Lowering Cholesterol and Triglycerides with Supplements

 Elevated cholesterol and/or triglyceride problems are very common in modern society, and are known to increase risk for heart attack and stroke.  Dietary changes which reduce high fat animal products and consuming food high in fiber are beneficial, but many people are prescribed statins to further reduce their levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.  Unfortunately, these medications have side effects such as muscular pain and liver damage. 

There are two natural agents that have proven cholesterol and triglyceride lowering effects that can be used to complement dietary changes and can be taken safely in conjunction with statin drugs.  Gum Guggul is a resin from a tree native to India that has received prescription status in India in 1986 due to its high level of efficacy in human clinical trials in lowering cholesterol and triglycerides.  Human studies have demonstrated that guggulsterone, the active ingredient in gum guggal, can produce a cholesterol reduction of 14-27 % in 4-12 weeks, and a drop of 22-30 % of triglyceride levels.  A striking feature is its lack of toxicity and side effects, unlike cholesterol lowering drugs. 

Artichoke Leaf Extract is known to increase bile secretion by the liver, which clears more LDL cholesterol from the blood stream as cholesterol is the building block of bile acids.  In a double blind, placebo controlled study of 143 people with high cholesterol, artichoke leaf extract reduced cholesterol by 18.5% as compared to 8.6% in the placebo group, and LDL cholesterol dropped by 23% as compared to 6% to the placebo group; and LDL to HDL ratios declined by 20% vs. 7%. 

To be effective, Gum guggul must be standardized to 50-75 mg of guggulsterone per day, and artichoke leaf extract a minimum of 400 mg taken two to three times daily.  As with all supplements, results may vary, but there is a concrete way to determine if this is supplement is effective.  Have your cholesterol tested and then do a three month trial of Adeeva’s CholesterolEx or similar product and have a follow up cholesterol test.