Official save our heart thread

[RetiredMod]

After a discussion with some bros over on EF decided to create a thread where people could share ways to keep our hearts healthy, specifically in regards to LDL, HDL and total cholesterol. Please try not to repeat the same ones, and if you have evidence (studies, etc.) please post. As heart disease seems to be biggest risk long term with steroid use, it should concern us ALL.

Here's what I've come up with (well not me personally lol):

-Anti-oxidants: vitamin A,C,E and ALA (ALA I don't have evidence for but since it is a powerful anti-oxidant and it increases effectiveness of vitamins C&E it makes logical sense). For an explaination on why this is see (1)

-Tomatoes, specifically in regards to lowering LDL (see (2))

-Garlic (see (3))

-Selenium (found a bunch of studies for this one, none of them alone were that great though, but after looking through lots of them seems pretty solid that this can be effective)

-EFA's: olive oil, fish oil, flax seed oil (my choice would be fish oil from what I've read). These should be used in regards to HDL

-Regular cardio (I'd say at least 3 times per week to see much of a difference)

-Red Rice Yeast Extract (apparrently "It promotes HMG-CoA reductase inhibition action" to cause a positive impact on lipid profile according to Baoh over on EF, I'm trying to find more evidence though)

(1)
Clin Excell Nurse Pract 1998 Jan;2(1):10-22

A review of vitamins A, C, and E and their relationship to cardiovascular disease.

Brown DJ, Goodman J.

University of Florida, College of Nursing, J. Hillis Miller Health Sciences Center, Gainesville, Florida, USA.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), particularly in the form of coronary artery disease, is the leading cause of death in the United States. Research in the past 10 years links pathogenic low-density lipoprotein (LDL) modification to oxidation damage by free radicals. This review summarizes the major findings of CVD-related epidemiologic research and clinical trials conducted in the past 5 years on vitamins A, C, and E. Vitamin supplementation behaviors are discussed. In prospective studies, the intake of vitamins A, C, and E has been correlated with lower mortality rates. When recent clinical trials and oxidation studies are analyzed, the weight of evidence suggests that 100-400 IU of daily vitamin E over 2 years or more may be most efficacious in reducing low-density lipoprotein oxidation and positively influencing mortality rates from CVD in primary care. Research also supports vitamin E supplementation in patients with known CAD or a history of transient ischemic attacks. Persons with diabetes or hypertension as well as smokers may benefit from supplemental vitamin C intake. Targeted antioxidant vitamin intake should be included in CVD risk assessment and primary preventive counseling efforts.

PMID: 12675072 [PubMed - in process]


(2)
Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2003;43(1):1-18

Tomatoes and cardiovascular health.

Willcox JK, Catignani GL, Lazarus S.

Dept. of Food Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27695-7624, USA.

Diet is believed to play a complex role in the development of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the Western world. Tomatoes, the second most produced and consumed vegetable nationwide, are a rich source of lycopene, beta-carotene, folate, potassium, vitamin C, flavonoids, and vitamin E. The processing of tomatoes may significantly affect the bioavailability of these nutrients. Homogenization, heat treatment, and the incorporation of oil in processed tomato products leads to increased lycopene bioavailability, while some of the same processes cause significant loss of other nutrients. Nutrient content is also affected by variety and maturity. Many of these nutrients may function individually, or in concert, to protect lipoproteins and vascular cells from oxidation, the most widely accepted theory for the genesis of atherosclerosis. This hypothesis has been supported by in vitro, limited in vivo, and many epidemiological studies that associate reduced cardiovascular risk with consumption of antioxidant-rich foods. Other cardioprotective functions provided by the nutrients in tomatoes may include the reduction of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, homocysteine, platelet aggregation, and blood pressure. Because tomatoes include several nutrients associated with theoretical or proven effects and are widely consumed year round, they may be considered a valuable component of a cardioprotective diet.

PMID: 12587984 [PubMed - in process]


(3)
Int J Vitam Nutr Res 2001 Sep;71(5):306-12

Acute and chronic toxicity study of fish oil and garlic combination.

Morcos NC, Camilo K.

Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the acute and chronic toxicology of oral intake of fish oil (omega-3 fatty acid) and garlic combination food supplements. These supplements were proven to have beneficial effects on the lipid profile. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the potential long-term effects of fish oil and garlic combination supplements on the biochemistry of organ structure and function. The hypothesis to be tested was that acute and chronic high-dose supplements of fish oil and garlic may not adversely affect organ histology but may influence certain metabolic activities. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study was carried out using 28 Sprague Dawley rats separated into a placebo group (16 rats) and a supplement group (12 rats). The supplement group received the ingredients in chow inserts at a dosage that was equivalent to three times the maximum safe daily dosage for fish oil and the usual daily dosage for garlic (the maximum safe daily dosage recommended by the United States Food And Drug Administration for a 70-kg human is a total of 3 g/day intake of EPA and HDA omega-3 fatty acids from conventional and dietary sources. The usual daily garlic usage is garlic powder = 1200 mg). The study was conducted over a period of 12 months with evaluations performed at baseline, 2 months, 6 months, and 12 months. Results confirm the expected acute triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL suppression at these higher dosages in the supplement group. Acutely and chronically, there were no differences in external appearance, level of activity, daily food consumption, blood cell count, kidney function, thyroid function, prothrombin time (PT), and activated partial prothrombin time (PTT), which remained within normal ranges in the supplement group. Organ histology remained unchanged. Although during the chronic toxicity period the triglyceride and LDL suppression persisted, it was noted that total cholesterol and HDL levels increased. The increase in cholesterol and HDL in the supplement group during chronic toxicity periods is simultaneous with loss of suppression of plasma levels of other liver function marker enzymes, ALT and AST, which are not involved in cholesterol synthesis. This possibly suggests that other liver enzymes involved in cholesterol synthesis, such as HMG-co A reductase, follow a similar escape from suppression.

Publication Types:
· Clinical Trial
· Randomized Controlled Trial

PMID: 11725696 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[pogue]

Good sources of fiber from oats, flax seeds, psyllium husks and grapefruit can help lower cholesterol levels.

[RetiredMod]

Yeah I remember reading something about how high GI carbs can contribute to heart disease, I didn't really understand it though.

[Source11]

This made it easier for me to understand.

http://www.health-heart.org/

attached the image cause it was cool :)

[RetiredMod]

Originally posted by Source11
This made it easier for me to understand.

http://www.health-heart.org/

attached the image cause it was cool :)
I like that image, good find

[Source11]

Treating High Blood Cholesterol

When a patient without heart disease is first diagnosed with elevated blood cholesterol, doctors often prescribe a program of diet, exercise, and weight loss to bring levels down. National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines suggest at least a six-month program of reduced dietary saturated fat and cholesterol, together with physical activity and weight control, as the primary treatment before resorting to drug therapy. Typically, doctors prescribe the Step I/Step II diet (see "Food for Thought") to lower dietary fat, especially saturated fat. Many patients respond well to this diet and end up sufficiently reducing blood cholesterol levels. Study data reinforce these benefits. For example, a 1998 Columbia University study examined 103 male and female patients of diverse ages and ethnic backgrounds and found that reducing dietary saturated fat directly affected blood cholesterol. For every 1 percent drop in saturated fat, the study showed a 1 percent lowering of LDL in patients.

But sometimes diet and exercise alone are not enough to reduce cholesterol to goal levels. Perhaps a patient is genetically predisposed to high blood cholesterol. In these cases, doctors often prescribe drugs. The National Cholesterol Education Program estimates that as many as 9 million Americans take some form of cholesterol-lowering drug therapy. The most prominent cholesterol drugs are in the statin family, an array of powerful treatments that includes Mevacor (lovastatin), Lescol (fluvastatin), Pravachol (pravastatin), Zocor (simvastatin), Baycol (cervastatin), and Lipitor (atorvastatin). Many doctors say statin drugs have revolutionized patient care.

"These drugs have had a fantastic impact on cholesterol treatment," says Redonda Miller, M.D., assistant professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. "They all lower cholesterol levels, but the side effects are minimal."

A study published in the medical journal Circulation in 1998 showed that statins dramatically lower the risk of dying from heart disease. Research found that for every 10 percentage points cholesterol was reduced, the risk of death from heart disease dropped by 15 percent.

So far, only three of the drugs--Mevacor, Zocor and Pravachol--have been studied in long-term, controlled trials. "Based on existing evidence, [statin drugs] all have similar safety profiles and are effective at lowering cholesterol in appropriately selected patients," says FDA's Orloff. "The difference between drugs lies mainly in their absolute capacity to lower cholesterol--that is, at the highest approved daily doses."

One landmark study completed in 1994, the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study, or 4S, showed a 42 percent reduction in deaths from heart disease and a 30 percent drop in death from all causes over five years in patients with coronary heart disease whose high LDL levels were lowered with Zocor. The West of Scotland study, reported in 1995, revealed similar benefits from lowering LDL levels with Pravachol in patients without heart disease. And the Cholesterol and Recurrent Events (CARE) study, reported in 1996, showed that lowering LDL levels with Pravachol reduced heart attacks and deaths in patients with a previous heart attack but with cholesterol levels relatively average for the general population. This study showed that Pravachol treatment not only reduced death from heart disease but also death from all causes in a group of heart disease patients with average cholesterol levels.

A 1997 study, the Air Force/Texas Coronary Atherosclerosis Prevention Study, showed that Mevacor helped prevent a first heart attack or unstable angina in men and women with average cholesterol levels but with below-average HDL.

Statins work by interfering with the cholesterol-producing mechanisms of the liver and by increasing the capacity of the liver to remove cholesterol from circulating blood. Statins can lower LDL cholesterol by as much as 60 percent, depending on the drug and dosage.

Heart patient Norbert Hoffmann, 65, of Northfield, Minn., saw what he calls "a dramatic drop" in cholesterol levels after taking Zocor for three months. For example, his total cholesterol went from 270 to 145 mg/dL and LDL from 182 to 82 mg/dL.

But patients can respond differently to drugs. Some patients may have fewer side effects with one drug than another. "I had problems such as stomach cramps with Zocor," says Oklahoma patient Linden Gilbert, 50. His doctor ultimately switched him to Lipitor, which he credits with lowering his total cholesterol from 230 to 150 mg/dL.


Other Drug Treatments

These include:

Nicotinic acid (niacin)-This lowers total and LDL cholesterol and raises HDL cholesterol. It also can lower triglycerides. Because the dose needed for treatment is about 100 times more than the Recommended Daily Allowance for niacin and thus can potentially be toxic, the drug must be taken under a doctor's care.
Resins--Doctors have been prescribing Questran (cholestyramine) and Colestid (colestipol) for about 20 years. These "resins" bind bile acids in the intestine and prevent their recycling through the liver. Because the liver needs cholesterol to make bile, it increases its uptake of cholesterol from the blood.
Fibric acid derivatives--Used mainly to lower triglycerides, Lopid (gemfibrozil) and Tricor (fenofibrate) can also increase HDL levels.
Aspirin--Because studies have shown that aspirin can have a protective effect against heart attacks in patients with clogged blood vessels, doctors often prescribe the drug to patients with heart disease.


Directly from here.........

http://www.unicitynetwork.com/main_free_healthreport.asp?Site_ID=QhlIV27NKFRAbYG uNrQPuRQ7


(Definitely am finding this info very interesting, I am skimming through right now through sites finding info, so I haven't read this in it's entirety, but will, but from what I have skimmed really good)

[Source11]

Dietary Sodium Intake and Subsequent Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Overweight Adults

Jiang He, MD, PhD; Lorraine G. Ogden, MS; Suma Vupputuri, MPH; Lydia A. Bazzano, BS; Catherine Loria, PhD, MS; Paul K. Whelton, MD, MSc


JAMA. 1999;282:2027-2034.

Context Dietary sodium is positively associated with blood pressure, and ecological and animal studies both have suggested that high dietary sodium intake increases stroke mortality.

Objective To examine the risk of cardiovascular disease associated with dietary sodium intake in overweight and nonoverweight persons.

Design Prospective cohort study.

Setting The first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Epidemiologic Follow-up Study, conducted in 1982-1984, 1986, 1987, and 1992.

Participants Of those aged 25 to 74 years when the survey was conducted in 1971-1975 (14,407 participants), a total of 2688 overweight and 6797 nonoverweight persons were included in the analysis.

Main Outcome Measures Dietary sodium and energy intake were estimated at baseline using a single 24-hour dietary recall method. Incidence and mortality data for cardiovascular disease were obtained from medical records and death certificates.

Results For overweight and nonoverweight persons, over an average of 19 years of follow-up, the total number of documented cases were as follows: 680 stroke events (210 fatal), 1727 coronary heart disease events (614 fatal), 895 cardiovascular disease deaths, and 2486 deaths from all causes. Among overweight persons with an average energy intake of 7452 kJ, a 100 mmol higher sodium intake was associated with a 32% increase (relative risk [RR], 1.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-1.64; P = .01) in stroke incidence, 89% increase (RR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.31-2.74; P<.001) in stroke mortality, 44% increase (RR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.14-1.81; P = .002) in coronary heart disease mortality, 61% increase (RR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.32-1.96; P<.001) in cardiovascular disease mortality, and 39% increase (RR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.23-1.58; P<.001) in mortality from all causes. Dietary sodium intake was not significantly associated with cardiovascular disease risk in nonoverweight persons.

Conclusions Our analysis indicates that high sodium intake is strongly and independently associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality in overweight persons.


Author Affiliations: Departments of Epidemiology (Drs He and Whelton and Mss Vupputuri and Bazzano), and Biostatistics (Ms Ogden), Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, La; and the National Center for Health Statistics, Hyattsville, Md (Dr Loria).

[Source11]

If you are smart, and really want to understand this.......

READ THIS!!!!!

http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/282/21/2043?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=LDL%2C+HDL+and+total+cholesterol&searchid=1050122574382_646&stored_search=&FIRSTINDEX=0&journalcode=jama

and explain it to me please.......

[Source11]

I am officially done researching.....

Everything you need to know about LDL and HDL and Cholesterol is right here. If you really have the time, read it. But it is long, hard reading, and extremely complicated.

http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/285/19/2486?ijkey=FSTkpDCkgJQkw

PS -> If that ain't enough info for ya, then I am gonna run away :)

[Gilster]

From personal experience nothing scientific or any study I can post. I don't have my ldl or hdl breakdown as these things meant nothing to me at the time. This is what I remember 100%

Several years ago(about 6 years) I was a walking heartattack. I weighed about 350 lbs and was over 56-60% bf. I had a 64" waist. I had blood work done and these were my results.

Triglycerides 763
Cholesterol 468

My doctor's jaw hit the floor and flat out told me I had a year to live unless I changed my life around. This is what I had come to after years of neglecting my body. I was not at a point where I was ready to make changes but I did listen to the advice of a friend who had recieved a tripple bypass surgury a few years before. I had never taken any natural supps at all at the time. He told me that he had gotten good results from Niacin. So with nothing to lose I began taking 800mgs 2x/d of non-flush niacin. This type of niacin will not give you that creepy feeling that regular niacin will give you. I changed NOTHING else in my lifestyle. I still ate the same way and even gained weight. After 2 months my doc had more blood work done to see if I was any closer to death really. These were my results after using niacin for about 2 months straight at 1600mgs/d.

Triglycerides 166
Cholesterol 142

At least for me it works. I read a study a while back about it but I would have to do some digging to find it. I'll take a look and get back to this post. I see that Source11's link has a niacin study on it but I am not paying for a subscription. I am a cheap old man...lol...

I still take non flush niacin after every cycle, and my lipid profiles come back beautiful about 6 weeks after I start taking it. Immediately after a cycle they are scary. I only stop taking it when I am on a cycle so my body does not get used to it and to let the gear do it's work uninterupted. Not that I know that it would.

[BOZZ]

BUMP for some good info.




bOZz

[gofer]

what a fu(king beutiful thread MC!

[gofer]

Goddamnit, I really should toss a few of those egg yolks..

[RetiredMod]

Originally posted by Gilster
From personal experience nothing scientific or any study I can post. I don't have my ldl or hdl breakdown as these things meant nothing to me at the time. This is what I remember 100%

Several years ago(about 6 years) I was a walking heartattack. I weighed about 350 lbs and was over 56-60% bf. I had a 64" waist. I had blood work done and these were my results.

Triglycerides 763
Cholesterol 468

My doctor's jaw hit the floor and flat out told me I had a year to live unless I changed my life around. This is what I had come to after years of neglecting my body. I was not at a point where I was ready to make changes but I did listen to the advice of a friend who had recieved a tripple bypass surgury a few years before. I had never taken any natural supps at all at the time. He told me that he had gotten good results from Niacin. So with nothing to lose I began taking 800mgs 2x/d of non-flush niacin. This type of niacin will not give you that creepy feeling that regular niacin will give you. I changed NOTHING else in my lifestyle. I still ate the same way and even gained weight. After 2 months my doc had more blood work done to see if I was any closer to death really. These were my results after using niacin for about 2 months straight at 1600mgs/d.

Triglycerides 166
Cholesterol 142

At least for me it works. I read a study a while back about it but I would have to do some digging to find it. I'll take a look and get back to this post. I see that Source11's link has a niacin study on it but I am not paying for a subscription. I am a cheap old man...lol...

I still take non flush niacin after every cycle, and my lipid profiles come back beautiful about 6 weeks after I start taking it. Immediately after a cycle they are scary. I only stop taking it when I am on a cycle so my body does not get used to it and to let the gear do it's work uninterupted. Not that I know that it would.
Yeah I saw lots of good stuff on niacin too, I'll have to give the non flush a try. Reason I was hesitant about using niacin is because of the "creeping feelings" as you put. But I'll give the non-flush a shot in my upcoming cycle see how it goes. That is an amazing transformation Gilster. Did you have any liver problems with the niacin? Thought I remember reading niacin is a bit tough on the liver. Not that it being a little hard on the liver is a big deal when you are getting results like you got.

[Source11]

Bump

[Gilster]

Originally posted by McBain
Yeah I saw lots of good stuff on niacin too, I'll have to give the non flush a try. Reason I was hesitant about using niacin is because of the "creeping feelings" as you put. But I'll give the non-flush a shot in my upcoming cycle see how it goes. That is an amazing transformation Gilster. Did you have any liver problems with the niacin? Thought I remember reading niacin is a bit tough on the liver. Not that it being a little hard on the liver is a big deal when you are getting results like you got. No liver problems at all even to this day and I take niacin year round except when on cycle. I do take other liver protectors though as well because of anabolic orals, so I am not aware if it does anything to your liver because I have no probs because of the protection I take.

The Non-flush Niacin is the best. You will not get that creepy feeling at all. It costs a bit more but it is worth it. Like I said before, I am a cheap old man and I tried the regular niacin and I felt my skin crawl. I threw out the bottle all together. With the Non-flush you will not even know you took it.

[Yoda]

An interesting fact (that may not apply to many us) is the use of alcohol as a preventitive measure against heart disease. If you look back at recommendations regarding alcohol consumption, it was very conservative about 10 years ago (ie 1 glass a day). Now it is up to 2-3 glasses / per day. There is a growing body of research showing that low to moderate alcohol consumption can have a preventitive effect against atheroschlerosis. It can increase HDL production etc. Of course at high levels of consumption, the risk of various cancers and other problems outweigh the benefits regarding cv disease.

Unfortunately if you are on the gear this isn't going to be a good idea since your hepatocytes aren't going to want to process this too. But it may be valid a few months afterwards. Get a wine making kit and do up a batch of red wine. You'll have a cheap plentiful source of booze.

[RetiredMod]

I've never been swayed by the studies. Maybe I'm just paranoid but I think the studies are either funded/conducted by people with alterior motives. Too many negative aspects of alcohol to consume on a daily basis. I dunno about everyone else but I consider having 2-3 drinks daily as a pretty heavy drinker. At least with your weekend binge drinkers they give themselves the weekdays to recover, with the daily drinkers they never get a chance. Not to say weekend binge drinkers don't run into problems as well..

[Yoda]

I doubt that there is some sinister purpose behind such studies. It has long been recognized that the meditterranean diet is much more effect in preventing heart disease than the typical north american diet. Red wine and good fatty acids are attributed to its success. North American culture has somehow bought into the concept that consuming alcohol is only for it's pyscho-active properties (ie. as a drug). The truth is that it can be a valid part of the diet if used appropriately. But much like omega-3 fatty acids, consuming buckets of it will have a negative effect eventually.

[RetiredMod]

Originally posted by Yoda
I doubt that there is some sinister purpose behind such studies. It has long been recognized that the meditterranean diet is much more effect in preventing heart disease than the typical north american diet. Red wine and good fatty acids are attributed to its success. North American culture has somehow bought into the concept that consuming alcohol is only for it's pyscho-active properties (ie. as a drug). The truth is that it can be a valid part of the diet if used appropriately. But much like omega-3 fatty acids, consuming buckets of it will have a negative effect eventually.
Well I'd have to disagree there :) I've been to the meditteranean and throughout Europe and there are plenty of hardcore alcoholics. Europe likes to paint the picture that they use alcohol more responsibly than the USA....but like I said it's just a picture they paint. I think alcoholism is not significantly more rampant here than many European countries. Again the numbers will probably disagree, but you have to look at who is putting out the numbers. If you've been throughout Europe I think it becomes quickly apparrent (again depending on the countries you go to).

I think more than anything else the reason Americans are so fat is sugar/soda/candy/pastry consumption. It's just not the same over in Europe as it is here from my experience. I think attributing Europe's lowered risk of heart disease due to red wine is a big leap to take. I will agree with the omega-3's, the damn 80's fad diet still has some thinking fats are all bad.

Another reason I think that is a HUGE reason why Americans have higher risk of heart disease is stress. If you just look at the average hours an typical american works compared to those in Europe, the numbers are usually significantly higher in the US. Many European countries are just more laid back. Plus I think people around Europe are more likely to use public transportation (which requires some degree of minimal exercise) while most Americans use their cars to drive to their neighbor's house. lol

I guess a lot of this is just based on speculation though, I just know for ME. Drinking 2-3 drinks daily makes me feel like ****. I bloat, gain fat more easily and am more lethargic.

[priapis]

Originally posted by Gilster
No liver problems at all even to this day and I take niacin year round except when on cycle. I do take other liver protectors though as well because of anabolic orals, so I am not aware if it does anything to your liver because I have no probs because of the protection I take.

The Non-flush Niacin is the best. You will not get that creepy feeling at all. It costs a bit more but it is worth it. Like I said before, I am a cheap old man and I tried the regular niacin and I felt my skin crawl. I threw out the bottle all together. With the Non-flush you will not even know you took it.

what kind of effect did the niacin have on HDL (and hdl-ldl ratio)?
I have ok cholesterol numbers, but real low hdl after cycles.

[d piece]

Any opinions on CoQ10?

[muscl_savant]

I've read that statin drugs are dangerous, plus they are not very effective.

I take anti-oxidants, but not for lower cholesterol. I keep reading that two cane extracts of the sugar cane are very effective in lowering triglycerides and cholesterol. These are beta sitosterol and policosanol. I haven't seen them combined, but they are available at health food stores--esp. online. Policosanol blocks reuptake of cholesterol in bile in the intestines. Taken alone, it could drop your blood cholesterol by 30% while tilting the balance in favor of the good cholesterol.

Best of luck.

[size]

Originally posted by d piece
Any opinions on CoQ10?

I take it.



About GARLIC----->
Garlic tabs you buy at the store are junk and useless b/c allicin is not present.
"Allicin is produced by an enzymatic reaction when raw garlic is either crushed or somehow injured. The enzyme, alliinase, stored in a separate compartment in garlic, combines with a compound called alliin in raw garlic and produces allicin."
"Research conducted at the Chemistry Department of the University of California showed that commercial garlic products on the market all contain an undetectable amount (<1 ppm) of allicin."
If you do not want to eat fresh garlic, try ALLIMAX. It is a product that contains 100% allicin.
I wrote about it briefly in the best of section. I started using this product and say a dramatic decrease in blood pressure.

[RetiredMod]

Originally posted by size
I take it.



About GARLIC----->
Garlic tabs you buy at the store are junk and useless b/c allicin is not present.
"Allicin is produced by an enzymatic reaction when raw garlic is either crushed or somehow injured. The enzyme, alliinase, stored in a separate compartment in garlic, combines with a compound called alliin in raw garlic and produces allicin."
"Research conducted at the Chemistry Department of the University of California showed that commercial garlic products on the market all contain an undetectable amount (<1 ppm) of allicin."
If you do not want to eat fresh garlic, try ALLIMAX. It is a product that contains 100% allicin.
I wrote about it briefly in the best of section. I started using this product and say a dramatic decrease in blood pressure.

I had heard galic tabs were useless, never knew that was the reason why. Any idea what sort of dosages one would want to take if one was eating fresh garlic? (i.e. 4 pieces)

[SupremeDan]

soy Lecithin is the best thing around to lower bad cholesterol.....the rest is rest

[RetiredMod]

Originally posted by SupremeDan
soy Lecithin is the best thing around to lower bad cholesterol.....the rest is rest
please post more info on it whether it be from personal experience (let us know how long you used it, how much daily, and what the change in your cholesterol was) or be it from studies (please post the studys if that is the case)

[SupremeDan]

well there are some studies... but i have personal results....and they were great!!!

Firt my father.... he started supplementing with soy lecithin when he was 19(he is 43 now)My famyly has tendency for high cholesterol in some blood vassels, he's left leg bood vessel atarted to acumulate cholesterol even in a low choles diet. when he was 18 his legs were really bad and he went to a doctor. nothing would take out those cholesterols of my dads blood vessels.after a year the cholesterol started to acumulate in the blood vessel of his left ball too...thew doctor sayd that he would have to take his left ball out. then some guy came talking abiut soy lecithin and he gave it a shot. 16g a day about 3 soup spoond a day, in 2 weeks his left balls were ok and the doctor called off the opperation. sinse then he uses it , cured his left leg( which was allmost black of so much blood and chosleterol acumulated) and he looks so young,he has no white hair..it's all black and he has a really good skin while his brother that didn't supplement with soy lecithin has all white hair since he was 30. my father says that the black hair is do allso to soy lecithin.

I've been supplementing with 10g a day sinse i was 15 when some blood vessels in my left leg began to get dark , lot of pain behind the leg in the behind knee area...one week and the pain was gone with soy lecithin...never had any problems with blood vassels again...
I think u can get good results taking 6g a day...taking 10 like me gives me the power to destroy all the cholesterol that acumulates in the vassels....in my last vacation i was with some friends in a house that we rented...I ate only junk foods...about 8-10 chhese burgers and fries a day...had no problem with my chronic vassel(sure got from my dad....genetycs are beautiful!!) thanks to soy lecithin!!!

Its for sure the best supplement for cholesterol...nothing come close.........SOY LECITHIN!!!

[SupremeDan]

put this thread in the best of steroids section....

[SupremeDan]

.........

[SupremeDan]

Mc bain..... add soy lecithin in the first post.....

[muscl_savant]

Dr. Ornish and cardiac surgeons prescribe diets that eliminate animal fat. They force people to eat more fiber, veggies and fruit. Ornish has to lock the doors at his clinic to keep people from leaving to eat junk food and greasy beef. But, after a month those people that are ready for a stent or bypass have lower cholesterol.

I saw a 20/20 on ABC. They took an old man that couldn't walk more than 20 feet and had an enlarged heart and gave him CoQ10 for a month. His heart shrank and he could run with his grandson.

CoQ does not lower cholesterol, but it could save your heart.

[muscl_savant]

BTW, Dr. Ornish wrote a book on cleaing out the arteries with diet.

A person with clogged arteries could also try chelation therapy. A person either gets a series of IV drips or takes pills. Either way, they are getting calcium EDTA.

Do a web search on Ornish and EDTA for more info.

[muscl_savant]

It's probably a good thing to use some lecithin to keep the cholesterol down. I do take some. Why not. Autopsies on babies show cholesterol plaque in their hearts. I also heard of a village in Sweden where no man lives over the age of 25--they die of heart attacks.

I am too young to die at any age !!

[DRUNK83]

First off, EVERYONE needs to take B-Complex for their heart. And make sure your B-Complex has all the B-vitamins.


Niacin does work. My grandmother took it and the results were dramatic. It is amazing.

Flaxseed oil. I've even heard of BLOCKAGES that were thought permanent, were actually cleared and removed by using flawseed oil.


Of course all the antioxidants etc.