High cholesterol – a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) – is the leading cause of death in the UK. Statins are currently the medical answer to reducing cholesterol, with up to half the adult population above 40 and 100% of the population above 60 now being recommended or prescribed them.
However, a recent study showed that up to half of those taking cholesterol lowering medications such as statins were discontinuing treatment due to side effects or fear of side effects, despite remaining at high risk of heart attack or stroke.
The issue is that while this highly publicised debate between our medics regarding mass over-prescription and side effects of statins continues unabated, it sends a confusing message to those considering how best to lower their cholesterol – and therefore their health risk – effectively.
In response to a study published in the British Medical Journal Open on statin prescribing, Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, Chair of the Royal College of GPs said, “Clinical guidelines are very useful tools for GPs when developing a treatment plan for patients, but they are guidelines, not tramlines.
“A decision to prescribe statins – or any medication – should always be the result of a discussion between GP and patient, about the various treatment options available, as well as potential side effects.”
So what else can you do if you unable or unwilling to take statins to maintain healthy cholesterol? Here are a few tips that may help you in your quest to remain heart healthy.
Tweak your eating habits for good!
We all know that saturated fat raises cholesterol in the blood. So, eating more fibre, including plenty of fruit and vegetables, will go a long way to improving your heart health.
Swap out unhealthy foods such as red meats, fatty foods and basic products many of us consume daily for the following:
- Oily fish such as mackerel and salmon
- Nuts such as almonds and cashews
- Seeds such as sunflower and pumpkin seeds
- Vegetable oils and spreads including vegetable oil, sunflower, olive, corn and walnut oils
Reducing your total fat intake can also help reduce your risk of heart disease. Instead of roasting or frying, try:
- Grilling
- Steaming
- Poaching
- Boiling
Eating plenty of fibre helps lower your risk of heart disease and can help lower LDL cholesterol. Good sources of fibre include:
- Wholemeal bread, bran and wholegrain cereals
- Fruit and vegetables
- Potatoes with their skins on
- Oats and barley
- Pulses such as beans, peas and lentils
- Nuts and seeds
Get active!
Even a 30 minute brisk walk each day is scientifically proven to lower cholesterol and aid overall health. Aim for 2-3 hours of moderate aerobic activity every week for best results.
Adding certain nutritional supplements to your daily diet can also benefit heart health.
Recent research shows that plant based nutritional supplements are the future. Look at products that include ingredients known for improving heart health. These include red yeast rice, phyto-sterols and Co Enzyme Q10.
All three ingredients are acknowledged worldwide for their beneficial effects. In fact, extensive and rigorous clinical trials have shown that red yeast rice and plant sterols lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides. And recent research links low blood levels of CoQ10 with low levels of heart-protective “good” cholesterol, which in turn may further increase risk for heart disease. Statins may also reduce blood levels of CoQ10.
There are many products available that comprise 1, 2 and even 3 of these ingredients listed. All in One – a heart health supplement from Perfect Vascular Natural combines all 3 ingredients in the one formula. It is also used and endorsed by heart health experts.
Said Cardiologist, Dr Einsenberg, “I have been utilising Vascular Natural All in One for over three years in my practice with impressive results. I have approximately 2000 patients currently on All in One for control of their cholesterol with about an 82% retention rate.
“I have found in my clinical experience, Vascular Natural All in One provides me an alternative to my current armamentarium.”
Facts
- High cholesterol remains one of the biggest risk factors for Cardio Vascular Disease (CVD), which kills around 300,000 people each year or is responsible for 1 in 2 of all deaths. Around half of all deaths from CVD are from Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) and about a quarter are from stroke
- Around 2.3 million people are currently living with CHD in the UK alone
- High cholesterol has no symptoms – you cannot feel the effects it can have on your arteries and your heart, hence its name ‘silent killer’
- Prevention is always better than cure. Preventing CVD is possible by maintaining healthy cholesterol levels
- Up to half the UK population above the age of 40 and 100% of those above 60 are being recommended statins
- A recent survey of found that up to 50% of people stopped their statin medications because of side effects or the fear of side effects from long-term use of these medications
- Common side effects of statins include nausea, aching muscles and fatigue
- Maintaining healthy cholesterol slows the fatty build-up in the arteries and can help reduce the build-up already there
- Almost everyone can benefit from lowering their cholesterol
All In One heart health supplement is available to purchase from Revital health stores nationwide (www.revital.co.uk), leading pharmacies (including the Cromwell Hospital in London) as well as online. Priced from £28 for a one-month supply.
Last modified: June 10, 2021
