THREE SHOCKING CHOLESTEROL FACTS
1. Removing fat from your diet such as red meat, cheese, butter and eggs will do little to nothing to lower your cholesterol.
- Beware of refined carbohydrates (bread, pasta, cookies, cakes, candies, chocolate, breakfast cereal). They are the true causes of high cholesterol.
- A healthy body will eliminate excess cholesterol. ARE THESE STATEMENTS TRUE? Once you understand the basics of cholesterol production and excretion, you will easily be able to make up your own mind.YOU DON’T NEED TO HAVE A CHEMISTRY DEGREE Let me explain it to you the way it was explained to me. I found it simple and easy to grasp the concepts, and so will you.WHAT IS CHOLESTEROL? Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced by all animals as part of their normal metabolism. Cholesterol is not itself fat, but is always found with fats in animal-derived foods.
Cholesterol is essential to life. As a matter of fact, if your levels of cholesterol were to drop to zero, you would die.
WHY IS CHOLESTEROL ESSENTIAL TO LIFE?
Cholesterol provides necessary rigidity to cell membranes (the outer wall of your cells). Membranes are porous structures, not solid walls. They let nutrients and hormones in, while keeping wastes and toxins out.
Without adequate cholesterol, cell membranes would become too fluid and explode from their internal water pressure like over-filled water balloons.
Your body makes many hormones from cholesterol, including testosterone, estrogen, progesterone and cortisone. Your liver uses a major portion of your body’s cholesterol to produce bile salts, which are used to digest fats and fat-soluble vitamins.
Besides cholesterol, your liver makes two main carrier molecules, LDL and HDL. Without the help of these carrier molecules, cholesterol could not travel through the bloodstream.
LDL – THE BAD GUYS
LDL stands for Low Density Lipoprotein. LDL carries cholesterol out to all the tissues, where it may be used for various functions including repair of cell membranes. However, LDL contains a particle called Lipoprotein (a) and it is one of the stickiest particles in our body.
It is a fat globule that “sticks” inside the walls of your blood vessels and forms deposits where, if there is too much in your bloodstream, it can oxidize and accumulate, eventually plugging up the arteries, blocking blood flow. This causes inflammation, and inflammation causes more plaque buildup on the arterial walls.
HDL – THE GOOD GUYS
HDL stands for High Density Lipoprotein. HDL carries cholesterol back to the liver, which is then converted to bile salts. Bile salts digest fats (this is good).
After the bile salts have completed their work (the liver actually recycles bile salts several times before they are considered ‘done’) they should leave your body through proper bowel elimination. However, most people don’t have a) proper liver function or b) proper bowel function and so do not recycle and/or eliminate the bile salts effectively.
If the bile salts are not eliminated, they will be reabsorbed into your bloodstream and converted back to cholesterol.
Note: For more information on what I consider to be proper elimination, watch the video clip “The Elite Club” under support/video clips, or GO HERE.
SUGAR IS OUT, FAT IS IN!
Radioactive tracer studies have shown that 60-70% of all blood cholesterol comes from production by the liver, not from cholesterol in foods.
Most people can absorb no more than 300-500 mg/day of cholesterol directly from foods. But your liver routinely makes 800-1500 mg/day from saturated fats and simple sugars.
Your liver quickly converts excess sugars into substances called triglycerides (storage molecules for fat), while simultaneously raising LDL levels (bad cholesterol) and lowering HDL (good cholesterol) levels.
ARE YOU MAKING THE SAME MISTAKE?
One well-meaning mother was concerned for her son’s health. Although he wanted to eat eggs for breakfast every day, she had been repeatedly told that eating eggs daily would raise his cholesterol.
This mother was alternating eggs with pancakes and syrup. What she didn’t know is that white flour and syrup converts to an excessive amount of sugar. Not only was she increasing his risk of diabetes by feeding him so much sugar, she was also increasing his risk of heart disease.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
STEP ONE: PURCHASE YOUR CHOLESTEROL LOWERING PACKAGE HERE.
Your program will look like this
**1/2 tsp Pure Ground Psyllium Husk
**Concentrace Ionic Minerals, use as needed to assist with proper elimination
After Breakfast
- 1 Total Health Pack
- 1 Liver (with Milk Thistle and Alpha Lipoic Acid) capsule**
- 1 Sterols and Sterolins
After Dinner
- 1 Total Health Pack
- 1 Liver (with Milk Thistle and Alpha Lipoic Acid) capsule**
- 1 Sterols and Sterolins
Before Bed (or alternately before breakfast -meaning on empty stomach)
1 packet of HIT probiotics** If you are using our other intestinal probiotic called Friendly Trio, take one capsule twice a day with a meal.
**Liver caps: Start with one capsule two times per day. Slowly over a period of a couple of weeks, increase your dosage by increments of one capsule until you are taking two caps three times per day (Two full bottles are recommended for this cleanse). Continue at the highest dosage for a minimum of 3 full weeks, then reduce back to 1 capsule twice daily to finish the bottle.
The rate at which you increase your dosage of Liver caps depends on whether you are experiencing any cleansing reactions. You might feel fatigued or experience flu-like symptoms.
If these occur, it is a sign of cleansing (which is what you want to happen), don’t be discouraged but don’t increase your dosage until those symptoms pass. Allow at least 4-5 days at each new dosage before deciding on whether to increase.
For a comprehensive guide to liver health and cleansing, you can purchase our “Love Your Liver” e-Guide HERE. This e-guide is included in the Cholesterol Lowering Package
**Pure ground psyllium husk. Do not add this dietary fiber until you are having at least one bowel movement per day with ease.
Start with ½ tsp daily. I suggest using a shaker cup; pour in 8 oz. of filtered water, add the fiber, shake and drink immediately. The fiber starts to absorb water and if you leave it standing for even a minute, you will be drinking porridge rather than water with fiber in it.
You can add lemon to the water to make the flavor more palatable.
Result number one: By adding fiber, you will notice that your bowel function improves in some capacity. You could start having more bowel movements, pass bulkier stools, or pass more waste during each bowel movement, etc.
If you get this result, continue for one week and then increase to 1 level tsp.
Result number two: If by adding more fiber you feel your abdomen is more bloated or your bowel movements haven’t improved. If you are producing more gas, or you are actually passing less waste than before, you will need to use the Concentrace** to help you eliminate properly. Do not increase the fiber until you get result number one.
**Concentrace Ionic Minerals: One of our favorite products for creating “bowel tolerance”** is our Concentrace Ionic Minerals. Not only are the minerals safe to take daily, they are extremely beneficial. When taking them, you may find increased energy, vitality and improved general well-being due to your body’s electrolytes being in better balance.
Start with 20 drops of Concentrace in water twice daily, but this can be increased to several times daily if needed to “get things moving”. Cut back the dosage to the amount that keeps your bowels moving effectively without creating loose stool.
**Bowel tolerance: when you take high doses of certain nutrients, your body can only use so much and will flush the rest, through the bowels.
STEP TWO: CREATE SUGAR FREE DAYS!
For details see the Five Critical Health Strategies under Health Solutions or GO HERE.
STEP THREE: CHOOSE YOUR FATS WISELY
Fats To Avoid Like The Plague are trans fats! These fats have been destroyed by modern processing methods including boiling, hydrogenation bleaching and deodorizing.
They are now damaged fats that don’t work properly, but our brain still tries to use them, which causes cell membranes to leak and malfunction.
Why do manufacturers use trans fats? Because they give processed foods longer shelf life.
Check Your Labels and Eliminate Trans Fats:
Peanut butter: hydrogenated vegetable oil
Cake Mix: vegetable oil shortening, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil
Microwave popcorn: partially hydrogenated soybean oil
Crackers: vegetable oil shortening
Deep fried food
ANYthing labelled hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated
Eat Healthy Fats
This includes organic coconut oil, olive oil, flaxseed oil, hempseed oil, butter, and avocadoes.
The fat in these proteins sources are safe: humanely raised (grass fed or pasture raised without hormones or antibiotics) animal products i.e. beef, bison, lamb, poultry, eggs, full fat dairy (not milk), and wild (not farmed) fish.
Don’t Be Conned into Low Fat Labeled Foods
When you see “low fat” on a label, know that it isn’t a better choice (unless it is low fat by nature).
Chemicals (that remain in the product) are used to remove the fat and often sugar or artificial sugar is added to make it taste better.
STEP FOUR: MAKE SURE YOU ARE ELIMINATING PROPERLY
In order to excrete the bile salts so that they don’t get reabsorbed into your bloodstream and converted back to cholesterol, you must improve your elimination.
For proper elimination (2-3 movements/day), water is needed to moisten, soften and loosen the waste matter on its way through your system. You need lots of water to keep your bowel function healthy.
You also need dietary fiber which acts like a broom that sweeps the intestinal tract. The best way to increase your dietary fiber is to eat at least two cups of vegetables every day.
For more details refer to Five Critical Lifestyle Strategies under Health Solutions or GO HERE.
STEP FIVE: GIVE YOUR LIVER A TUNE-UP
I could write an entire e-Guide just on liver health (well, in fact we did. GO HERE to purchase). The Love Your Liver e-Guide is included in the Cholesterol Lowering Package.
We recommend the product Liver (with Milk Thistle and Alpha Lipoic Acid) to enhance the function of your liver. It will increase the excretion of cholesterol and decrease the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver, which of course results in lowered cholesterol levels.
You will also experience many other health benefits when your liver is functioning optimally.
The product Liver is included in your Cholesterol Lowering Package available HERE.
STEP SIX: TAKE DAILY ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS THAT HELP LOWER CHOLESTEROL
The following nutrients are all found in the Total Health Pack which is included in your Cholesterol Lowering Package available HERE.
Vitamin C
Cholesterol is naturally converted to bile acid and then eliminated from your body. But if you don’t consume enough vitamin C (about 2000-3000 mg/day for an adult), you cannot convert cholesterol into bile acids and it builds up in your bloodstream.
I suggest that you supplement with at least 1,000 mg of buffered Vitamin C (Calcium Ascorbate, not ascorbic acid) twice a day, for a total intake of at least 2,000 mg/day.
Note: There is 1,000 mg of calcium ascorbate (buffered vitamin C) in each Total Health Pack.
Omega 3
The human body does not produce omega 3 on its own, so it must be obtained from food sources. But to get enough of the EPA and DHA that do your cholesterol some good, you really need to take an omega 3 supplement.
Omega 3 increases your good HDL cholesterol, while simultaneously lowering your bad LDL cholesterol.
Note: There is an Omega 3 (from salmon oil) supplement in each Total Health Pack available.
Vitamin E
LDL becomes a real problem when it oxidizes, or turns rancid. Numerous studies have documented that vitamin E (as well as vitamin C) prevents LDL from oxidation. A minimum of 400 IU of vitamin E daily is needed to prevent the oxidation of LDL.
In addition, vitamin E helps LDL levels decrease and HDL levels increase, creating a much more favorable ratio between the two.
Note: There is 400 IU of d’alpha tocopherol (Vitamin E) supplement in each Total Health Pack.
Vitamin B Complex
You need a B-complex supplement that includes B12, B6, folic acid and niacin. All four of these vitamins are considered “heart-healthy” and can serve to lower cholesterol.
Niacin, in particular, has the distinct quality of lowering LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol), while raising HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol).
Note: There is a complete B complex supplement that includes B12, B6, folic acid and non-flushing niacin in each Total Health Pack.
Green Tea
There are dozens upon dozens of studies verifying the huge number of health benefits from supplementing with Green Tea, including the lowering of cholesterol.
Here is what The University of Maryland Medical Center says about Green Tea and cholesterol which was corroborated by the Yale University School of Medicine.
“Research shows that green tea lowers total cholesterol and raises HDL (“good”) cholesterol in both animals and people. One population-based clinical study found that men who drink green tea are more likely to have lower total cholesterol than those who do not drink green tea. Results from one animal study suggest that polyphenols in green tea may block the intestinal absorption of cholesterol and promote its excretion from the body. In another small study of male smokers, researchers found that green tea significantly reduced blood levels of harmful LDL cholesterol.”
It is hard to get enough green tea in your diet to gain the benefits listed in the studies. You will either float away with so much liquid or you will be buzzing like a bee from all the caffeine.
Standardized extracts of green tea have more of the active compounds than brewed tea. Green tea extract supplements should be standardized for 50% or more catechins and the suggested dosage is 300-400 mg. per day.
Note: There is one capsule of Green Tea Extract (cathechin polyphenols) 400 mg in each Total Health Pack.
For a full list of the nutrients contained in each Total Health Pack please view the Ingredients Here
STEP SEVEN: IMPLANT HEALTHY BACTERIA
A study of nearly 900 Dutch adults, found that certain gut bacteria might help determine not only body fat levels, but also blood concentrations of HDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
Also, researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, show that cholesterol metabolism is regulated by bacteria in the small intestine.
We refer to this type of bacteria as “probiotics or friendly bacteria”. To be effective they must attach themselves to the intestinal lining and compete with “unfriendly” bacteria for binding sites.
We recommend taking one packet of our HIT daily for a minimum of 3 months. A box of HIT (Healthy Intestinal Tract) is found in your Cholesterol Lowering Package available HERE.
However, if your diet has been low in fiber, and/or you have been passing less than the ideal amount of stool daily, then you will have built up a residue of old fecal material in your large intestine.
This accumulation will breed unfriendly or bad bacteria that will compete with your friendly or good bacteria. This can prevent your good bacteria from finding enough adhesion spots to bind to.
To provide a healthy host environment for those bacteria to attach to, it may be necessary to remove any old impacted fecal matter, excess mucous and other sticky materials that may line the intestinal walls.
This is best done with the Pure Psyllium Husk and Intestinal Cleansing Herbs colon cleanse. Adequate amounts of dietary fiber will ensure a healthy environment for the healthy bacteria to flourish once a proper colon cleanse has been completed.
For details on doing a safe, gentle but effective colon cleanse you can purchase your copy of the e-Manual “The Scoop on Poop, How to Create Vibrant Health from the Inside Out” from our Online Store or GO HERE.
STEP EIGHT: TAKE STEROLS/STEROLINS
New Roots Sterols & Sterolins are a blend of plant sterols (naturally occurring substances found in many fruits, vegetables legumes, nuts, seeds and grains). Though they are common, their abilities are quite uncommon.
Beta-sitosterols, the main sterols found in Sterols & Sterolins inhibit tumors, reduce cholesterol, treat atherosclerosis and ulcers and modulate the immune system: an amazing list of powers for a single component of a plant.
Sixteen studies involving 590 people with high cholesterol levels have shown that sterols from plants can reduce total cholesterol by an average of 10% and LDL cholesterol (the one that does the harm) by 13%.
Beta-sitosterols also fight atherosclerosis (atherosclerotic plaque on artery walls).
We recommend taking one Sterols & Sterolins (included in your Cholesterol Lowering Package) twice a day for the first few month of your new cholesterol lowering regime. It will assist your body in bringing the cholesterol levels into balance and will improve your immune system at the same time.
Sterols & Sterolins help both under and over active immune systems because the combination is not an immune stimulator but an immune modulator: it corrects and balances the immune system, no matter which way it needs to be adjusted. This is perfect for people with autoimmune disorders, or cancer, AIDS, infections, allergies, and rheumatoid arthritis.
STEP NINE: RELAX
Stress releases stress hormones, such as adrenaline, which can elevate blood cholesterol levels. A daily relaxation program, such as meditation, deep-breathing, a warm bath, sitting/walking in nature, or even mental imagery can lower blood cholesterol.
For those of you who are having difficulties lowering your stress levels through the above techniques, we can recommend:
GABA: Our Most Popular “Calming Nutrient”
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is your brain’s natural Valium. Valium is one of many tranquilizers designed to mimic or amplify GABA’s naturally calming effects. So why take a drug with all the detrimental side effects when you can take the safe and fast acting GABA?
Taken as a supplement, GABA can help you not only turn off stress reactions after an upset, it can even help prevent a stressful response when taken prior to an expected ordeal (like before an exam or getting on an airplane).
GABA can also be used for busy brain and anxiety and is available in our online store HERE.
HOLY BASIL is another client favorite which has stood the test of time, being used in India for thousands of years for its medicinal properties.
It is an adaptogen, meaning it brings balance to the entire body and protects from stresses of all kinds which is why it is so great for reducing depression, stress and anxiety.
Holy Basil is available in our online store HERE.
STOPPING STATINS
If you are currently taking cholesterol medication, it is never advisable to stop cold turkey. If your desire is to lower your cholesterol naturally then you will need to start the program above and talk to your doctor about weaning off the medication.
Due to rebound effects, it is best to not retest your cholesterol for at least 3 months after you have stopped your cholesterol lowering medication.
CHOLESTEROL LOWERING TESTIMONIALS
From Kelly in Victoria
“My mom says she really feels a difference since she’s been taking the Total Health Packs (I have too). She used to feel exhausted all the time & doesn’t anymore.
Also, my dad, who had a heart attack about 9 years ago and has had trouble with his cholesterol for years, got his latest test back from his Dr. and his bad cholesterol is down and his good cholesterol is up! Yay :)”
From Laura in Nanaimo
”I just went for another blood test and the sugar (diabetes) test came back 5.8, so it’s going down. But my cholesterol is sky-rocketing. My Dr. wanted me to start medication for high cholesterol right away, but I asked for 3 more months to see if I can lower it somehow.”
Step Five was not enough for Laura, she added steps 1-4 three months later, this is what she reported.
“My cholesterol has gone right down to just slightly above the normal range. My Dr. was absolutely amazed. She said that she has never seen cholesterol go down that much without medication. She doesn’t want to see me for another year! Thanks for all your good advice!”
Whether you are ready to commit to a cholesterol lowering program or not……
REMEMBER THESE 5 CRITICAL LIFESTYLE STRATEGIES
(For More Details Go HERE)
- Drink ½ ounce of purified water per pound of body weight daily.
- Eat 2 cups of vegetables daily, not including lettuce, potato, peas, corn and mushrooms. You can eat them; they just don’t count.
- Reduce caffeine intake to no more than 16 ounces of organic coffee per day. Zero to 8 ounces is preferable.
- Have four to five sugar free days per week.
- Find exercise you enjoy, that energizes you and get movement at least 4 times per week.
Information made available through this website is provided for educational or reference purposes only. Nutritional Therapy and/or Coaching is not intended as a diagnosis, treatment, prescription, or cure for any disease, mental or physical, and is not intended as a substitute for regular medical care.
Copyright Brenda Eastwood, RNCP and Megan Boff, RNCP 2016 – Lower Your Cholesterol Naturally
MaximumResults@shaw.ca www.BrendaEastwood.com www.TotalHealthPack.com
Would you like to use this article in your E-zine or website? You may, if you include this complete write-up with it: Brenda Eastwood is a holistic health expert who specializes in Women’s Health Issues. Her expertise stems from over 35 years’ experience as a Registered Nutritional Consulting Practitioner. This includes ongoing research, 17 years running a successful private practice, presenting hundreds of seminars and workshops, as well as coaching clients through her unique online Inner Circle program. Today she is reaching out to even more women through her regular article contributions to HANS (Health Action Magazine) and her book “Get off the PMS and Perimenopausal Roller Coaster, Learn 9 Natural Fast Track Solutions to Balanced Hormones”. For more information on Brenda Eastwood please visit www.BrendaEastwood.com or for information on her Total Health Packs visit www.TotalHealthPack.com
