High Triglycerides, Help Please with Natural Remedies - High Cholesterol Message Board

Llquim · 01-24-2007, 10:38 PM

New poster to the board. I have had high cholesterol (248) and also the HDL/LDL levels are out of whack. I forget the numbers right now but will call the doctor to find out exactly and post again with them. My triglycerides have been high for a while now and still are (500 range I think, will post definite # tomorrow). The doctor put me on Gemfibrozil, but I have not taken it because I would prefer some natural remedy, if I can find one that will work. As I understand, this Gemfibrozil can cause gastrointestinal side effects, and is "hard" on your liver...(is that true?)

Fish oil, specifically the FISOL brand, has not done it. It did help lower overall cholesterol (from like 280) taking 3 daily for months before my latest test result above. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to help with my TGs at all.

A little more about me. I am male, 38, 5'11" 175-180 lbs, in good shape and work out regularly. I don't eat a lot of junk food. I make it a point to eat a good variety of fruits/vegetables. I actually like broccoli, brussel sprouts, etc. Unfortunately, I do not like fish...never have. I do like steak (only 6 ozs at a time), but I definitely eat much more chiken than red meat. I don't drink. I do have one piece of cake or some sort of sweet per day, but that's it, 1 per day. I also have 1 coke, no more.

As to carbs, I have probably an average amount....well, compared to the average american, I have equal to or less than average amt of carbs. I'm sure I could cut back, but I doubt it would be enough to drastically change the numbers.

So, I'm thinking this is genetic, but not the Metabolic X that I have read about (no diabetes, blood sugar levels normal, excellent blood pressure (110/60). I do know that my Aunt (Dad's sister) had to go to the hospital for pancreatitis not long ago. Her TGs were much higher, she is older, ~40-50 lbs overweight, never exercises, and smokes, but does not drink.

So, are there some other natural remedies that I can try? I've heard of policosanol....red yeast, something else? If you need any additional info just let me know.

Thanks for reading and I appreciate any help!

P.S. One more question. Does anyone know how long Gemfibrozil has been in use in the U.S. or worldwide? Another reason I'm hesitant to take is because I"m leery of "new" drugs. The FDA in the last 5-10 years has really turned from being an advocate for citizens to "partners" with the drug companies...I just don't trust them to do the due diligence (like the Phen-Phen disaster) they are supposed to do.

Lenin · 01-25-2007, 05:59 AM

Quote:

One more question. Does anyone know how long Gemfibrozil has been in use in the U.S. or worldwide? Another reason I'm hesitant to take is because I"m leery of "new" drugs.

Liquim,

Gemfibrozil has been around for a coon's age, much longer than statins even. I found an entry for Lopid in my 1987 PDR.

It is specific for people who suffer hypertriglyceridemia as you seem to. It prevents the liver from making new triglycerides from fatty acids and also inhibits VLDL cholesterol formation. Also bosts HDL.

Take it before two meals a day and the drug works much better if dietary cholesterol is kept low.

Policosanol is pretty much a waste of money. Red yeast rice is a weak statin and thus is effective for some people.

What are the rest of your numbers?

Llquim · 01-26-2007, 07:23 PM

Hi Lenin,

Thanks for responding. I apologize I was not able to call the doctor's office. They told me the #'s a month or so ago, but I didn't write them down. I will call them first thing Monday and get the complete #'s so you'll have the complete picture.

LauraBow · 01-27-2007, 12:08 PM

Cutting back on carbs would be very effective in lowering your trigs. It cut my number in half. You mention cake and coke, which have lots of suugar, but what about bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, anything made with flour, and many fruits. All of these raise your trigs.

Lenin · 01-28-2007, 06:56 AM

Llquim,

Yes it sounds like a genetic problem to me. That is the kind that most often is resistant to diet changes. The aunt with pancreatitis from hypertriglyceridemia is very telling.

Look further into Metabolic Syndrome...other markers that you didn't mention specifically are a very low HDL and an abundance of abdominal fat. Do these pertain to you?
Of course KNOWING you have Syndrome X and DEALING with it are two different things.

<Make that Coke a Diet Coke.

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