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Last month I introduced a protocol used to lower both my cholesterol and blood pressure. I want to finish this month with a discussion about how I arrived at the protocol, along with some preventive health tests you may want to consider.
The protocols I described are a work in progress, which means I went through several different supplements before I arrived at the best combinations that worked for me. I am sure if you are considering improving your cardiovascular health you are faced with a similar situation.
What I have done to help your process is to list all the different supplements I tried. All of them resulted in some improvement, however, based on different lifestyles and genetics, something that worked for me, may not necessarily benefit you.
The formulations:
Blood Pressure
Douglas Labs Cardio-Stolix
Heath Concerns Sea Ace
Pure Hawthorne Extract
Doctors Best Best Blood Pressure Support
Cholestrol
Health Concerns Polilipid
Pure Sytrinol
Doctors Best Ubiquinol (Co-Q10)
Doctors Best Cardiovascular Support
Health Concerns Astra Garlic
Life Extension Super Omega 3
Atherosclerosis
Life Extension Pomegranate Extract
Health Concerns Pomexcellent
Design for Health Niacin Supreme
Also, I want to mention a couple of tests you could consider during your next check up. If your Doctor is not doing these tests, you may want to specifically ask for them.
Cardo CT Scan: In Atlanta, where I live, Emory University offers this test for $125 which includes a blood draw to look at your lipid levels as well as a CT scan of your heart to determine if there is atherosclerosis (plaque build-up in your arteries). If you do have plaque, pomegranate with Niacin has been shown to reduce the build-up.
Lp(a) (pronounced LP little a) refers to the lipoprotein part of your lipids, if this value is elevated, it means you have a genetic trait making your lipoproteins more sticky. Sticky lipoproteins help create the plaque contributing to the inflammation of the inner walls of the vessels (endothelium).
In many cases, your lipids can be normal, yet the Lp(a) can be elevated resulting in a silent plaque build up. Most Doctors will not routinely screen for Lp(a) and the test can be done as part of a normal blood draw.
There is a growing group of new blood, urine, and saliva tests which have emerged that can be used to proactively improve your health and extend life. Unfortunately, these tests are not routinely administered and if/when they are, it is at a specialist’s office—in which case you probably already have some metabolic issue.
As I come across good diagnostic tests which are inexpensive, I will mention them in future newsletters.
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