Red Rice Yeast - Page 2

Brad@sheppardsoftware.com (Brad Sheppard) wrote in message
news:<b06e736a.0305051043.1dc1baec@posting.google.com>...
> Lipitor works for me. my chol is now 140, hdl 55, trig 70. Agree with others don't take herbals -
> no standards. Do check with your doc
> - also consider adding naicin if your doc concurs.
>
While there is good medical research showing a reduced risk of death from CAD for patients taking
statins, IMO anyone considering their use should read the article by Duane Graveline, M.D. who is
also a former astronaut for NASA. He describes some little known side effects, including memory loss
and even temporary global amnesia. There is also considerable evidence in the medical literature
(run a pubmed search for citations) that statins deplete CoQ10 levels, hence, those taking statins
would do well to supplement with CoQ10 (very difficult to obtain from foods). There is also a
significant amount of research data supporting the conclusion that total cholesterol should be in
the range of 180 to 220, as levels below 180 have been correlated (especially in the elderly) with
increased risk of certain types of strokes. Dr. Graveline's article appears at the URL below-listed.
http://www.spacedoc.net/lipitor_thief_of_memory.html Ron

On Mon, 05 May 2003 03:04:18 GMT, "TsatskeMitGroysseTsitskes" <tsatske@nyc.rr.com> wrote:

>
>"Baby Peanut" wrote
>
>> why are you using USENET to select a statin drug?
>
>The best source.
>
>I'm an M.D. and write my own prescriptions (seriously). My family practitioner is not better
>informed than many lay people on the internet (she gets much of her information from well informed
>patients) and even I can't get through her gatekeeping to see a cardiologist (not that I would
>trust one). In the long run you're on your own, and the net gives you the right leads. Health care
>in this country (US) sucks - it's not accessible, it's only cost oriented and it's not based on
>clinical common sense.

There are other interventions you might consider before the statin. First, of course, is diet; the
benefit there is approximately a 12% reduction in lowering LDL. There are other supplement
interventions besides red yeast rice. These include: carnitine, guggul, niacin, hawthorn.

I'd try some combination of these. Of course, if you take the statin, you might consider an
oil-based coenzyme Q10 supplement which statins may wipe out.

If as an MD you are so cynical about your profession, this is a curious and sad state of affairs.
You might yet still wish to see a physician and get second thoughts. Other issues may arise; e.g.,
if your handle suggests your are an Ashkenazi Jew by heritage, it may be that you have a congenital
hypercholeteremia. I don't know how amenable it is to different types of treatments. (I have a
friend who has this problem; he seems to manage it best with diet and exercise). Also, if you have
HIV or other concomitant disease and/or are taking other prescription meds, it is important to
understand, as much as we do yet these days, any kind of interactions that may occur between drug
classes and with supplements.

George M. Carter

On Tue, 6 May 2003 08:52:39 +1000, "Ozgirl" <someone@nothere.com> wrote:

>
>"Brad Sheppard" <Brad@sheppardsoftware.com> wrote in message
>news:b06e736a.0305051043.1dc1baec@posting.google.com...
>> Lipitor works for me. my chol is now 140, hdl 55, trig 70. Agree with others don't take herbals -
>> no standards.
>
>Especially after what just happened here in Oz with Pan Pharmaceuticals. If statins are tolerated
>(I can't take them myself) then steer clear of the herbals, you can never be sure you are getting
>what you pay for.

There are several sources that may help reduce this risk, including Consumer Reports and
consumerlabs.com. The best one can do is rely on some of the brands that have some reputability.
Still, doubts may arise. At least in the U.S., the FDA is FINALLY starting to institute Good
Manufacturing Practices (GMP). I fear, tho, that it will lack any meaningful regulatory teeth to
assess products for identity, potency and purity, leaving us still with questions.

By contrast, there is an increase in the numbers of fraudulent pharmaceuticals, particularly with
high cost drugs like EPO, HGH, etc. It wouldn't surprise if some folks were involved in
counterfeiting statins as they represent the most lucrative and outrageously overpriced products of
the pharmaceutical industry.

George M. Carter