Anti-inflammatory supplements, reduce cholesterol levels ?
What Anti-inflammatory supplements and to reduce cholesterol levels do you prefer?
I had some bloodwork done not to long ago that show elevated cholesterol, CRP and Fibrinogen levels - - all out of range HIGH. Yes, all high risk for a cardio event especially with strong family hx of heart dx and strokes. I'm a Ticking time bomb here and I'm sure mostly caused by 5 yrs on Femara. Don't drink, smoke, not obsese or over weight and exercise regular. Conservative diet no red meat in past 6 years, minimal dairy to no dairy, organic poultry, wild seafood, organic veggies, fruit, minimal bread, lots of EVOO and salads, oatmeal. etc. Not much more that I can do with life style changes??? Also, I take obvious supplements for Ca, Mg, Vit D, Vit C, Curcumin, Omega 3, CoQ10, Glucosamine, acetyl L Carnitine, a few others. Drink lots of green tea my favorite.
(Note - Oncologist wants me to stay on Femara a few more years but I need to get these abnormal labs under control.) I do not want to be placed on any statins. Wondered about Red Yeast Rice, more Vitamin C, etc. Read warning about taking Bromelain for individuals taking daily Aspirin which I do already. I've an appt with my Nutritionist and have a few questions to ask regarding supplement changes. I just wondered if anyone else has some additional ideas that would be helpful to discuss during my appt.
Comments
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No Flush Niacin, Nordic Natural Fish Oil: at least a tablespoon a day, extra virgin olive oil, 1/4 cup organic almonds a day. I also added Olive Leaf Extract, and Grape Seed Extract, in addition to all the other supplements. I am gluten free, and dairy free, both help.
Of all of the above NO FLUSH NIACIN made the ost difference for me, BUT ( BIG BUT) like the statins, it can raise your blood glucose level
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Yes, this is all crazy with the side effects! Good HDL cholesterol is high so at least I have that in my favor. BUT some others are high too despite conservative eating , exercise and current supplements. The total cholesterol levels keeps going up because the LDL is increasing and the elevated CRP and Fibrogen levels are bad for cardio event. All indication of inflammation somewhere - - duh, my body aches and joints are chronic daily pain. Banging head here..... I haven't eaten a good burger or steak in 6 years! I understand a MTHFR mutation may cause eleveated Homocysteine levels and may be contributing to these other elevations with Femara aggrevating it. Dietary folic acid, B6, B12 used to lower Homocysteine. It just seems with all the money spent on supplements and responsible life style choices I was hoping for better lab reports..... I'll let you know what I learn. Hopefully something new.
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My cholesterol was moderately high (220) and my integrative onco recommended red rice yeast. Have been taking Thorne Labs Choleast and in the first 3 months, it got my level down to 200. My doctor never mentioned liver damage...
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momoschki - excellent result for red rice yeast. What daily dose were you taking - 1/2 pills daily?
I'm finding some articles related to Vitamin C dose and lowering these elevated labs. Maybe 1000 units daily is not enough for me.
http://www.annalskemu.org/journal/index.php/annals/article/viewArticle/274
http://www.theheart.org/article/288457/print.do
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cp418
there's quite a bit online about it.
I'm highly allergic to mold, and I seem to remember someone saying RYR wasn't good for E+. But honestly, I can't keep all this stuff straight.
I'm intrigued by Bitter Melon, reading many good things about it.
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Sunflowers - Thanks for the link! I have spring allergies bad and with the rain and mold who knows what all is making me sneeze, itchy eyes, sinus issues - - may not all be pollen. I'll look up the bitter melon next. Thanks!
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Hi cp418, just had MRI for extreme shoulder pain, thought it could have been mets...turns out, it's bursitis with some torn tissue, most likely caused by my overusing my right side as opposed to my left surgery side. Don't want to get lymphedema !!
I never knew I had the above until I ran out of Boswelia, that's when the extreme pain began (nothing worked, Advil NO, Flexeril No, etc. etc), a few days after replenishing, pain gone !! I mean, the onco was referring me to rheumatology for steroid injections for God's sake....I told him: no thanks, as long as the boswelia is doing the job, am sticking to it.
Turns out boswelia is great for BC as well, what a bonus and a gift this boswelia, definitely reduces inflammation !!
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3258268/?tool=pubmed
Got the tip from some stage IV ladies here, if you search, you'll find the thread
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off to check, thanks, Maud.
Also, acupuncture is amazing at reducing inflammation - my knees don't even creak anymore, and I have osteoarthritis BigTime. Can't say anought good things about acupuncture....
eta: Interesting http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/herb/boswellia
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Had acupuncture before, am very excited about appt with TCM doctor next month. The only obstacle for me is $$$$$. So, hopefully, she can work on my digestive system and immunity in only a few sessions.
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WOW for the Boswellia info. Maud so totally agree about passing on the steroid injections. I rather use more conservative holistice treatments now and leave the aggressive drugs if no other option.
Accupuncture is something I've never tried but certainly will add to consideration list. Looking forward to seeing Nutritionist and GP this Friday - back to back appts. See what their feedback is on elevated labs and what Nutritionist recommends for supplements/changes. GP knows I'm not into taking drugs unless needed and will want to get lab results repeated after I try other options first. Also, plan on telling him I'm taking a "holiday" off Femara for 3 months similar to the Dana Farber Clinical trial (Thanks! Sunflower). There is a huge clinical trial in Europe comparing Femara beyond 5 years in 2 treatment arms. One group takes 3 month "Holiday" and on drug 9 months. THe other treatment arm stays on Femara for full 12 months for additional 5 years. This means a total of 10 years on AI to prevent recurrence.
I already informed my oncologist about my "Holiday" and he aggreed to it considering my continued bone loss - - plus now elevated labs. So I've decided to conduct my own experiment on myself. I've been on Femara for 5 years now and feel it is taking a toll on my body and QOL - no doubt about it.....
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cp
think the DF is a part of that international trial - know it closes in about a week. I've opted OUT of it. But thinking, as I posted elsewhere of going on a Sunflowers Clinical Trail for year 6, 9/3. Too scared to go cold turkey, option given me was to take Tamoxifen for a few years, but I also take an SSRI, and not willing to change it - took me lo-o-o-ng enough to find one that worked for clinical depression, and really don't want to "rock" that proverbial boat...so, so, so many decisions, risk evaluations, and real unknowns....
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Yes, I believe the DF is part the international SOLE trial but seems to be the only USA site I could find. I prefer to control the option of 9/3 schedule because with my luck I would get the 12 month schedule. I was on Tamox for 4 months in the beginning and did not handle side effects well. Strong family hx of strokes and uterine fibroids motivated me to switch to AI. All these medications have side effects and as individuals we need to try/pick the one we can tolerate or feel works for us. Some of us breeze through these drugs and others simply cannot tolerate or have many problems. We just do the best we can.......
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I thought I was the only person in this position. I have always had normal weight, was even very thin before BC. Always ate healthy, exercised, never smoked or drank and never had a cholesterol problem. Then after being on Aromasin for a few years, my LDL and total cholesterol shot through the roof. Fortunately, my HDL was high too. Are AI's known for causing high cholesterol?
My primary sent me to a cardiologist who did indepth tests to show I have a genetic tendancy towards high LDL and that diet and exercise will not prevent it. He put me on 2000 mg of Niacin daily, plus 3000 mg omegas (I had been on 2000 mg omegas before that) and he added the statins Zetia and Zocor. It brought my numbers way down (except the HDL, that went even higher). So far, liver is good, but I'd love to get off Zetia and Zocor. Maybe when I am off the Aromasin I can quit the statins and see what happens.
I also have the MTHFR mutations so could not go on Tamoxifen, had to have BSO anyway, so first tried Arimidex, which caused a blood clot apparently, and am doing ok on Aromasin. Med Onco put me on folic acid and B12 for the MTHFR to lower my high homocysteine levels.
For inflamation, acupuncture helped me a lot. But it is $$$ and no insurance coverage. If I could do that every day, I would feel great! I also take an OTC supplement called Zyflamend that my integrative oncologist recommended for inflamation.
Has anyone read that AI's cause high cholesterol? I have just been assuming it is in my genes, since that is what my cardiologist said.
I spend so much on supplements each year, it's amazing!
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Katherine, Yup. High Cholesterol KNOWN SE of all the AI's. Google HC & lack of estrogen = mucho info.
Many acupuncturists have a "sliding scale" - have you asked your's about it?
Also, really keep an EYE on your fasting blood glucose level taking a high does of Niacin - it's a known SE of it too. That's the loop I got into.
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revellsk - your medical hx sounds VERY similar to me with MTHFR mutation, high HDL but cholesterol went way up when I started AI. Yes, all the diet and exercise is not controlling it. I've been taking 1000mg Omega 3s and did not realize we can go higher dose. The Zyflamend sounds good --- do you notice a difference when taking it?
Thanks everyone for all the suggestions and information. All VERY helpful for asking questions at my Nutritionist appt.
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Has everyone read the "good news" about having high HDL is not deemed to be "as good" as we used to think it was. I read it on NYTimes for can't post link - but sure it will be all over the web today...thinking some very nasty words, very, very nasty!
"Are we having fun yet?"
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Yes, unfortunately I've run across those articles too. That was probably my one lab test that use to look good but not anymore!
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You can bet there will be another report! Ha Ha - - these researchers need to get published and in the news!
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Oh, Jo - I feel exactly as you do...
and AGREE with cp
sheall we take a bet on when the next "report" comes out???
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Hi, Jo
I just started taking garlic capsules recently, a few weeks ago, so I won't knw until my next blood test in the Fall. I stopped taking the Niacin which WAS very effective, because one of the possible SE's of taking Niacin is raising one's blood glucose levels. Made a mistake with the first ones I bought, and they weren't "no smelling" = WHEW, went back & got the ones that have no oder.
Figure it can't hurt, from what I've read.
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I recently purchased some garlic capsules too as I do not eat garlic on a daily basis. Increased Vitamin C dose to 2000 and increased Omega 3 to 3 capsules per day for 3000 units plus take a CoQ 100 mg daily. Added Boswellia for anti-inflammatory and Bromelain as well. Nutritionist added Nattokinase (NAC 500) for cardio since I have elevated fibrinogen, cholesterol, and CRP levels. I always take a minimum of 8,000 Vitamin D daily as I find when I decrease the dose my levels go down. On this higher dose I can maintain it between 60- 65 range - - I don't know where it goes so maybe my body does not absorb or process it well. What the heck I also threw some mushroom supplement (can't recall which one) to go along with my Cucurmin supplements. I swear I rattle when I walk!!
Sadly almost 2 weeks off Femara and my body joint pains are still bad. Maybe allergy season has my immune system all screwed up but I am hoping to get some pain relief soon..... Hopefully some of these added supplements for anti-inflammatory will start to be effective in the next few weeks. Maybe too soon to tell after only one week.
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cp418
sorry you are still having joint pain - are you taking a daily claritin? For some unknown to most of us reason, it really seems to help relieve the joint pain.
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I tried Claritan and it had no effect on my joint pain or did much for allergies. I have such swollen nasal sinuses (no nasal drip, some sneezing, itchy eyes) I am trying some OTC nasal sprays which is all natural "Allergy Buster". It burns a little and tastes terrible but some noticable improvement. Ordered on line LAVI nasal products for chronic sinisitis so will try it as well. I think after the heavy tree pollen season my allergies will also improve - -just have to deal with it.
Added some coconut oil to my oatmeal this morning (see other topic on coconut oil). Maybe it will help with some issues as well. At least it is not another drug LOL!!
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If you're looking for an all-natural approach to lower cholesterol, improve the immune system and related problems (this includes auto-immune diseases like allergies!) and anti-inflammatory as well you might want to have a look at extracts of the Cordyceps sinensis medicinal mushroom.
It works very well according to clinical trials and research, and also neutralizes the side effects of chemo and radiation. If you want to read more about it you can have a look at this repository, which also covers other medicinal mushrooms (yes, I'm all into those, they're little miracles!):
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JO - now that combo has me baffled as the Pepcid AC is for heartburn symptoms??!! I think these natural nasal sprays are helping or maybe inside with AC running now and tree pollen levels going down is helping. We got hit with a heat wave with humidity now.
OleOne - coincidence as I had just been reading up on mushroom supplements last week specifically "Cordyceps". Thanks very much for the link!
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cp418,
I tried taking Glucosamine for my joints (knees and shoulder pain) and it had a negative effect on me. I don't know specifically that it affected my cholesterol but I would gain weight and have the same fatigue I associate with a high-sugar, high-refined carb diet. I thought I recalled something about cholesterol in what I read about glucosamine but I'm not finding much to substantiate that glucosamine will affect cholesterol levels, just a LOT of articles saying that "There may be a small group of people whose lousy cholesterol rises when they take glucosamine, but the majority do not have this adverse effect" ...hope this helps
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20101012/COLUMNIST/10121009
just FYI, I checked out "OleOne"'s profile and in 4 out of 5 posts, a link is provided to the same site. I think that indeed there are some great things coming out of research on mushrooms, boswellia, scutellaria barbata and the like but just a heads up on the advertising nature of that member.
cheers -
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I stopped taking glucosamine and condroitin too - been reading a LOT about the possibility of it raising blood glucose levels in some people - same as niacin...
all SO confusing, now finding the Bitter Lemon products helping reduce blood sugar levels.
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Very interesting about the Glucosamine to Cholesterol relationship as I do have that MTHFR mutation which may be influenced by it. Thanks for that information, very very helpful as I had been taking a glucosamine supplement the past year. My Cholesterol LDL kept going up on each lab report with conservative diet and exercise. Yes, I hear you
so I try to be practical about these supplements. One can get carried away consuming so many - - moderation is the way to go IMO.
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"daily consumption of dark chocolate -- a polyphenol content equivalent to 100 grams of dark chocolate -- can reduce cardiovascular events by 85 per 10,000 population over 10 years."
wait.... so I have to eat a WHOLE dark chocolate bar? 100 grams is a bit over 3 ozs daily? my calorie intake does not currently allow for that volume. what to do... something's gotta give and it won't be the chocolate.
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