Safer Alternatives to Statins for Lower Dangerous Cholesterol - The Nerve Doctors

Summary

This video discusses the alarming rise in high cholesterol levels among younger adults, attributing it to unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyles. It warns against the use of statins due to their severe side effects, such as cognitive impairment and increased risk of diabetes. Instead, the video presents safer, science-backed alternatives for lowering cholesterol, including exercise, dietary changes, and supplements like red yeast rice, berberine, and amla. The host emphasizes the importance of making informed choices for better health outcomes.

Takeaways

• 🚫 Elevated cholesterol levels, once seen predominantly in adults over 40, are now increasingly common among individuals in their early 20s.
• 💊 Statin medications, commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol, have been linked to serious side effects such as cognitive impairment, nerve damage, liver damage, and an increased risk of diabetes.
• 📈 The number of statin prescriptions has more than doubled since 2002, reflecting the growing prevalence of high cholesterol among younger populations.
• 🍽 Diet changes, particularly the consumption of ultra-processed foods and beverages, and a sedentary lifestyle are significant contributors to the rise in cholesterol levels among younger individuals.
• 🏃‍♂️ Regular exercise, including aerobic activities and resistance training, can improve cholesterol levels by increasing HDL (good cholesterol) and decreasing LDL (bad cholesterol).
• 🥗 Incorporating soluble fiber from foods like oats, barley, beans, lentils, and certain fruits and vegetables can help lower LDL cholesterol.
• 🐟 Increasing omega-3 fatty acids through the consumption of fatty fish, flax seeds, and chia seeds is essential for heart health and can help lower cholesterol levels.
• 🍇 Red yeast rice, when taken in appropriate doses, has been shown to be as effective as low-dose statins in lowering cholesterol, with the added benefit of not causing the same range of side effects.
• 🌿 Berberine and amla, two natural supplements, have been clinically proven to lower cholesterol levels by reducing LDL and triglycerides while increasing HDL.
• ⚠️ Niacin (vitamin B3) can significantly improve cholesterol profiles but is often associated with side effects like flushing, which may deter some individuals from using it.

Q & A

What has changed in the past 20 years regarding cholesterol levels?

Twenty years ago, elevated cholesterol levels were typically seen in adults over the age of 40, but now cases are starting to appear in people in their early 20s due to changes in diet and lifestyle.

What are some of the side effects associated with Statin use?

Statins have been linked with cognitive effects like dementia and memory loss, nerve damage, liver damage, cardiac injury, muscle injury, and an increased risk of developing diabetes.

How has the prescription of Statins changed since 2002?

The number of Statin prescriptions has more than doubled since 2002 as high cholesterol has become a more prevalent issue affecting younger populations.

What are some lifestyle factors contributing to the rise in cholesterol levels among younger individuals?

The rise in cholesterol levels among younger individuals is attributed to changes in diets, including the consumption of ultra-processed foods and beverages, and a more sedentary lifestyle due to increased use of electronic devices.

What are some alternatives to Statins for lowering cholesterol levels?

Alternatives to Statins include regular exercise, dietary changes, and certain supplements like red yeast rice, berberine, and amla, which have been shown to lower cholesterol without the severe side effects associated with Statins.

How does exercise help improve cholesterol levels?

Exercise boosts enzymes that increase HDL (good cholesterol) and enhance its function, while also lowering LDL (bad cholesterol), specifically the harmful branch known as sdLDL. It also reduces triglycerides and improves insulin sensitivity.

What dietary changes are recommended to lower cholesterol?

Dietary changes include adding soluble fiber from foods like oats, barley, beans, lentils, fruits, and vegetables, increasing omega-3 fatty acids through fatty fish, flax seeds, and chia seeds, and boosting monounsaturated fatty acids with extra virgin olive oil, avocados, nuts, and seeds.

What is red yeast rice and how does it help with cholesterol?

Red yeast rice is a supplement that has been shown to be as effective as low-dose Statin drugs in lowering cholesterol. It works by lowering sdLDL cholesterol and triglycerides and can also reduce the risk of heart attacks or strokes.

What precautions should be taken when using red yeast rice as a supplement?

Red yeast rice should not be taken with Statins and if you're on a blood thinner, your doctor should monitor your PT INR levels. It's also important to ensure the supplement contains a full-spectrum red yeast rice extract for effectiveness.

What are the benefits of berberine and amla for cholesterol management?

Berberine can reduce cholesterol production in the liver, remove sdLDL cholesterol from the bloodstream, and improve microbiota. Amla, or Indian Gooseberry, has been shown to lower triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL levels while increasing HDL levels.

Why was niacin not included in the list of cholesterol-lowering supplements?

Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, was not included because, despite its effectiveness in improving cholesterol profiles, it is known to cause a flushing phenomenon that can be uncomfortable for more than 50% of people taking higher doses.

Outlines

00:00

🧠 Rising Cholesterol Levels and Risks of Statins

This paragraph addresses the concerning trend of elevated cholesterol levels now affecting younger populations, starting from their early 20s. It highlights the associated risks of using statins, a class of drugs traditionally prescribed to lower cholesterol. These risks include cognitive effects like dementia and memory loss, nerve damage, liver damage, cardiac injury, muscle injury, and an increased risk of diabetes. The paragraph emphasizes the growing number of Americans dealing with high cholesterol and the surge in statin prescriptions since 2002. It introduces the video's focus on exploring safer and scientifically proven alternatives to statins for managing cholesterol levels without severe side effects.

05:00

🏋️‍♂️ Exercise and Diet: Natural Approaches to Lower Cholesterol

The second paragraph delves into the role of exercise and diet in managing cholesterol levels. It underscores the importance of aerobic exercises and resistance training in boosting HDL (good cholesterol) and reducing LDL (bad cholesterol), particularly the harmful subtype known as sdLDL. The paragraph also discusses the impact of sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy dietary habits, such as the consumption of ultra-processed foods and beverages, on the rise of cholesterol issues among younger individuals. It suggests small, incremental dietary changes, like increasing soluble fiber intake from whole foods and incorporating more omega-3 fatty acids, to improve cholesterol levels. The paragraph also mentions the significance of watching a related video on statins for a comprehensive understanding of cholesterol management.

10:01

🍽️ Supplements for Cholesterol Management

This paragraph focuses on supplements that have been clinically proven to reduce cholesterol levels effectively. It discusses red yeast rice, which has been shown to be as effective as low-dose statins in lowering cholesterol, particularly sdLDL cholesterol and triglycerides. The paragraph provides guidance on choosing a high-quality red yeast rice supplement and the appropriate dosage. It also mentions the need for CoQ10 to mitigate potential muscle pain side effects. Additionally, the paragraph introduces other supplements like berberine and amla, which have unique mechanisms for reducing cholesterol levels, and provides recommendations on dosage and brands. It concludes with a cautionary note on the use of red yeast rice with statins or blood thinners and the importance of medical supervision.

15:03

🌿 Holistic Approaches to Cholesterol Health

The final paragraph emphasizes the importance of choosing safer, natural alternatives to manage cholesterol levels, given the serious side effects associated with statin medications. It encourages viewers to take control of their health through informed choices and proactive lifestyle changes. The paragraph also touches on the exclusion of niacin from the list of recommended supplements due to its side effects, such as skin flushing, and suggests no-flush niacin as an alternative for those who do not experience these side effects. The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to embrace a healthier lifestyle, supported by the latest research, and to subscribe for more insights on living healthily.

Keywords

💡Elevated cholesterol levels

Elevated cholesterol levels refer to a higher than normal amount of cholesterol in the blood. In the context of the video, this condition is increasingly prevalent among younger populations, starting from individuals in their early 20s. The video discusses how this is linked to unhealthy dietary habits and sedentary lifestyles, which are common among younger generations.

💡Statins

Statins are a class of drugs used to lower cholesterol levels by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which the body needs to produce cholesterol. The video highlights the concerning side effects associated with statin use, such as cognitive effects and increased risk of developing diabetes, and presents alternatives to these medications.

💡Cognitive effects

Cognitive effects refer to the impact on mental processes such as memory, attention, and thinking. The video script mentions that statins have been linked with cognitive effects like dementia and memory loss, indicating the potential negative impact of these drugs on brain health.

💡Dementia

Dementia is a general term for a decline in cognitive ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. The video emphasizes the link between statin use and an increased risk of dementia, which is a serious concern given the aging population and the widespread use of these drugs.

💡Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period. The video discusses how statins can increase the risk of developing diabetes, which is a significant health concern as it can lead to various complications if not managed properly.

💡Exercise

Exercise is any physical activity that increases heart rate and uses large muscle groups. The video suggests exercise as a natural and effective way to improve cholesterol levels, highlighting the importance of aerobic exercises and resistance training in managing cholesterol.

💡Soluble fiber

Soluble fiber is a type of dietary fiber that dissolves in water and helps lower cholesterol levels. The video recommends increasing soluble fiber intake through foods like oats, barley, and fruits, as it can significantly reduce LDL cholesterol levels.

💡Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients that play a crucial role in heart and nervous system health. The video emphasizes the importance of supplementing the diet with omega-3s, particularly for those on statins, to ensure adequate intake and support cholesterol management.

💡Red yeast rice

Red yeast rice is a dietary supplement derived from yeast fermented on rice. The video presents red yeast rice as an alternative to statins, noting its effectiveness in lowering cholesterol levels without the severe side effects associated with statins.

💡Berberine

Berberine is a natural compound found in certain plants, known for its potential to lower cholesterol levels. The video discusses berberine as a supplement that can help reduce cholesterol by influencing liver function and improving gut microbiota.

💡Amla

Amla, also known as Indian Gooseberry, is a fruit native to India and Southeast Asia. The video mentions amla as a supplement that has been shown to lower triglycerides and LDL cholesterol while increasing HDL cholesterol, supporting overall heart health.

Highlights

20 years ago, elevated cholesterol levels were predominantly seen in adults over 40, but now cases are starting as early as the early 20s.

Statin use, even in low doses, has been linked to cognitive effects like dementia and memory loss, nerve damage, liver damage, cardiac injury, muscle injury, and increased risk of diabetes.

94 million Americans aged 20 and up are dealing with high cholesterol, leading to a more than doubled number of statin prescriptions since 2002.

Statins are associated with severe side effects such as increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer's, peripheral nerve damage, erectile dysfunction, liver cancer, heart failure, and diabetes.

The shift to ultra-processed foods and beverages and a sedentary lifestyle are contributing to the rise in cholesterol levels among younger populations.

Exercise, specifically aerobic and resistance training, can improve cholesterol levels by boosting HDL and lowering LDL and triglycerides.

Dietary changes, such as adding soluble fiber from oats, barley, beans, lentils, and fruits, can significantly lower LDL cholesterol.

Increasing omega-3 fatty acids through fish oils, flax seeds, and chia seeds is essential for heart health and can lower triglycerides and reduce LDL levels.

Consuming extra virgin olive oil can decrease LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol, with studies showing improved cardiovascular outcomes.

Red yeast rice has been shown to be as effective as low-dose statins in lowering cholesterol, with the added benefit of potentially reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Berberine can reduce cholesterol production in the liver, remove LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream, and improve microbiota to manage excess cholesterol.

Amla, or Indian Gooseberry, effectively lowers triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL levels while increasing HDL levels.

Niacin, or vitamin B3, can significantly improve cholesterol profiles but may cause a flushing phenomenon, which is why it was not included as a top recommendation.

The video emphasizes the importance of making informed choices about health, opting for natural means to achieve lasting health instead of risky shortcuts.

The presenter encourages viewers to take control of their health and not settle for risky medications when safer and effective alternatives are available.

The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to live a healthier lifestyle, backed by the latest research, and to be proactive in their health journey.

Transcripts

20 years ago elevated cholesterol levels

were only seen in adults over the age of

40 unfortunately that's no longer the

case we're seeing more and more cases of

elevated cholesterol levels now starting

with people in their early 20s many

scientific Studies have revealed that

Statin use including even low does

statins has been linked with cognitive

effects like dementia and memory loss

nerve damage liver damage cardiac injury

muscle injury and increased risk of

developing diabetes

a staggering 94 million Americans aged

20 and up are grappling with high

cholesterol and in response the number

of stattin prescriptions has more than

doubled since 2002 but here's the kicker

while these drugs promise to lower

cholesterol science has unveiled a very

dark side statins are linked to severe

side effects like increased risk of

dementia and Alzheimer's peripheral

nerve damage erectile dysfunction liver

cancer heart failure and diabetes up

until now we've relied on these risky

drugs because frankly we didn't think we

had a choice but that's about to change

in today's video I'll uncover several

safer and effective Alternatives that

have been proven by science to lower

cholesterol without dangerous side

effects this is a critical step in

taking control of your nerve health and

really your health in general you don't

want to miss this coming up

[Music]

20 years ago elevated cholesterol levels

were only seen in adults over the age of

40 with the highest incidents in people

in their 60s and older unfortunately

that's no longer the case we're seeing

more and more cases of elevated

cholesterol levels now starting with

people in their early 20s the biggest

reason we're seeing a much younger

population get this condition is due to

the change in diets to ultra high

processed foods and beverages ranging

from energy drinks to process Meats

vegan meats yep you heard correctly

vegan meats instant meals fast foods and

more then couple that with the fact that

a sedentary lifestyle is increasingly

common amongst kids teens and young

adults who are glued to electronic

devices let me give you an example Dr C

and I are blessed to live in a

neighborhood where everyone has a large

front and backyard yet twice a day when

we walk our dog Brandy we rarely see a

single child playing outside

unfortunately that's become the norm

across the US now if you're watching

this from a different country I want to

hear from you are you seeing the same uh

Trend with children in other countries

too let me know now if you haven't

watched our first video on statens

you'll definitely want to catch that

video because it covers all of the

objective findings in the research of

Staten medications and what the science

has revealed is really alarming and and

not well known by doctors and especially

not by patients anyone on a Statin or

considering taking a Statin should watch

this video I'll leave a link below for

you so you can watch it after you finish

this video many scientific Studies have

revealed that Statin use including even

lowd do statins has been linked with

cognitive effects like dementia and

memory loss nerve damage liver damage

cardiac injury muscle injury and

increased risk of developing diabetes So

based on all of the proven side effects

that Statin cause more and more people

are looking for safer alternatives to

these drugs today we'll examine

scientifically proven alternatives to

lowering cholesterol and as always we'll

Pro we'll provide you with the links to

the studies below let's start with the

obvious and the least expensive approach

exercise I won't do a deep dive on

exercise in this video but it's

important for you to have a basic

understanding of how exercise improves

cholesterol levels so when I talk about

exercise I'm talking about aerobic

exercises like walking or jogging

cycling or swimming and I'm also talking

about resistance training and for

resistance training it doesn't matter if

you lift weights use your own body

weight or use resistant bands any of

these exercises will improve cholesterol

levels and here's how it happens

exercising boosts certain enzymes that

increase HDL cholesterol and enhance its

function this is your good healthy

cholesterol regular exercise also lowers

LDL cholesterol more specifically the

harmful branch of LDL known as

sdldl and since your muscles use

triglycerides as a source of energy

during exercise the triglycerides in

your bloodstream will automatically

decrease exercising also improves

insulin sensitivity when your cells are

resistant to insulin this shows up on

your lab work with a hemoglobin A1c

level of 5.7 or higher then at this

point your body is more prone to

producing higher amounts of sdldl the

dangerous cholesterol if you want a much

better understanding of how HDL or LDL

works in the body make sure you watch my

video on this and that's the first video

on statins the next approach to lowering

cholesterol is change your diet gang I I

know many of you don't want to hear this

and I get it foods are addicting heck

the food industry makes them addictive

the absolute worst foods for us fuel the

pleasure centers in our brains making it

difficult to give them up but here's

what I can tell you for a fact if you

don't start making changes in your diet

now in several years or less you'll be

battling any variety of chronic

illnesses

just start with small baby steps to make

changes small changes are certainly

better than no changes at all so here

are some simple things you can do for

your diet add soluble fiber whole foods

rich in soluble fibers include oats

barley beans and lentils fruits like

berries kiwis bananas and other fruits

are rich sources of soluble fibers as

are many vegetables eating more soluble

fiber is a powerful way to lower your

LDL cholesterol next increase omega-3

fatty acids fish oils or omega-3 fatty

acids are essential for heart and

nervous system Health but statins can

prevent Omega-3s from getting into cells

and cell membranes so it's imperative to

supplement your diet with a lot more

Omega-3s eat more fatty fish like salmon

add flax seeds and chia seeds to your

daily diet the American Heart

Association recommends taking between

2,00 mg to 4,000 Mig of combined EPA DHA

fish oil daily research has shown that

this amount will lower triglycerides and

reduce SD ldls you should also increase

monounsaturated fatty acids boosting

these fatty acids in your diet like

extra virgin olive oil avocados nuts and

seeds is an excellent way to decrease

sdldl while elevating your heart healthy

HDL levels in fact a a study published

in the journal lipids in health and

disease found that consuming 2

tablespoons or 30 MLS of extra virgin

olive oil daily increased HDL

cholesterol and reduced LDL cholesterol

additionally research published in the

New England Journal of Medicine focusing

on the Mediterranean diet showed that

participants who consumed around 4

tablespoons or 60 MLS of extra virgin

olive oil daily had better

cardiovascular outcomes

including improved cholesterol profiles

and lower incidence of cardiovascular

disease next we'll look at a few

supplements proven in clinical studies

to be very effective at reducing sdldl

cholesterol and

triglycerides let's start with one of my

favorite cholesterol lowering

supplements and that's red yeast rice

research Studies have shown that red

yeast rice is equally as effective as a

lowd do Statin drug with lowering

cholesterol and much like statins red

yeast rice can lower sdldl cholesterol

by 20 to 30% and triglycerides by 15 to

25% and it's also been shown to reduce

the risk of heart attacks or Strokes the

dosages used in studies ranged from 1200

milligram to 2 2400 milligrams daily I

do want you to be aware that this

supplement can cause side effects like

muscle pain but according to studies

that can easily be mitigated by taking

100 to 200 Mig of CoQ10 in conjunction

with the red yeast rice when we use red

yeast rice for our patients we start

them on just 300 milligrams taken twice

daily for 2 weeks to make sure they

don't develop any muscle pain then we'll

increase them to 600 milligram taken

twice daily don't we Blossom this is my

little assistant now before everyone

rushes out to buy the supplement there's

something you need to know many of the

yeast rice supplements on the market are

complete

crap so here's what you need to know to

get a good quality red yeast rice

supplement that will work make sure the

supplement company is using a full

spectrum red yeast rice extract this

means the extract will contain 13 active

compounds along with plant steriles

polyphenols isoflavones and other

phytonutrients this is the key for it to

lower cholesterol unfortunately many

manufacturers will isolate one active

ingredient and use that in their formula

this allows them to save money and

increase their profit margin the problem

is without all 13 active compounds it's

not effective two brands that I've

checked out and have been happy with are

durable red yeast rice and Thorn colas

900 also by Thorn is red yeast rice plus

cq1 but there isn't enough coq1 in this

one supplement to meet your needs so

you'll still need to take an additional

coq1 supplement and as always I'm not

getting paid by any supplement company I

only recommend supplements I have direct

experience with using or I've been able

able to test now here are two cautions

you need to be aware of when using red

yeast rice it should never be taken in

conjunction with a Statin and if you're

on a blood thinner make sure your doctor

monitors your PT INR levels on your Labs

these tests measure how quickly your

blood can clot and just like a Statin

red yeast rice can reduce clotting time

now let's look at the next supplement

shown to lower cholesterol and that's

berberine berberine has a few unique

actions it can turn on a switch that

tells your liver to make less

cholesterol it can increase the number

of cleanup Crews to remove sdldl

cholesterol from your bloodstream

berberine can also improve your

microbiota to help you manage excess

cholesterol and bad cholesterol coming

in through your diet Studies have shown

that 500 milligrams of berberine taking

taken three times per day for several

months results in significant

Improvement in your cholesterol levels

the studies reported that most people

began to see lowered cholesterol levels

by 8 weeks there are a couple of

different brands of berberine that I

like and they're both equally good I

like berberine by Thorn and berberine

and Micro pqq by marola market these are

both great Brands the third supplement

proven to be effective in lowering

cholesterol is amla amla also known as

Indian Gooseberry is a native tree of

India and Southeast Asia research has

proven that it effectively lowers

triglycerides total cholesterol and LDL

levels and more specifically SD LDL

while increasing HDL levels that's your

good cholesterol typical dose used in

studies range from 500 Mig up to 1,000

Mig daily we always recommend starting

with a low dose of 250 milligram twice

daily for 2 weeks before increasing to

500 milligram twice a day to ensure

there isn't any stomach upset research

reports the lipid lowering effects were

evident within 2 months but it took up

to 6 months to see substantial

reductions in cholesterol the brand of

amla that I like is true Veta organic

amla now those are my top three go-tos

for lowering sdldl cholesterol based on

the science but for those of you who are

very knowledgeable you're probably

wondering why I didn't include nasin in

this list so let's talk about that for a

minute nasin also known as vitamin B3

has been shown in research studies that

when administered in doses of 500 mg to

2,000 Mig especially at the higher end

of those doses it significant ly

improves the cholesterol profile and it

can raise HDL your good cholesterol by

more than 30% and that's huge now why

aren't I singing its Praises well

there's only one reason as effective as

nasin is it's been known to cause a

flushing phenomenon where your skin

especially your face turns hot and red

and there can even be itching and

tingling in the affected area as well

this isn't just limited to the face it

can happen anywhere in the body more

than 50% of people experience this side

effect when they're taking higher doses

of niin it's not dangerous but it can be

very uncomfortable and that's the only

reason nasin didn't make it on this Liss

so you might be thinking what about no

flush niin well although it's a great

source of B3 it doesn't work to reduce

cholesterol if you've taken regular niin

without any Flushing problems in the in

the past it's a great supplement to use

to achieve healthy cholesterol levels

and there you have it health warriors

with greater numbers of Americans

battling dangerous cholesterol levels

we've seen Statin prescription

Skyrocket this is no longer an old

person's disease hypercholesterolemia is

now affecting young adults in their 20s

and as science has revealed Statin

medications come with a very long list

of serious side effects

um and the risk range from developing

Alzheimer's disease to peripheral

neuropathy and even liver cancer and

heart failure the good news you have

options you have the power to choose

safer effective Alternatives that don't

just lower cholesterol but also allow

you to take control of your health don't

settle for risky shortcuts when you can

achieve lasting Health through natural

means be the hero of your own health

Health story make informed choices stay

proactive and how about we redefine what

it means to live well if this resonates

with you please hit that like button

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your healthiest life always backed by

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small step you take towards a healthier

lifestyle is a giant leap towards a

better future I look forward to seeing

you on the road to Great nerve Health

blessings the absolute worst

feuds okay let's try this again the

absolute

worst God I can't get this word out of

my mouth

Foods who would have thought that would

be a complicated word