Ultimate Guide To Lowering Cholesterol Naturally – With Natural Statins (Part 2)

Today I would like to talk about the real causes of cardiovascular disease, the connection between kidney disease and cardiovascular disease, and how you can treat them with natural statins. This is the continuation of my previous article entitled: Ultimate Guide To Lowering Cholesterol Naturally – Warning Cholesterol Is Bogus (Part 1) where I discussed The Great Cholesterol Myth.

One of the most surprising realisations for anyone with kidney disease is that it is more common to die from cardiovascular disease than it is to actually die from the kidneys failing*.

*It must be noted that this is not necessarily your destiny. Your destiny is determined by your actions, and simply being on this website, and reading this article, means that you are in the minority of people who take care of their health over and above most others. Therefore, by following the simple strategies I have laid out below, you will further your life expectancy, reduce complications and disease, and of course heal your body.

Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in people with chronic kidney disease.

How is that so? Well, there are a number of reasons, and they are as follows:

•    Arteriosclerosis – the kidneys have a role in regulating calcium levels, so when this diminishes, calcium builds up in the arteries causing arterial hardening and stiffness.

•    Blood clotting – blood clotting is more common in those with kidney disease; if a blood clot closes off a blood vessel, this may cause high blood pressure, a heart attack, or a stroke.

•    Heart stress – there are many ways in which kidney disease places the heart under extra burden. Namely, the kidneys fail to remove enough fluid from the body causing blood pressure to rise, and fluid to build up around the lungs and heart. Hyperkalemia (high blood potassium) also occurs in kidney disease which causes the heart to beat and contract too rapidly.

•    High blood pressure – the kidneys are the chief organ to regulate blood pressure, mainly through the elimination of fluid. When kidney function declines, so too does their ability to regulate blood pressure.

•    Hyperlipidimia – kidney disease causes LDLs to increase, possibly due to a hormonal imbalance.

On top of these kidney-specific causes, cardiovascular disease can be caused by a number of other factors. As discussed in part one of this two-part series, cholesterol is not the be-all and end-all of heart disease, in fact, “cholesterol” is rarely the problem. The real culprits consist of seven “other” cardiovascular markers.

The Real Cardiovascular Health Culprits – And Why They Are Bad

What I am about to tell you is not new and shiny research sorry. In truth, it has been around for decades. You could probably be the hit at your next dinner party by talking about this, but in complementary health circles, this is old news.

It probably not the best idea to tell you all that – as people always want the newest scoop, the latest breakthrough, and so forth – but I am here to help you, not dish you out another lot of BS that will keep the current torrent of misinformation circulating throughout the world.

Here are the real culprits that are holding you back:
Note: I have broken down the “culprits” into three sections (1) Definition: (2) Interpretation: & (3) Reference range: This will give you an understanding of: (1) WHAT it is; (2) HOW it affects you; & (3) WHERE your levels need to be for optimal heart health.

1. Elevated ApoB – aka Apolipoprotein B

–    Definition: Is the primary protein constituent of LDL (low-density lipoproteins) and VLDL (very low-density lipoproteins)
–    Interpretation: Research shows that this is a better marker of heart disease than LDL or Total Cholesterol. This may be tested for instead of LDL
–    Reference range: Optimally <0.9 g/L

2. Elevated High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein

–    Definition: A protein that increases in direct relationship with increasing inflammation. This protein is produced by the liver
–    Interpretation: Can be an indication of myocardial necrosis; coronary heart disease; increased risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack)
–    Reference range: Only test using the “High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein” Test, regular C-Reactive Protein Test is very inaccurate.
o    < 1.0 mg/L Low
o    > 1.0 – 3.0 mg/L Moderate
o    > 3.0 mg/L High

3. Elevated Fibrinogen

–    Definition: A precursor of fibrin, which is a protein involved in the coagulation of blood
–    Interpretation: Fibrinogen is an inflammatory marker, which when elevated makes the blood “sticky”
–    Reference range: 1.5 – 4.0 g/L

4. Elevated Homocysteine

–    Definition: Homocysteine is a metabolite of the essential amino acid methionine
–    Interpretation: This metabolite is a well-known cause of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Elevated homocysteine levels are often caused by a vitamin B6, B9 (folate), and B12 deficiency, as well as kidney disease and certain drugs.
–    Reference range: 5- 15 umol/L; ideally under 10 umol/L

5. Elevated Lp (a) – aka lipoprotein (a)

–    Definition: A lipid-protein that is similar to LDL but contains apolipoprotein B attached to apolipoprotein (a)
–    Interpretation: Elevated lipoprotein (a) is cause of atherosclerosis
–    Reference range: < 200 mg/L

6. Elevated LDL Cholesterol – Low-density lipoprotein

–    Definition: The quantity of cholesterol transported as a fraction of a low-density lipoprotein
–    Interpretation: Elevated LDLs are linked with atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease
–    Reference range:
o    < 2.5 mmol/L Optimal
o     2.6 – 3.3 mmol/L Near-Optimal
o     3.3 – 4.0 mmol/L Borderline
o     4.0 – 4.8 mmol/L High
o    > 4.8 mmol/L Very High

7. Low HDL

–    Definition: The quantity of cholesterol transported as a fraction of a high-density lipoprotein
–    Interpretation: High HDLs are linked with a decrease in cardiovascular disease
–    Reference range:
o    < 1.0 mmol/L Low
o    > 1.5 mmol/L High

8. Low APO A-1 – aka Apolipoprotein A-1

–    Definition: Apolipoprotein A-1 is the chief element of HDL
–    Interpretation: Apolipoprotein A-1 may be used as a substitute for the HDL test
–    Reference range: 1.0 – 1.8 g/L

9. Elevated Triglycerides

–    Definition: The type of fat that is stored in the body
–    Interpretation: A major risk factor for cardiovascular disease
–    Reference range:
o    < 1.7 mmol/L Normal
o     1.7 – 2.2 mmol/L Borderline
o     2.2 – 5.6 mmol/L High
o     > 5.6 mmol/L Very High

10. Elevated Total Cholesterol

–    Definition: The total amount of cholesterol (in the form of lipoproteins) in the blood
–    Interpretation: Yes there is evidence to show that increased total cholesterol does play a role in cardiovascular disease, though it is really the balance between LDLs and HDLs, and the other markers that count.
–    Reference range*:
o    < 5.5 – 6.0 mmol/L Ideal
o     6.1 – 7.0 mmol/L Borderline
o     > 7.0 mmol/L High

*Let’s put it this way, if I had a client with a total cholesterol reading of 7.2 mmol/L, but all the above tests came back as “normal” then I would not be too concerned. If I however had a client at 5.3 mmol/L total cholesterol but whose APO B, Triglycerides, and High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein were high (as an example), then I would be concerned!

Amazing hey? Who knew there were so many factors at play? And just so you know, you shouldn’t be feeling overwhelmed right now, as some can do. Yes there are 7 more “things” that require your attention, but in actual fact, they are all easily treated, produce much better results when treated, and thankfully, many can be treated with the same remedies! Heck, you should be jumping for joy! You have just discovered the REAL keys to unlocking your heart health.

The other good news is that (some) doctors are beginning to be aware of these tests and will be therefore willing to test for these on request. The others I cannot speak for, but if you do have a doctor who is not willing to test for these other cardiovascular markers, then he or she is just not taking your health seriously enough.

Solution? Find another doctor that is educated, willing, and has your health at heart.

How To Treat Cardiovascular Disease With Natural Statins And Other Remedies

Ok, we are finally here! It is time to get down to business.

Below I have created a treatment table to make this whole healing thing a breeze. Simply refer to the section that applies to you, and start implementing the natural remedies (for the purpose of this article I will call them “natural statins”) for lowering cholesterol and improving your cardiovascular health.

Adapted from: Interpretive Guidelines – Cardiovascular Assessment (F.I.T.)

Well, there you have it! There is a lot of information there, but the good thing, which you probably noticed, a lot of the treatments (natural statins) are similar for each “culprit”. I have also tried to be as succinct as possible, by just providing you the most important causes and treatments – avoiding information overload and unnecessary treatments.

IMPORTANT note:  Please don’t feel that you must take all of the suggestions (natural statins), for each section, that apply to you. Not! Just make sure you have a good selection so that you know you are covered.

Another IMPORTANT thing to note is to use the “Possible Causes” as a treatment option as well. For example, number five “Elevated Lp (a)”, it states that consumption of hydrogenated oils is a cause of elevated Lp (a), however when you look across the treatment options I do not mention “avoid hydrogenated oils”; that is because it should be apparent to avoid hydrogenated oils.

I hope you have enjoyed my article on lowering cholesterol and other cardiovascular culprits using natural statins. May this information give you the tools necessary to create the health that you deserve?

Yours In Excellent Health,
Duncan

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