immunity - My favorite herbal formula during the cold and flu season is Jade Windscreen. More effective immune symptom tonics are elderberry, echinacea, astragalus and raw honey.

3. Don't Skimp on Sleep - Sleep is essential to a healthy immune system.

4. Drink Plenty of Water - Your immune system won't function properly if your body isn't properly hydrated. Drink enough water, and avoid dehydrating substances like caffeine and alcohol.

5. Call in Sick - Staying at home when you're sick is the best thing for you and for your co-workers. If you stay home, you'll get better faster and you won't be exposing everyone else to the contagious pathogen that's got you feeling bad.

6. Take Good Care of Yourself - If you're sick, don't stop doing things that make you happy, because stress and depression have a negative effect on your immune system. Do whatever you can to boost your mood - watch funny movies, read books that you enjoy - while you're at home recovering. You'll bounce back faster than if you lay around stressing about what you're not doing.

Good Luck! Be Well!

Here in the United States, many people expect food to taste sweet. When I was in acupuncture school, I remember one of my instructors telling me: "Learn to love the bitter taste. It's good for your heart."

Sure, food should taste good, but it's possible to get too much of a good thing. Each sweetner that you choose - natural or unnatural - could have ramifications on your overall health if used to excess.

So which sweetener is best? Here's a breakdown of sweeteners and their possible risk factors:

• Honey - My personal favorite, especially raw, unfiltered honey. In addition to the many claims of medicinal health benefits, honey is rich in chromium, an essential mineral necessary for regulating blood sugar.
  
• High Fructose Corn Syrup - Many alternative health care practitioners believe high levels of frustose in food and drinks are responsible for the obesity epidemic in this country. A recent study explains how high fructose corn syrup blocks an enzyme necessary for clearing fat from the liver.
  
• Organic Cane Juice - For those who haven't figured it out yet, this is liquid sugar.
  
• Sugar - Sugar, or sucrose, breaks down to 50 percent glucose and 50 percent fructose. Used in moderation, it's not such a bad thing, especially if you are a health person who exercises regularly. And, if you're concerned about calories, one teaspoon is 16 calories. That's all.
  
• Aspartame - Too risky. Too much controversy. Especially considering that most people who drink diet soda drink a lot of diet soda, at least one per day. If you're going to take risks with your body, why not do something fun like parachuting or kayaking?
  
• Sucralose - Again, too risky. When you're reading reports of toxic overdose, doesn't it make you stop and think?
  
• Stevia - Sweeter than sugar, stevia is a plant-based low to no calories sweetner used by health advocates for years. For me, it's too sweet and a little challenging to use, but could be just the ticket for folks who can't give up the sweet taste.

Choose well, be well and have a wonderful day!