Although cholesterol-lowering drugs such as statins may be beneficial for patients who have already suffered a heart attack or are at high risk for coronary heart disease, they are currently being over-prescribed. Prescription drugs come with undesirable side effects, often unrecognized. Statins are associated with a number of complications including memory loss, muscle aches and weakness, development of type 2 diabetes, and increased length of hospital stays. Depression and mental lapses have been reported if the drugs are used to reduce cholesterol below the level of 140.
Why are cholesterol lowering medications so widely prescribed? Many physicians assume that patients will not alter the way they eat, exercise, sleep, and weigh-in on the scales. Therefore, they should be medicated! On the other hand, the ProHealth Lab’s non-drug approach will actually reverse and prevent cardio-vascular disease, even in the small blood vessels throughout your organ-systems. Leading researchers such as Dean Ornish, MD, Caldwell Esselstyn, MD, and Paul Pritikin have proven the superiority of nutritional and lifestyle interventions over drugs and/or surgical interventions for the majority of patients.
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance transported through the blood that is essential to bodily functions. It is derived from the food we eat and is also produced by our liver. When high levels are present in the blood stream, cholesterol can penetrate the walls of the arteries, forming deposits known as plaque. Plaque often enlarges and may combine with inflammatory elements causing rupture of the vessel wall. Now exposed to the blood stream, a clot can attach which may obstruct blood flow and the delivery of essential oxygen to vital organs such as the heart (heart attack) and brain (stroke).
By following these simple steps outlined below, you can lower your cholesterol in four weeks without prescription drugs. By decreasing your cardio-vascular disease risk, you can also improve your chances of avoiding associated diseases which include: hypertension, retinal disease, periodontal disease, erectile dysfunction, migraines, insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and even anxiety and/or depression.
De-stress with 20-30 minutes per day of deep breathing, yoga, Tai Chi, aroma therapy, warm baths, prayer, relaxation tapes, mediation or soothing music.