Herbs Versus Statin Drugs

Herbs Versus Statin Drugs by Charles Harmon

One of the reasons natural alternatives are not considered for serious health conditions is because there is a general belief in the medical community that serious health conditions require intense treatment, something that natural alternatives lack. In some respects this is true. However, the level of intensity of prescribed medication is the main reason they typically produce unpleasant side effects. The body has to adjust to the sudden extreme modification of its chemical construction. In some cases the side effects are temporary; just long enough for the body to adjust. In other cases, the symptoms are ongoing and disrupt the performance of normal daily activities. The former is the reality of Statin drugs, the current king of cholesterol-lowering drugs.



The popularity of Statin drugs (Lipitor, Crestor, Zocor, Pravachol, Lescol, and Mevacor) is associated with the significant cholesterol-lowering effect. The low-density lipids (LDL) decrease and the high-density lipids (HDL) increase. These drugs have shown to lower cholesterol by as much as 50% in some people. Statin drugs have also showed some benefit in individuals with high blood pressure. Oftentimes persons with heart disease will be prescribed a Statin drug to help prevent clogging of the arteries.



There are basically two negative aspects of taking Statin drugs: ongoing side effects and cost. With most medications there are side effects. In addition to headaches, nausea, dizziness, and sleep disturbances, taking Statin drugs has also been associated with a depletion of the heart health cell component coenzyme Q10 and memory loss. If you are placed on Statin drugs, your doctor will monitor your liver to ensure that it is functioning properly. Muscle weakness, depression, and heart failure are also a concern for individuals taking Statin drugs. The economics of taking Statin drugs is another issue that causes concern for the 30 million individuals who are prescribed the medication. If an individual is prescribed a Statin drug they can expect to pay at least $100 a month. If you are fortunate enough to have health insurance it can still cost from $2 to upward of $30 or more a month.



In the ongoing pursuit of an alternative to Statin drugs, a natural alternative, Policosanol, has emerged and shown significant potential in contending with, if not surpassing, the effectiveness of stain drugs. Policosanol is a sugar extract that has the same cholesterol-lowering benefits of Statin drugs. Although Policosanol is derived from sugar, it will not cause a rise in blood sugar level. The good news about taking Policosanol to lower cholesterol is that there are virtually no side effects and it is inexpensive. In the various trials of Policosanol and popular Statin drugs, as little as 10 milligrams has been found to lower cholesterol as much as these drugs. It must be noted, however, that most, if not all trials to date, have been conducted in Cuba. That has caused doubts over the effectiveness of this substance. Controlled clinical trials in this country, if possible, will go a long way to validate the effects of Policosanol.



Hawthorn is another supplement that is valuable for individuals with high cholesterol. The keys to the success of hawthorn are flavonoids and the oligomeric procyanidins (OPCs). The two components work together to lower cholesterol. Flavonoids are antioxidants that improve blood flow to the heart. OPCs excrete a form of nitric oxide that prevents platelets from being "sticky" and lowers blood pressure. The trials using hawthorn have shown no serious side effects. However, some people may experience nausea, headache, and palpitations. Hawthorn may interact negatively with medications that are prescribed for heart conditions. Hawthorn is available in liquid and capsule form. The recommended dosage for heart health is 80 milligrams in the capsule form and one teaspoon three times each day in liquid form. It can take as many as six weeks for hawthorn to reduce cholesterol.



Since herbs are not considered drugs, they are not tested and approved by the Food and Drug Administration. It is imperative that a doctor is consulted before beginning any treatment with herbs. This is especially true if the individual is taking medications. Also realize it could be an uphill battle to get your doctor to give you approval for any supplement treatment as doctors are not normally trained in non-medical treatments.



Copyright (c) 2006 Charles L. Harmon



Charles Harmon is a long-time systems developer for business
and research applications. He has created many applications for some of
the largest U.S. corporations as well as for small businesses. He
currently runs a niche Adsense
article website. He can be reached via the contact form on href="http://www.kltgallery.com/">www.KLTGallery.com.



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High Blood Pressure - Is There A Natural Remedy?

High Blood Pressure - Is There A Natural Remedy? by Andrew Wilson

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is not a medical condition that can be taken lightly. It is a very serious condition that can have fatal consequences not treated correctly. The great majority of people who have hypertension do not even know it since it has no obvious symptoms that can not be attributed to other conditions such as headaches and dizziness.



It is because hypertension is so difficult to spot that every time you go to visit your healthcare provider a nurse takes your vital signs, including your heart rate pulse, and blood pressure. These routine checks are how most hypertension cases are discovered. Once diagnosed, it is essential that you undergo treatment for the condition, no matter whether you use traditional medicine or natural remedies for high blood pressure. Untreated, hypertension can lead to heart failure and fatal strokes.



High blood pressure is normally treated by physicians with anti-hypertensive prescription medications like Tiazac, Inderal, and others. The majority of these medications have few, if any, significant side effects. They work by limiting the anount your blood pressure can rise.



However, some hypertension medications do have side effects such as depression, and it may be that a particular drug may not be effective for you. You may need to try several medications and dosages until your physician finds the right regime for you.



Natural Remedies for High Blood Pressure



In alternative medicine, biofeedback is often used as a more natural remedy for high blood pressure. This treatment method involves the use of monitoring instruments that provide you with physiological information about how your body is functioning, even though you may be unaware of what is going on inside you. Introduced in the 1960s, biofeedback allows you to actually control your autonomic nervous system that controls heart rate, blood pressure and gastrointestinal activity.



A trained professional, typically a psychologist, attaches electrodes to points on your head and chest. These electrodes collect data and pass it to a monitoring device that allows you to see how your heart and brain are functioning. Through training in mental and physical exercises in relaxation, you learn to control your own breathing and heart rate. With practice you will no longer need the biofeedback device; you can do it by yourself.



Herbal medicine is another kind of natural treatment for high blood pressure. In this type of alternative medicine, plants, herbs and tree bark a of a beneficial nature are used to prevent or treat certain medical conditions, including high blood pressure. You should always inform your doctor that you are using herbal medicine as some prescription medecines and laboratory tests can be affected by the use of medicinal herbs.



Over the many centuries, herbal healing practitioners have discovered natural substances that can act as natural remedies for high blood pressure. Garlic is a staple for treating this condition. Garlic contains chemicals called alliin, alliinase and allicin that help with blood flow to the heart and brain. However, garlic interacts badly with blood-thinners such as Warfarin, and large doses of garlic used by pregnant women can lead to miscarriage. Coleus leaves also have the same ill effects as garlic.



Hawthorn leaves and flowers are a very effective natural remedy for high blood pressure without the negative effects of coleus and garlic. Hawthorn works by regulating the blood-pumping ability of the heart. Hawthorn normally comes in capsule form; you should never exceed the recommended dosage as this could lead to a dangerous drop in blood pressure.



Olive leaves contain oleuropein, a substance that lowers blood pressure, reduces cholesterol and fights infections. The ancient Greeks so highly prized these leaves becasue of their medicinal benefits that Olympic athletes were crowned with wreaths made of olive leaves.



Stevia leaves are the latest addition to the list of natural remedies for high blood pressure. Stevia is a calorie-free sweetener that seems to reduce hypertension. More research is needed to ensure the effectiveness and safety of Stevia, it should only be used under the supervision of a doctor to avoid a dangerous decrease in blood pressure.



Since hypertension too often hides from you until it is too late - you have already had a stroke or heart attack - consider investing in a home monitoring blood pressure device. They are not expensive and are easy to use, and they might just save your life. If you are a man of African American descent and if you are of any ethnic group over age 40, of either gender, you are more prone to this silent killer that may be lurking within your central nervous system, especially if you have a family history of hypertension.



Natural remedies for high blood pressure can effective as a preventative measure. So, it seems a good idea to prevent it before you experience the devastation it can cause. Just be sure to monitor your blood pressure; if the 'top number' drops below 120, stop using the herbs and see your physician.



Andrew Wilson runs a website about natural
and herbal remedies that offers a huge amount of information on the subject of natural remedies. If you are
interested in how natural remedies can help with your condition check www.naturalremedy.this-way.org out.



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