Xtend-Life-Questionst
20th September 2005
Please click on the question of interest:
Question: From Sam. (Subject: Statin drugs...)q1
I am 34 years old and have been taking statin drugs for 7 years. My triglycerides have been as high as 1300. I have decided to stop taking all prescribed drugs simply because of the way it makes me feel. I have ordered your Cholesterol Formula and Omega 3 Fish Oil product.
Is there anything else you offer that would help my situation? Thank you.
Answer: From Nicolien.
Because of 'spikes' that can occur when you come off a statin drug, it is important to do it carefully, preferably in conjunction with your Doctor.
We have found the following protocol to be successful:
Take the full daily dose of two soft gels of our Cholesterol formula 30 - 60 minutes before your evening meal.
For the first month keep taking the statin as you did before in the full dose. For the second month reduce the dose rate of the statin by 1/3. For the third month reduce the dose rate of the statin by another 1/3. At the end of the third month have a blood test and if all is in order try for another 2 months without the statin and then have another blood test to determine the cholesterol levels.
The reason for this is that the 'spikes' in cholesterol levels which I referred to earlier, may last for up to 5 or 6 months, even when coming off them gradually. Another hint…when taking supplements try to leave a gap of 3 hours between taking them and any prescription medications! (Except for the Omega 3 which does not need a time gap.)
Because you have been on a statin drug for so long you may also benefit from taking CoQ10 for a few months after stopping the statin drug. Statin drugs deplete CoQ10 in the body. Taking supplemental CoQ10 may take a few months to take effect when depletion has occurred.
To read more about CoQ10 click here.
After you have weaned yourself off the statin you could change your CoQ10 supplementation to our Total Balance which helps the body produce its own CoQ10. This will give you better value than just taking a CoQ10 supplement on its own.
Also, here are some more ideas to help lower elevated cholesterol levels. Eat more (organic) tofu, legumes, raw walnuts, almonds, (organic) chicken, fish etc, all low in cholesterol and good protein foods. Cholesterol lowering foods are: apples, carrots, bananas (in moderation), cold-water fish such as hoki, herring, sardines, salmon, turbot, etc, dried beans, oats and oat bran, psyllium, raw garlic, grapefruits and olive oil (not heated). Taking 2-3 tablespoons per day of lecithin added to food or wholegrain cereal is also beneficial.
Regarding elevated triglyceride levels... To improve these it is VERY important to stop eating sugar and refined carbohydrates such as white flour, cookies, cakes, white bread, pasta etc and processed foods. Sugars contribute to elevated triglyceride levels. Eat plenty of protein-foods such as lean (unprocessed) meat, fish, poultry, tofu, eggs, etc, and eat fibre rich foods such as oats, bran, psyllium and fresh garlic. Avoid transfats and hydrogenated oils (deep fried foods, chips, cookies, margarine, fast food). Our Omega 3 DHA/Esters can also be helpful for high triglycerides and can be combined with our cholesterol formula.
Also, you may like to become more familiar with foods that are high on the glycemic index. These foods may contribute to high triglyceride levels and weight gain. (Examples of these foods are: carrots, squash, bread, bananas, etc.) These are all high in sugars, and as such contribute to a quick rise of blood sugar levels and to the formation of triglycerides in the body, leading to weight gain and insulin resistance. I will attach a document to this email about the glycemic index. This will explain about the index, and which are high glycemic index foods and are low glycemic index foods etc.
For your overall condition and wellbeing you may like to read more about our multi-nutrient Total Balance, which may help to balance and optimize our overall health.
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Question: From Raymond. (Subject: Level Playing Fields?)q2
Is there any organized effort to try to level the playing field when it comes to recognition of natural supplements as an effective and more economical method of maintaining good health?
It is clear, at least in the US, that prescription drug company lobbyists have a tremendous amount of purchase influence with our law makers.
I can't see any way to change that situation except through a single minded public relations campaign that is created and directed by a coalition of honest manufacturers and their customers. However, I think such a project is worth the effort, even if it fails, should the results benefit even one life.
If my thoughts on this are too much blue sky thinking, then so be it. I don't think I am smart enough, young enough or persuasive enough to tackle something this big and important; however many of the articles that come from your organization show an intelligent, knowledgeable group of thinkers who could be instrumental in getting this effort off the ground.
If the medical community is never taught that alternative medicines can be effective for many conditions, then we will continue on down the path of deteriorating health in the US, accompanied by soaring costs of treating symptoms instead of pre-empting the illness through proper diet, exercise, and early diagnosis.
Thanks for reading this. I am hopeful that someday there will be a meeting of minds on this subject, and that truly concerned manufacturers of natural supplements will join together with their customers to alter the direction of health care.
Answer: From Warren.
We completely concur with your thinking...and believe that ultimately what you are talking about will happen.
However, I think that it will be another couple of years before anything constructive actually happens because to a fair extent the industry is starting a 'shake out' period which will see a lot of change over the next couple of years.
I am referring to GMP's (proper ones... government administered... not industry issued ones which are questionable) and a whole host of other regulatory issues.
The problem is that many Companies in this business have damaged the industry as a whole through outlandish claims and poor manufacturing protocols. This needs to be 'cleaned' up first for the industry to gain better credibility. When this 'process' is complete I am optimistic that you will see positive things begin to happen.
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Comment: From Paul. (Subject: Cholesterol results...)q3
We started taking Total Balance and Omega 3 about 5-6 months ago at the advice of my brother-in-law, W... M... of Ontario and the result for me is the same as for him. My doctor advised me yesterday that I can stop taking Lipitor since my cholesterol is now just perfect.
You probably hear this story often, but we are certainly happy to have found your products. It's not that we are saving a lot of money by not taking Lipitor anymore, but I'd rather spend it on natural products... Keep up the good work.
Response: From Warren.
Always good hear results like this. Also great to hear the attitude of your Doctor! There are more and more Doctors beginning to realize the value of natural treatments. Unfortunately not all of them are quite as enlightened as you will see from a comment from another subscriber which we have printed below. Pretty sad eh!
"My husband is currently taking 5mg of Crestor every other day. We fought the Dr about taking this medicine for a year because I had researched the statin drugs and did not like what I saw. His cholesterol levels steadily went up and the Dr refused treatment unless he took the statin drug.
My husband is currently taking Antabuse and his Dr would not refill the Antabuse unless he agreed to take the cholesterol medicine. After seeing your website, we have decided that he is not going to take anymore Crestor and I want to order your product. Is your product OK to take with the antabuse???"
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