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Doctors show this patient education film while explaining what high blood pressure (otherwise known as the silent killer) does to a body. A kreativevistas Production for Kaiser Permanente

Cholesterol Drug Scam, Wake Up America 13 Whats the truth about high cholesterol & cholesterol drugs? The statin drugs (drugs to lower cholesterol) such as Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor, Lescol, Mevacor & Pravachol are some of the pharmaceutical industries top selling categories of drugs. Do these drugs really save lives and lower hearth attack rates? Are high cholesterol foods really terrible to eat? Are eggs terrible to eat? What are the side effects of statin drugs? Can lowering your cholesterol …

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Should you take a statin? The cholesterol-lowering drugs have been shown to help prevent heart attack and stroke with minimal side effects.: An article from: Women’s Health Advisor

High cholesterol levels are approaching epidemic proportions in western society. For that reason, it’s necessary to learn how to lower LDL cholesterol. But what precisely is it? Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced by the liver. It is critical to {each and every cell in the body. Cholesterol also enters the body through saturated fats that we eat in particular foods.

There are 2 basic sorts of cholesterol. One is regarded excellent the other is terrible. The terrible cholesterol is called Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL). A blood test that discovers your terrible cholesterol levels below 130 milligrams per deciliter ( mg/dL ) is regarded excellent. The excellent cholesterol is the High Density Lipoprotein (HDL). It works to cleanse the body of excess amounts of amounts of LDL cholesterol, so a larger number, something above forty mg/dL, is considered healthy. Your total cholesterol readings should be lower than two hundred mg/dL for optimal health.

Do you want to know how to lower LDL cholesterol and why it is vital? Lower cholesterol is vital to living a long and healthy life, one that is free from heart problems or stroke. Those are risk factors that come with elevated levels of cholesterol. The health problems arise when there is too much total cholesterol in the blood. This impedes blood flow and prohibits it from moving smoothly thru the arterial system. Over time, excess cholesterol builds up on the inside of the artery walls and narrows the space through which blood flows. This narrowing of the arteries is named atherosclerosis. Finally this passage becomes so small that it chokes off blood flow absolutely and the result’s a coronary or stroke. The danger of this is even larger if you also have high blood pressure, diabetes, or if you are overweight. A doctor will tell you how to lower LDL cholesterol with the aid of drugs. Pharmaceuticals are frequently prescribed to lower cholesterol. One effective and well loved class of medication is called statin drugs. These medications work to lower overall cholesterol, but carry with them a number of complications, and a number of them are serious. These perilous side effects include kidney failure, muscle weakness, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, and others.

Many people are reluctant to take costly and possibly life threatening drugs and they want to know how to lower LDL cholesterol naturally. And really, it is very simple. To lower cholesterol naturally, diet and exercise are imperative. A low stout, low cholesterol diet containing certain vitamins can seriously lower LDL cholesterol. This is right regardless of whether your cholesterol results from terrible diet choices or hereditary factors. An additional benefit of exercise is the fact that exercise can raise HDL cholesterol so that your system is better able to remove excess LDL cholesterol.

Want more information? Learn the details to lower cholesterol naturally without using harmful drugs with my simple and incredibly powerful guide. Download the complete plot at: Lower Cholesterol Today!

For a person with high cholesterol levels, the danger is for real. It is due to the cholesterol build up in the arteries and the cause of heart attack and stroke.

In order to prevent the increase of levels, there have been many ways on how to decrease cholesterol naturally without side effects. The main ways that been discussed can be grouped into 2 main categories:

1. Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC).

2. Nutritional Supplements.

First way on how to Decrease Levels Naturally – Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC).

Lifestyle changes are occasionally hard for some kind of people. It is hard to break peoples habits without determination. But, knowing what is needed to change is the major step towards that change.

* Watch your food and diet

* Reduce / stop smoking if you are a smoker and don’t smoke

* Exercise regularly and lose weight to normal balance

Second way on how to Decrease Levels Naturally – Nutritional Supplements.

Chose one of the clinically proven supplements on how to decrease cholesterol naturally is the most vital step towards the stages. You should always consider nutritional supplements with solid proof and science backing up the claims on how to decrease cholesterol naturally through supplements.

* Policosanol

* Guggulipid

* Fish oil supplements

* Garlic cholesterol

* Flax seed and cholesterol

* Red yeast rice

There’s other way to deal with levels besides the 2 main ways listed, but that’s not natural. Using of statin drugs is the most common but have adverse side effects on your health, such as damaging your liver and weakening muscle.

Supplements are the most recommended solution without side effects that produce results more or less same as drugs. The only difference between both of the ways would be time. It might take longer periods to decrease cholesterol levels naturally through supplements.

INTRODUCTION

Despite substantial medical progress in the past two decades, coronary heart disease (CHD) remain the major health problem in most of the industrialized countries (Anderson et al; 2000). The disease remains a common cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. The incidence of CHD in Pakistan is as high as in the western world (Karira et al; 2000).

Elevated serums total and low density lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol concentrations are powerful risk factors for CHD, with oxidation of LDL potentially playing a major role in atherogenesis and development of CHD. Each 1 % increase in the serum cholesterol concentration results in 2-3% increase in CHD risk (Anderson et al; 2000). The levels below 200 mg/dl are classified as desirable blood cholesterol, those 200 to 239 mg/dl as borderline high blood cholesterol and those 240 mg/dl and above as high blood cholesterol. The cut point that defines high blood cholesterol (240 mg/dl) is a value above which risk of CHD rises steeply. The cut points recommended are uniform for adult men and women of all ages (Kostner GM; et al 1989). Regarding management of primary hyperlipidemia, diet restriction, bile acid resins, statins, clofibrate, Psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid and nicotinic acid play an vital role(Timmis AD; 1991). Furthermore in primary and secondary prevential trials, a reduction in total and LDL cholesterol concentrations improved the function of the coronary endothelium and decreased the risk of CHD (Mayes, 1993). Consumption of soluble fibers significantly lowers serum total and LDL-Cholesterol concentration. Such fibers may provide an alternative to drug therapy. For some patients of the viscous soluble fibres, psyllium husk fibres appear to be one of the most effective, with the least adverse effects. Small term placebo controlled studies showed that consumption of 7-10 gm of Psyllium/day lowers serum total cholesterol concentration 4-11 % below placebo control concentration. (Edington, 1987).psyllium does not significantly affect blood pressure or levels of high-density cholesterol, triglycerides, serum glucose, or iron (Bell et al; 1989).

Psyllium is naturally occurring water-soluble gel forming fiber. It is common household remedy in Pakistan for constipation. Cholesterol lowering efficacy of diet can be considerably improved if a soluble fiber content of food is increased and this can be achieved by judicious selection of food or by supplementation with Psyllium (Memon, 2001, Spence et al; 1995).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study was conducted at department of Pharmacology and therapeutics, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from January to July 2002.Forty patients of primary hyperlipidemia were initially enrolled in this study, selected from ward and OPD of National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Karachi. Newly diagnosed and untreated primary hyperlipidemic patients of either sex, age range from 17 to 70 years were randomly selected. Patients with diabetes mellitus, peptic ulcer, renal disease, hepatic disease, hypothyroidism and alcoholism were excluded from the study by available laboratory investigation, history and clinical examination. After explaining the limitations, written consent was obtained from all participants. The study period consisted of 90 days with fortnightly follow up visits. The required information such as name, age, sex, occupation, address, previous medication, date of follow up visit and laboratory investigations, etc of each patient was recorded on a proforma, especially designed for this study. Initially a detailed medical history and physical examination of all patients were carried out. All the base line assessments were taken on the day of inclusion (Day-0) in the study and a similar assessment was taken on Day-90 of research design. After fulfilling the inclusion criteria patients were randomly divided into two groups, i.e.Drug-1(Psyllium husk 10gm/day) and Drug-2(placebo capsules, containing equal amounts of partly grinded wheat) groups. Patients of drug-1 group were advised to take Psyllium husk (ISPAGHOL) 10 gm daily in three divided times after or before each meal. Patients of drug-2 group were provided placebo capsules, i.e. one capsule, TID, after meal for 90 days. Patients were called every 2 weeks for follow up to check blood pressure, weight, pulse rate and general appearance of the individual. Drug compliance to the regimen was monitored by interview and counseling at each clinical visits. Serum LDL-cholesterol was calculated by Friedwald formula (LDL-Cholesterol = Total Cholesterol-(Triglycerides/5 +HDL-Cholesterol) described by Delong et al (1986) and Beamount et al (1970)11.Data were expressed as the mean ± SD and “t” test was applied to determine statistical significance as the difference. A probability value of <0.05 was the limit of significance.

RESULTS

Out of 40 patients, 38 completed the over all study period. Two patients withdrew from one group (Psyllium husk group) due to non-compliance of psyllium.They did  complaint about metallic test after taking Psyllium husk. Tables 1, 2, and 3 are showing the results. When results were summed up and test parameters were compared, it was seen that, after 90 days of treatment with Psyllium husk, LDL-Cholesterol decreased from 159.72±5.70 mg/dl to 129.55±2.81 mg/dl, which is highly significant (P<0.001). The overall percentage change from day-0 to day-90 was -18.88, as shown in table no 1. In placebo group at day-0, LDL-Cholesterol level was 150.75±2.67 mg/dl, which decreased to 148.80±2.28 mg/dl, which is non-significant (P>0.05).The overall percentage decrease in the parameter was -1.29.The difference between mean values among placebo group and Niacin group is 17.59, which is highly significant (<0.001)

DISCUSSION

This study proves that significant changes occurred in serum LDL-Cholesterol as a result of administration of Psyllium husk for the period of three months.

LDL- Cholesterol is reduced  18.8% in this period, which is highly significant (<0.001). Our study matches with the study of Anderson et al (1988) who observed nearly same changes in LDL- Cholesterol of 26 male patients, treated with 3.4 gm of Psyllium thrice daily for eight weeks. Our study results are in contrast with the study results of Kris-Etherton et al (1999) who observed less percentile changes in lipid profile of hyperlipidemic patients. They observed that Psyllium decreased LDL- Cholesterol 10.2% in 70 male patients when treatment period was 4 weeks. This contrast may be due to increased sample size and lesser duration of treatment in their study. They even saw 1% increase in HDL-Cholesterol in placebo group but by Psyllium treatment HDL-Cholesterol  was decreased upto 0.3%.They did not mention the mechanism by which placebo increased the HDL-Cholesterol and Psyllium has reduced it. They discussed various mechanisms by which Psyllium decreased cholesterol. One of the mechanisms was that Psyllium stimulated bile acid synthesis (7- ?-hydroxylase activity). Second mechanism was diversion of hepatic cholesterol for bile acid production. Effects of Psyllium on absorption of  cholesterol and stout appeared minimal but may  make a small contribution to cholesterol lowering. Additional mechanisms such as inhibition of hepatic cholesterol synthesis by propionate and secondary effects of slowing glucose absorption may also play a role.   

REFERENCES

1. Anderson JW, Davidson MH, Blonde L, et al (2000).Long term cholesterol-lowering effects of Psyllium as an adjunct to diet therapy in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia.Am. J. Clin; 71: 1433-8.

2. Beamount JL, Carlson LA, Cooper GR (1970). Classification of hyperlipidemia. Bull. WHO; 43: 891-908.

3. Bell LP, Hectorne K, Reynolds H, Balm TK, Hunninghake DB (1989). Cholesterol lowering effects of Psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid. JAMA; 261; 3419-3423.

4. Delong DM, Delong ER, Wood PD, Lippel K, Rifkind BM (1986). A comparison of methods for the estimation of plasma low and very

5. Edington L, Geekie M, Carter R et al (1987). Effects of dietary cholesterol on plasma cholesterol concentration in subjects following reduced stout, high fiber diet. BMJ; 294: 333-336.

6. Karira KA, Shah SMA, Salahuddin et al (2000). Incidence of lipid disorders in offspring of patients with premature myocardial infarction. Medical Channel; 6: 9-12

7. Kostner GM, Gavish D, Leopold B, Bolzano K, Weintraub MS, Breslow JL (1989). HMG-CO A reductase inhibitors lower LDL cholesterol without reducing LP (a) levels.

8. Kris-Etherton PM, Pearson TA, Wan Y et al (1999). High mono-unsaturated fatty acids diet lower both plasma cholesterol and triglycerol concentration. Am. J. Clin. Nutr; 70: 1009-1015.

9. Mayes PA, (1993). Cholesterol synthesis, transport and excretion. In: Harper’s Biochemistry. Murray RK, Granner DK, Mayes PA, Rodwell VW. Eds. (23rd edition) Appleton and Lange, Connecticut,pp. 266-278.

10. Memon MA (2001). Efficacy, safety and tolerability of Psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid in mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia. Medical Channel; 7: 37-40.

11. Spence JD, Huff MW, Heidenheim P, et al (1995). Combination therapy with colestipol and Psyllium mucilloid in patients with hyperlipidemia. Ann. Intern. Med: 123; 493-499.

12. Timmis AD (1991). Early diagnosis of myocardial infarction. BMJ; 7: 309-310.

            Cholesterol is a flat, waxy molecule that is synthesized by all animals, including humans. It is one of the most misunderstood biochemicals that have been learned, and the mainstream media is certainly not helping the public to know what the functions of cholesterol really are. Cholesterol has two main functions. One is to be the raw material, or building block, for all steroid hormone synthesis in the body. Steroid hormones are very vital molecules in the body that help the body deal with stress, bone health, sexual health, salt regulation, and many other functions. The second main function of cholesterol is to provide fluidity for the cell membranes of the body, so that they can function correctly at their surfaces. Most of the body’s cells are not rigid: they are flexible, and their flexibility is often related to their particular function. Without cholesterol to help cell membranes stay fluid, most cells could not perform many of their basic functions, and we would soon die as a consequence.

            Cholesterol is therefore a very vital molecule, absolutely crucial to life and health. In stout, too low of a cholesterol level can result in increased suicide and cancer risks (1). On the other hand, although normal levels are cholesterol provide very positive functions in the body, too high of a cholesterol level can be harmful to the heart and the rest of the cardiovascular system. High cholesterol can also contribute to high blood pressure, gallstones, mental problems, and impotence (2). Cholesterol has often been blamed as a main cause of many chronic diseases, such as heart disease. But, cholesterol consumption has remained constant during the last 100 years, but heart disease has increased dramatically (1). Therefore, cholesterol consumption alone cannot be responsible for the increase in heart disease. Much of the reason for this is that, for the average person, only about 20% of their blood cholesterol comes from the animal products that they eat in their diet, and the other 80% is made from their liver (3). Major dietary sources of cholesterol include eggs, meat, and dairy products. According to Dr. Udo Erasmus, a world-renowned expert on fats and their metabolism, nearly everyone can control their cholesterol levels by diet alone (1).

            Since cholesterol is a waxy molecule, it cannot be dissolved in blood, which is mostly water. This is similar to oil and vinegar salad dressing: the oil and vinegar don’t mix, because the vinegar is mostly water. This is due to water attracting more charged molecules. Since oils are generally not charged at all, they cannot attract water and can’t enter the bloodstream by themselves. Due to this problem, special proteins are needed to shuttle cholesterol in the bloodstream to its various destinations in the body. The cholesterol, which is a form of lipid, and cholesterol-shuttling proteins are known as lipoproteins. There are different densities of lipoproteins, depending on how much lipid is bound to the proteins. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) transports cholesterol in the bloodstream to where it is needed. High density lipoprotein (HDL) then comes in to clean up any excess cholesterol. HDL is known therefore as the “excellent” cholesterol because it regulates the levels of LDL cholesterol. Excess cholesterol is taken back to the liver by HDL, then broken down and excreted.

            When HDL levels are too low, LDL levels are too high, or there are not enough antioxidants in the bloodstream to protect the cholesterol, then it may end up sticking on arterial surfaces. In fact, one of the uses for cholesterol by the body is to help repair hurt in certain tissues. Unless it has been oxidized, cholesterol is really more helpful to the body than it is harmful. If the cholesterol does happen to become oxidized and stick on the arterial wall, immune cells called macrophages then come in to clean up the oxidized cholesterol. If there is a large amount of oxidized cholesterol in one area, the macrophages will end up taking in the hurt cholesterol until they die, and really become part of the arterial deposit, called a plaque. Arterial plaque that builds up can restrict blood flow from the heart, which can result in many serious subsequent illnesses.

            Most health professionals recommend LDL levels to be below 130 mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter). To help visualize an LDL level of 130 mg/dl, you could reckon of it as 130 parts in 100,000, or 1.3 parts per thousand (0.13% of the bloodstream’s components). HDL levels are recommended to be over 40 mg/dl. Many practitioners feel that the total cholesterol/HDL ratio is more vital for gauging overall health than the HDL and LDL numbers alone. The total cholesterol level is generally agreed to be under 200 mg/dl for a healthy person. In general, a total cholesterol/HDL ratio that is considered healthy is under 4 (ex. 160 mg/dl cholesterol and 40 mg/dl HDL).

            Although fats such as cholesterol serve vital structural and hormonal functions, what about the fats that are used for energy utilization? These are known as triglycerides: they have a different structure and function than cholesterol. They consist of three fatty acid chains linked to a small molecule called glycerol. Gram for gram, fatty acids have more than twice the energy as protein or carbohydrates. A normal triglyceride level in the bloodstream is under 150 mg/dl. There are four main types of fats that come from foods. Saturated fats are most often obtained from animals. They tend to raise LDL levels. Monounsaturated fats are from plants, such as olives and peanuts. They help lower cholesterol levels and also fight oxidation (4). Polyunsaturated fats are mostly derived from plants. They help lower both total cholesterol and LDL levels. Unfortunately, like cholesterol, polyunsaturated fats themselves are easily oxidized. Flaxseed oil is a excellent example of a polyunsaturated stout. Trans fats are artificially made to help solidify them for convenience. Margerine is a excellent example of a trans stout. Trans fats not only raise cholesterol and LDL levels, they also lower HDL levels (4). 

            There are many different factors that can influence cholesterol levels. When carbohydrates are ingested, the hormone insulin is released into the bloodstream. Insulin then increases cholesterol production (5). Stress can also increase cholesterol production, since cholesterol makes stress hormones (1). In fact, as mentioned earlier, cholesterol is the building block for all steroid hormones (5). Unfortunately, the level of cholesterol alone is not the only factor that determines how healthy a person’s arteries are. When mineral and vitamin antioxidants are low, cholesterol can be used as an antioxidant in the bloodstream (1). The oxidized cholesterol has sacrificed itself to neutralize a damaging free radical molecule. But, the situation inside the body is now even worse, because the oxidized cholesterol then ends up binding to arterial walls. Immune cells try to clean up the hurt cholesterol, but they end up dying and sticking to the arterial wall too. The above process then progresses to atherosclerosis (heart disease).The above explanation of the danger of oxidized cholesterol is an additional reason to supplement with antioxidants.

            Current medical recommendations are to keep total cholesterol lower than 200 mg/dl. But, the association between high cholesterol and death is not apparent until the level is over 240 mg/dl. Therefore, the level between 200 mg/dl and 240 mg/dl is often termed “borderline high” cholesterol levels (4). There is some controversy about when to use cholesterol-lowering drugs, since cholesterol levels can really be perilous if they fall too low (6). Some experts disagree that high cholesterol should be blamed for heart attacks. The average blood cholesterol level of a heart attack patient is 244 mg/dl. This is only 20% greater than the average American’s cholesterol level, which is 205 (7). Also, one out of three heart attack victims have cholesterol levels under 200 mg/dl (8).

            Niacin (vitamin B3) has been used both clinically and holistically to reduce cholesterol levels. The amount of niacin to achieve this is very high, over 1000 mg a day (the average B-complex supplement has only 50 mg). Although niacin is a naturally-occurring vitamin, in very high doses it can have several side effects. These may include: liver hurt, skeletal muscle problems, eye problems, heart abnormalities, glucose intolerance, and peptic ulcers (9). Vitamin C can lower cholesterol levels (10). The two-time nobel prizewinning scientist Linus Pauling has also noted that vitamin C can help with heart health in two additional ways: by strengthening arterial walls, and by converting cholesterol into bile acids, which in turn help stout digestion and subsequent metabolism (10). 

            There is currently some controversy about vitamin E supplements. In theory, they should be taken in order for their stout-soluble antioxidant’s ability to protect cholesterol in the bloodstream. In reality, high doses of vitamin E (400 IU/day or more) may really increase the death rate a small percentage by as yet unknown mechanisms (11). Vitamin E supplements normally come as just one form, alpha-tocopherol. In nature, vitamin E exists as four major forms, alpha, beta, gamma and delta tocopherols. Taking too much alpha-tocopherol may inhibit the assimilation and actions of the other three vitamin E species. If someone decides to supplement with vitamin E, make sure that it is natural and contains all four forms of the vitamin. Also, in the ten studies that showed vitamin E to be harmful (11), five studies were done on patients that already had established diseases that were serious, and may not be helped simply by taking more of one vitamin. Eight out of the ten studies also had the average age of study patients over sixty years, which means that most of them have been accumulating oxidative hurt in their bodies for several decades before any antioxidant therapy was initiated. For now, if you choose to supplement with vitamin E, take only 200 IU/day of mixed tocopherols, unless otherwise directed by your physician.

There are a number of cholesterol-lowering medications on the market. Below are listed the potential side effects of these medications.

Statins (block cholesterol production)

Fluvastatin (Lescol), Simvastatin (Zocor), Pravastatin (Pravachol), Lovastatin (Mevacor)

Muscle and liver problems for all statins. Mevacor also increases inflammatory fatty acids

Fibric Acids (block cholesterol production)

Gemfibrozil (Lopid), Fenofibrate (Tricor)

Gallbladder problems, Liver & kidney toxicity

Bile Acid Sequestrants (lower blood cholesterol)

Cholestyramine (Questran), Colestipol (Colestid), Colesevlam (Welchol)

All sequestrants relatively safe; Questran not as safe for children

Here are some potential side effects of natural cholesterol-lowering supplements and herbs:

Herbs

Guggulipids, extract of Commiphora Mukul from the Myrrh herb: May cause hypoglycemia

Garlic: Allergic reactions, bleeding, several drug-garlic interactions

Grains and Yeasts

Red rice yeast extract: Contains the active ingredient Lovastatin, so toxicity the same as Lovastatin above

Minerals

Chromium Picolinate: Possible mild hypoglycemia

Fiber

Guar Gum; Rare hypoglycemia cases 

Oat Bran: Occasionally raises triglyceride levels

Apple Pectin: Relatively safe, may lower some drug levels in the body

Amino Acids

L-Carnitine: Rare seizure cases

            There are some additional fascinating facts about how to regulate cholesterol levels: High-fiber diets are one of the best ways to help regulate blood cholesterol levels (1). Too much coffee (several cups per day) can raise cholesterol levels. Cooking with extra virgin olive oil is beneficial for people with high cholesterol. There are many different ways to help keep someone’s cholesterol levels in a healthy range by natural means. One can explore several avenues of naturally treating high cholesterol if they do not want to take the pharmaceutical drug path.

References:

1. Erasmus, U. Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill, 14th Ed. Burnaby, BC (Canada): Alive Books, 1993.

2. Balch, P. Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 3rd Ed. Avery Books/Penguin Putnam Inc., 2000.

3. Fleming, R., & Monte, T. Stop Inflammation Now! New York, NY: Putnam, 2004.

4. Litin, S., ed. Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 3rd Ed. New York, NY: HarperCollins Books, 2003.

5. Sears, B. The Zone. New York, NY: Regan Books / HarperCollins Publishers, 1995.

6. Eades, M., & Eades, M. The Protein Power Life Plot. New York, NY: Warner Books, 2000.

7. Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine—(orig. manuscript in Italian), published online 12/17/2000.

8. Feinstein, A. Healing with Vitamins. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Books, Inc., 1996. 

9. PDR Generics, 3rd Ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1997. 

10. Pauling, L. (1974). Are recommended daily allowances for vitamin C adequate? Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 71(11): 4442-4446.

11. Miller, ER, et. al. (2005). Meta-analysis: high-dosage vitamin E supplementation may increase all-cause mortality. Annals of Internal Medicine, 142(1): 1-11.

Powerful Joint Cream Works Better Than Vioxx or Celebrex — Without the Side Effects Two years ago, you were the first to read breakthrough news about a most incredible product from the sea called Seanol. Seanol is a term for bioflavonoids (polyphenols) found in a particular marine seaweed (Ecklonia cava), which grows off the coast of Korea. The Koreans have used this seaweed as a food for centuries. But Dr. Haengwoo Lee found that it wasn’t an ordinary food. Dr. Lee learned that the plant produces what appears to be the most complex and powerful polyphenol known to man. And the supplement made from these polyphenols is the most potent antioxidant I’ve used. Now, Dr. Lee has developed a formulation that holds incredible promise to relieve you of arthritis pain. And you don’t need to visit your doctor or take a toxic drug. In fact, you don’t have to take anything. Let me clarify. Seanol is a mix of polyphenols that are both water and lipid soluble. The latter allows it to get into your brain. And the former makes it easily absorbed by your body and used in the general waters of your body. But Dr. Lee’s latest innovation separates these two forms and concentrates the lipid soluble fraction, which he calls Mitol. When formulated into a high quality cream, the lipid soluble polyphenol passes easily through your skin. It can concentrate directly into any inflamed tissues you apply it to. These include your joints (arthritis), skin (dermatitis), tendons (tendonitis), and muscles (generalized muscle aches, fibromyalgia, etc.). We now know, thanks to Dr. Lee, that Mitol has the incredible power to modulate inflammation. Inflammation, as I’ve clarified before, is the source of pain, tissue hurt, and tissue destruction. How can this one supplement possibly do so much? Everyday wear and tear and injury causes your body to release enzymes that promote inflammation. Inflammation is not all terrible. It’s your body’s way of breaking down, eliminating and/or repairing worn out or hurt tissue. The problem is when inflammation is sustained, causing more break down than repair and replacement. For example, if this occurs in your joints, the inflammation will break down your cartilage, causing severe hurt and pain. In your skin, inflammation will dissolve your collagen, which leads to thinning and/ or rashes. There are some key aging and pro-inflammatory enzymes in your skin and cartilage. One is the cox-2 enzyme. That is cyclooxygenase, a powerful promoter of inflammation. Dr. Lee studied his topical Mitol product on about 400 patients. It proved more effective than the highly touted and expensive drug Celebrex. The researchers split up the participants into roughly equivalent groups of 200 each. They compared topical Mitol to ingested Celebrex. Then they measured all four parameters of arthritis: pain, stiffness, physical function, and composite score. After just six weeks, the Mitol was better than Celebrex. I’ve told you that NSAIDs may reduce your pain today and really ruin your cartilage tomorrow. Not so for these nature-made nutrients. Unlike drugs, they help to optimize balance in your healing pathways. Drugs are like an iron hammer. In the past, I’ve told you about hyaluronic acid for treating joint pain. Both conventional doctors and alternative doctors have turned to injections of hyaluronic acid into joints like your knee and hips to cushion degenerating cartilage. Why go through expensive injections when there’s a cheaper — and painless — way to increase your hyaluronic acid? Mitol inhibits an enzyme called hyaluronidase. This enzyme breaks down hyaluronic acid. So instead of adding hyaluronic acid, Mitol gives you an simple way to boost your body’s own production of the joint lubricant. Why is Mitol so effective? Dr. Lee performed a study on mice to answer that question. His researchers gave the mice pro-inflammatory UV-B irradiation to their skin. This ramps up the cox-2 enzymes. Then they gave the mice Mitol, which reduced the activation of cox-2 by 70%. In other words, you don’t need cox-2 drugs to stop joint pain. A simple, natural cream can do it more effectively and without the toxic side effects. That’s how the cream stops joint pain. But Dr. Lee found that Mitol can help your skin as well. In fact, Dr. Lee found that Mitol really prevented skin cancer in mice. And in those mice with skin cancer, it reduced their tumor volume up to 43% and cellular division by 60%. Both oral and topical Mitol were effective. There’s more. Mitol might really prevent and reverse the wrinkling and sagging of your aging skin. It inhibits a key enzyme matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) by up to 80%. This is comparable to the antibiotic drug doxycycline. MMP breaks down your collagen. MMP rises with age, sun hurt, and other inflammatory promoters. Mitol suppresses the highly pro-inflammatory chemical called tumor necrosis factor alpha. It reduces another highly inflammatory enzyme called inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) by 90%. Mitol also inhibits an enzyme called elastase. This enzyme permanently breaks down the elastic proteins in your skin. It has extremely potent free-radical scavenging abilities, probably the highest of the bioflavonoids because of its highly complicated structure. It has up to eight polyphenol rings, which makes it much stronger than any other polyphenol. It’s an extremely powerful antibacterial. And it also promotes circulation. I mentioned earlier that Mitol inhibits an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid. In addition to aiding in joint health, this acid is necessary for moisture retention in your skin. And skin moisture is required for suppleness. Less hyaluronic acid means more moisture loss. So Mitol works in several ways to keep your skin moist and supple. How well does it work? Photographs of skin treated with Mitol demonstrate the elimination of fine facial wrinkling and the ability to lighten age spots. The latter are often due to free radical hurt. Mitol is available in a preparation called Algaea-X for topical use. Algaea-X is a special formulation for joints. Other topical preparations for skin lightening, wrinkle improvement, sun burn, scar recovery, and eczema are in the works. I’ll let you know about these when available. You can order Algaea-X from Advanced Bionutritionals, which also carries Seanol in the product Fibroboost (the most potent oral Seanol product on the market). While Fibroboost will help your joint pain, Algaea-X allows you to direct these wondrous polyphenols to your most affected areas. So the results come quicker and they’re more pronounced. To order Algaea-X, call 800-791-3395 today.