Whelehans Pharmacy: can natural medicines reduce cholesterol?

Ask your pharmacist Can natural medicines reduce cholesterol?

Eamonn Brady is a pharmacist and the owner of Whelehans Pharmacy, Pearse St, Mullingar. If you have any health questions e-mail them to info@whelehans.ie

Natural remedies can be very beneficial to general health; however their effectiveness in reducing cholesterol is minimal, especially if the main cause of your cholesterol is genetic. As I discussed in last week’s Westmeath Examiner, the best way of losing cholesterol naturally is losing weight, having a healthy low fat diet and exercising regularly. Some natural products that may help reduce your cholesterol and cardiovascular risk including:

Lecithin: Lecithin reduces cholesterol by binding cholesterol and fats to water in your intestinal tract, hence reducing the absorption of cholesterol. Lecithin is a soya based product and as it passes straight through the gastrointestinal tract, side effects are unlikely. Lecithin will only reduce cholesterol by a max of 15% in a best case scenario. However it’s a case of every little helps. Lecithin is available in granule form that can be added to the likes of porridge and yogurt. Whelehans Lecithin 1200mg Capsules cost €6.99 per 90 pack which last up to 3 months depending on dosage.

Omega-3 : Fish oil stimulates blood circulation, increases the breakdown of fibrin, a compound involved in clot and scar formation, and additionally has been shown to reduce blood pressure. There is strong scientific evidence that omega fatty acids reduce blood triglyceride levels and regular intake reduces the risk of secondary and primary heart attack. Omega 3 supplements are beneficial if you don’t eat a lot of fish. MorEPA^® contains the highest concentration of omega 3 on the market. Ask our pharmacist in Whelehans for more details

 

Garlic: Garlic may be beneficial in preventing heart disease in many ways. Some recent studies show that it may be beneficial in lowering total cholesterol including bad LDL cholesterol. It may help in preventing clots and there is some evidence of its benefits in lowering blood pressure. However, more evidence is needed to prove its effectiveness.

 

Niacin: I discussed niacin in more detail a few weeks ago in the Westmeath Examiner. Niacin has been shown in studies to increase HDL (good) cholesterol by up to 35% and reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol slightly. However recent studies have shown that niacin may not be as effective at reducing cardiovascular risk as first thought. Always check with your pharmacist or GP before starting a niacin supplement. If using a niacin supplement, always take the “No-Blush” form which does not cause flushing. For example, in Whelehans we stock a brand of niacin called “Patrick Holford’s NoBlush Niacin” which contains the inositol hexanicotinate form of niacin that avoids blushing associated with some forms of niacin.

Free Heart Check on Saturday January 23rd 2015

I will be offering free Cholesterol, Blood Pressure, Diabetes and Body Mass Index Checks on Saturday January 23rd at our private consultation room at Whelehans Pharmacy. It only takes 20 minutes. Places are limited and this day will be popular so book your free place at 04493 34591 now to avoid disapointment. The likes of Cholesterol, Blood Pressure and Diabetes are silent killers if not controllecd so book today; it could save your life.

 To be continued next week...I will discuss lowering cholesterol medicines

Disclaimer: Information in this article is general; please ensure you consult with your healthcare professional before making any changes recommended.

This article is shortened to fit within Newspaper space limits. More detailed information and leaflets is available in Whelehans